We here at First Presbyterian Church, San Marcos seek to be the body of Christ in our community.
God is actively pursuing God’s redemptive plan for all creation and we, as the body of Christ, are called to be active participants in that plan. This means that the church doesn’t have a mission; rather, God’s mission has the church. Accordingly, mission is not just a program or a line-item in a budget, not just a project that manifests itself from time to time as mission trips. It is the very heart of our identity as followers of Jesus Christ.
Here’s some of the work with which we’re involved:
- Support of our recently-chartered sister congregation, Dripping Springs Presbyterian Church
- Austin Presbyterian Cursillo/Presbyterian Pilgrimage
- Sale of Free Trade coffee
- Reclaim Your Name
- Empowering Children & Families Everywhere
- Camp Break Away
- National Alliance on Mental Illness
- Court Appointed Special Advocates of Central Texas (CASA)
- Participation (w/Samaritan’s Purse) in Operation Christmas Child
- Sponsor of Alternative Christmas Gift Market
- Support of Southside Community Center
- Support of Roxanne’s House
- Support of Hays County Women’s Center
- Support of Hays County Animal Shelter
- Participation in Meals on Wheels
- Support of MoRanch Presbyterian Conference Center
- Support of John Knox Ranch
- Support of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
- Participation in Mission Presbytery’s Guatemala Mission
- Participation in Mission Presbytery’s Border Ministry
- Support of Presbyterian Disaster Relief
- Support of Campus Christian Community
- Hold free, community-wide Vacation Bible School
- Support PCUSA offerings: One Great Hour of Sharing, Peacemaking, Pentecost, Joy Offering
- Participation in CROP Walk
- Participation in Habitat for Humanity
- Support of San Marcos Area Food Bank
- Support of Laredos Unidos
Some specific mission & outreach opportunities…
Remember that every 4th Sunday is Food Bank Sunday. You will be given a reminder on the 3rd Sunday each month. If you forget to bring food on the 4th Sunday, you can always make a financial contribution to the Food Bank through cash or check. Just memo the contribution to the Hays County Food Bank.
Meals on Wheels is a simple way to become involved in helping others in our community and all it takes is a little time. There are currently about 25 of us at the church that help out every nine weeks by delivering meals to those who are home bound and don’t have a way to get a warm meal at least once a day. You can be a route driver ( there are three each day) or a “runner” ( taking the meals to the door for the driver) one or more days during the week. You can make the call as to how many days you can be involved. If you are interested and /or you have questions please call Chuck Blue at 512.396.1337. We would really like you to join us in this very meaningful opportunity.
Family Link is looking for mentors for children in foster care. As a mentor you have the opportunity to be a role model for a child by spending time doing fun activities, helping with homework, teaching life skills and being a positive person in their life. Contact 512.233.6464 for more information.
A reminder that there is coffee and tea from the Presbyterian Coffee Project for sale in the Fellowship Hall. Through the project, farmers earn a fair price for their coffee and tea, have access to affordable credit, and invest in their communities. The cost of the coffee is $6.00 and the tea is $4.00. There is an envelope at the coffee stand for your money.
The Presbyterian Women Afternoon Circle has adopted a mission project to support the Menaul School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The school was begun by a Presbyterian minister in 1896 as a boarding school for Spanish-speaking youth. The school currently is a day school serving grades 6 – 12. More than 60% of the student body comes from ethnic/racial minority groups. The school receives some funding through the PC(USA), but most of their support comes from private donations and outside contributions. Since not all of us are available to go on mission trips or offer our services during the day, here is a project we can all support. Menaul School accepts and uses Campbell’s Soup “Labels for Education” and General Mills “Box Tops for Education” to purchase needed school equipment and teaching aids. Check the products you buy: Campbell’s soups, Select Harvest, Ziploc, Cottonelle, Kleenex, Poise Pads, etc. Cut out the labels and put them in the container on the table in the Fellowship Hall.