An Operation....

Not the kind of Operation you are thinking of...this is a different kind of operation. It's Operation Christmas Child. Every year we assemble boxes for children overseas under the Samaritans Purse Organization.

If you are unfamiliar with these boxes....let me briefly explain. In short, you make a "Christmas Gift" for a child...the things we put in the boxes range from toys, Beanie Babies, toothbrush, soap, socks....each box is different...no two are the same....packed with love! We pre-wrap the box in Christmas wrap and then the filling begins.

Here is Shelly and Kathy wrapping boxes with a smile.... Some of the boxes being filled...with love of course!

The Beanie Baby table

So, here we are with all the filled boxes.....can you guess how many?? This is the biggest year we have had! There are about 5+ ladies that had to leave early that did not make the picture.

We packed 113 BOXES!!!! I know, that it doesn't look like that many in the picture but this is about 4 hours of work...oh and a little break for tacos!

What a great felling, knowing we are meeting the physical needs of those little ones in another country. I can't go there but this box of goodies can!!!!

Last Party...

We had our Pastors, Deacons & Wives Christmas Party last night. After a few delays...we meet at Arnies in Rockford. Almost everyone was able to attend!






Ray & Steve are off the Board for this year. In the pictures, Ray & Steve are reading letters and opening a small gift from Pastor Chris.









My meal...Chicken Pot Pie and a Rivera Salad







The group









the rest of the group

more of the group

We have had a tradition of bringing White Elephants. It always brings a good laugh. The hot items this year were...a tin of VHS movies, screwdriver set and a re-elect Jennifer Granholm shirt!

The non-hot items were the set of place mats, Encyclopedia set & Pedro the marionette doll. Pedro has made it to three parties to date...he may make an appearance next year???

Oh and another hot or maybe not-so-hot item, the sculptured head that Dan Spoelstra had crafted with his own two hands! He crafted this head not last week but oh so many years ago! He thought it dated back to the 70's! I wondered what made him hang on to it for so long?

I wish now I had a picture of that beauty...kind of resembled a Chia head! If you are dying to get a look at it...Pastor Chris did his pastoral duty and took it home with him...it may appear on his desk?

Another Christmas Season to an end...

Solace & New Attenders...

Solace

It's been a busy week-end for us. Friday night was the S.O.L.A.C.E appreciation Dinner. The dinner was held to honor all the childcare workers at KCBC.




Solace stands for Serving Our Leaders And Child Educators. The team was formed to help show appreciation to those that serve our children. Some have served for many many years, some only a few. Regardless, they are all needed and valued. Without their efforts, many could not attend church.


We have some great workers, that are soooo dedicated to loving the kids that attend. They not only love them, they are committed to teaching them how much God loves them. Often the rewards for working in children ministries are not immediate...they usually come later...much later. Sometimes into adulthood....after someones has had a divorce, loss of loved one, financial problem or sickness. They seem to reflect back on their Sunday school or AWANA days...on the words that were spoken there...the verses that were memorized. Their words do not fall on deaf ears. We are so grateful for those that give of their time and talent to care for these little ones!
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New Attenders Dinner
Sunday, after the morning service, we have been hosting a New Attenders Dinner. We invite those that feel they are 'new attenders' to KCBC. This is our third one, we are planning them quarterly.

They have been well received and attended. This time we had 6 new families join us, as well as 3 out of 4 pastors families.

I think it gives people a sense of belonging and they seem to fit in better after connecting with a few people.

Thanks to all those that helped with the meals...especially Sue.