Outreach Suggestions

These new, customizable versions of the Advent devotions present great opportunities for becoming an outreach service project into your community. The possibilities are endless, but here are a few suggestions to help you use either of the booklets:

Maximize Your Customizable Space

Use the customizable box on the inside front cover to invite your neighbors to worship, concerts, or special events. (If you use the weekly versions, feel free to change the invitation each week.)
Distribute more through gift bags. Place the booklets in plastic bags to hang on doorknobs. Enclose a flyer with church holiday activities and a witnessing gift like a pocket cross, church magnet, or a small birthday candle with a note about the light of Christ.

Leadership Opportunity for Youth

Involve your youth in reaching out through service: Parcel out the tasks of entering the customizable text, printing, and assembling the books. Have the youth hand them out to members of your congregation, either as people leave worship or another activity. Youth can also distribute in the community at events and businesses, or using the doorhanger idea, above.

Creative Opportunity for Evangelism Team

Involve your evangelism or outreach committee in deciding ways to distribute the booklets--e.g., if you have a Lutheran School, it could be a great tool of outreach to families outside your congregation.
Create an email address just for advent devotion responses. Invite people to send questions, comments, even personal prayer requests through a special email address through the church website or a free email provider like Yahoo. Recruit a few qualified volunteers to personally respond to every email. Individuals could also do this when giving booklets- create a free email address (set it up so that it does not give any personal information) for people to discuss the devotions and faith.
Recruit volunteers to deliver the booklets throughout the community, coupled with a short visit at the door, inviting your neighbors to Christmas events. Some who might not attend at other times of the year might be open to an invitation at Christmas.
Host an event at a local nursing home, celebrating Advent/Christmas and distributing the booklets to residents.
Give a quantity to a local charity that distributes gifts at Christmas. They may appreciate having another quality item to offer.
Take a team to distribute outside a sporting event, concert, etc. Check with event location or city about best legal practices for distribution.
Use the downloadable bulletin insert - The Ultimate Re-gifting - to highlight witnessing ideas for members.

Witness Opportunities for Every Member

Give to individuals encountered through everyday activities a simple, â€œHave a Blessed Christmasâ€ greeting.

Drive Thru restaurant workers
Bank tellers
Restaurant servers (leave WITH tip)
Cashiers and baggers at stores and gas stations ONLY after making a purchase.
Toll booth operators, parking lot attendants

Enclose a copy when paying bills
Leave in phone booths
Leave a quantity in waiting areas- Doctor's office, hospital, restaurant, bank, funeral home, etc. with permission. (Use your Project Connect Junior Display for professional look.) Remember to check back and keep the location stocked. The business may also be interested in keeping a good thing going- let them know you can supply topical booklets too.
Take copies with you when traveling- you never know whom Lord wants you to meet!

Bigger Challenge for Every Member

Commit to reading Who Would Have Thought with a friend who does not yet know Jesus as Savior. Make plans to discuss. Ask how the devotions are different from what they heard about Jesus before. Listening is most important! Be ready for questions with other resources from your church or Lutheran Hour Ministries. (Follow up with Here booklet at www.shoplhm.org.)
Commit to reading From Nazareth to Bethlehem - An Advent Journey with a friend who has drifted from church involvement. Challenge yourself and your friend to take 5 minutes a day for reflection. Make plans to discuss. Listening is most important! Surprise them by asking them to help work at a church activity- an easy way to get to know people and for you to discuss more.