Because Easter is so early this year we started late on preparing a program. I am sharing this post for those of you who may be facing a similar situation. Here are a few practical steps we are walking through in these weeks leading up to the night of our presentation.
First, I needed to get people on board from our church who would be available and willing to volunteer. Our teens are still pretty psyched up about what we did at Christmas so with just a little checking with their leaders we had a small group ready to jump in.
Second I needed to clear with Erin, the head of the recreation department at Allied Skilled nursing, the date and time that was available on their calendar.
Third (probably sounds less spiritual this way) I prayed and earnestly asked God what He had in mind this Easter. You see it is my way of thinking that God has already called us to go anywhere there is an open door. What we do need to pray about however; is what do we do once we walk through that door!
As I prayed I felt a hesitation of simply jumping into a full length passion play or some abbreviated version of such. Then as my heart quieted God directed my mind to the last supper. Then ideas began tumbling in as I pictured the young people coming in in groups of two and three and with each verse of the song preparing and sitting down at the table.
Since we began working seriously together the group who join us keeps growing both in number and in commitment to the opportunity to share the love of Christ as best we can with the residents at Allied. If you have an open door in your community and the nutshell of an idea to do something there don’t hesitate to just go out and do your best.
We aren’t professionals, we don’t know all the answers and we sometimes sound like we are struggling (we are!). But in spite of all our short comings we have discovered a great joy in being a small part of God’s work in our city. The residents look forward to the group coming and even remember some of them by name. The people who have joined together, both young and old to form our outreach ministry have each been challenged both to grow and to work together as a team.
Whatever your situation in your community ask God for new eyes to see the needs of others and to find how we as a part of His church can share the message of Easter.
He lives!
He lives, He lives,
Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives,
Salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.