“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved,

clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” 

(Colossians 3:12)

Helping Hands Sunday may be challenging with Covid-19 out there – but there is still a lot we can do!  I hope you have already considered ways of serving in our community.  Here is a list of possibilities:

1.     Sunday, August 30, starting at 8:30 a.m., a group will be helping at our local schools!  Our objective is simply to beautify the landscape (trim hedges, weed-eat, edge, and whatever else seems to be needed).  We will meet in front of the Middle School office area and spread out among the Junior High, Middle and High Schools.  Come join us!  Bring your favorite yard tools.  If you don’t have any, some will be provided for you.    

2.     A few people have said they like the idea of sharing “grace messages” using sidewalk chalk!   See ideas below and create your own!  You can write them anywhere, but high trafficked areas are best.  

3.     A group from the church will be going to Janssen Park to help repair a damaged gazebo sometime during the week following August 30. 

4.     Another group will be going to help landscape at the Senior Center sometime during that same week.

IDEAS TO DO ON YOUR OWN, OR WITH YOUR FAMILY:

5.     Wear your mask, pick up trash along a road of your choice, wash your hands, then take off your mask!

6.     Create hygiene bags for shelters.

7.     Find a way to encourage health care professionals, law enforcement officers, or nursing home residents, people in hospice, etc. from a distance.  If in written form, bring it to the church in a Ziplock bag and we will deliver.

8.     Volunteer to mow an unkempt lawn.  Or pull weeds.  Or trim hedges.  Or rake leaves …..

9.     Go “Christmas caroling.”  The music doesn’t have to be Christmas! 

10.                        Make a gift to give to your mail carrier or sanitary worker.  

11.                        Drive through your neighborhood with eyes wide open to recognize human need, and then truly ask yourself: “What Would Jesus Do?”   

12.                        Send a gift (monetary or other) to someone you know who cannot work right now. 

13.                        Clean out a closet and set things aside that you know someone else might value (even PCDC or the Salvation Army). 

14.                        Nursing homes are welcoming mail and puzzle books to distribute to residents.

15.                        Call a service organization in advance (hospice, humane society, food pantry, library, veterans organization, etc.) and ask what needs they may have.

16.                        A number of us will be tending the grounds at the Senior Center again.  Feel free to join us!

17.                        Are you an artist?  Create a work of art to give to someone.

18.                        Are you a musician?  Call (or video-conference call) someone and play or sing for them.

19.                        Are you a prayer warrior?  Walk through your neighborhood, praying for the needs you see.

20.                        Are you a cook?  Create home cooked meals and offer them to neighbors.

21.                        Are you a writer?  Write someone a letter.

22.                        Are you a gardener?  Plant some crops with the expressed purpose of giving to the needy. 

23.                        Are you a fixer? Fix something for someone. 

The only thing you SHOULDN’T do … is NOTHING!  Let’s bless the world in God’s Name on Helping Hands Sunday!  You choose the place and time!

Blessings! Pastor Bill