Dear Friends,

This Advent season marks the end of another year of lingering challenges. It may still be a time of sorrow, confusion, or even depression, but we have much to be grateful for and strive to make it The Best Christmas Ever despite any trials we face.

What is the Best Christmas Ever? When you think about it, what comes to mind? Is it perfect? Is it a complete failure that caused so much laughter that it became the Best Christmas Ever? Or is it something more meaningful? A Christmas when you felt the Christ child so present in your heart that your generosity spilled out not just in gifts but in your spirit. In everything you did. In every word you spoke.

During this Advent season, as we remember our favorite Christmases and reflect on their significance, let’s all take some time to consider how First Church can help give others the faith held in The Best Christmas Ever. Your generous contribution to our annual Christmas offering will make you part of the good we’re doing to serve those in need, including:

Kids Hope USA — providing mentors who volunteer one hour each week with at-risk children at T.A. Sims and Charles Nash Elementary Schools.

FSMM Rental Assistance — assisting families who COVID has financially impacted.

United Community Centers — providing safe and fun summer enrichment experiences for children in partnership with United Community Centers’ Summer Campership Program.

Providence Place (formerly Methodist Mission Home) — placing children in loving adoptive homes and assisting people who are deaf/hard of hearing or have other disabilities to achieve independence.

Methodist Children’s Home in Waco, TX — serving children and youth through residential programs and transition services, foster care, and a variety of community-based programs throughout Texas and New Mexico.

Wesleyan Homes — creating affordable Retirement Living at many different levels of care to senior adults in the Central Texas Conference Ministry.

I know you will join me in gratitude for these vital ministries and all they will do to continue to bring hope to those in need in the coming year. Please make your Christmas offering now through December 25 online at fumcfw.org/givenow (choose Christmas Offering from the drop-down menu), via check (with “Christmas Offering” in your memo line).

Grace and Peace,