Children at UHBC are encouraged to be "in action" for the Lord from the time they can walk and throughout their lives.   Your Family On Mission There are lots of great ideas for families to be "in action" at home as well.  "How," you ask.  Try these ideas:

As a family, take time to prayerwalk through your community. Pray for those you see in their yards, driving on the streets, working in stores or other usinesses, and for churches along the walk. When you return home, serve hot chocolate or cider and thank God for your community. Open the Bible and read: Jesus said, 'Love one another' (see John 15:17). Note: If it's too cold to walk, drive your family to various places and stop to pray.

Invite community friends and helpers to your home for snacks and give each one an invitation to come to your church. If possible, give them a brochure about your church. For families with little ones, give them information about Mission Friends. Offer to pick them up or meet them at the church to help them find their way around. Pray with the families and helpers and thank them for all they do in the community.

Check out some of the ideas found at the family page of the Children in Action website.  Also, watch each month for the "Current Mission Action" project at church.  The Great Commission is for everyone--no matter our age!  What a privilege to be a part of the Lord's service.

Collections & Mission Action Projects at Church Game On! is this year's Children in Action Missions theme.  So the kids thought it only logical to collect new or gently used sporting goods equipment that could be shared with needy children in our own city.  The collection box is on the 2nd floor near the elevator. Trick or Eat Our annual Trick or Eat food drive for Crosslines Food Pantry will be held on October 26.  Kids dress in costume that Wednesday night, participate in a costume parade through the church and then go door to door in the Rountree Neighborhood collecting canned goods for Crosslines.  If you'd like to help them you can find a collection bin in front of the Library.  Permission Slips Available Here. Children are also participating in the church wide collection of shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child.  University Heights is a participating church in this year's collection of shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Go Boxes and instructions will be in October after worship during the doughnut fellowship time. Learn more about this important mission here. HOW TO PACK A SHOE BOX 1. SHOE BOX On October 16 after worship, pick up a shoe box during the doughnut fellowship.  Instructions are on the side of the box.  Most importantly, pray for the child who will receive your gift. 2. BOY OR GIRL? Determine whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl, and the child's age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Print out the appropriate boy/girl label by downloading the artwork to the right. Mark the correct age category on the label, and tape the label to the top of your box. 3. FILL WITH GIFTS Fill the box with a variety of gifts that will bring delight to a child.  Use the gift ideas provided on the bottom of this page.  Gift Ideas ·      TOYS small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch A Sketch®, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), Slinky®, etc. ·     SCHOOL SUPPLIES pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc. ·     HYGIENE ITEMS toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc. ·     OTHER Hard candy and lollipops (please double bag all candy), mints, gum, T-shirts, socks, ball caps; sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries) ·     A PERSONAL NOTE In a separate envelope, you may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family. (If you include your name and address, the child may write back.) ·     DO NOT INCLUDE: Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate or food; out-of-date candy; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snowglobes or glass containers; aerosol cans 4. INCLUDE YOUR DONATION Please donate $7 or more for each shoe box you prepare to help cover shipping and other project costs. You can give online by using our 'Follow Your Box Donation' option, or you can write a check to Samaritan's Purse (note 'OCC' on memo line) and place it in an envelope on top of the gift items inside your box. If you or your family are preparing more than one shoe box, please make one combined donation. 5. RETURN YOUR DONATION Before November 15 to the church.  Our boxes will be taken to this areas collection site on November 15.

•