Fourth of July Festivities

© iStockphoto.com/Liliboas

Reach your community on Independence Day

Celebrate the Fourth of July in your community—whether it’s rural, suburban or urban.

Rural
—Be the hub of the community celebration
—Plan old-fashioned activities for children and families, like potato-sack races, a bake-off or a pie-eating contest
—Encourage families to bring their own food, blankets and chairs
—Consider providing a fireworks display (costs will vary)

Suburban
—Encourage members to host block parties
—Provide members some hamburgers and hot dogs to grill
—Buy paper products and condiments for members
—Give members church connection cards to pass out at the parties, wishing people a Happy Fourth of July from your church

Urban
—Attend your city’s event as a church
—Create e-vites your members can send to others
—If possible, provide a booth to offer face-painting, homemade ice cream, caricatures, etc.
—Designate a central meeting place where your members and the people they invite can gather to eat and watch fireworks

 
These ideas first appeared in Outreach magazine, May/June 2007. Post a comment below to share what your church is doing. Each issue of Outreach is designed to bring you the ideas, innovations and resources that will help you reach your community and change the world. Click here to subscribe.