MERCY PROJECT How to Serve as a Small Group In John 13:15, Jesus sets an example for us to follow. After washing His disciples' feet - an act of love, humility, and service - He encourages us to follow His lead and serve one another. "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45 "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men." Ephesians 6:7 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” Hebrews 10:24 If our heart is to serve the least, the last and the lost then we are always looking for opportunities to reach out and serve our community and neighbors. God has shaped your group with unique gifting, passions, abilities, talents and resources. We were saved to serve and have the privilege to be Jesus heart, hands and feet as we help those that are hurting and in need. Your challenge as a group leader is to help people get out of their comfort zones and see that God wants to use them in ministry. I love this quote: “People grow the most when they are serving and taking responsibility. Every task, no matter how small, is an opportunity to serve.” Below is a simple outline to help your group prepare for a Mercy Project. How To PREPARE For Your Mercy Project Pray for God to present an opportunity for your group to reach out and serve others. Respond to the real needs that are all around you in your neighborhood, community, workplace or school. Establish a game plan that includes: (Permission, resources, responsibilities, strong finish and follow-up). Pick your Mercy Project leader and begin planning all the details from start to finish. Allow the Holy Spirit to fine tune your game plan and add the His finishing touches. Reach out in love with a pure heart just like Jesus did. Enter their world humbly as you bring love and hope. (See the reverse side for serving ideas) 40 Serving Ideas for your Mercy Project 1. Ask your mayor or a city official about your community’s greatest needs and what you could do to address them. 2. Cook a meal for an individual or family who is sick, recovering from surgery, recently had a baby, etc. 3. Plan a neighborhood BBQ. 4. Have a free garage sale. 5. Serve our Military and Civil Service families on Saturday, October 7th. Do childcare so parents can have a date day (See Lanae) 6. Contact your local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) chapter to ask how you can serve veterans in your community. 7. Visit seniors in a nursing home or convalescent facility (Play games, bring cards, small gifts and fun snacks). 8. Volunteer to spend time with children at a local YMCA or Boys & Girls Club. 9. Pick a school and do landscaping and spread bark dust. 10. Mow the grass or clean up the yard for your neighbor. 11. Call a local non-profit to ask what their organization’s greatest need and then offer to help with it. 12. Offer to babysit for a neighbor so that they can have a date night. 13. Paint a single mom’s or widows house. 14. Collect unused make-up, perfume, and other cosmetics for a center for abused women. 15. Volunteer at your library or local school to help a child learn how to read. 16. Assemble a new parent’s kit for the arrival of a newborn. 17. Bring comfort and relief to patients and caregivers by volunteering through a local hospice agency. 18. Teach classes or tutor those who are learning English as a second language. 19. Work with local officials to paint over graffiti in your city. 20. Take a lunch with drinks and dessert to a police, fire station or school. 21. Write letters or create care packages for soldiers who are serving overseas. 22. Sports clubs and schools are often responsible for upkeep on their Fields. Offer to help clean up their sports/recreation areas. 23. Bake some cookies for a neighbor that you haven’t met as a means to introduce yourself. 24. Create hygiene kits (toothbrush & toothpaste, shampoo, etc.) and give them to homeless individuals or families in your community. 25. Contact your city’s juvenile court system and offer to mentor an adolescent on probation. 26. Get in touch with your local Habitat for Humanity chapter about helping them build houses for those in need. 27. Host or participate with a vocational training for community members out of work. 28. Volunteer at a local agency that works with children with disabilities. 29. Help a neighbor make repairs to their property or home that they are unable to do themselves. 30. Sign up to serve as a “Big Brother” or “Big Sister” 31. Clean up trash at a local park or neighborhood. 32. Contact a local school principal to find out how you can best serve their school. 33. Spend time visiting with seniors in a nursing home or assisted living facility. 34. Look at your city’s community events calendar, pick an event, and find out how you can serve at it. 35. Organize a community car wash. 36. Offer to pick up groceries with/for a senior citizen. 37. Offer to buy groceries for a single mom. 38. Make “Get Well” cards for kids in a local children’s hospital. 39. Use your computer or social media skills to teach a class or tutor those who want to learn. 40. Participate in HillsDOerday on October 7th. There are lots of project to choose from. https://www.hillsboro-oregon.gov/departments/city-manager-s-office/hillsdoer-day .