Considering the current COVID-19 challenges in our world, Love Out Loud 2020 is going to look… well, a little different! NOW, in the midst of so much individual, family, community, and national crises facing many of us, what does it mean to share the love of Jesus with our neighbors?
"For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" ~ Galatians 5:14
This means embracing the call God has placed on our lives for such a time as this. Even as we’re making intentional choices about how we respond in our own lives to rapidly changing restrictions and guidelines from day to day, the pivotal command of Christ—to love God and love one another—still informs and influences all that we do as the family of God.
Rather than reducing this year’s Love Out Loud Celebration of Service, our current challenges have only refined the philosophy behind what we’re doing, as a church, to be a good neighbor to our community. We can take this time to view the opportunities around us through an A.C.T.S. of Service model:
A = (Be) Aware: First of all, who is already in your immediate circle of influence? Family members, friends, fellow students or coworkers, actual neighbors who live in your actual neighborhood?
C = Care: Ask God to open your heart & your mind to those around you. Turn to His Word & seek His heart for people. Consider Matthew 25:35-36, where the Lord describes many areas of practical need.
T = Talk: Reach out! Start intentional conversations. Call, text, message on social media, write a letter, leave a note, say “hello” when you see someone. Boldly ask, “How are you, really?” and "What do you need right now?” and “How can I be praying for you?"
S = Serve: When real-life needs are expressed, respond in real-life ways. This might mean just simply spending time to listen, or fixing a neighbor’s car, or bringing a family some groceries, or becoming an online mentor… the possibilities are endless!
The key is to engage with our community in meaningful, practical ways— getting to know real people to understand their real needs. This is our opportunity to look around, connect with others in the circle of influence God has given us, and respond specifically.
Top 10 Things You Can Do at Home to Love Your Neighbors
1. Make a short list of people you know who are feeling vulnerable. Call them to check in & be a voice of support. (Hint: This is a great time for FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, or other free video calls to see faces & hear voices while still social distancing!)
• “It's been a tough couple of weeks—how are you doing?”
• “What has your day been like?”
• "How have you been filling the time?”
2. Leave notes on the doors of people you don’t know in your neighborhood. Give your name & an invitation to connect.
3. Have “backyard fence” or “alleyway” conversations. When the opportunity presents, embrace the awkward & confess, “You know, I should know your name by now, but I don’t. Hi, I’m [fill in the blank]."
4. Volunteer to pick up necessary items from the store for your neighborhood & deliver them to people’s doorsteps.
5. Create gift baskets with (sanitized!) treats, arts & crafts, games, movies, etc. to leave on the porches of nearby households.
6. Write letters to individuals who are currently incarcerated or hospitalized & can’t receive visitors during this time of crisis.
7. Engage in a virtual Bible study or find an online prayer group to encourage one another on an ongoing basis. Share posts for upcoming livestream services or host online watch parties to engage in times of worship together.
8. Offer to assist with outdoor tasks such as raking, lawn mowing, dog walking, etc. If pride seems to be a concern, explain, “I need something to keep me busy—I’m tired of being cooped up!”
9. Invite an individual or two per day to join you for a walk around your neighborhood, to boost mental/physical health & get to know one another.
10. If you learn of someone in financial stress, who is in need of groceries or essentials, and you’re experiencing limited means to help out due to the COVID-19 situation, contact Pastor Serenity (smiller@gracepointwesleyan.org) to inquire about a Love Out Loud gift card (while supply lasts).
Part of cultivating a heart of meaningful service toward others is recognizing our own need and becoming willing to receive the love of Christ. A time like this levels the playing field. We are all impacted. None of us is immune. To love our neighbors as ourselves, we acknowledge that our “self” might be the one to receive God's blessing of community right now!
We know that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). The purpose of Love Out Loud 2020 is still the same: to serve our neighbors as ourselves. Our methods might look different than we expected, but the mission doesn’t change!
Here at GracePoint, as part of our mission to Encounter Grace, Grow in Grace, and Give Grace, we want to be people who are equipped and empowered to serve in our own backyards. We believe such a time as this provides unique opportunities allowing us to do “good works” that foster “good will,” opening doors for the “good news” of Jesus Christ. So take this time to ask God to bring your attention to a way you can Love Out Loud right now—today!
