Help me tie a bow.

Have you ever tried to tie a bow around a bouncing ball? That's what I feel like as I look at the myriad of Thanksgiving and Christmas events that are about to kick off in a couple of weeks.

Each event, every ministry, has the potential to touch someone's life in a meaningful way. But how much energy do we put into thinking and praying about what we are doing rather than just bouncing from one event to the next?

At vision and staff meetings this week we talked about how to tie in all the things that are happening around church so that we fully utilize the opportunities before us. I've been assigned to come up with some creative ways do do that. It's not easy, but I'm hoping you can help.

All you have to do is look over the list below and email me with ideas of how to use these events or ministry opportunities to reach your family and friends with the love of Christ. An example idea: My neighbor lost her husband this year and I am planning to take her to the Mourning Breakfast.

Here is a partial list of our Thanksgiving and Christmas activities:

• Thanksgiving Baskets
• Women's Holiday Breakfast
• Mourning Breakfast
• Thanksgiving Praise Service
• Angel Tree
• City Cure Christmas Store
• Andrew Peterson Christmas Concerts
• Milford Miami Township Ministries, Adopt-A-Teen and Mitten Tree
• Operation Faithfulness Cookie Bake for Troops
• Nursing Home Christmas Gifts
• Faith Family Christmas Brunch

If you have any ideas about how to use these activities to make Christmas and Thanksgiving a more meaningful time for your family, your friends, your neighbors or co-workers, please leave a comment below or email me at ssiepel@faithchurch.net.