By Michael C. Mack
November 21: National Adoption Day. Held the Saturday before Thanksgiving in all 50 states. On this day a number of courts and communities work together to finalize the adoptions of thousands of children in foster care.
Ideas: Work with agencies in your community to support adoptions. Plan with adoptive parents in your church to advocate for adoption in your community. Plan your weekend services around adoption, inviting adoptive families from the community. Speak about God adopting Christians as his children (Romans 8:15, 23; Galatians 4:5) in your sermon or Sunday school lessons.
November 27: Black Friday. Offer free childcare so single moms or others can shop. Give away free water bottles or hot chocolate at a local shopping center. Offer free gift wrapping. (For the previous two ideas, be sure to gain permission from shopping areas or stores first.) Transport those who cannot drive to the store and help them shop.
November 28: Small Business Saturday. Encourage church members to patronize small businesses, such as local restaurants and family-owned stores. Ask small groups or classes to provide lunch for small businesses in the area to thank them for serving your community.
Yeah let’s turn every special “day” into a church ministry. It will show people we are in tune with the culture and out to meet their needs. Or let’s not and say we did.