Easter A. O. K.
Tips & Serve Ideas
GET CREATIVE! Spend the days leading up to Easter letting the people in your city know "We're thinking of you" and
that Jesus loves them. Here are some tips and ideas to do just that.
that Jesus loves them. Here are some tips and ideas to do just that.
1.KINDNESS TO GO BOX
Create a "Kindness To Go" Box to keep in your vehicle at all times. Stock it full of blank note cards, envelopes, pens, non-perishable treats, coffee gift cards, $1 bills bottled water, word bracelets, sticky notes, and kindness cards. Sometimes just having these supplies on hand supports our awareness of others and helps cultivate a heart of anticipation for moments to make a difference.
2.STICKY NOTES AT WALMART
I carry a pad of sticky notes in my purse at all times. One of my favorite times was when a couple of friends and I went to Walmart, prayerfully wrote down encouraging words, and let God lead us to aisles in the store where we stuck surprise notes for shoppers. "You're beautiful" on a box of tampons? Yes LORD! "You got this!" on a pack of pull ups - AMEN, Father! This serve has been a hit with small groups. Easy, fun, and family friendly.
3.REVERSE DRIVE THRU
Get some cellophane bags, individually wrapped candies, note cards, and ribbon. Write down some words of appreciation and assemble treat bags. Load up in the car and go to some of your favorite drive-thrus around town. Skip the order and pull right up to the window. Hand the staff member a treat and say "Just wanted to thank you for working hard! You're seen and noticed and we appreciate you!" BLOWS their mind every time!
4. "BOB GOFF" BALLOON GIVEAWAY
Grab a mini helium tank from the party aisle (balloons and string are usually included). Head to a local park, children's hospital, or shopping center. Inflate balloons and use a marker to write encouraging words on them. Have fun handing them out to kiddos or grown ups as a fun way to put a smile on their faces.
5.EASTER BASKET ESSENTIALS
Identify local shelters, transitional housing, or addiction recovery programs. Ask what household needs the residents have and then invite your teams to put together "Laundry Easter Baskets" full of needed items such as soap, shampoo toilet paper, cleaning supplies, detergent, and of course CANDY!
6. EASTER THREADS
For some people, not being able to afford a nice Easter outfit may stop them from feeling comfortable attending church. Consider gifting them with a special Easter shopping spree. Let them know how loved they are and instill a sense of dignity in them that they truly deserve. Take it to the next level by including hair cuts and styling, shaving, make-up, nails, and accessories.
7.REDBOX SURPRISE
Rent out Redbox movies, place a few dollars in the case along with a note saying "snacks on us" and an Acts of kindness card. Then return the movie for the next person to enjoy.
8.GAS POP UP
Take over a local gas station by paying for peoples' gas, helping them pump, wiping windshields, and praying with them!
9.TRUCK STOP SERVE
Honor Truck Drivers at gas stations and truck stops by serving them hot breakfast, treats, and thank you cards for their hard work!
10. SPRING BREAK AT THE SKATE PARK
Elevate Church in TX hosted an incredible Spring Break event at their local Skate Park. They invited students to come out and enjoy boarding, music, food, prizes, activities, and more.
11. BUILD YOUR OWN EASTER BASKET
All Nations Worship Assembly in IL hosted a community Easter event where families got to stop by to receive free groceries and children got to MAKE THEIR OWN Easter Baskets.
12. FREE FAMILY PHOTO DAY
Red Rocks Church hosted a FREE Family Photo Day for families they serve in the community. The Creative Team used their talents to capture beautiful images and bless families with a memory they'll get to hold on to for years to come.
13. LAUNDRY LOVE
Impact City in LA remixed their regular Laundry Love outreach by setting up a table outside of local laundromats. They greeted each customer and handed them a ziplock bag including bottled water, packaged pastries, quarter rolls, soap pods, dryer sheets, a resource list of local food banks, and Scriptures.
14. NURSING HOME ACTIVITIES
Show nursing home residents some love by hosting fun activities like Easter Door Decor contests (COTK Serve), making laminated place mats, sun catchers and other fun arts and crafts!
15. ROCK PAINTING
Paint rocks with colorful designs and uplifting messages. Hide them around town for people to find and be encouraged by. A fun activity for families and children to join in on!
16. LATE NIGHT SURPRISE
Grab a team of friends, stock up on energy drinks, canned or bottled coffee, 5 hour energies, etc. Roll out to visit people working the night shift at Hospitals, Emergency Rooms, Waffle Houses, and any 24 hour spots around town.
