COP Sunday . . . . It’s Coming!
Churches all over the United States are gearing up for Children of Promise Sunday, to be observed on September 19, 2010.  This special day will focus on the needs of children around the world, and how individual lives can be changed through sponsorship with Children of Promise.  We can help your church make a significant impact on the lives of children.  Join this growing effort today.  Check out our special website section by clicking here or give us a call at 1-800-848-2464, ext. 2190. 

The Church of God in Myanmar Celebrates COP Sunday
Even though COP Sunday was introduced to the Church of God in the U.S. as a means of encouraging the sponsorship of children in need in other countries, the church in Myanmar has jumped on the wagon and developed their own version of COP Sunday just for Myanmar.  While they won’t be seeking sponsors among the Burmese people, they will be celebrating the program, and how God has used it to bless children in the following ways on September 12:

• They will invite all of the COP children and their parents to attend a joint service together.
• They will share with them the work of COP in Myanmar and other countries.
• They will introduce those who have finished their high school education through the program.
• They will introduce those who have graduated from college, and who are serving in the ministry of the Church of God as full-time workers. 
• Above all, they will share about the love of God and eternal salvation through Jesus Christ for all mankind.

Executive Director Dr. Paul Maxfield will take part in this celebration in Myanmar as part of his visit to the children in September.  Please pray for the church and the children in Myanmar.  Three hundred children are currently sponsored, and several hundred children are waiting for sponsors.

Children Helping Children
The children at Park Place Children’s Center in Anderson, Indiana, are learning to reach out and help children far away.  The Center recently held a fundraiser for their Center and decided to tithe the proceeds to help the children in Haiti through Children of Promise.  An auction was held which included pictures, gift cards, gift baskets, and artwork.  Special interest items included a framed piece of art created by each child and gift baskets created by each class for auction.  The event was a great success, and the Children’s Center presented a check for $710 to Children of Promise for the children in Haiti.  Children’s Pastor Barb Tuttle shared that the best part of the experience was seeing the “children helping children.”  The artwork at left was drawn by a student at the Children’s Center.  It was auctioned as part of the event.

You may want to borrow this great idea.  Do you have a group that has a fundraiser coming up?  Why not share your blessing by tithing the proceeds to Children of Promise?

Change Can Bring Change
Speaking of great ideas for supporting children around the world, COP volunteer Wendy Weeks (Racine, WI), and her father, Ray Forsman, go on daily walks together.  As they walk, they deliberately look for coins.  Their goal is to find enough coins to purchase two mosquito nets by the end of 2010.  (That’s potentially two lives saved!)  They started this on January 1 of 2010, and by April 23 had almost enough for one net….”just because we weren’t too proud to pick up a penny,” in the words of Wendy.  She continues, “We literally thank God for every penny He sets on our path, and He has been faithful!”

The old song, “Little Is Much When God Is In It” certainly applies here.  Thanks, Wendy and Ray, on behalf of the children who will be saved from malaria due to your daily efforts and diligence.

Don’t you just wonder how much loose change is out there going to waste?  It could save so many children.  Change can bring change, if we put it to use.

Volunteer Gets Blessed
Each month a host of volunteers help read children’s letters at the Children of Promise offices.  After reading letters from Myanmar recently, volunteer Maxine Barrigan wrote us the following note:   “Dear COP Staff, Everyone should have the blessing of reading these letters!  A couple of things stand out to me after reading them.  One is how much this program is needed!  Another is how very much we need to share not only our means, but the Lord Jesus!  What a great program.  I am blessed to be a small part of it!   Maxine  Barrigan, Anderson, Indiana.”

      Children of Promise      P. O. Box 2316, Anderson, IN 46018       www.echildrenofpromise.org         cop@echildrenofpromise.org