Christ First United Methodist Church in Wasilla, Alaska

Ministers:	Tori and Robert Hicks
Address:	5137 W. Fairview Loop, Wasilla, AK 99654
Directions:	Map From Parks Hwy (Anchorage) turn left at light on Knik-Goose Bay Road. 4.1 miles turn left on Fairview Loop (just before the Tesoro gas station). We are the first driveway on the left.
Phone:	(907)376-3109
Fax:	(907)357-3109
E-mail:	christ1st@mtaonline.net

Nothing But Nets

Our Sunday morning classes are collecting money for Nothing But Nets. Nothing But Nets is a global campaign to save lives by preventing malaria, a leading killer of children in Africa. Every $10 we donate can buy a bed net to protect a child and his or her family in Africa. There is more information about Nothing But Nets on the Children’s Program bulletin board at the back of the sanctuary.
malaria kills. Malaria claims 3,000 children a day - that’s one life every 30 seconds. Mosquitoes spread it. You can stop it! Send a net. Save a Life. UMCNothingButNets.org

Food Pantry

Bring donations of non-perishable food items to church. Cash donations graciously accepted! Cash donations allow the Food Pantry to purchase food from the Alaska Food Bank for pennies a pound. You may place donations in the offering plate with a notation that they are for the food pantry. Volunteers are always welcome! Contact Dick Webb or Daryl McRoberts to help today!

Turn A Leaf

Donate gently used clothing items in the drop-off bin now located in our parking lot.

Family Promise

The tradition continues! For the past several years, Christ First UMC has "adopted" families who graduated from Family Promise and provided Christmas presents for each family member. Again, this year we will have a Christmas tree in Fellowship Hall with special ornaments on it. Each ornament will list a gift appropriate for a member of one of the adopted families. Church members will take these ornaments, buy the gifts and return them to deliver to the families. Watch for the Christmas tree and more details to come! This is a beautiful tradition that is a wonderful way to share the blessing of God's love with others.

WE WILL HOST FAMILY PROMISE AT CHRIST FIRST THE WEEK OF JANUARY 3, 2010
Please sign up on the poster in the narthex to help with meals or hosting our guests.
Contact Frances Graves to volunteer! efgravesak@yahoo.com

Family Promise Mat-Su

"A Community Response for Families Without Housing"

Family Promise Mat-Su gives thanks to all their supporters and all the participating churches who offer themselves to our guests who deeply need them. Blessings! -Director Laurie Kari-

A Holiday Tradition Most Homey, by Israel Nelson

(an excerpt from Israel's annual holiday letters to his loved ones)

"During these holidays, our thoughts turn to others in our desire to express our love and affection for them. Despite the economic crisis our world is facing, most of us have more than enough "stuff" in our lives. We probably could do with a little less "stuff". So why not join me in making a holiday gift to those who are more in need than we are? Instead of giving me more "stuff", I choose to invite you to send a contribution in my honor to Family Promise Mat-Su and I will do the same: I will make a gift to Family Promise Mat-Su in your honor. In this way we will mutually share our love and affection with people who do not even have a home."

Meet Dixie, FPMS' new Office Assistant

HPRP is what...?

Family Promise Mat-Su is now distributing aid under the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing program of the federal HUD/Stimulus monies. Our daily clientele is expanding to include those on the brink of eviction or those living on the street or in substandard conditions. Clients can qualify for rental assistance and utility assistance in those circumstances. For more information, call our office or pick up an application from our office door folder.

Pet Fostering

Please contact our office if you are interested in short-term fostering pet family members for incoming guests! (907-357-6160)

CLUB 384

Your donation of $384 will help Family Promise Mat-Su provide shelter and services for a family of four for seven days. Help make a difference for just over a dollar a day. Join Club 384.
For the cost of $7.38 a week, you can become a patron of Club 384 and make a difference in the lives of homeless families in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley of Alaska by helping Family Promise Mat-Su provide shelter, food, and services to those in need. To participate, please complete form (available at CFUMC office) and return it to address below. Call for more information.
Family Promise Mat-Su
c/o 1st Presbyterian Church
1375 E. Bogard Rd. Wasilla, Alaska 99654
(907)357-6160
www.familypromisematsu.org
email: promise@mtaonline.net
Office hours are Monday thru Friday, 9am-1pm

Church wide Appeal for Philippines Disasters

The Council of Bishops and the Connectional Table, meeting in Lake Junaluska, N.C., in early November made an urgent appeal to the people of The United Methodist Church to ease the suffering of our sisters and brothers in the Philippines. Recent flooding and subsequent landslides have claimed lives and caused great suffering. The death toll exceeds 1,000 because of four successive typhoons and the related health issues that followed. With more than 9 million persons affected, an estimated 1.3 million persons are displaced while the economic and agricultural impact is still being assessed.

The Church wide Appeal for Philippines Disasters will provide humanitarian relief and support the ministries and congregations of The United Methodist Church in the Philippines. We hope you will designate a Sunday to give your congregation an opportunity to participate in this church wide appeal. Please direct gifts made through local churches to the conference treasurer's office, marked Church wide Appeal for Philippines Disasters, No. 818-002-PHP.
Your conference treasurer will forward contributions to the General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA). You may also donate online.

Our United Methodist brothers and sisters desperately need our support. More than 200,000 United Methodists in 1,372 local churches in the Philippines pray that we will stand beside them through these storms.

Jail and Bail

I NEED YOUR HELP! I'm going behind bars for "GOOD" PLEASE HELP BAIL ME OUT! Your donation is my key to freedom! Be proud of the fact that together we're providing help and hope to kids and adults in the Mat-Su valley served by MDA in our community.
Thanks for making a difference! You can make a donation for my bail at https://www.joinmda.org/matsu09/revrch