"For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" ~ Galatians 5:14
This means embracing the call God has placed on our lives for such a time as this. Even as we’re making intentional choices about how we respond in our own lives to rapidly changing restrictions and guidelines from day to day, the pivotal command of Christ—to love God and love one another—still informs and influences all that we do as the family of God.
Rather than reducing this year’s Love Out Loud Celebration of Service, our current challenges have only refined the philosophy behind what we’re doing, as a church, to be a good neighbor to our community. We can take this time to view the opportunities around us through an A.C.T.S. of Service model:
A = (Be) Aware: First of all, who is already in your immediate circle of influence? Family members, friends, fellow students or coworkers, actual neighbors who live in your actual neighborhood?
C = Care: Ask God to open your heart & your mind to those around you. Turn to His Word & seek His heart for people. Consider Matthew 25:35-36, where the Lord describes many areas of practical need.
T = Talk: Reach out! Start intentional conversations. Call, text, message on social media, write a letter, leave a note, say “hello” when you see someone. Boldly ask, “How are you, really?” and "What do you need right now?” and “How can I be praying for you?"
S = Serve: When real-life needs are expressed, respond in real-life ways. This might mean just simply spending time to listen, or fixing a neighbor’s car, or bringing a family some groceries, or becoming an online mentor… the possibilities are endless!
The key is to engage with our community in meaningful, practical ways— getting to know real people to understand their real needs. This is our opportunity to look around, connect with others in the circle of influence God has given us, and respond specifically.
Top 10 Things You Can Do at Home to Love Your Neighbors
1. Make a short list of people you know who are feeling vulnerable. Call them to check in & be a voice of support. (Hint: This is a great time for FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, or other free video calls to see faces & hear voices while still social distancing!)
• “It's been a tough couple of weeks—how are you doing?”
• “What has your day been like?”
• "How have you been filling the time?”
2. Leave notes on the doors of people you don’t know in your neighborhood. Give your name & an invitation to connect.
3. Have “backyard fence” or “alleyway” conversations. When the opportunity presents, embrace the awkward & confess, “You know, I should know your name by now, but I don’t. Hi, I’m [fill in the blank]."
4. Volunteer to pick up necessary items from the store for your neighborhood & deliver them to people’s doorsteps.
5. Create gift baskets with (sanitized!) treats, arts & crafts, games, movies, etc. to leave on the porches of nearby households.
6. Write letters to individuals who are currently incarcerated or hospitalized & can’t receive visitors during this time of crisis.
7. Engage in a virtual Bible study or find an online prayer group to encourage one another on an ongoing basis. Share posts for upcoming livestream services or host online watch parties to engage in times of worship together.
8. Offer to assist with outdoor tasks such as raking, lawn mowing, dog walking, etc. If pride seems to be a concern, explain, “I need something to keep me busy—I’m tired of being cooped up!”
9. Invite an individual or two per day to join you for a walk around your neighborhood, to boost mental/physical health & get to know one another.
10. If you learn of someone in financial stress, who is in need of groceries or essentials, and you’re experiencing limited means to help out due to the COVID-19 situation, contact Pastor Serenity (smiller@gracepointwesleyan.org) to inquire about a Love Out Loud gift card (while supply lasts).
Part of cultivating a heart of meaningful service toward others is recognizing our own need and becoming willing to receive the love of Christ. A time like this levels the playing field. We are all impacted. None of us is immune. To love our neighbors as ourselves, we acknowledge that our “self” might be the one to receive God's blessing of community right now!
We know that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). The purpose of Love Out Loud 2020 is still the same: to serve our neighbors as ourselves. Our methods might look different than we expected, but the mission doesn’t change!
Here at GracePoint, as part of our mission to Encounter Grace, Grow in Grace, and Give Grace, we want to be people who are equipped and empowered to serve in our own backyards. We believe such a time as this provides unique opportunities allowing us to do “good works” that foster “good will,” opening doors for the “good news” of Jesus Christ. So take this time to ask God to bring your attention to a way you can Love Out Loud right now—today!
