A Congregational Blessing Resource

Appendix. 4.A

Sample of Sunday Service Themes Leading to the Blessing Day

Take the Path of the Disciple

9/2 Called by God to Make the Journey
9/9 Take the Path of the Disciple (this was a service at the Temple)
9/16 On the Path We Go Together
9/23 We Walk with Christ on the Road
9/30 Join the Journey to New Life

Transformation

10/7 One with Christ
10/14 Christ as Friend
10/21 Live Like Christ
10/28 Called by Christ

Community of Christ

11/4 Share God’s Shalom
11/11 Cares for Others
11/18 Blessed to Be a Blessing (This was the Sunday of our congregational blessing.)
11/25 A Prophetic People

Appendix. 4.B—Stimulating Congregational Thought, Activities

A seemingly endless number of methods may be used to involve congregational members in activities leading to the congregational blessing. Three suggestions:

Give the children digital or disposable cameras and have them take pictures of people, places, and things in church. Then work with them in choosing pictures, blessing phrases, and music for compilation into a DVD to be shown to the congregation. The children (and adults) can invite friends to church on the Sunday the congregation sees the DVD.
Make poster-like wall hangings with pictures of church people and a blessing phrase or sentence. Hang the posters throughout the church.
Make Bible markers with the church information and a picture or blessing phrase to give to guests.