Evangelism Resource Newsletter
	Christmas Ideas & Planning for 2005
	Volume 1, Issue 7, November 2004
	This newsletter is produced by The Evangelical Fellowship in the Anglican Communion (EFAC) Vic - please use the information in anyway that is helpful if the source is acknowledged.

	Bits and Pieces:
	LOOKING FOR CHRISTMAS CLIP ART?
	http://www.yuleloveit.com/ A great page of Christmas clip art
	http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/whose4.htm More clip art for Christmas!
	ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN:
	http://www.kidzone.ws/puzzles/cryptogram/index.asp You can make your own puzzles for children here-type in a phrase or Bible verse and you can print off a puzzle
	http://64.182.20.223/chris.htm#color A page full of skits, plays, crafts. It is a resource for Christian teachers and churches.
	http://www.coloring.ws/nativity.htm A printable comic strip of the nativity that is designed to be colored in.
	NEW BOOK…
	A PASSION FOR EVANGELISM-turning vision into action ed. Bronwyn Hughes & John Bellamy
	A Passion for Evangelism has been written for church leaders who have a passionate vision to reach lost people with the gospel and who want to know how to ignite that same passion in the hearts of people across their churches. The research and practical leadership experience presented in the book suggest that any church—large or small, urban or rural, financially stable or stretched—can develop a passion for evangelism. The book describes what motivates people in any local church to work together to live out their common vision for outreach. It's not enough to simply put a copy of the vision on the church noticeboard. It takes far more than a powerful sermon, a planning day or some other single event. There's a process that needs to be followed to turn passive acceptance into passionate action. This book unpacks this process—one that has been identified through church research. It also presents the personal stories of church leaders from many denominational traditions who have applied the research in their own situations.
	For further information or to receive regular newsletters and information please contact Sue Collier collierfam@optusnet.com.au or Stephen Abbott at Ridley College, 160 the Avenue Parkville, 3052 9207 4800 or s.abbott@ridley.uninmelb.edu.au
	You know that creativity in services on Christmas day is important but who has time to get things ready!
	Maybe this script can help!
	Kings Evidence
	By Andy Lund
	Summary
	A short reader's theatre script featuring four magi and their reaction to the baby Jesus.
	Characters 4 Kings
	Script
	King 1: Some say we were Kings King 2: From a far off King 3: Country. King 1: Any King King 2: Worth King 3: His salt King 4: Doesn't bow down King 1: To anyone King 2: But we bowed down to Him. King 3: Some say we were star-gazers King 4: With the ability King 1: To read in the heavens King 2: The events of the earth King 3: But this event King 1: Was not about a star King 2: It was about a maker of stars King 4: Come down to the earth. King 2: Some say we were King 1: Wise men King 3: Sages King 4: Men of learning King 2: And experience. King 1: But all the books King 3: In the world King 4: Cannot contain the wisdom King 1: Of this small child King 2: This special child King 3: This God child King 4: Come to us
	© Andy Lund, All rights reserved This play may be performed free of charge, on the condition that copies are not sold for profit in any medium, nor any entrance fee charged. In exchange for free performance, the author would appreciate being notified of when and for what purpose the play is performed. He may be contacted at: andrew.lund@ntlworld.com The above script can be found at http://www.dramatix.org/Christmas/Kings_evidence.html
	Advent Wreath
	An Advent wreath is a circle of greenery with four candles. One candle is lit on each successive Sunday in Advent. The candles are traditionally purple in colour. Sweets can also be added to the decorations. One large candle [usually gold in colour] can be placed in the centre of the wreath and lit on Christmas Day.
	Suggestions for using an Advent wreath:
	Use it as part of the services leading up to Christmas-different people can read different parts-a great way to involve lots of different people
	Use it as part of a kids club break-up party-4 different segments on the one night
	Make a wreath as a craft activity in kids club and give each child a copy of the readings below
	Encourage families to use it as preparation for Christmas
	Week 1 The Prophets Candle
	Introduction:
	The prophets were individuals called by God to speak His word to the people. They told the people of God's promise that a saviour would come.
	Reading [Isaiah 9:2-4, 6-7]:
	"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
	They lived in a land of shadows, but now light is shining on them.
	You have given them great joy Lord; you have made them happy.
	They rejoice in what you have done as people rejoice when they harvest their corn or when they divide captured wealth.
	For you have broken the yoke that burdened them and the rod that beat their shoulders.
	A child is born to us!
	A son is given to us!
	And he will be our ruler.
	He will be called, "Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace."
	His royal power will continue to grow; his kingdom will always be at peace.
	He will rule as King David's successor, basing his power on right and justice, from now until the end of time.
	The Lord Almighty will do all this."
	light the first candle
	Prayer:
	Father, we thank you for sending us the gift of your Son Jesus. Help us during these weeks of Advent to get ready to celebrate Jesus' birth. May we spread the good news of Jesus' coming to all those we know. AMEN
	Week 2 The Bethlehem Candle
	Introduction:
	The Jews expected their saviour to have a royal birth, but Jesus was born in a Bethlehem stable. He was not born onto a throne but into an animal feeding trough.
	Reading [Luke 2:1,3-7]:
	"At that time the Emperor ordered a census to be taken throughout the Roman Empire. Everyone went to register in their own town. Joseph went to Bethlehem with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him. She was pregnant, and while they were in Bethlehem the time came for her to have her baby. She gave birth to her first son, wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger-there was no room for them to stay in the inn."
	light the second candle
	Prayer:
	Father, when we pray we expect that you will give us everything we ask for. But sometimes we do not get what we want. Everyone expected that Jesus would have a royal birth, but instead he was born in a stable. Help us to understand that following Jesus is often difficult and not what we expect. AMEN
	Week 3 The Shepherds Candle
	Introduction
	Even though the shepherds were afraid, they believed in Jesus and told everyone about his coming.
