We focus on mission
At Silver Spring Presbyterian Church, we believe in a serious focus on mission. We provide numerous opportunities for members to support some mission-related cause – a chance to serve God through serving His people.
The lists below provide a brief description of the mission activities in which we are involved.
Congregational Care Ministries Home Visitation and Communion. The pastor and members visit other members and friends who are homebound or otherwise not able to come to the church. The pastor and an elder also make visits offering holy communion. Hospital Visitation. The pastor and other members of the SSPC community visit patients who are able and willing to receive visitors.
Sermon Tape Distribution. Tapes of the Sunday service are available for loan from the church office for those who missed a Sunday or just had to hear it again.
Prayer Chain. A group of prayer volunteers agree to pray daily for the specific concerns of the person requesting prayer. The requests are confidential within the group. Members and friends of SSPC are invited to join the chain and/or to request prayers. Transportation. Transportation to church, to medical appointments, etc., are arranged on request for those who need it.
Meal Preparation. Available on a short term emergency basis. Members of the SSPC family prepare and deliver food to individuals or families in crisis situations.
Community Ministries SSPC contributes money, provides volunteers and other support to the following wide variety of community ministries.
Shepherd's Table. On the 2nd Thursday of each month, SSPC members volunteer at Shepherd's Table, the local soup kitchen in Silver Spring, serving an evening meal to homeless men, women, and children. We help prepare the meals, then we welcome and serve the guests, followed by clean-up. High School students can earn community service credits by volunteering here. More info Children's Center. A year round child care program, including infant, toddler, pre-school, Head Start, and school-aged children located in our building. This program has been part of the SSPC mission for over 25 years. It provides a major community service to families, particularly the working poor. More info
MUSST (Ministries United Silver Spring Takoma Park). MUSST provides funds to persons in need, including prevention of eviction and utility cut-off, and filling prescriptions. We also provide referrals to other community services. Volunteer opportunities include direct work with clients and office support.
Manna. Manna is a food distribution ministry with centers in Rockville and Takoma Park. A special monthly offering at SSPC provides non-perishable food and funds for Manna.
Community Ministries of Montgomery County, offers many services to residents of the county. SSPC supports this ministry with volunteers and a yearly financial donation. More info.
SHARP. For high school students needing tutoring on academic suspension from Blair High School. SSPC provides financial support and volunteer tutors for this program that is housed at a local church.
Other. Each fall the SSPC community collects materials for a school box filled with school supplies for a child who might not otherwise be able to afford them. Just in time for Christmas, Mittens and Caps are collected for children of homeless families, and Shoe Boxes filled with toiletries, are collected for men and women at a local shelter.
National and International Ministries Through apportionment, SSPC supports the many mission programs of our Presbytery and the Presbyterian Church (USA). SSPC also supports:
Youth Mission Trip. Each year, youth and sponsors from SSPC participate in the Appalachia Service Project, assisting in rehabilitating homes in Appalachia. Besides the many hours of labor provided by our youth and adult advisors, SSPC contributes a large amount of funds for the trip.
PC(USA) Special Offerings. The Session has approved receiving three special offerings for Presbyterian Church (USA): One Great Hour of Sharing, Christmas Joy, and Peacemaking.
Sister Church Project. SSPC is working to establish a sister church relationship with a Presbyterian congregation in the Cameroon, Africa. A delegation from SSPC visited Cameroon in March 2002. Member support is needed for continued planning. Other Special Offerings. Occasionally the Session approves a special offering for a specific international need. This past year, two special offerings were made, where we provided medical supplies for hospitals in Haiti and Ecuador.