17. BEEPING EGG HUNT
Front Range Church in CO hosted a "Special Egg Hunt" for children with special needs. They made sure that EVERYONE had a chance to hunt and find eggs. Children with visual impairments were able to hunt for "beeping" eggs. Children with mobility challenges were able to hunt by using magnetized wooden rods. And they even had a "quiet hunt" for children with autism and SPD.
18. BAD BREATH CARE
Head downtown during lunch hour on a weekday. Catch businessmen and women leaving restaurants and wrapping up their lunch break and hook them them with some free gum before they head back to work. We've all been there!
19. UNBIRTHDAY PARTY
Plan a mini unbirthday party! Find a busy area in town. Set up a tent and table (or make it mobile with a cart) where you celebrate everyone like it's their birthday! Have signs, party hats, music, photo props and backdrop, party favors, pre-packaged cupcakes, and small gifts. When people ask what this is for, tell them it's to let them know how special they are.
20. OUTDOORSY SERVE
For all the nature loving folks, this serve is for you! Hit the trails and give out ice cold bottled water to hikers and runners. Or give out free bait at all the best fishing spots. Or choose your personal favorite recreational hobby and bless someone there the way you'd like to be blessed.
21. FREE CAR WASH
Take it old school with a good ole fashioned free car wash. this is one of the simplest, funnest serves that never gets old. Go all out to create a joyful atmosphere! make fun posters, pump some music, give out free air fresheners. Go all out and make it an incredible experience that people will enjoy.
22. COMMUNITY SCAVENGER HUNT
If you're up for an adventure, this serve is for you. Pray ahead and ask God to show you who He has for you to serve today. Ask him to give you 3-5 specific people and ideas to bless them. then go out and do it!
23. ADOPT A STUDENT
Our Savior's Church in LA recognized that it's around this season when children begin to need a refresh on school supplies and other items to help them finish the school year strong! So they connected with local school counselors to identify students who might be in need. They then invited church members to sponsor a student by providing them with an Easter Basket full of treats, new clothing, school supplies, and more.
They also blessed the student's households with groceries and essential items.
24. EGG HIDE
Fill plastic eggs with words of kindness inside, bracelets small gifts, bus tickets, cash, or gift certificates, Pray over them and go out and hide them all over the city for people to find and be encouraged by!
Create a "Kindness To Go" Box to keep in your vehicle at all times. Stock it full of blank note cards, envelopes, pens, non-perishable treats, coffee gift cards, $1 bills bottled water, word bracelets, sticky notes, and kindness cards. Sometimes just having these supplies on hand supports our awareness of others and helps cultivate a heart of anticipation for moments to make a difference.
2.STICKY NOTES AT WALMART
I carry a pad of sticky notes in my purse at all times. One of my favorite times was when a couple of friends and I went to Walmart, prayerfully wrote down encouraging words, and let God lead us to aisles in the store where we stuck surprise notes for shoppers. "You're beautiful" on a box of tampons? Yes LORD! "You got this!" on a pack of pull ups - AMEN, Father! This serve has been a hit with small groups. Easy, fun, and family friendly.
3.REVERSE DRIVE THRU
Get some cellophane bags, individually wrapped candies, note cards, and ribbon. Write down some words of appreciation and assemble treat bags. Load up in the car and go to some of your favorite drive-thrus around town. Skip the order and pull right up to the window. Hand the staff member a treat and say "Just wanted to thank you for working hard! You're seen and noticed and we appreciate you!" BLOWS their mind every time!
4. "BOB GOFF" BALLOON GIVEAWAY
Grab a mini helium tank from the party aisle (balloons and string are usually included). Head to a local park, children's hospital, or shopping center. Inflate balloons and use a marker to write encouraging words on them. Have fun handing them out to kiddos or grown ups as a fun way to put a smile on their faces.
5.EASTER BASKET ESSENTIALS
Identify local shelters, transitional housing, or addiction recovery programs. Ask what household needs the residents have and then invite your teams to put together "Laundry Easter Baskets" full of needed items such as soap, shampoo toilet paper, cleaning supplies, detergent, and of course CANDY!
6. EASTER THREADS
For some people, not being able to afford a nice Easter outfit may stop them from feeling comfortable attending church. Consider gifting them with a special Easter shopping spree. Let them know how loved they are and instill a sense of dignity in them that they truly deserve. Take it to the next level by including hair cuts and styling, shaving, make-up, nails, and accessories.
