Loving our Neighbors From Bethlehem to Today
"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." John 15:12 (NIV)
Missions in the Community, the Nation and the World
Reaching Out
Central Presbyterian Church reaches outside our walls to neighbors of all ages locally and abroad with financial support as well as service. Many of our members give their time each month serving these organizations. We hope our actions will help those in need and reflect the love of Christ.
Missions in the Community
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8(NIV)
Family Related
- Daniel’s Den, a safe haven for abused women and children;
- Waxahachie CARE Give-A-Meal-A-Month® is a program whereby members provide food for the food pantry. In 2011, CPC donated 300 bags of grocers which equal 1300 meals.
- Hope Clinic, a local service that provides medical and dental care for those in need.
For the Children
- Presbyterian Children's Homes and Services providing home, care and counseling to children
- Gingerbread House a child advocacy center
- CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)
- Rainbow Room which provides support and basic items for children brought in by the police and other agencies
- Big Brothers & Big Sisters provides mentors for high school students
- Common Ground Ministries which has after-school and summer programs for children.
For Seniors
General
- Adopt-a-Block to help keep our neighborhood litter-free.
Presbyterian Children's Home and Services
An integral part of Central Presbyterian Church is the relationship with Presbyterian Children's Home and Services (PCHAS). Since 1960, the children and family teachers of PCHAS have been a part of our church family. PCHAS provides Christ-centered care and family support to children ages birth to 17 who have suffered from neglect, abuse, and abandonment, or children whose families are experiencing some type of family crises, like the death of a parent, divorce, illness, violence, homelessness, parental alcohol or drug abuse, and other issues which threaten family stability. Several of our members have completed mentor training in order to make a difference in the lives of these children. We consider it a privilege and responsibility to nurture and love all of our children, guiding them along their faith journeys as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Meals for Give-a-Meal-a-Month 4th and 5th graders helping out at Waxahachie Care
Missions Abroad
CPC regularly supports people outside of our community.
- Operation Christmas Child members pack shoe boxes filled with toys and personal items for underprivileged children internationally every year at Christmas.
- Presbytery Mission Shares
- Grace Presbytery Mission Center.
- One Great Hour program through PC(USA)
- Joy Offering through PC(USA)
We are always on the lookout for those in need, and respond with periodic collections such as:
- hygiene kits to the victims of the Haiti earthquake in 2010.
- personal and household items for the victims of the tornado in Joplin, MO in 2011.
- medical supplies were collected for a community off the coast of Panama,
- clothing was collected for Our Calling to benefit people who are homeless in Dallas.
- Funds were contributed to the Texas Wildfire Relief Fund and to Somalia where extreme drought conditions have led to widespread famine.
We also spend our time helping our neighbors with our service.
- Same Difference Youth Group has volunteered their time at the North Texas Food Bank earning credits for Waxahachie Care, delivering food and hygiene kits to people who are homeless with Our Calling, and has served meals at Union Gospel Mission in Dallas.
Delivering hygiene kits to homeless Packing food at North Texas Food Bank
“Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2: 1-3 (NIV)
Central Presbyterian Church initiated “Bethlehem Revisited” in 1997. The event is a full representation of life in Bethlehem when Christ was born. It includes replications of homes, shops and other facilities authentic to the time period. Costumed characters act out the roles of merchants, clergy, soldiers and other inhabitants. Camels, donkeys, goats and other animals are part of the event.
Today it is a community project with several churches, businesses, organizations and individuals contributing. Bethlehem Revisited has become one of the major tourist events during the Christmas season and is a wonderful way to remind us that Jesus is the Reason for the Season.
The event is located on approximately two acres behind the church and is open the first two weekends in December. Click here for details.
As you approach Bethlehem you are invited into the church to experience music, the Lord’s Supper quilt and the hospitality of the membership.
More pictures of Bethlehem Revisited