SEND A POSTCARD!

Submitted by Keri Halliday (Kitchener, ON) and Shirlee Groothius (Clinton, ON)

It is encouraging to see the gospel going out online and in various forms - Children's meetings, Gospel series, videos, articles, texts, and verses! Among our own contacts and neighbours there are people that are seeking, and finding the time they haven't had before to think about God. He has a way of speaking loudly in the silence, and in our unique and unusual circumstances surrounding this pandemic.

People can easily watch or read anything from anywhere at the click of the mouse button or even as they wander through the constantly-incoming feed on their social accounts. What about pointing them to reliable gospel material that God can use to speak into their troubled souls?

Here are a couple of ideas that may be of use to the Christians in their personal outreach efforts: 

Mailed Postcards      

(scroll down further for Virtual Postcards)

In the interest of 'getting the word out' to the neighbourhood around our hall, we prepared 4x6" postcards including the info and time of our online Sunday evening gospel message. The link is printed on the card as well as a QR code that allows people to use their phone's camera to go directly to our website to watch live.

With help from International Bible House we were able to print and set up Canada Post delivery to specific routes at a very reasonable price. The process was easy and safe. We're used to hand-delivering, but we're never able to get into apartment buildings - PLUS with our current circumstances this was the smartest way to go. 

Virtual Postcards You Can Use 

We've put together a few visuals that could be used on Facebook, to catch attention and link to a resource where the reader can read or view a good gospel message. Similar to 'sharing' a youtube video to your Facebook page, these images are linked to reputable gospel media. The result is that someone who sees the 'virtual postcard' on your FB page and is interested, can then click on the photo and go directly to where they can read or watch the message online.

The images themselves can be used on other social media accounts, or even as your email signature, with the links either embedded in the image or shared along with the image.

If you want to create your own images, www.anyimage.io is a free online resource that allows you to embed a link into an uploaded photo that can then be posted onto Facebook easily in the status of a personal (or group) page.

There are lots of other ways to generate short slideshows or videos - ie right on Facebook, through Powerpoint etc. These are meant to catch people's attention and can be used as a great way to share the gospel in our current 'virtual-only' environment.

Gallery Collection Coming

If you want to use the virtual postcards below, please do! We plan to create a Gallery Collection of all the Virtual Postcards. We will add the newest ones to the collection as they are created. Yes, right here on LostSheepFinders.com. They will be available to those who would like to shine some Gospel light on any given day through their social media activity. You can select the card of your choice.

Until we create the Gallery, you can start using the virtual postcards below immediately. 

This one goes directly to the 'Good News In The Worst Of Times' video on YouTube.

This is the link you would use to paste into a Facebook post: http://youtu.createdacard.me/z7mE5r

and it will show up as this:

____________________

This one goes to a classic clip of a Billy Graham sermon from 1973: ‘Lord, Please Tell Me What You’re Doing’ on BillyGraham.org

This is the link you would use to paste into a Facebook post:

http://billygraham.createdacard.me/a8gHqys

and it shows up like this:

___________________

This one goes to the Bible Bite 'Experience Peace Today' on Heaven4sure.com

This is the link you would use to paste into a Facebook post:

http://heaven4sure.justsharedthis.info/ND8sn

and it shows up like this:

____________________

This one goes to 'The Rescue Plan' video on UnderstandingtheGospel.org

This is the link you would use to paste into a Facebook post: http://understandingthegospel.createdacard.me/U7PL3df

and it shows up like this:

____________________

This one goes to 'The Life of Jesus' movie posted on Heaven4sure.com

Link to share on Facebook: http://heaven4sure.createdacard.me/Q7lVFF
and it shows up like this:

___________________

This one goes to 'If Jesus Made House-Calls During COVID19' video on Heaven4sure.com

Link to share on Facebook: http://heaven4sure.justsharedthis.info/4N2pwd3

and it shows up like this:

____________________

This one goes to "Bridge Over Troubled Water COVID19" on Heaven4sure.com. 

The link to share on Facebook: http://heaven4sure.createdacard.me/JraqYeS

and it shows up like this:

Successful Halifax Christmas Carol Events

One of the reasons why there are not more posts to this blog might be the reluctance of Christians to talk about something they have tried to do for the Lord to reach others with the great news of Jesus Christ. There's nothing wrong with humility - unless it prevents us from sharing what God is doing. Another contributing factor to the paucity of posts is the time required to capture in writing an event or an outreach activity. Understood!

But anytime you have something you would like to share that might encourage others to reach out with the Gospel, be sure to contact us. This is an easy blog. Your post could be as short as a couple of sentences or paragraphs - along with a few pictures.

