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I tried to act casual as I asked my dad how much a pizza at Mother's cost. 

When I was young, there was a pizza joint where I lived called "Mother's Pizza." One year, when I was probably around 5 years old, my mind put together this little idea that it might be wonderful if I could take my mom to Mother's Pizza for Mother's Day. The only problem was, I was 5 years old and couldn't afford a pizza. I decided to get creative and see if I could devise a way to come up with the funds. This is when I asked my dad about the approximate costs. Upon receiving his answer, I raced to our basement, gathered my watercolor art supplies, summoned the little math powers I had, and proceeded to paint a series of several watercolor pieces and painted on sale prices that totaled, as near as I could try to calculate it, the amount of one pizza. Once my art collection was dry I displayed them near my dad's office area and invited him to come down and have a walk through my art store. Wouldn't you know it, he bought the whole lot. I remember how special it felt to have earned money on my own and then use it all to take my mom on a date for Mother's Day. 

It was the precise moment I learned just how wonderful the truth of Jesus' words that "it is more blessed to give than to receive" feels. (see Acts 20.35)

Perhaps as you think back you can remember the time when the joy of Christmas morning changed from being found in getting to being found in giving. 

I want to commend our church family for your spirit of generosity. You reflect Jesus wonderfully. Not only is "the big Smile of Achoo" a value, but it is part of our church's culture, legacy, and joy. 

Now that we're a week into November, it's time to begin giving serious thought to how we will share the message and meaning of Christmas with our community this year. Here is an outline of our priorities and plans.

2024 Christmas Outreach

  1. Through Groups. One of the very best ways to share the love of Jesus is through groups. All of the Small Groups, Pop Up Groups, Coffee Clubs, and groups of friends tracking along with our "Is the Gospel Actually Good News?" series are spending time in their discussion times considering who their group could scheme together to serve or bless this Christmas. Every one of us has people connected to our lives right here in the Comox Valley that don't know Jesus yet and when we work together we have a beautiful opportunity to express the love and welcome of Jesus to them! 
  2. 150 Christmas Stockings for Children in Need. This past Sunday we announced our plans for this year through a partnership with Bread of Life Ministries. We want to bless the children of around 100 needy households in our surrounding community with a Christmas Stocking packed full of treats and fun gifts for them. In November we will fill and collect these stockings and then in December they are sorted and delivered by awesome groups of volunteers. If you missed your chance to pick up a stocking to fill, there are still around 50 empty stockings left to be picked up in one of our lobbies this Sunday. Be sure to grab 1 envelope per stocking. Envelopes include instructions, gift ideas, and a slip of paper to fill out for each stocking to indicate which gender and age group it is for. Before delivery, we will put a Christmas Eve Service invite in each stocking and our prayer is that the gifts bring joy and convey the love of Jesus to each home! 
  3. Warming Centre Drive. We want to support those who are experiencing homelessness in our community this Christmas season. The local warming centre has said they are in need of panchos and umbrellas and if you have any new or used to donate you can drop them off in the church lobby this month.
  4. Christmas Eve Services. Each year we see hundreds of people from the community attend one of our Christmas Eve services. What a great opportunity to proclaim the love and truth of Jesus through festive music, video, story, and a message of hope from the Bible! Maybe you could invite someone to join you this year? 
  5. Bibles for Children. We think every child in our community deserves the opportunity to have a Bible. Don't you think every home needs at least one Bible in it? We want to purchase Bibles for children so that each child from our community who visits our Christmas Eve services goes home with a Bible this year. 

We want to invite everyone to consider participation in one or a few of this year's Christmas Outreach initiatives. 

Would you consider a special donation that helps empower our Christmas Outreaches this year? We hope to raise $5,000 toward costs associated with these outreach efforts. The Bibles for Children are costly, but a worthwhile investment. You can click here to give online or designate a gift by marking "Christmas Outreach" on a giving envelope.

Thanks! 

The joy of Christmas truly is found in Jesus and in the thrill of giving, isn't it! 

Pastor Mike 

Ps: allow me to take a moment to acknowledge and thank our wonderful Care & Benevolence Team who meet the needs of so many people within CPC. While our Christmas Outreach and many other aspects of our church life prioritize the needs of people in our local community who don't know Jesus yet, our Care & Benevolence Team does such great work to provide care, visitation, and practical support to people in our church family who are facing a crisis, challenge or change (like the arrival of a new baby!). If you or someone you know of is in need, please let our office know right away!