Giving Back Program

February+March 2020

Giving our TIME and Love to others

Sending encouragement to others

This month we are going to be focusing our time, and talents towards encouraging and loving others. There are so many times in the Bible that Jesus took the time to touch other’s lives by his actions. The disciples dropped their whole livelihoods and lives to follow Jesus and reach others. As parents it is important to show our kids the importance and the calling that Jesus gave us to love others. Throughout the month try to add moments, conversations, activities, and scripture that revolve around loving others





Conversation

-Talk with your child about encouraging others. Remind that that we don’t encourage others to get something in return, it is simply obedience to God. John 15:12 ‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.’

- Ask your kids what does love look like? When are we called to love? Who are we called to love? Listen to their answers, but then bring them back to scripture and the example that God and Jesus gave us. They are being told what “love is” in the movies, tv shows, and through the friends around them. But these examples of love are not biblical.

-Talk about different ways you can encourage people.

They can write a note to their teacher saying how much they appreciate them.

Call their grandparents and say I love you, and ask how they are doing.

Stand up for someone who is doing what is right.


Moments

Even when you are feeling overwhelmed by your list of things to do, take a few moments to spend showing love to your child. Every child is different in what their love language is. That may mean sitting and talking with them. Playing their favorite video game with them. Giving them a hug and kiss. Put a love note in their lunch box. Tell them what you think is special about them.

I’m not saying you don’t do these things already, I am saying do it even when it is tough. James 1:12 ‘Blessed is the man who remained steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.’


Scripture

1 John 3:23 ‘And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.’

John 8:42 ‘He said to him the third time. ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’... and he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything, you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’’

Ephesians 2:10 ‘For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.’

Luke 19:10 ‘For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.’

2 Corinthians 3:2-3 ‘You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.’

1 John 2:12 ‘I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name's sake.’

1 John 5:13 ‘These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.’


Activities

This month’s activity to love others is in writing to them. Disciples and Apostles from the Bible wrote to each other, which is how we got books like Titus, Philemon, 1st and 2nd Corinthians. They wrote to encourage, correct, and instruct. Our focus is to encourage others. There are many broken and hurting people out there. They need to hear that God loves them, and that we love them too.

Sit down with your kids and share with them how valuable encouraging is. How powerful writing to a person can be. Talk about how they feel when they get birthday cards, they joy they feel on getting a letter. (Do people send letters or postcards anymore?) Some kids are going to be too young to write a letter themselves, so ask them what they want to say and write it for them. Or let them draw a picture and you write the letter. They can write a story, or talk about themselves, or write about a lesson from God they are learning about.

If you are looking for people to write to here are some thoughts. But you can write to a family member, a neighbor, someone special in your own life, or find someone new to write to.


1.) Major Bill White is a 104 year old retired Marines vetrine. He served in World War 2. Served in the military for 30 years. Earned a purple heart, for surviving the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Operation Valentine:

ATTN: Hold for Maj Bill White, USMC (Ret)

The Oaks of Inglewood

6725 Inglewood Ave

Stockton, CA 95207


2.) Operation Gratitude is an organization that create care packages for those in the military or those retired. If sending a card, try making it a general thank you card(not a holiday) that way it can be sent at any time of the year! Write to : Deployed Troop, Veteran, New Recruit, Wounded Hero, or Caregiver.

Start the card with “Dear Hero” or “Dear Brave One”

Express Thanks for their selfless service. Share about yourself. Talk about interests. Do not write a date or year on the letter. Don’t put your letter in an individual envelope- because they have to go through an internal screening process.

Operation Gratitude

ATTN: Letter Writing Program

21100 Lassen Street

Chatsworth, CA 91311-4278


3.) Nursing home addresses in the area

Brunswick at Attleboro

310 E Winchester Ave

Langhorne, PA


Right at Home

340 E Maple Ave, Ste 209

Langhorne, Pa


Crestview Center

262 Tollgate Rd

Langhorne, Pa


4.) Moreloveletters.com

A website that you can nominate someone to receive ‘love letters’ from others or you can write letters to people who have been nominated. Not a religious site, but you are allowed to write about your faith in the letters. A great way to spread God’s love to those who need it.