Caring for Our Neighbors | A Four Week Call to Action

As we finish out the month social distancing, let’s focus our love and care each week in four specific ways. Many are feeling discouraged during this time. One way to fight discouragement is to be an encouragement to others. Though we cannot be together in person, there are many ways we can care for our neighbors. Jesus said that the world will know we are his followers by our love for one another. Let’s let the love of Christ shine during these next four weeks by loving our neighbors in practical and meaningful ways.

Week One: April 13th – 19th 

65 and Older

• Call, text, or email everyone you know in our church that is 65 years old or over and make sure they know you are thinking about them and are available to help.
• Consider writing a card or letter to one or more people from this demographic encouraging them in this season.
• Drop off a meal or dessert on someone’s front porch or offer to get groceries for them. Before bringing anything over to another person’s house please ask them if they are okay with it first and follow all CDC guidelines for personal hygiene and social distancing.
• Have your kids draw pictures and give them to someone 65 or older.
• Make sure those 65 and over have a way to stream our services and help them figure out how to do so if they haven’t been able to.
• Pray for these people by name this week. Pray that they would be healthy, have their needs met, feel loved and encouraged by our church, and experience deeper trust in Jesus during this season.

Week Two: April 20th – 26th

Healthcare Workers

• Call, text, or email everyone you know in our church that is a healthcare worker and make sure they know you are thinking about them.
• Consider giving a gift to someone as an appreciation for their hard work and willingness to risk their own health for others. A gift card to a local restaurant or flowers are two ideas that would also support local businesses.
• Have your kids make encouraging signs and place them in your windows or give them to healthcare workers.
• Donate purchased or homemade face masks. Instructions for making face masks and dropping off donations can be found online. You can also give financially to organizations like Direct Relief, which provide personal protective equipment to healthcare workers.
• Pray for these people by name this week. Pray that they would be healthy, that they would have energy, that their families would be well cared for, and that their relationship with Christ would grow during this trial.

Week Three: April 26th – May 3rd

Singles and Single Parents

• Call, text, or email everyone you know in our church that is single or is a single parent and make sure they know you are thinking about them and are available to help.
• Consider cooking a meal for a single person and dropping it off or inviting them over for dinner, if you feel comfortable doing so. Again, please remember to follow all CDC guidelines for personal hygiene and social distancing.
• Invite a single person to go for a walk with you in your neighborhood, local park, or walking trail.
• Ask single parents if you can help get their groceries, cook a meal for them, or bring them take out.
• Consider giving a small gift and/or an uplifting letter to a single parent encouraging them during this difficult time.
• Pray for these people by name this week. Pray that they would be healthy, that they would not feel alone, that their needs would be met, and that God would be their ultimate source of comfort.

Week Four: May 4th – 10th 

People Experiencing Financial Hardship

• Call, text, or email everyone you know in our church that lost their job, had their hours reduced, or was already struggling financially, and make sure they know you are thinking about them and are available to help.
• Ask people what specific needs they have and meet those needs if you are able to do so or assist them in finding help through Redemption or other means.
• Consider buying groceries (not just picking up groceries) for a person or family in need, regularly cooking meals for them, or bringing them take out once a week.
• Give someone a gift card or other financial gift you know they need and will use.
• Pray for these people by name this week. Pray that they would be healthy, that God would provide for them even when it seems impossible, and that this hardship would be used by God for their good and his glory.