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Mission / Outreach
Mission is about selfless concern for others, guided and inspired by the life and work of Jesus.
A “mission” is usually understood as “an assigned or self-imposed duty or task.” The mission Jesus assigned the Church includes the command to make disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching them to observe all that Jesus has commanded.
The mission of the local church, central to Jesus’ teachings, is the command to love one another. Local congregations show love for one another in fellowship, in shared worship, and in a nurturing ministry to the needs of the poor, the sick, the lonely, and the powerless.
Our church reaches out to many beyond our membership in a variety of ways. Some involve financial support; others involve contributions of time and talents. Some quietly serve individuals and families in our community, others touch lives far across the world.
Around The World --Overseas Mission Partnerships
CPC has been a leader in the ongoing support of the Mission Programs throughout the world that are coordinated by the Presbyterian Church (USA). We invite you to browse this web site to learn of the many opportunities given to assist hospitals, churches, and communities throughout the world.
Our church shares participation with other Presbytery congregations to develop relationships and seek ways to work with people in other countries. We support the Philippine Partnership with the Southeast Luzon Conference of the United Church of Christ of the Philippines as well as the program known as Joining Hands Against Hunger -India. Visitations to and from these countries has provided greater insight to ways we can be a meaningful part of God’s Global Village. . Affiliated with Hunger Action Ministry, CPC continues as a covenant church with Bread for the World with funds and education on global hunger issues, and support continues for the Centsability Program (formerly 2¢ A Meal Program).
Youth Trips to México
Each year CPC sponsors annual mission trips to Mexico. In 2007, 28 high school youth and adults drawn from the congregation traveled to the Mexicali Valley southwest of Yuma Arizona. They conducted Vacation Bible School, with crafts and recreation. They also remodeled a local church and built a small home for the church's pastor.
Heifer International
Heifer Internation is a self-development program that CPC has supported for many years. The goal of this organization is to provide animals and training for peoples in over 130 countries including the United States so they can be self sufficient in providing livelihood for their own family. Publishing continuing information to the congregation through the church newsletter, participation in the Alternative Gift Market, and the actual raising of funds for providing animals are a few of the ways members of CPC support this effort.
Outreach To Our Community
Food Closet
Carmichael Presbyterian Church’s Food Closet, in operation five days a week for more than 30 years, provides emergency food to families in nine different zip codes. Other churches and institutions in the area also support this ministry. For up to date information about CPC Food Closet services, call directly at 483-9232 between 10 a.m. and 12 noon. Information on Food Closet service.
Loaves and Fishes
The third Wednesday of each month, a group of ten volunteers from CPC arrives at Loaves & Fishes to serve lunch to as many as 900 guests. There are two dining rooms: a very large room and a smaller area that serves women, their children, and the disabled. Sacramento Loaves & Fishes is a non-profit organization providing service in a spirit of love, hospitality and generosity to all who come for assistance. While CPC volunteers enjoy interacting with the cooks and employees at Loaves and Fishes, they especially enjoy serving the homeless men, women and children, the ones Jesus called “the least of these.”
“Supper On Saturday” (SOS)
Now that the extensive remodel of the Carmichael Presbyterian Church (CPC)campus is finished, as of September, 2007 the congregation has renewed a program called “Supper On Saturday” (SOS.) The third Saturday of each month over 25 volunteers participate in the preparation and serving of a “supper” (4 PM to 5 PM) aimed at attending to the needs of elderly, handicapped, low income, and homeless persons.
Family Promise
CPC is enrolled as one of 15 local (Sacramento) congregations participating in an on-going national program called “Family Promise.” This program specifically helps homeless families achieve self-sufficiency and regain a home for themselves and their children. For one week, four times a year, we provide each of the carefully screened families a private room with bedding and breakfast, lunch, and common dinners provided by CPC volunteers. During the day, the children are ferried to Mustard Seed School or WIND Youth Services School while the adults are assisted with job training, searches for employment and for suitable housing. In the evenings loving volunteers spend time with our guests doing activities and enjoying fellowship.
Stephen Ministry
A specially trained group of lay persons is prepared to offer confidential and loving support to those suffering loss or trauma in their lives, and who can value having “someone to lean on” in whom they can trust. More information on Stephen Ministries.
