Fresh Ideas for Thanksgiving Celebrations
Written by Diana Davis (from her book, Fresh Ideas, B&H Publishing)

It all began with some comments about turkey. Our church’s annual turkey dinner had grown stale. As one young couple stated, “There’s a limit to how many turkey dinners one can eat in a week!” It was time to begin a new Thanksgiving tradition.

On Sunday evening before Thanksgiving, our church family gathered in the fellowship hall for a very special Lord’s Supper celebration and a simple meal. Everyone was seated at round tables with candle centerpieces. One deacon or church staff member sat at each table, and a scrumptious meal of homemade stew and cornbread was served. At their table, each person informally shared about blessings from God during the previous year.
After dinner, lights were dimmed and the pastor led a meaningful candlelight Lord’s Supper, and we celebrated God’s greatest blessing. He directed the deacons or staff members to administer the elements to those at their table. This simple, solemn ceremony became an anticipated, well-attended tradition. And it was turkey-free.

Looking for more fresh ideas for a Sunday School class at Thanksgiving?

A “Pie Squad Party” is a Thanksgiving celebration/ministry event. Partygoers load into cars to joyfully deliver gorgeous homemade pies to church members who are homebound or living in a nursing home. Each member of the group signs a greeting card to leave with the pie, and after spending a few minutes to encourage and pray for the homebound friends, team members gather back at the church to enjoy the town’s biggest homemade cobbler.

“A Wall of Thanks” is a visual expression of thanks. At the beginning of November, use white paper to cover a focal wall in the classroom. Invite class members to use markers or paints to artfully express thanks to God all month long.

“Seeking Thanksgiving” is a mystery van trip where vehicles packed with class members follow a map to several prearranged locations to discover and celebrate God’s blessings. Recruit class members with large vehicles to drive, and ask them to enhance its exterior with Thanksgiving decor and a “Seeking Thanksgiving” sign.

Carefully select Christians in your church who have been uniquely blessed or protected by God this year, and ask them to host a mystery stop, where carloads of church members will make a brief visit to celebrate God’s blessings. Your pastor may have ideas of very thankful members. Some examples:
· a couple with a new baby
· a homebound senior adult rocking on her porch
· a brand new Christian at his home
· a college student in her dorm
· a hospitalized member who can receive guests
· a recent immigrant
Each thankful person awaits the visitors, holding a large picket-type sign that reads “I’m thankful!” Groups take a photo with them, encourage and pray with them, then return to the church for refreshments and fellowship.

After all, there’s more than just turkey to a great Thanksgiving season.

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN THIS:

Leading a Child/Friend to Christ (To Train Children's Leaders and Older Children in How To Share Their Faith)Includes DVD to Guide in Talking to a Child about Salvation, Powerpoint, and Conference Helps) Great for Training VBS workers, parents, SS leaders, and older children. Description: http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/files/lwcF_nrel_SP08_KIDS_ABCsofBecoming.pdf
Training Pack with DVD (Only $19.99): http://www.lifeway.com/e2/shop/?R=819891
Leading a Child to Christ Booklets (Package of 25): http://www.lifeway.com/e2/shop/?R=819897
Leading a Friend to Christ (For Older Children) Booklets (Package of 25): http://www.lifeway.com/e2/shop/?R=819898

Steps for Starting Multiple Worship Services http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0%2C1703%2CA%25253D168431%252526M%25253D200826%2C00.html

GBREA Annual Workshop, January 22-23, 2009 at First Baptist Church, Centerville - special guests, Josh Hunt & Kenn Kington: see details at http://www.gbrea.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=39977

Essential Church Retreat, February 26-29, 2009 at Ridgecrest, N.C. : designed for church staffs to go, listen, learn, and plan http://www.lifeway.com/ev/events_detail_mainpage/0%2C2232%2CE%25253D235%252526M%25253D200752%2C00.html

