Day 11 – December 11

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1211Take a recycled glass jar and let your kids glue colored paper on it, or put stickers on it and decorate it. (You can see an example to the right.)

Let this be your family collection jar for any loose change. Once you fill the jar, decide on who will receive the gift.

For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. (2 Corinthians 29.2)

Other Ideas:

•You can designate who will receive your gift before hand. Sometimes doing so motivates you to find more change.

•Don’t be afraid to add some “green” change every now and then. You will be surprised the amount of change a small jar will hold, but bills are just icing on the cake.

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days

Day 10 – December 10

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1210Take packaged socks, tied with a festive ribbon, to one of our local nursing homes. Ask the receptionist which resident(s) have very little family and friends and leave your gifts for that person.

Brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. (1 Thessalonians 2.17)

Other Ideas:

•Better yet: stay and visit. The gift of our time is the most precious gift of all.

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days

Day 9 – December 9

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1209It’s Friday! The end of a busy week during an especially busy and stressful month. You want to serve someone?

Give someone a hug.

That’s it.

Just give them a hug and tell them you are thinking of them.

Encourage one another daily. (Hebrews 3.13)

Other Ideas:

•Giving a free hug is generally recognized as starting with “Juan Mann.” (Find his website and story here.) Maybe you want to make a sign and go to a busy place and give your own free hugs.

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days

Day 8 – December 8

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1208Here’s one for all you animal lovers:

Deliver old/new soft blankets or towels, or pet food, or dog/cat toys to a local animal shelter or become a volunteer. (See a list of locations below.)

Your volunteer efforts may not only benefit a pet or pet-to-be, but also may make the life of those who take care of these pets in shelters easier.

But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark… (Genesis 8.1)

Other Ideas:

•Humane Society of West Texas (www.humanesocietyofwesttexas.org)

•Haven Animal Center (www.havenacs.org)

•4 Legged Friends (www.4leggedfriendslbk.com)

•Morris Safe House (806-239-0156)

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days

Day 7 – December 7

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1207Grab a note card (or two) and write a thank you note to someone who has blessed you.

Let your kiddos join the fun, and help them select a person who makes their lives better today: a school teacher, a Bible class teacher, a coach, or a friend.

Seal those letters with love and send them today.

I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you. (Romans 1.8)

Other Ideas:

•Choose to write a “Thinking of You” card and send to people in the hospital, nursing homes, or shut-ins.

•One could also make Christmas cards for these individuals, as well.

 

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days

Day 6 – December 6

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1206Put a packaged treat in your mailbox. If you have children, let them create or color the tag for this gift.

Thank your mail carrier for his/her service to you all year long.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5.11)

Other Ideas:

•You might also want to think about giving a treat to people who regularly serve you, such as the lawn person, your vet, wait staff that you see often, the barista at your coffee shop, or perhaps the fire fighters at the station closest to you.

•You could alter this idea and use Sonic or Starbucks gift cards instead of a treat.

 

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days

Day 5 – December 5

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blank dvds backgroundClean out your book, game, and DVD cabinet. The children’s wing at UMC is always in need of books, games, and DVD’s for their ill patients who spend most of their day inside and in bed. These patients enjoy the diversion and entertainment. Fill up a bag (or buy new items) and make a delivery with your family. (University Medical Center, Children’s Hospital, 602 Indiana, 2nd floor. Web site is here.)

Or here is another option. Same idea, different hospital.

For anyone interested in this, a student in South Plains Church of Christ’s youth ministry and a friend of hers from school are heading up a service project. They are collecting NEW, UNWRAPPED toys (or money to purchase toys) to give to Covenant Children’s Hospital before Christmas. To keep the items in accordance with hospital policy, here is a list of items that they are collecting:

Children’s books, card games, dolls, activity books, plastic dinosaurs and animals, Hot Wheels, action figures (superheroes, Transformers, Ninja Turtles, etc.), nail polish, teen board games, infant board books, hats.

Or you can donate cash for us to purchase items.

We must collect all donations by Sunday, December 18, in order to have these items delivered in time for Christmas. If you would like to participate, comment below or email Rob at southplainschurchofchrist@gmail.com and we will get you in contact with the right people.

COVENANT CHILDREN’S DONATION GUIDELINES:

• To prevent spreading germs to keep our patients happy and healthy, all donated items must be new.
• We do not distribute toys that might be perceived as violent (guns, swords, bows and arrows, etc.)
• Please do not gift wrap your donation. This makes it easier for us to match items with the right child.
• We cannot accept food, candy, handmade items, latex balloons or riding toys.

As you go, proclaim this message: “The kingdom of heaven has come near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse whose who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. (Matthew 10.7-8)

 

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days

Day 4 – December 4

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1204Many of us will go out to eat today following worship. If you do, leave a bigger tip than usual.

But since you excel in everything–in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you–see that you also excel in this grace of giving. (2 Corinthians 8.7)

Other Ideas:

•You might also buy someone else’s meal for them. If you can do it anonymously, all the better!

•Tonight (12/4) there will be a pancake supper to help support a family who lost their mother and now the oldest children are raising the younger ones. For those of you who might be interested, it will take place at the New Home Community Center (just west of Slide Rd/FM1730 on FM211) from 4:30 – 7:00 pm.

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days

Day 3 – December 3

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1203Take a field trip to a local park.

Take a trash sack or two and pick up trash. There will always be debris to pick up–leave this place better than when you found it.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord you are serving. (Colossians 3.23-24)

Other Ideas:

•Steve Sjogren, in his book 101 Ways to Reach Your Community, suggests the above idea but with this twist. The day before you clean up, place signs which read “Kindness in Progress” (similar to campaign signs).

•The South Plains Youth Ministry is involved in Sent LBK today, a day of service in our area.

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days

Day 2 – December 2

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1202Today give someone in your family or someone else you see during your day a genuine compliment.

We often think of big things that provide acts of service for others, but at times a simple, thoughtful word of encouragement may do more to boost someone’s spirit than any great action you could do.

When you do give someone a compliment, be sure to watch how they react. You can see their face, and often their heart, soften.

My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2.2-3)

Other Ideas:

•In addition to speaking a word of encouragement to someone, leave them (or someone else) a hidden note with an encouraging word.

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days