Small Group Blessing Meal

Remember that we will not be meeting together on Wednesday evenings for the next few weeks. Perhaps your small group would like to share a Blessing Meal together on that night. Here is a suggestion for a Blessing Meal:

Opening Prayer The oldest (or leader) will read a scripture and lead a prayer.

Blessing those in attendance The oldest (or leader) will begin by talking about the person to their left. Everyone else should then add some value or quality they see in that person.

Your group may want to go back around the table and have each one share what scripture or biblical principle has been especially meaningful.

Enjoy your time together!

Suggestions for LG's for November and December

Use this time to continue to work on outreach projects.

*Adopt a child or family, perhaps with serval other groups (we have some single families right here at GCR that could use some love and attention)
*Visit some nursing homes or assisted living facilities, do some caroling or take some throws for some of the residents.
*Help serve a meal at one of the community outreach facilities

Other ways to use these few weeks is for your group to spend time together.
*Have a Friday night dinner
*Go to the movie together
*Have a game night.
*Have a Thanksgiving meal together (a good way to use your leftovers)
*A Christmas get together (a mug exchange or ornament exchange)
*Invite some Prime Timers to dinner
*Invite one of our single families to a meal

It is difficult to do anything too structured during the holidays. At the end of December there will be a resource list available to LG's; be watching for that. If you have any questions or want to discuss or share other options, feel free to call me.

God is Working in Andrews

Story submitted by Jackie Thatcher

One of our projects is to revamp the house of an elderly widow here inAndrews. The windows leak air real bad and it is in need of a total makeover on the outside, just to make it a little more airtight beforewinter hits. We are replacing most if not all of the windows, and replacing the asbestos shingles with siding for starters. I am not sure what all we are going to do after that, but our first priority is to get it ready for winter. The widow's name is Maria and the way we met her is really unique.

Two years ago, our life group took on several families to provide help for their Christmas. One of the families was a single mom by the name of Paula Montoya. Bob and Ruth Sears, Toni Franks and Margaret Porter chose toprovide Christmas help for this mom and her two children. Well, Christmas came and went and none of us had followed up on our families, but apparently God had some different things in mind because Toni began to have Paula on her heart and mentioned to Ruth that they should get in contact with her. They began praying for Paula and shared their intentions with our Lifegroup.

Within a couple of weeks after Toni began praying for Paula, Ruth received a letter from Paula. She asked that if there was anyway possible, could they help her family with Christmas again this year. Basically, without their help, her kids would not have a Christmas at all. As it turned out, Paula had tried to make some fast money and it landed her in jail. This left her mother to take care of her two little children. Not only did this family take care of their needs for Christmas, they checked on them often, making sure the kids had birthday presents etc. Then they brought her to the attention of our lifegroup. We began to write Paula while she was in jail and pray for her that God would do a work in her heart. When she got out of jail, the Sears' gave her a job and the lifegroup began to show her God's love.

When we started our "Better Together" campaign, we invited Paula to come and she did. It is so exciting to watch her grow in her relationship and dependency on God. We had our first work day at Paula's mom's house last Saturday and had a wonderful turnout. Not only that, but Paula's boyfriend was there helping and then he came to our lifegroup Sunday night. You just never know when, how or what God will use to bring people to him.

40-Days of Community Host TIPS – Week 6: Worshiping Together

Congratulations! We are entering the home stretch of our 40 Days of Community campaign! Isn’t it wonderful to be used by God in this milestone event in the history of our church? We will never be the same. The testimonies of God’s impact in and through our 40 Days groups are both energizing and humbling as we reflect on how God is using us to love and care for each other and those in our community.

"TIPS for Hosts" - Week 6

1. PRAY
· that each of your group members will understand the place of giving in their life
· that each group member would look for ways to continue reaching out to the community with the love of Jesus Christ.
· about continuing with the group after your 40 Days of Community participation is completed.

2. WEEK SIX - SPECIFIC TIPS:
· This week's session focuses on the purpose of worship – Worshiping Together. Today’s session focuses on developing the habit of generosity. In the Bible the word "Believe" is used 272 times; "Pray" is used 371 times; "Love" is used 714 times; but "Give" is used 2,161 times. Why? Because God is a giver, and when we give we are most like God.
· In the Connect section there are three suggested discussion points. Briefly discuss your group’s ministry plans and next steps. Take some time to share what you are learning through the devotional readings or an answer to prayer. There is also an icebreaker question to introduce the topic of giving.
· The Serving section this week it is suggested that your small group take a few minutes to thank and affirm you for your leadership in the group as the host. This may feel awkward but please allow them this moment. It is so important for people to be given the opportunity to affirm and to be affirmed. You might thank particular people in the group who have shared ownership with you – your prayer coordinator, outreach project coordinator, and ministry project coordinator.
· Leave adequate time to address the two discussion points in the Worship section. Give each person in your group the opportunity to share the most important lesson they have learned through 40 Days of Community. Then finish in prayer.

40 Days of Community Host TIPS for Week Five

"TIPS for Hosts" - Week 5
PRAY
…that each of your group members will be available to serve another in love.
…that each group member would find a place of ministry within your small group or our church.
…about continuing with the group after their 40 Days of Community participation is completed.
WEEK FIVE SPECIFIC TIPS
This week's session focuses on the purpose of ministry - Serving Together. You will have the opportunity to explore specific ways in which you can serve others as a small group.
We know that stepping out to serve others may be new to some of the group members. By serving together as a small group with others who may have had this experience in the past we can overcome the discomfort it may bring. Even if no one has had a serving experience in your group, it is comforting to do something together.
In the Connect section there are three suggested discussion points. Briefly discuss your outreach project progress and what is left to be done. You may want to discuss details outside of the usual group time in order to spend more time on this weeks Growing and Serving sessions.
The Serving section this week focuses on what your group can do to serve together. There are no bounds to what your group members may come up with in this time. There may even be needs right in your own group! We are here to carry one another’s burdens and what a blessing it would be to serve in this way.
In the Worship section there is an optional song. Encourage your group to worship in song together. Ask someone familiar with the song to lead out and all of you join in.
3. HOW CAN YOU FIND A MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY?
[Explain your Ministry Fair].
4. OTHER HELPS
“Busyness” is a very common objection to serving one another. Discuss in your group how priorities could be arranged in order to have more time to serve others.
Remember that serving others may be new to some in your group and just a small step in that direction may be enough for them to get started!
You might want to ask someone in your group who has a heart for serving to be your ministry coordinator. They can bring opportunities to the attention of the group for consideration.
Remember to pray for any needs within the group and be available to those who may need support from the group at this time.
Blessings,