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Over the
next few months, you are cordially invited to “Bless Your Neighbors” using any
of the following creative ideas (or others inspired by these). May they help you both get to know and bless
your neighbors with simple acts of kindness, so that you can have opportunities
to invite them to my “party” (a relationship of faith with me!). Love,
GOD
● Learn the names of five neighbors on your
street who you don’t presently know. Introduce yourself and ask your neighbors’
names when you run into them at the mailbox, in the yard, etc. Then call them
by name and say “hello” the next time you see them. Also, pray for these
neighbors on your own for at least a month.
● Make an effort to smile and wave to neighbors
whenever you are driving or walking in your neighborhood. Be the friendly face
to your neighbors.
● Take a “Prayer Walk” in your neighborhood.
Say hello and even stop to chat with any neighbors you encounter. As you walk,
silently pray for each of your neighbors.
You can also take a trash bag with you and pick up litter.
● Sponsor a Block Party for your neighborhood
(If there are several fellow McKendree UMC church members that live in your
neighborhood, consider co-sponsoring this jointly with them).
● During back-to-school month, look for a way
to bless a school crossing guard who works in or near your neighborhood. You
could drop off some cookies with a note of appreciation, then pray on your own
for God to bless that individual. Also, pray for each school that you drive
past during the day.
● Look for people in your neighborhood who are
going through life changes, such as a retirement, birth of a baby, death in the
family, etc. Send this person an appropriate card and pray for them on your own
during their time of transition.
● Invite a few neighbors that you have been
getting to know over to watch a baseball or football game and eat hot dogs,
burgers, chili, or nachos.
● Take something to your neighbors that was
either cooked or grown by you (such as cookies, tomatoes, flowers, bread, etc.),
along with simple note in a friendship card. Consider including a simple Bible
reference to a verse about loving and serving your neighbor (like John 13:34,
Romans 12:10-12, or 1 Peter 4:10).
● In the weeks leading up to
Thanksgiving, give a neighbor a loaf of pumpkin bread. Focus on a neighbor who
might not have Thanksgiving plans (the elderly, single folks, families with
extended family who are out of town, etc.) and invite them to share your
Thanksgiving meal. Enclose a note saying that in this season of thanksgiving,
you give thanks for them as a neighbor.
● In December, go Christmas
caroling in your neighborhood with your family or a few neighbors you already
know. Pass out a bag of hot chocolate mix with a note at each house. Then
invite each neighbor that you serenade to meet at your house in an hour for
Christmas cookies and coffee. Also, invite them to grab their coat and join you
in caroling if they can. Have our church’s
Advent invitation cards available to use as invitation tools at your home.
● Ask God for other creative ideas and things
that might bless your neighbor and then try them out! (A good test is: would such an act/action
bless you? If so, it will probably bless
your neighbor, too).
