Holiday Season Recap
Dear IFC Family,
As we have moved into a brand-new year, 2023, I wanted to spend just a few moments going back to last year’s holiday season. I want to review the ways our church family stepped up to bless so many people through their sacrificial gifts and service of others. Here are the highlights.
Operation Christmas Child
We collected 72 shoeboxes filled with wonderful gifts for needy children throughout the world, many of which, for the very first time, were able to celebrate Christmas with a box filled with treasures far beyond what they have ever had in the past. It’s wonderful to think about the children who will come to know Christ through your sacrifice. A special thanks goes out to Michelle Strickland’s leadership of this project.
FCBC Thanksgiving Dinner
Seven IFC members were able to be a part of Faith Community Bible Church’s annual Thanksgiving Christmas dinner where they serve hundreds of people in their community a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner, share testimonies and give the gospel. Our people were there the day before helping FCBC members to transform their church sanctuary into a dinner hall, decorating, and doing extensive food prep for the dinner on the following day.
IFC Women’s Christmas Tea
On December 3rd almost 65 women participated in an evening where 10 men of IFC prepared and served a wonderful Italian dinner – and cleaned up, washing dishes afterwards. At least 25 of those women were visitors who had the chance to hear testimonies and the gospel message of Jesus Christ, some for maybe the first time. Special recognition goes out to Cheryl Knight for leading the way.
West County Care Center
The ministry team from IFC held a special Christmas service and party for the residents of the senior care center. We shared the Christmas gospel story and sang several Christmas songs. We ended the service with a huge sheet cake and sang happy birthday to Jesus together. Then we proceeded to walk through the entire facility, Christmas caroling and handing out gifts to each resident and worker who received colorful, thermal Christmas socks, a special individually packaged Christmas cake, and a hand-made card from our Sunday School children. Special thanks to Bruce & Geralyn Keller, Stephanie Maurer & Greg Jaeger for their contributions in making this event such a success.
Ellisville Elementary School Teachers
IFC, through our Gospel Communities, baked and packaged 106 dozen cookies to be distributed to the teachers, staff, and workers of the school. In case you didn’t know that’s 1272 cookies.
Ellisville Elementary Christmas Hugs Program
I can’t say it any better than Michelle Shaw, the school counselor from Ellisville Elementary.
“We just want to thank you so much for the delicious cookies. It was so very kind of you to think of all of us during the Christmas season. I know that the cookies were a very pleasant surprise for all our teachers. I also want to thank you for taking such great care of our Ellisville family. You helped a single mom get back on her feet. Her dad came to pick up the gifts and they both started crying when they saw what you had generously given. The father of the mom said to make sure that you knew that he would pass the kindness and love on and pay it forward when they are back on their feet. Thank you again for creating a special Christmas to a family that would not have had it without you. Thank you for everything you do for our school. We truly appreciate you.”
On behalf of all the IFC pastors, I want to say what a privilege and honor it is for us to shepherd such a loving, caring, giving, and servant-minded church family. We love & appreciate you so much! Jim
