Church holiday giving/events
Olney’s churches provide many opportunities to celebrate, worship and contribute to the community at large as the holidays draw near. Here is a list of upcoming events that everyone is welcome to contribute to or attend:
First Baptist Church of Olney:
Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes (Dedication is Sun., Nov. 20) - The First Baptist Church is participating in Operation Christmas Child, a program that delivers great joy and the Good News of Jesus Christ to needy children around the world through gift-filled shoeboxes. Each box is packed full of quality toys, school supplies such as crayons, and personal care items such as washcloths as a tangible expression of God’s immense love. Anyone in the community can help by providing items to be packed or the $10 per shoebox is costs to ship them. Donors can pack their own boxes or pick up boxes in the foyer and Fellowship Hall. Boxes must be delivered to the church no later than Monday morning, Nov. 21. They will be dedicated at the Sunday, Nov. 20 service and shipped out the next day. Volunteers will be accepting donations in front of the church on Monday, Nov. 14 through Friday, Nov. 18 from 4-6 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 19 from 9-11 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 20 from 1-3 p..m. and Monday, Nov. 21 from 8-10 p.m. For more information about how to pack the boxes and the recipients, go to the Samaritans Purse website at https://www. samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/packa- shoe-box/
Gift-Wrapping Fundraiser for Missions (Sat., Dec. 10, 1-4 p.m.) Need some help wrapping your holiday gifts this year? Bring your gifts to the Fellowship Hall to let us wrap them for a donation to help support our upcoming student mission trip to Germany! All wrapping supplies will be provided, and we’ll have several styles to choose from. You can also bring your own wrapping paper and just let us do the work. All donations will directly support students and adults going to share the gospel in Germany in 2023.
Traditional Christmas Pageant (Dec. 11 at 11:45 a.m.) - The First Baptist Church will hold an old-fashioned Christmas pageant and the singing of best-loved Christmas carols by the audience and a choir. Pastor Chad Edgington will preach a special Christmas message after the pageant.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service (Dec. 24, 5 p.m.) - The Candlelight Service has become a special tradition for many families in Olney when the congregation and visitors gather to sing traditional Christmas carols in the glow of candles. The theme for this year’s service is “Christ, the Greatest Gift,” and participants will be encouraged to share how Christ has been a gift for them. At the end of the service, the congregation will sing “Silent Night” and “Away in A Manger,” while they pass a candlelight from person to person.
Christmas Day Service (Dec. 25 at 11 a.m.) - We will have only one service at 11 a.m. No Sunday school. I feel like Sunday morning when it’s Christmas everybody is happy. Celebrate Christmas with your community as well as your family.
First United Methodist Church of Olney:
Thanksgiving Lunch (Nov. 24, RSVP by Nov. 17): FUMC is hosting a Thanksgiving Lunch, free of charge to anyone who would like to come! There will also be rides provided if you need a ride. Contact Vennie Haase at 860-705-1470 to RSVP by 11/17/22.
St Luke Lutheran Church:
Thankgiving service (Wed. Nov. 24): St. Luke will hold a Thanksgiving Service at 7 p.m.
Children’s Christmas Program (Sat. Dec. 24): St. Luke will hold its Children’s Christmas Program and Christmas Service on Saturday, Dec. 24 at 5 p.m.