In December 2019, Matthew Cain, in conjunction with the North Street Gospel Hall, and a group of Christian workers organized two Christmas Carol Gospel programs. One was held at a community center in Sackville, Nova Scotia on a Saturday evening, and the second event was held Sunday evening at the North Street Gospel Hall

A cadre of workers distributed invitations beforehand in the neighbourhood. The events were also promoted on FaceBook and Twitter.

I had the privilege of sharing a brief Christmas Gospel message at both these community functions.

Unfortunately,  I do not have a picture of Matthew Cain (aided by Andrew Swan) leading the singing of the carols. Matthew introduced each carol by offering a less than 60-second intro containing historical background to each carol, flavored with some appropriate wit.

The evening was a great success. Some of the community folks sat at the tables enjoying Christmas delicacies to the very end. Many expressed their gratitude. One couple said they sensed a 'spiritual joy' in the Christian young people who helped out. What an impression to be made!

No attempt to bridge this community event with a future Gospel service was made. It was simply a one-time event (may become an annual event) - with no strings attached. Wise! I am certain if anyone wanted more information, their request would have been granted. 😊

The Sunday evening session was held at the North Street Gospel Hall - in place of its regular Sunday evening Gospel service.

The format was similar. The crowd was much larger - with the main auditorium and balcony filled. People from all walks of life, of all ages, and diverse in their ethnicity and religious beliefs - attended.

More than one said how impressed they were with the acapella singing of the carols. The engagement was refreshing and the volume of the blended voices singing the rich lyrics of the Gospel Carols was soul-stirring. Our prayer is that the lyrics, the Gospel Message regarding the Incarnation, and the warmth and kindness of the Christians - would not only be soul-stirring but heart-reaching.

This video and some of the pictures above were taken before the pews filled up.

After the Carol Service, everyone was invited to enjoy Christmas refreshments. The dining room was filled to capacity. If anyone has a picture of the crowded dining room and the loaded tables of food, please send it along.

Christmas - Bible Verse Ornaments

Many of us are not into crafts. Some of us definitely don't have the creative gene. A few of us

struggle to follow clearly detailed step-by-step instructions for even the simplest of craft-building activities. If you too are challenged in this regard - take heart! You will be able to do this easily.

Follow the few simple steps. Click on the links provided to purchase the basic supplies. Get a few of your friends together in early November for a morning or evening. Brew some coffee. Offer a few crackers - if you have no delicious sweets in the house - and long before midnight, you will have a supply of professional-looking and attractive Bible verse Christmas ornaments to share as a part of your Gospel outreach activities. If you want more information - email Shelly Dennison.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tEpHBmzrgnnXe9tEazMKZ1bsniD9MnF0/view

'The Women in My Life' Brunch

A couple of years ago, I was staying in the home of Dave and Susie Curran, while helping in a Gospel effort with the Pennsauken, NJ assembly. Susie asked me if I would have a very short Gospel message for a group of women she was having over to their home for a brunch. I agreed. She told me she would be inviting, from the community, all the women in her life who impacted or interacted with her and her family over the years.

I wasn't sure what to expect but as the cars started filling their driveway and parking on the street, I realized an impressive number of women were coming to the Curran home. Former babysitters, teachers, an obstetrician, work associates, etc. It seemed that many of them were contacts through their Moms and Tots program. If I remember correctly, there were approximately 50 who came for brunch.

There are more pictures below. I was reluctant to take too many pictures of guests I didn't know, but I can assure you, the tables outside on the upper and lower patio decks were filled with "the women in her life."

This is not a bragging matter. It is simply an effort to share an idea with you and to encourage you - wherever you may live - to try the same thing or something similar. We all have people in our lives. You may not do it twice a year. Maybe you won't even do it annually. Perhaps you will just do it once. 

But who would turn down a delicious meal, a little gift-package to take home, and possibly a five minute message of love and light from the Bible?!! Even if you don't have the courage to share a five minute message - just showing kindness and Christian love, along with giving thanks for the food - would make lasting impressions and strengthen relationships.

Perhaps you want to wait until next summer. But its not too early to start to pray about it and to think of the possibilities. Start making your list of people you could invite. Set a date. And if you are afraid, by the time next Spring or Summer rolls around, you might 'drop the ball' on this or put it off another year - send out a 'heads-up' - a 'reserve the date-range' alert now for next Spring or Summer. Put your intentions in writing now and then it is more difficult to procrastinate in eight months time.

By the way, if you have tried something similar to this, let us know, or add your comments in the feedback section for this post below. 

I asked Susie to share a few details in this post which she has kindly done below.   -Peter Ramsay

We have been doing the Moms and Tots program at our local assembly for quite a number of years now. Among other things, this has brought me into contact with many women from the community.

