PRAYER

Really. It's the number one thing you can do to ensure a more successful outcome for your Christmas outreach. Often we get overwhelmed by all the details we need to make sure are covered. To be sure, there are a lot of details, but how often do we try to tackle everything on our own without invoking the help and power of the Holy Spirit?

This week, take time to set up a prayer team to pray over your church's preparations for Christmas this year.

• Give them lists of specific items to pray for.
  • Your children's volunteers.
  • The first impressions and greeter teams.
  • The worship service and leaders.
  • Your pastor and his preparations.
  • Any special activities you have planned
• Try to gather a team that encompasses all age groups and family types. There's no better way to develop deeper relationships within your church than your people coming together in prayer for a common purpose.

November 24th - 4 Weeks Out

There is still plenty to get ready. Much of the printed materials are probably in process and your early preparations should be paying off. Hopefully, you have delegated some of the responsibilities and you aren't feeling stressed or overwhelmed. If you are, maybe it's time to ask for more help. And put yourself on the new prayer team's prayer list!

Here are a few items to be working on this week.

• Pull the trigger on signs and banners. This should give you time to get them in and set up the first part of December to help spread the information about your Christmas services and events.
• Take a look at your children's areas.
  • Make sure you have extra staff/volunteers lined up to help with the extra children during your services. Maybe even consider staffing other events besides your Sunday services.
  • Consider upgrading or setting up additional stations to help with checking in families during the heavy traffic times.
• Here's the biggie this week - Start your church-wide prayer teams.
  • Pray for your pastor and church leaders
  • Pray for the guests and their families
  • Pray for the various teams and ministries in your church
  • Pray for all the volunteers that help your services happen