7.REDBOX SURPRISE
Rent out Redbox movies, place a few dollars in the case along with a note saying "snacks on us" and an Acts of kindness card. Then return the movie for the next person to enjoy.
8.GAS POP UP
Take over a local gas station by paying for peoples' gas, helping them pump, wiping windshields, and praying with them!
9.TRUCK STOP SERVE
Honor Truck Drivers at gas stations and truck stops by serving them hot breakfast, treats, and thank you cards for their hard work!
10. SPRING BREAK AT THE SKATE PARK
Elevate Church in TX hosted an incredible Spring Break event at their local Skate Park. They invited students to come out and enjoy boarding, music, food, prizes, activities, and more.
11. BUILD YOUR OWN EASTER BASKET
All Nations Worship Assembly in IL hosted a community Easter event where families got to stop by to receive free groceries and children got to MAKE THEIR OWN Easter Baskets.
12. FREE FAMILY PHOTO DAY
Red Rocks Church hosted a FREE Family Photo Day for families they serve in the community. The Creative Team used their talents to capture beautiful images and bless families with a memory they'll get to hold on to for years to come.
13. LAUNDRY LOVE
Impact City in LA remixed their regular Laundry Love outreach by setting up a table outside of local laundromats. They greeted each customer and handed them a ziplock bag including bottled water, packaged pastries, quarter rolls, soap pods, dryer sheets, a resource list of local food banks, and Scriptures.
14. NURSING HOME ACTIVITIES
Show nursing home residents some love by hosting fun activities like Easter Door Decor contests (COTK Serve), making laminated place mats, sun catchers and other fun arts and crafts!
15. ROCK PAINTING
Paint rocks with colorful designs and uplifting messages. Hide them around town for people to find and be encouraged by. A fun activity for families and children to join in on!
16. LATE NIGHT SURPRISE
Grab a team of friends, stock up on energy drinks, canned or bottled coffee, 5 hour energies, etc. Roll out to visit people working the night shift at Hospitals, Emergency Rooms, Waffle Houses, and any 24 hour spots around town.
17. BEEPING EGG HUNT
Front Range Church in CO hosted a "Special Egg Hunt" for children with special needs. They made sure that EVERYONE had a chance to hunt and find eggs. Children with visual impairments were able to hunt for "beeping" eggs. Children with mobility challenges were able to hunt by using magnetized wooden rods. And they even had a "quiet hunt" for children with autism and SPD.
18. BAD BREATH CARE
Head downtown during lunch hour on a weekday. Catch businessmen and women leaving restaurants and wrapping up their lunch break and hook them them with some free gum before they head back to work. We've all been there!
19. UNBIRTHDAY PARTY
Plan a mini unbirthday party! Find a busy area in town. Set up a tent and table (or make it mobile with a cart) where you celebrate everyone like it's their birthday! Have signs, party hats, music, photo props and backdrop, party favors, pre-packaged cupcakes, and small gifts. When people ask what this is for, tell them it's to let them know how special they are.
20. OUTDOORSY SERVE
For all the nature loving folks, this serve is for you! Hit the trails and give out ice cold bottled water to hikers and runners. Or give out free bait at all the best fishing spots. Or choose your personal favorite recreational hobby and bless someone there the way you'd like to be blessed.
21. FREE CAR WASH
Take it old school with a good ole fashioned free car wash. this is one of the simplest, funnest serves that never gets old. Go all out to create a joyful atmosphere! make fun posters, pump some music, give out free air fresheners. Go all out and make it an incredible experience that people will enjoy.
22. COMMUNITY SCAVENGER HUNT
If you're up for an adventure, this serve is for you. Pray ahead and ask God to show you who He has for you to serve today. Ask him to give you 3-5 specific people and ideas to bless them. then go out and do it!
23. ADOPT A STUDENT
Our Savior's Church in LA recognized that it's around this season when children begin to need a refresh on school supplies and other items to help them finish the school year strong! So they connected with local school counselors to identify students who might be in need. They then invited church members to sponsor a student by providing them with an Easter Basket full of treats, new clothing, school supplies, and more.
They also blessed the student's households with groceries and essential items.
24. EGG HIDE
Fill plastic eggs with words of kindness inside, bracelets small gifts, bus tickets, cash, or gift certificates, Pray over them and go out and hide them all over the city for people to find and be encouraged by!
