It has been a busy summer around Homestead and Dorton, hasn’t it? But, as we grow older, aren’t we thankful that God gives us the strength and ability to stay busy as we serve Him together? By the time you receive this August newsletter, it will be time for school to start. Teachers, students, and school employees will be busy getting ready for the big day. So, now that we are almost ready for school to start back, let’s look back at a few of the ways we have served him this summer.
Did you know that our Homestead ladies have been meeting to make crafts for our upcoming sale? This will occur during the famous 127 Yard Sale. Many of you have already purchased crafts for use in your homes. Talk to Jackie if you’d like to check out what they’ve been making.
We’ve also been getting really serious about Operation Christmas Child. You may be thinking Christmas is a long way off. Yes, it is. But the time to pack these gift boxes will be here before you know it.
We have several new attenders who may not know much about this great cause. Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse which is an international relief organization. For this project Samaritan’s Purse partners with churches and other local organizations that work with children in areas of the world impacted by poverty, war, famine, natural disaster, or disease. These organizations can then use these shoeboxes as a way to reach out to these communities with the good news of Jesus as they use the shoeboxes to bless the children who receive them. All told, Samaritan’s Purse has partners in 170 different countries that they work with!
While, by this time, you have missed the state sales tax holiday, and maybe even some of the back-to-school sales, it is never too late to help out with this project. Shoeboxes are packed based on age category. We are doing ages 5-9 and are packed for either a boy or a girl. There is a lot that can go into a shoebox. Some possible items include: Clothing items such as socks, sunglasses, personal care items that are non-perishable such as a brush, washcloths, fun band-aids, and toothbrushes (but not toothpaste); School supplies and craft items such as coloring pencils, crayons, scissors, pencil cases, stickers, and glue sticks. Of course, since these go to children, small toys are also good options, such as dolls, musical instruments, stuffed animals, and other small toys or figures are all popular options.
The Naomi group, our new widows and widowers group, have begun feeling their way through the beginning of meeting as another ministry of our church. If you would like to be a part of that group, or help in some way, please see Margaret Hamby or Martha Hale.
Finally, have you noticed the parking lot being full of cars on Thursday evenings. That is the new AA group (Alcoholics Anonymous) that has just been formed. This group came from another church whose group had grown too large and needed to be split. We are so proud and thankful that God allows us to make our building available for this vital ministry.
Dorton has been busy, too. Beginning with the First Sunday in June meal at Pastor Tim and Mrs. Preachers, and continuing through the after-school cookout, singings, and fellowships, our wonderful Dorton partners have worked hard this summer to make it a sweet time to serve the Lord.
In closing, please let me remind you that your faithful attendance and giving is what keeps our churches sustained. We are reminded “not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is but rather exhorting one another.” That comes from Hebrews 10. The writer is urging us to encourage one another. And one of the great ways to do that is to maintain regular church attendance. Realizing that there are times of sickness, difficulties, and activities for which we cannot miss, we really should put forth the effort to make sure we are in attendance at our church, thereby encouraging one another.
So, you see, it has not been a lazy summer around Homestead and Dorton! I am excited to see what Autumn 2025 holds in store for our two churches. But, most of all, I pray that God’s Spirit continues to influence our every move.