Operation Christmas Child

As a congregation it is our privilege to participate with thousands of other churches and Christians around the world as we share the joy of the Lord and the Gospel of Jesus Christ during this Christmas season. Last year more than 8 million children received Operation Christmas Child gift boxes. The boxes contained everything from clothes to toys to personal items and candy. Most importantly, though, many of these boys and girls received a copy of the booklet, "The Greatest Gift of All," which, of course, gives a detailed presentation of the Gospel.


Last year, Hollywood Community Church gave some 1,000 boxes and we would like to do that or more this year. We are encouraging each family to take three boxes because statistics show that one out of every three kids that receive a box, trust Christ as their personal Savior. That is a great investment!

In Matthew 25:40 Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me."

You can still pick up your pre-wrapped box in the back of the auditorium. Sunday, November 14th will be our "Operation Christmas Child Sunday." We will fill the front of the church with gift boxes and have a special time of prayer over them. This Christmas, let's impact the lives of hundreds of boys and girls by showing them the love of Jesus Christ. I am excited to see what God is going to do!

We feed their stomachs and fill their souls!

One of the most fruitful ministries of Hollywood Community Church is our Open Heart Food Pantry. Led by Vito Culicchia a team of more than twenty volunteers work week after week to purchase, pack and deliver groceries to more than 200 families. This past Saturday more than 260 families were loved, prayed with and fed.

It is important for us to realize that loving and feeding the poor is a very important, and often neglected part of the Gospel. I would remind you that it was Jesus that said in Luke 14:18, 19, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind. To release the oppresed and to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

Without a doubt, those two verses are a messianic prophecy that envision Jesus as both a prophet and servant. Many would hold that it is Jesus' mission statement as He declares what He would accomplish in the lives of those that believe on Him. Richard Stearns in his book The Hole in the Gospel emphatically states that the Gospel involves more than just evangelism. "The whole gospel is truly good news for the poor." In other words we cannot simply change a man's spiritual condition and ignore his physical needs.

I John 4:17 - But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in Him?

I am so proud of our Open Heat team. May God continue to use them to fill the stomach's of the poor, but also to fill their soul with the life-changing message of the Gospel!

How do you view yourself?

I Samuel 18:23 - Do you think that it is a small matter to be the king's son-in-law? I'm only a poor man and little know.

Recently, we have examined the life of David and seen several characteristics that define true greatness. I Samuel 18 gives us an additional characteristic of biblical greatness. It is interesting to see that although everyone around him was convinced of his greatness, David seemed oblivious to all of the attention and fanfare that he was receiving. As a matter of fact, the only person in Israel that seemed unaware of David's greatness was David. He wasn't nearly as impressed with himself as others were.

That brings us to an important principle: The person who possesses true greatness will be the last one to know it!

Admittedly that is difficult for many of us. We are much more prone to track our progress on the "greatness meter." Unfortunately though, we are generally the only ones that believe that we have acheived prominence.

Solomon said it this way in Proverbs 27:2, "Let another praise you and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips." Paul seconds Solomon's conclusion by stating in II Corinthians 10:8, "For it is not one who commends himself that is approved, but the one who the Lord commends."

So today, let me challenge you to not ask the Lord to make you great, but rather to make you humble. After all, He "resists the pround, but gives grace to the humble."

God is doing the miraculous!

Several weeks ago we began a campaign at Hollywood Community Church that we titled, "Rebuilding the Walls!" We recognized four walls that God needed to rebuild in order for us to be the church that God wants us to be.

* The wall of trust
* The wall of emotions
* The wall of leadership
* The wall of provision

In order to rebuild the final wall we felt led by God to take a special offering on Sunday, October 10th. We set a goal of $100,000 which for us was a huge step of faith. For the past three weeks our people have fasted and prayed asking God to do the impossible. Well, today He did just that. Our offering this morning was $93,484 and there is still more coming in. Isn't that amazing. We truly serve an awesome God!

I also want to commend our church family. Many of our people gave sacrificially. Some of them made huge sacrifices. Please pray that God increases their faith and that He supplies all of their needs according to His riches in glory! (Phil 4:19)

God is doing great things at HCC. I am sure that there are many more great reports to come. Stay tuned...

Hundreds turn out to pray for Derek Avilez

This past Sunday at Hollywood Community Church we were honored to host a special time of prayer for Derek Avilez. More than 650 people showed up for the service. Along with the members of HCC, many of those present were family, friends and a large number of Derek's co-workers. At one point, the altar was filled with people that surrounded the Avilez family crying out to God for Derek's healing.

The firefighters and rescue personnel for the city of Hollywood have literally "gone above and beyond the call of duty" in caring for the Avilez family. They have provided food at the hospital; they are working Derek's shifts; they are running the family's bounce house business; and they are moving them into a new house. What an example of godly compassion. They literally have lived out the command of Romans 12:15 which exhorts us to "rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn." Thank you Hollywood Fire and Rescue for your servant's heart and tremendous example!

Please pray for Derek!

Recently, Derek and Priscilla Avilez, along with their three children began attending Hollywood Community Church. Yesterday, as Derek was skim boarding at Hollywood Beach, he had an accident which resulted in a fracture of his C2 vertebrae. He is presently in critical condition at Memorial Regional Hospital. For the moment he has been diagnosed as a quadripoligic because he is unable to move from the neck down.

Please pray for the folowing requests:

1. That the swelling on his spinal column would decrease.
2. That he would once again begin breathing on his own.
3. That he would regain movement as the swelling decreases.
4. That God would give peace and comfort to Priscilla, the kids and the rest of the family.
5. That God would use Derek, Priscilla and the rest of the family to give a shining testimony of Jesus Christ.

Psalm 103:2, 3 - Bless the Lord, O my soul. And forget not all His benefits, who heals all your diseases.