In 2022, ‘Happy Christmas’ hampers were prepared by one of our regular Bible Study groups and delivered to elderly senior members of our congregation.
COMMUNITY PANTRY
STARTS BACK AS FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON , 12th FEBRUARY, 2023
This special project was commenced during the COVID lockdown period in 2021 and will recommence in FEBRUARY 2023 – with a slightly different setup.
In 2023 it will operate from 2.30 – 4.30pm EVERY SUNDAY and offers essential items – including gluten free grocery items for community members who are struggling with financial difficulties.
Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Boxes
This special project involves all of our members collecting (and donating throughout the whole year) a range of suitable items for packing into shoeboxes on the second Saturday in October each year… in 2018, the 369 boxes/presents packed by people at Penrith Church were distributed to children in the Phillipines as part of a program called ‘Operation Christmas Child’.
In 2020-21, the COVID years, things were different! Bible study groups, youth group, individual members and whole families got involved with packing the boxes in time for collection during October. Our God is amazing!
Believe it or not … in 2021 we packed 250 boxes and our church family donated almost $3,000 towards the cost of sending these overseas. Quite and amazing effort! Thank you everyone!
Remember … it’s not the number of boxes that counts, but rather the number of children (and other family members) who will have the opportunity to meet up with Jesus and spend eternity with our Lord!
TEAR Useful Gifts Catalogue
For many years a retiring offering at Christmas Eve services has been forwarded to support TEAR Australia, however, in recent years our church family has enthusiastically supported another TEAR initiative, ‘The Most Useful Gifts Catalogue’, by purchasing items such as goats, water wells, etc. for overseas communities.
Christmas Hampers – Supporting Our Community
For a number of years now, our church family has supported needy families in our community by donating a wide range of food and grocery items suitable for a delicious Christmas lunch.
Kids’ Holiday Club
Our annual Kids’ Holiday Club has been running for fourteen years now and gives us the opportunity to reach out to about 40 kids from Years 3-6 with a range of activities such as… Bible Stories and Teaching, Craft, Missions, Singing. It is held during one week of the Sept/Oct school holidays.
Annual Spring Fair
Our annual Church Spring Fair is an event involves our whole church family as we reach out in love to the wider community, with a variety of home-made goods, cakes, jams and pickles, books, etc… with activities for children and free Gospel themed ‘sample bags’.