Caring for Each Other Is Not Canceled

13 Creative Ways We Can Serve Each Other as a Church

This Sunday will be the 8th week that we have met together online as a church family, rather than seeing each other in person. It’s been a long haul, and we’re not quite sure how much longer it will be before we can be together in the same place again.

But that doesn’t mean God is not working in our midst. We have been so encouraged to hear many stories of church families helping one another out: cleaning up or meeting other needs after the tornado damage last week, calling to check on each other, driving by each other’s houses to offer encouragement, and much more. Many of you have also reached out to those in our community to offer tangible expressions of hope and help.

Thank you for all you are doing to be the hands and feet of Christ in our church family and our community.

While we all hope for a change in circumstances very soon, we also know that there are still many ways we can serve where we are in the meantime. We encourage you to think about some of the following ways (or come up with your own!) that you can make a difference, even while we can’t meet together:

#1: Call or send notes to our Homebound Members.

Since care facilities are mostly closed to visitors, these sweet folks find themselves confined and lonely. Take an afternoon to call each one, ask how they’re doing, and pray with them. You could also send a note to each person. Of course, you should use caution with any packages or envelopes, but there is little risk for virus transmission via mail. You could also reach out to our widows and senior single ladies or to our Golden Gems.

#2: Send notes to all those in the medical field in our church. 

Perhaps include encouraging Scripture on a bookmark or something they can post up on their dash or somewhere at work. You could also include a gift card to a coffee shop or lunch place just as a special treat and thank-you. 

#3: Send care packages to a local nursing home. 

Contact the facility to ask if you can make care packages for their residents and what kinds of things would be encouraging to them. Again, use caution when assembling packages to thwart virus transmission, but these quarantined folks could sure use something fun and caring delivered to them!

#4: Drop off a snack surprise for a small group. 

Get prepackaged snacks or drinks – ice cream, bags of chips, sodas, even coffee – and deliver them house-to-house to those in your Sunday Class Care Group or Community Group. Certainly let them know ahead of time if you can. If they’re not home or concerned about social distancing, you can leave it in their mailbox or on the porch. Just a way to say hi!

#5: Go on a socially-distanced walk with a neighbor or friend. 

Go on a walk with someone who’s lonely. Exercise is a category allowed under “stay-at-home” and is certainly recommended during this health crisis! You can maintain social distancing while walking together. Feel free to meet at Calvary’s property or at a park like Heritage, Conestee, or Simpsonville City Park, all of which are reopening. You could also just meet in your neighborhood! For the healthy ones of us, you could up the ante and go on a run with someone – but I find it harder to talk while huffing and puffing!

#6: Go on a prayer walk in your neighborhood. 

Speaking of walks, go for a “prayer walk” with your family in your neighborhood. Walk around and pray for the people who live in each house you pass. If you encounter someone in their front yard, tell them you’re just praying for people in your neighborhood and ask them how you can pray more specifically for them. What an awesome way to meet new people around you and even find evangelistic conversation – while social-distancing!

#7: Reach out to your eight closest neighbors. 

Do something kind for your eight closest neighbors on each side of you. You can deliver prepackaged goodies to each house (homemade items may be suspicious in these times) or just knock on the door to check in on them and see if they need any groceries. You can find out who has lost work, who is older and confined to their home, and who may need help with yard work. You can even create a little “map” to put up in your home with names and prayer requests of each of these neighbors to help you remember them and their needs, maybe even for family devotions.

#8: Do a birthday parade! 

If someone in your neighborhood, small group, or church family has a birthday, put together a “birthday parade” for them where people stop by with just a “hello” or maybe a card and snack.

#9: Invite someone “over,” social-distance-style!

It’s still possible to connect with each other, even when we can’t be in the same room. Here are just a few ideas:

• Do a Zoom call with a family while you both eat dinner.
• Set up lawn chairs across your front yard and invite a family to come and eat with you all. You could also meet in a park or even parking lot!
• Turn your driveway into a “drive-in” movie theater for your family and another!
• Do a game night over Zoom. Certain games work better than others, especially if each family owns the game and can set up their boards to replicate one another’s moves. I have heard Codenames works well, and even more complex ones like Settlers of Catan and Ticket to Ride!

#10: Pray through the church directory by family.

Each day, pick five families to pray for, and then send them a quick note via text or email to let them know. This might also be a great way to get to know some people you haven’t met!

#11: Reach out to your children’s teachers.

If your children attend school outside your home, send a note or care package to each of their teachers to let them know you appreciate them. Consider including a gift card to a restaurant or grocery store, and have your kids draw pictures or write notes to include.

Don’t have kids in school? Consider sending notes to Calvary’s preschool teachers or to the Kids Sunday Class teachers!

#12: Support a small business owner.

This is a tough time for small businesses. Many are wondering whether their business will even survive this crisis. You can be a great encouragement by buying from them whenever possible. For example, shop in their online store, buy a takeout dinner from their restaurant, or buy a gift card from them to be used later. This could be a wonderful gospel opportunity as well. If you are shopping with someone who doesn’t know the Lord, tell them you are praying for them and begin building a relationship.

#13: Reach out to someone who has lost work.

Do you know someone who has been furloughed, had their hours cut, or lost their job? If so, consider buying dinner for their family one night. You can also send them a gift card for groceries or even just a note to let them know you are praying.

We are sure you have found many other ways to serve those around you during these unusual days. If you have, we would love for you to share them with us! Leave us a comment, either here on the blog or on Facebook, and let us know how you have reached out or how someone has been a blessing to you!