Flying with All Engines

-copied

On a overnight transatlantic flight to London all was going well until we felt a slight shudder. A moment later the pilot came over the speaker and announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, the shudder you felt a few minutes ago was our number one engine going out. Please don’t worry. This airplane is quite capable of flying with the remaining three engines. Unfortunately, we will experience an hour’s delay in our arrival time.”
About an hour later, there was another shudder followed by a somewhat embarrassed pilot’s announcement stating, “Ladies and gentlemen, I’m sorry to announce that our number four engine has just ‘left the building’. Not to worry, however, we can make it with two engines. We will be delayed by another hour. Please enjoy your flight.” That last sentence elicited some laughter and groans.
Yet another hour later, there was a third shudder followed by a clearly exasperated announcement, “Ladies and gentlemen, you’re not going to believe this but we’ve lost a third engine. Please don’t worry, we can make it safely with just one engine. I do apologize that we will be yet another hour late.”
With that last announcement made, I heard a lady tell her husband in the row behind me, “If we lose another engine, we’re going to be up here all night!”

Ladies and gentlemen, the Bible study program that you are called to lead in your church is kind of like that airplane. In order for your Bible study ministry to be most efficient it must have all four “engines” of:

1. Outreach and Ministry
2. Quality Bible Study
3. Fellowship
4. Worship and Prayer

Each of these engines are of equal importance if we are to "reach our destination" for the Kingdom. As each “engine” is ignored and “shuts down”, your overall Bible Study ministry will be hindered less effective. Please pay attention to your engines!

P.S. The above four “engines” also apply to your personal life. Keep them “humming” in your life so your Bible study ministry can “purr like a kitten” as well.

THINGS YOU MAY WANT TO KNOW ABOUT .....

New Release in Jan 2009: Compelled by Love: A Journey to Missional Living (7 Sessions with DVD) by Ed Stetzer and Phillip Nation
Description here: http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/files/lwcF_nrel_F08_AD-Compelled-By-Love.pdf

LifeWay will release a NEW resource at the same time Fireproof will release on DVD in February 2009. The Fireproof Bible Study: Live the Love Dare Member book and Kit will create a marriage-centered Bible study experience for individuals and couples and can be used in a classroom setting, home setting, or weekend retreat. The new resource will include: The Fireproof Bible Study: Live the Love Dare Member book, The Love Dare bookThe Fireproof Movie on DVD, Fireproof Teaching Clips DVD, CD-ROM containing sermon outlines and helps for church planning and promotion.

Winter 2008-09 Curriculum FREE Samples (All Age Groups): http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0%2C1703%2CA%25253D168193%252526M%25253D201163%2C00.html

"Hey, Look Me Over, Lend Me Your 'Eyes'!"

Welcome to the beginning of a new medium of communication among our Georgia Ministers of Education. It is my hope this e-newsletter, which will be published on a regular basis, will serve several purposes to those of you who serve in any capacity that helps people grow in their walk with God. Here's what I hope to accomplish with "Just For M.E."

1. COMMUNICATION
I will use the “Just For M.E.” to tell you of upcoming events and materials that are relevant to you as a leader in your Bible Study program at your church.

2. INFORMATION
You will also find helpful information in "Just For M.E.” that will be valuable to your ministry. Each issue will have some tip or tidbit that could help you in one of your tasks of outreach, teaching, ministry, and fellowship.

3. INSPIRATION
As space permits in the “Just For M.E.” I will try to give you a something that will encourage you, instruct you, challenge you, or make you laugh. I see us as a team and a family. I think ‘esprit de corps’ is important to enjoying the tasks we have been called to carry out.

4. NETWORKING

I hope in the blog section of this e-newsletter you will respond with your comments, suggestions, or problems you are facing. As each of us read them, feel free to respond in hopes of helping a fellow minister along the way.

This e-newsletter is just in its beginning stages so if you have ideas you want to share that will help improve its appearance and effectiveness, please let me know.