"Bless Your Neighbor" Creative Ideas

This past Sunday, our bulletin contained the following message "from God" and ideas about how to "bless our neighbors," and I invited and challenged us all to do at least one of the following over the next 2-3 months and then to email me the story of what happened when you did that.  For those who were not present, or for those who would like to see the list again, here are some ideas to get you started about ways to "bless your neighbors":

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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).