Summer Challenge #2 -Getting to Know Your Church Family

"Say 'Good Morning' to those around you," said Ryan Yoxthimer, as he concluded the Sunday morning verbal announcements. As I turned to shake hands to those sitting closest to me in the worship service I thought, "I have greeted these people almost every Sunday morning for the past seven years, but do I really know them?"

Oh, I might know their first name, maybe their last name, and maybe even a little something about their family, but do I really know anything about the lives of those I worship alongside on a weekly basis?

I was convicted.

Jesus said, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)

How can I love my brothers and sisters in Christ if I don't even really know them?

How about you? Are there people that you see every Sunday morning that you really don't know at all? If so, would you like to change that?

This summer the staff is challenging themselves and the congregation to build relationships both inside and outside our church. (See my last post for first challenge)

Our second summer challenge is this:
1. Over the next three weeks look around on Sunday morning and find someone that you either don't know or don't know very well.
2. Invite this person (or persons) out for lunch, over for a meal, or out for coffee.
3. In order to encourage others, please write a couple sentences on our Facebook page to let us know you completed this challenge and a little bit about your experience. 

I look forward to hearing your stories as we get to know our church family a little better.

Blessings,
Sharon 

Faith Summer Challenge--Who's Your Neighbor?

Summer Challenge--Cross that Fence

We would like to follow up Pastor Dick Lehman's sermon May 29, 2011 with some simple summer challenges.

When asked what the greatest commandment is Jesus replied, “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' There IS no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31, emphasis mine)


So what does that look like within our church family and out in our community?  What if we all took some small steps this summer to see what impact it would have on those we attend church with and those outside our walls. Would you be willing to take on an occasional challenge? Would you be willing to share what you learned from completing that challenge in order to encourage your church family?


The first challenge is simple.  This Thursday evening is the Frontier Days Parade in downtown Milford.  Consider going down to the parade and completing the following challenge:


Summer Challenge #1--Frontier Days Parade
1. If marching in the parade, introduce yourself to a fellow-marcher that you don't know. (They may be from our church or another church.) Get to know a little bit about them.
2. If on safety patrol or doing trash clean-up, introduce yourself and engage in a conversation with someone from the community. This doesn't have to be a long conversation, just get to know a little bit about them.


After you completed the challenge, go to the Faith Church Facebook page and write a little something on our wall about your experience.