What We Did in December:
Christmas Concert at the Elysian
Our Christmas Concert at the Elysian raised $400 for the Boys and Girls Club after school program. It was an amazing time.
Christmas Party
Every year April Harris gives a Christmas party for all of the families she serves. The moms’ groups provided over 12 dozen homemade desserts for the event. The moms’ group also packed 22 gift boxes to be delivered through Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child. Each mom chose a boy or girl and which age they wanted to buy for, and bought appropriate gifts for that child that would fit in a standard shoebox. On our project day we wrapped and stuffed our boxes and enjoyed each other’s company.
Thanksgiving Meal Preparation
One group helped provide Thanksgiving meals and delivered furniture to those in need.
Annual Shop and Swap
There was the First Annual Shop and Swap to provide gifts to teens. We had several people come and help with the shopping, then wrapping the gifts. We had a great time eating treats after!
Caroling at the Homeless Shelter
Some people went to the Hoboken homeless shelter to carol and sing holiday songs with the homeless. Although there was a small turnout of singers, we were blessed with the spirit of the homeless shelter members who stepped up and joined in beautifully with the songs. In fact, they didn't want us to leave! They requested more songs for us to sing (and although we didn't have the music for those songs they did a great job) and the event was a success.
Help April Harris at In Jesus Name
During Christmas week, many of us helped April Harris at In Jesus Name. April served over 300 families this Christmas with presents. She needed help organizing, sorting and bagging hundreds of gifts that were donated from several churches and synagogues in Hoboken. April's unending energy and compassion to serve our community is such an inspiration.
Food Prep at New City Kid's Church
In Jersey City, two home fellowship groups prepared food for New City Kids Church and supported them by watching their amazing performances. We had the chance to talk to children and their families and were blessed by their enthusiasm. What better way to spend Christmas as a church family than to share a meal. With good food and time to spend with friends, looks like everyone had fun. See pic's.
Our First Live Nativity!
This year the Children's Ministry pulled off the almost impossible feat of our first live nativity. It was allot to wrangle with all of our new little ones-good thing we had a few shepherd's staffs for the toddlers and Legos for our "farm animals"! With our very youngest at 4 weeks playing Baby Jesus, to the oldest as Joseph, it was a beautiful sight.