Spring Creek UMC Takes Christmas Beyond the Walls

Spring Creek United Methodist Church spent Advent reaching outside the walls, designating an offering to build homes, and taking Christmas Eve worship to Haven for Hope.

Each year, Spring Creek collects a Christ Child offering. This year, the goal of the offering was to raise $57,000 to build a house with Habitat for Humanity. The idea to construct a home was related to work at their own facility.

"We felt led to build a house for a family through Habitat for Humanity as we are in the midst of construction on facilities to serve this community, said Pastor Stephen Sanders. “It’s a great way to keep the focus on mission and ministry."

The church met and exceeded its goal; they raised approximately $73,000. They plan to use the additional money to frame at least three more homes. Construction on the first house will begin soon.

For the fifth consecutive year, the church led a Christmas Eve Candlelight worship service at Haven for Hope.  

Haven for Hope is a ministry that offers hope and care for those experiencing homelessness. A team of 20-30 people from Spring Creek led the worship service; over 200 people who would spend Christmas Eve sleeping in the Courtyard at Haven participated. Although only adults participated in the service, the entire congregation helped prepare. Teenagers from the church prepared gift bags including gloves, hats, and toiletries. Members of the congregation baked at least 150 dozen cookies.

“This tradition has become a very important part of Christmas Eve for many people at Spring Creek as they worship with people who are living on the streets of San Antonio."