	Reading [Luke 2:8-10, 15-18]
	There were some shepherds in that part of the country who were spending the night in the fields, taking care of their flocks. An angel of the Lord appeared to them and they were afraid. The angel said to them, "Don't be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will great joy to all the people. This very day your saviour was born-Christ the Lord." When the angels went away from them the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and saw the baby lying in the manger. The shepherds told them what the angel had said about the child and all who heard it were amazed.
	light the third candle
	Prayer:
	Father, as the Shepherd's candle adds more light to our room, help us to think of ways to share that light with others. Make your light through us, so that like the shepherds we can tell others about Jesus. AMEN
	Week 4 The Angel Candle
	Introduction:
	The angels have a special place in Scripture announcing the birth of Jesus to Mary and then the shepherds.
	Reading [Luke 1:28-32]
	The angel came to Mary and said, "Peace be with you! The Lord is with you and has greatly blessed you." Mary was deeply troubled and wondered what the angel meant. The angel said, "Don't be afraid Mary. God has been gracious to you. You will have a son and you will call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God. The Lord God will make him a king and his kingdom will never end." "I am the Lord's servant," said Mary; "may it happen to me as you have said." And the angel left her.
	Light the fourth candle
	Prayer:
	Father, may we understand who Jesus is and accept him as your son and our king. With the angels may we joyfully announce the birth of Jesus; and like Mary may we become your obedient servants. AMEN
	Thinking about planning for next year?
	Wondering how to think about evangelism?
	The document below is an edited version of the outreach committee's plans for 2004 at Holy Trinity Doncaster and this may be of assistance to you. Please feel free to use it, change it, or whatever!
	Good News Committee Strategic Planning For 2004
	Mission
	To facilitate an effective outreach ministry at Holy Trinity Doncaster and ensure that it is well resourced, strategically planned and efficiently executed.
	Vision
	To bring glory to God through
	The faithful proclamation of the gospel
	"Equipping the saints" in the proclamation of this gospel
	Goals
	A. To establish a training strategy
	The foundation of a strong training program is clear biblical teaching through the preaching program, small groups and individual bible study.
	Develop different levels of training – basic level (Talk the Walk) and a more intentional mentoring of those people who are gifted in this area including:
	Understanding your gifts as part of the outreach ministry
	Leading someone to faith
	Basic discipleship
	Planning & running events
	Develop a "Talk the Walk" curriculum:
	Apologetics
	Inviting people to events
	Starting spiritual conversations
	Praying for non-Christians
	Practical ways to encourage family/friends to start thinking about Jesus
	Preparing a testimony
	Develop training for specific events such as:
	Jackson Court Shopping Centre
	Christmas/Easter Displays at Westfield
	Fair
	Dialogue meetings
	Morning/afternoon teas etc
	Parties/meals with a purpose
	To tap into training offered elsewhere.
	B. To develop an evangelism team
	There is a need for a team of people who can plan, arrange or help in running the outreach ministry. They may or may not be members of the Good News Committee and may participate in regular events or help out when available.
	Identify individuals who are gifted in evangelism and encourage them to participate in the training and especially the mentoring program mentioned above.
	Identify individuals who have a heart for evangelism but have other gifts that can be effectively used in the outreach ministry and encourage them to attend Talk the Walk and training for specific events.
	C. To identify opportunities to proclaim the gospel
	There is a need to identify and strategically consider the opportunities we have to proclaim the gospel whilst understanding it is not possible to do everything.
	Identify the places we have opportunities-Jackson Court etc
	Identify the events that create opportunities-Christmas, Easter, Grand Final, exam pressure, etc and creatively explore ways in which we can proclaim the gospel.
	Identify the world events that create opportunities-Iraq, etc and creatively explore ways in which we can proclaim the gospel.
	D. To educate vestry and the parish of the role and work of the Good News Committee
	The role of the Good News Committee is to resource, encourage, and develop, etc the outreach ministry but not necessarily to do all the evangelism.
	Ensure that Inside Look & Vestry reports are used to the fullest advantage.
	Identify groups, Bible Studies & organisations that may be interested in exploring new ways of reaching out.
	E. To develop resources for training, equipping and doing
	To provide notes from the training seminars that can be used by groups/Bible Studies/individuals and place them in the library & on the web page.
	To produce videos of the Why course so that individuals/groups can use them to run a course.
	To use the notice board to advertise events.
	To produce literature that advertises Holy Trinity, events and explains the gospel.
	To continue to develop the web page.
	To produce an evangelistic CDrom.
	F. To ensure that events are well planned and strategically timed
	It is important to remember that evangelism is a process and events need to be followed up, leading people into exploring the Christian faith in an ongoing way.
	To ensure that planning for events starts well in advance.
	To allow room in the outreach calendar to respond to needs or world events.
	To ensure that a variety of events are planned throughout the year.
	SOME THOUGHTS RE THIS PLAN AT THE END OF THE YEAR
	Most things were tackled but in retrospect we should have developed a list of priorities so we knew what was more important
	We need to continue to develop most of these areas but it has given us a framework on which to build
	Having a "big picture" plan was worthwhile
	Sue Collier, Outreach Co-ordinator at Holy Trinity Doncaster

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