Michtam Music

I plan to write a few blog posts on song sites and especially those with free congregational pieces available for listening and printing.  Michtam Music is one of those sites.  I haven't listened to all of the songs on the site yet, but I would encourage you to stop by their site and listen to the music.  Leave a comment below if there are any songs there that are a blessing to you.  I like the song "No Reserves, No Retreats, No Regrets" by author Taylor Fleury and composer Ethan Holmes.  There is a story behind the song which you can read here.

Free Church Website

Is it possible to make a free church website without ads?

  Yes!! :o)  You may want your own domain name and so that will be around $10/year but that is not necessary.  I've used yolasite.com and I've also heard good things about weebly.com.  Yola has very good customer service and it is very easy to figure out how to get started.  I was even able to put short sermons for my husband on there (about 30 minutes each).  Have questions?  Leave a comment and I will try to get back to you.

Ideas for reaching out to the community

   Need some more ideas for getting to know some more people in your neighborhood, helping out, and also sharing about Christ.  Well, here are a few ideas and you are welcome to share your own. 

* Every community has plenty of opportunities to volunteer and this presents a great time to help and build relationships.  This includes helping at nursing homes, mentoring, helping children or adults with disabilities, serving at soup kitchens or rescue missions.

* Start a crocheting, quilting, etc. club and offer free lessons for beginners.

* Hand out Valentines and candy to cashiers, neighbors etc.  Include the church website on the Valentine card.

* Invite kids to a Resurrection party and use the Resurrection eggs.

* Invite kids to a What God wants for Christmas Party.

* Put a float in the parade and pass out flyers.

* Make Thanksgiving baskets to give to families in need.

* Kids Bible clubs.

* Outdoor nativity with animals or passion play.  Breakfast afterward.

* Set up a booth in a fair.  Do wordless book face-painting.

* Rent a room in the mall for an outreach.

* Be sure to advertise in newspaper and in radio (Public Service Announcements are free) for outreaches or special Bible studies.