Health Ministries and Parish Nurse
Services of the Health Ministry Department include blood pressure screening, health information and hosting the Blood Mobile. Parish Nurse is Sue Bowington, R.N. Call 486-0604 for additional health information.
CAFÉ
If you are a cancer patient, spouse, widow/widower, family member, survivor, or caregiver, this group is for you.Each session begins with a devotional and prayer and provides a forum for sharing, learning and supporting each other. If you have questions, call Pastor Carol at 486-9081. Read more at CAFÉ MinistriesCafe.htm
Deacons’ Christmas Baskets
Each year during the Christmas holidays the deacons prepare and distribute “baskets” of food, clothing, and toys to selected needy families. An organizing team solicits suggestions from area schools for names and addresses of needy families. The congregation is invited to choose a family and to purchase suitable Christmas gifts for the children of that family. In addition, the Food Closet teams prepare boxes of foods suitable for the preparation of Christmas-week meals. Last year approximately 60 “baskets” of food and toys were distributed during Christmas week.
North Area Teen Center
Our church joins other community groups in supporting this youth program near our church. Adult volunteer mentors are needed as well as people just willing to simply listen to teenagers express their wants and needs, and their hopes for the future.
Alternative Gift Market
Our church sponsors this project to provide an alternative to the commercialism of Christmas shopping, made available to the congregation on the 1st Sunday in November. Some of the “gifts” that can be sponsored through the Alternative Gift Market include donations to the Heifer International, Habitat for Humanity, Doctors without Borders, and others.
Presbyterian Mission Funding
In addition to mission funding from pledges and special offerings, our Food Closet ministry receives contributions year round. Presbyterian Women, Mariners groups, and youth groups raise funds for missions.
CPC is a Five-for-Five Congregation, supporting Presbyterian mission work around the corner and around the globe through Shared Basic Mission Support Pledge and through Special Offerings. The Shared Basic Mission Support Pledge, a percentage of our annual church budget, provides support to the outreach missions of Synod and General Assembly. CPC gives to denominational support for Mission Ministries and for Presbytery, Synod, and GA program support. Our pledge for 2007 is $47,411.
Special Offerings
Special offerings are designated by the Presbyterian Church General Assembly (PCUSA) to support specific programs and ministries throughout the year. Further information is shared regularly through the Mission Bell, Parish Notes, and Minute for Mission during worship services.
One Great Hour of Sharing (received on Palm Sunday.)
This Lenten/Easter offering supports the Presbyterian Hunger Fund, Self-Development of People, World Relief and Disaster Assistance. In 2007, the One Great Hour of Sharing raised $3,056 and an additional $400 for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.
Pentecost Offering (received on the Day of Pentecost.)
Gifts here represent a call to mission with children at risk as well as an opportunity to assist youth and young adult ministries. Each congregation retains 40% of the gifts for local ministries and each presbytery utilizes 10% for area programs. The Pentecost offering in 2007 came to $910.
Peacemaking Offering (received on the first Sunday in October.)
Taking a peacemaking offering on Worldwide Communion Sunday displays our willingness to contribute to new searches for peace, justice, and reconciliation. Each congregation uses 25% to support local peacemaking endeavors. Presbyteries retain 25% for broader ministries. The Peacemaking offering in 2006 was $1,588.
Christmas Joy Offering (received on the Sunday before Christmas.)
For decades this offering has provided an opportunity to share the love of God for children in their everyday lives. The gifts are divided equally between PCUSA racial ethnic schools and colleges and the Board of Pensions that provides assistance to active and retired church workers, their spouses and families. The Joy Offering for 2006 was $3,169.
Endowment Offering (received the first Sunday in Lent.)
The Endowment Offerings is a Presbytery-wide offering that enables new church development and/or to assists in the renewal or transforming of faith communities needing assistance for their physical installations. The most recent CPC contribution to the Endowment Offering came to $1,014.
In bringing to life the spirit of Christian mission, Carmichael Presbyterian Church reaches out to many in its community in a variety of ways. Some involve financial support; others contribute time and talents. We strive to give life to the spirit of Mission in an expression of a selfless concern for others, guided and inspired by the life and work of Jesus.
Last updated November 12, 2007