Sunday Service ~ 10 a.m.
****Statement of purpose**** Our committee exists to facilitate the sharing of God's love and care in the world by guiding our congregation in the giving of our time, talents, and financial resources.
CUDDLE DOLLS
This summer members of the congregation made soft, huggable "Cuddle Dolls". The dolls were distributed to local nonprofits who work with children in stressful situations. The YWCA, the Helena Police Department, The Friendship Center, God's Love, and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) received the dolls with hopes they will provide comfort and reassurance to the children they serve.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY WORKDAY
The 1st Presbyterian workgroup
Others spruced up the build site
The 1st Presbyterian workgroup
We met on August 5th to help with construction and clean-up of homes in a new subdivision.
Some helped add siding
Others spruced up the build site
The 1st Presbyterian workgroup
We worked alongside the new homeowners to begin adding siding to one of the houses.
Others spruced up the build site
Others spruced up the build site
Others spruced up the build site
Since the weather was perfect, we also pulled weeds and picked up trash.
CULMINATION OF OUR MATTHEW 25 RECOMMITMENT
Out Matthew 25 commitment began in 2021, almost 2 years ago. When we began, we engaged in a variety of activities as a congregation regarding the hungry, the thirsty, strangers, the poorly clothed, the sick and the imprisoned. At the beginning of 2023 individuals began creating paper chain links with descriptions of activities they performed to demonstrate their recommitment to help "the least of these" in our community and beyond. The links were joined to form a chain and the project culminated in May. The resulting colorful chain is displayed in our Fellowship Area. It reminds us that although the project is complete, we are never finished being performing Matthew 25 kindness activities in our community and world.
RECENT OUTREACH MINISTRIES
Mother's Day Recognition
Sharing God's Love on Valentine's Day
Neighborhood Clean-Up Day
In May FPCH reached out to new mothers in the community on Mother's Day. Cards were created and included hand-written message of inspiration and encouragement by members of the congregation to the new mothers. The cards and a small gift of hand cream were delivered to the mothers at St Peters Hospital and Florence Crittenton Home for the special day.
Neighborhood Clean-Up Day
Sharing God's Love on Valentine's Day
Neighborhood Clean-Up Day
In April we cleaned six blocks in the neighborhood around our church with the help of Scouts and Leaders from Boy Scout Troop #228. The City of Helena Solid Waste Division provided bags, gloves, safety vests and other required items. A big thank you to both organizations for making the day so successful.
Sharing God's Love on Valentine's Day
Sharing God's Love on Valentine's Day
A BREAD BASKET FOR OUR JEWISH NEIGHBORS
Our congregation wrote Bible verses and words of encouragement for Mothers and their children. Candy, stickers, and notepads were included in the envelopes and delivered to residents of the Helena YWCA and The Friendship Center for Valentines Day.
A BREAD BASKET FOR OUR JEWISH NEIGHBORS
A BREAD BASKET FOR OUR JEWISH NEIGHBORS
A BREAD BASKET FOR OUR JEWISH NEIGHBORS
Nine members of our congregation met with members of the Jewish community at their Synagogue to welcome them as our new neighbors. We offered a basket with freshly baked home-made bread. They gave us a small menorah in return.
CARROLL COLLEGE CHURCH CONNECT
A BREAD BASKET FOR OUR JEWISH NEIGHBORS
CARROLL COLLEGE CHURCH CONNECT
Kathy & Les represented FPCH in a meet and greet day with Carroll College students. The students were given pastries, a brochure about FPCH, and were invited to participate in our church activities.
MISSION ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE YEARS
OUR FOCUS:
We focus our giving on the “least of these” as specified in Matthew 25: The hungry, The thirsty, Strangers, The naked, The sick, and The imprisoned. And although not specifically mentioned in Matthew 25, the disadvantaged also receive our support. The following is a partial list of the activities of FPCH for each of these groups of people:
For the hungry and thirsty:
Collected food items and monetary donations for distribution to local organizations supporting the hungry and thirsty; assembled and distributed bags of food and water to local panhandlers; purchased food baskets for refugee families around the world; collected and distributed coupons for food items to assist individuals or families who struggle with hunger.
For strangers:
Encouraged our congregation to smile at strangers and invite them to participate in worship services and fellowship activities; provided monetary support for a local missionary assigned overseas and other missionaries activities; provided financial support of our Presbytery Camp open to youth of all denominations; engaged with local college students to invite them to participate in our church activities; sent encouragement to local young women and children through Cards & Candy outreach.
For the naked:
Collected and provided warm clothing to local organizations supporting the homeless; collected diapers and baby products for distribution to local organizations supporting young mothers and babies; collected and provided clothing and personal care items for distribution to war veterans in transitional housing, collected blankets, towels & washcloths for underprivileged.
For the sick:
Provided homemade lap quilts to members of the congregation in poor health; provided monetary donations to local children’s’ home.
For the imprisoned:
Collected puzzle and activity books for a boys correctional facility as well as monetary donations to purchase sports equipment; made and gave lap quilts to members of the congregation isolated due to Covid19.
For the disadvantaged:
Provided back-to-school supplies to disadvantaged children; participated in community fundraisers, provided meals, overnight supervision and monetary support of families in transition; collected and distributed personal care and cleaning items to local organizations supporting disadvantaged families; collected and distributed menstrual products to local organizations supporting disadvantaged women; provided monetary support for a disadvantaged youth organization; provided monetary support for a local home for pregnant mothers & their babies; provided monetary support for abused women and children; provided monetary support for war refugees.