Part 4 in our 12 Days of Christmas series

BLUEFIELD, Va. (Dec. 28, 2014) -- In spite of an unusual barrage of bad news in the coalfield section of Holston Conference, the church continues to stand in the gap, bringing hope to the people of the area. This Christmas, First United Methodist Church of Bluefield has been involved in giving to others. The list is pretty exhaustive:

> The congregation gave an offering of more than $3,000 to assist Shades of Grace, the new church start in Kingsport District.

> The United Methodist Women gave an annual Christmas party for children and their families attending Head Start at Camp Joy.

> The congregation responded generously to Operation Christmas Child, including the collection of more than 70 shoeboxes supplied by the youth group.

> Two families whose homes burned were assisted with donations of supplies and cash donations.

> Twenty-nine children of inmates in Virginia prisons received Christmas gifts.

> Our “Kids 4 Christ” group blessed an Easter-sized crowd with a presentation of "A Charlie Brown Christmas," directed by a Bluefield College student from Max Meadows.

> During the Christmas Family Festival the congregation made ornaments, some of which were taken by our youth and children to home-bound members.

> A love offering for Salvation Army was included in Christmas Eve Services, during which many of our members, including children, gave their service to assist us in worshipping the Christ child.

> Our choir offered their cantata twice so that area residents would have the chance to hear the beautiful music of the season.

And, perhaps the most joyful thing of all, the congregation welcomed two new babies born into our congregation.

The Rev. Brad Scott is pastor at First United Methodist Church of Bluefield, Va.