As you all know we have given over one of our weekends every other month to an outreach project / activity of some sort. This has been loosely termed our Servant Evangelism Weekend.

That means that just 1 in 8 weeks we will do something different, away from a service here at Fishergate.

That means that we do something in Service to those outside our doors. Last time we went to Bethany house to do church for the residents but by far the most powerful part of that visit was to spend some time in conversation and prayer with the elderly people who so rarely get to have any time with anyone outside their carers and visitors.

Next week is out next Servant Weekend.

For months now there has been a post on the web site asking for ideas for any projects. The hope that those who are generally not too sure or comfortable with overt outreach would suggest just what we can do together in a “Low Risk , High Grace” situation.

A recent example of this was when the Wednesday Brew Crew gave out hand outs with a voucher for a free coffee at Brew to the students at the fresher’s week. The take up for a high quality cuppa was not great I believe but the fact that contact was made and that a gift was made with the right heart was the most important thing. All we are doing is spreading seed.

So I have a challenge for you all.

Finally before I issue the challenge. Who said this: 

“Practically, growing in our relationship with God is no different from growing in a relationship with another. Intimacy develops from time spent together . The way is open; there is no hindrance other than ourselves. Will we give Him the time. He will be found in His word (the written, but living, revelation of God himself), in waiting upon Him, in prayer, in our listening for and to Him and in our responding to his voice.

BEHOLD HE STANDS AT THE DOOR AND KNOCKS! WILL WE OPEN THE DOOR AND ALLOW HIM IN TO SHARE HIMSELF WITH US AND OURSELVES WITH HIM IN INTIMATE FREINDSHIP?

In your home groups. In groups of people you are comfortable with. I want you to complete the following well known phrase:

“there is no such thing as a free.................................” 

Between now and next Saturday I want you to communicate with each other. Come up with an idea – a really simple idea that involves giving something away or doing something really simple for folk out there. 

We have money. £20 per group. To be spent on freebies for the folk on the street, doing their shopping, buying stuff, having a coffee with friends 

We’ll meet here as normal by 5 – hand out the dosh (you can buy stuff before if you like and bring receipts or make the buying of stuff part of your plan) and probably little cards with the church details on and then be out on the streets by 5.15 or before. We’ll reconvene at 6.15 and tell a tale or two of what happened.   It might take you the full hour it might take 10 minutes but that all there is to it. That’s it. Simple 

The only insistence is that you work together in groups and that you spend your money.

One final quote:

The essence of the power of serving is in showing up in unexpected places.

Think practical. Think seasonal? Keep it simple! It’s a “give away”