Over the years, we have had many people from our neighborhood and the surrounding area who have come faithfully to the Moms and Tots program and have brought along their friends as well. While we are sure to include the message of the gospel with each lesson, I wanted to have a way for ladies in my life, including the Moms and Tots adults, to be able to hear the gospel clearly. I thought by using the venue of my home it would be a way to do so.  

So, I have had two brunches a year - Easter time and Christmas when I invite the ladies in my life - neighbors, friends, Moms and Tots adults, co-workers, etc. They come for a meal and then a short message is given to them.  

This has been a great avenue for conversation and has brought about some great discussions about eternal matters.  I love using our home for the Lord, as we feel it belongs to Him and we are just trying to be good stewards of what He has given us.  

Many of these women attend their own churches on Sunday; so, this has been nice way to share the gospel with them, regardless of their background.  Many of the women look forward to it and have also asked to bring along a friend! 

I do send home a plant with the ladies and a Bible based children book to the moms of young children. I like to give at Christmas time a Bible calendar for the new year to them as well.  

I feel by inviting these ladies into our home - they will see what is important to me and, hopefully, it is a testimony to all who come.

Anyone interested in doing something similar, I would suggest to start small.  Just ask the ladies in your neighborhood, or a small group of women in your life.  It will grow quickly. It has proven to be a blessing to me on so many levels!  

"Only one life twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last."

Anyone wanting any additional information feel free to email me by clicking here.

John 3:16 Audio CD Available

A new audio Gospel cd is 'freely' available for distribution in your Gospel outreach efforts. With special sound effects in the background, Eugene Higgins delivers a very clear 15 minute Gospel message from John 3:16. For more information email: sam.taufeek@gmail.com

Leave it as a tip. Give it to your co-worker. Along with some Christmas goodies, put this CD in a small Christmas gift bag and give it to your neighbours.

You can listen to the message here to determine if you would like to request some free cds. You can also share this link on your FaceBook page or forward it to your contacts by email.

https://heaven4sure.com/watch-listen/

Do You Have a Prayer Request Form on Your Website?

Most people we meet each day know of no one who is praying for them, or for that matter - anyone who would be interested in praying for them. In Christian circles, we are perhaps too accustomed to other Christians saying: "I will be praying for you." On the receiving end, we could possibly take their prayers for granted. Or we could assure them of our prayers and then be somewhat unfaithful in consistently praying for their needs.

But for those outside of Christian circles - praying is church-talk. For someone in distress or crisis-mode to learn that a Christian is willing to pray for them - that's light in their darkness. Their contact with you in a time of crisis, may be the means of seeing them eventually won to Christ. But even if they show absolutely no interest in the Gospel, it is still our Christian duty to do good, show kindness and to pray for them.

Recently we've added to the heaven4sure.com website, a Prayer Request Form. Have you thought of adding a similar form to your website?

Click here to see the form.

Christmas Baskets for the Neighbourhood - St. John's, NL

It's so encouraging to visit other places and to see what Christians are doing, both individually and collectively, to show kindness to others. Sometimes we do 'good works' as merely a strategy to ultimately see people respond to the Gospel. And if, after several attempts of showing kindness, they don't respond, we get discouraged and move on - because our strategy failed. The reality is, Christians should show kindness and do good works - not as a strategy but as the outflow of one's redeemed and regenerated heart. We are to do good for the sake of doing good. Period. 

Matthew 5:16, Luke 6:35, Acts 9:36, Galatians 6:10, Ephesians 2:10, Titus 3:1, Hebrews 13:16, 1Peter 2:12

Often the only time our neighbours ever hear from us is when we drop an invitation in their mailbox to attend a special Gospel service. What do we do to show them we are just 'nice' people? NICE regardless.

Recently in St. John's, Newfoundland, I noticed special Christmas bags and a few other things around the lobby and auditorium of the local church. And then I heard an announcement about Christmas Baskets for the Neighbourhood. I asked one of the Christian sisters, Cathy Tarrant, if she would prepare a report for lostsheepfinders.com and share enough details about the activity that others will be able to try the idea in their area. She kindly submitted this report: 

Christmas Baskets for the Neighbourhood
We started this work about 5 years ago.  It started as an exercise of Ruby Williams.  She discussed it with me and we decided to go ahead and do a dozen baskets for the houses in the immediate vicinity of the hall. [Gospel Hall / local church]  The next year we expanded and with others helping, we did 25.  For the last 3 years (including this one), we have been distributing 50 baskets.

The area residents now expect the baskets and are always very appreciative.  We always put a calendar with scripture verses, usually a Christmas tract and a small booklet such as 'The Case for Christmas', 'The Cradle, the Cross and the Crown' or similar.  Then we fill it with various items such as a mug, candles, candy chocolate.