At First Presbyterian Church, we use the word “mission” to talk about how we go into the world to share the love of Jesus Christ. In other words, it’s how we “walk the talk” of being a Christian in this world. Some mission opportunities involve giving our time, while others involve giving our money or resources.

 

Offerings to support Presbyterian Church USA Projects allow us to share our blessings with others around the world. We participate in the One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS), Pentecost, and Peacemaking offerings. OGHS is taken during Lent to support Presbyterian Disaster Relief and hunger projects. The Pentecost offering is taken in spring for children at risk with 40% given to a local project. The peacemaking offering is taken in October on World Communion Sunday with 25 % given to a local project. Learn more at www.pcusa.org/art/supportmission.htm.

 

Offerings for special mission work let us contribute to local mission efforts. The “Noisy Bucket” offering is taken twice a year to support Habitat for Humanity. (www.habitat.org). “Souper Bowl” is an offering of money and soup collected on the Sunday of the Super Bowl to benefit the local food pantry. Learn more at www.souperbowl.org.

 

The Crop Walk is an ecumenical, community-wide program that is usually held the first Sunday in October, which is also World Communion Sunday. Participants get financial pledges of support for their commitment to walk one, three, or five miles to support the Church World Service hunger mission. A percentage of the proceeds are given to Clinton Community Outreach. Learn more at www.churchworldservice.org.

 

The 30 Hour Famine asks our youth to spend 30 hours at the church experiencing what hunger feels like by not eating for that period of time. The congregation and community give financial support to help our youth raise funds to donate to hunger-related causes. Learn more at www.30hourfamine.org.

 

Youth mission trips take place during the summer. Our congregation provides support in the form of financial gifts, equipment, supplies, and mentoring for youth who take week-long trips that focus on hands-on service to others. Recent trips have included service in Rockford, IL, and Iowa. After they return, our youth lead a worship service to share their experiences.

 

Clinton Community Outreach Program, also known as the “Food Pantry,” is an ecumenical program that operates the local food pantry. We sponsor “Fill the Bag Sunday” twice a year. Grocery bags are given out at the beginning of the month to be brought back at the end of the month containing donations of a few of the items currently on the list of pantry needs. Our congregation also makes special contributions for Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets.

 

First Presbyterian Church supports the development of the youth in our community by providing space for the Stateline Family YMCA’s Growing Tree Preschool at below-market rental rates. The state-licensed preschool program serves 3- to 5-year-old children. Families must enroll and pay YMCA fees to participate.