Every community has a group of workers, paid or volunteer, who risk their lives for others (like fire-rescue employees). They seldom get the recognition they deserve. As Christians, we should be quick to recognize their efforts and show our gratitude for their willingness to serve.
You can give special recognition to these individuals by hosting a Community Recognition Sabbath at your church. In the communities where I have done this the results have been wonderful, energizing, and long lasting. Having such an event is really simple to plan and fun to host. Here are the steps needed to pull it off.
First, pick who you are going to recognize (fire fighters, police, teachers, hospital employees, ambulance drivers, etc). Then, if possible, pick a date that corresponds with something already on their calendar like a police or fire recognition week. If nothing lines up, then pick a Sabbath that's about six weeks away. Once the date is set start encouraging the congregation to support it.
The Pastor should write three letters:
(1) The first letter should be to the leader of the organization that is to be honored. Ideally, try to get it to them right before a board meeting or convention. Have extras copies made that can be handed out at the meeting or convention. In the letter state why you are honoring the organization.
(2) The second letter should be an invitation to the non-attending members of your church, inviting them to the special service you are planning. You may want to hand deliver some of these.
(3) The third letter is for those who have visited your church in the last year.
In the second and third letters include a small invitation-size copy of a poster you will print for promoting your day. Make a colorful 8 1/2 x 11 poster that can be posted around town. Notify newspaper, TV, radio about your event. Use any free outlets you can such as a religion page, a free cable channel or community shopping guide.
Order a nice plaque to be presented to the honored group in appreciation their services. Have a large cake that features their icon or symbol and a word of thanks. Plan a good gospel style sing along to greet the people when they enter the sanctuary. Schedule quality music throughout the service that somehow relates to the occasion. Invite your Mayor, Senator, City Council Chairman, etc. to say a few words of appreciation. Also, don't forget to invite the local Ministerial Association.
Plan a shortened service that day and quickly let your honored guests know you are not there to try and convert or recruit them. Say you just want them to know they are supported, prayed for and loved. Present the plaque at the end of the service, and as you dismiss invite the congregation to come by and greet the honorees.
As you plan the day, go the extra mile to create an attractive bulletin. Not so much the cover but what's inside. Remember, they will take this home with them as a reflection of the day. When we had a fire-rescue day I went online and found many related poems that gave hope and encouragement, not only to the fire-rescue workers, but to their wives and children as well.
Through the years I have planned several of these events that have been highly successful. They have also served to break down barriers and dispel negative impressions. In addition, such events have renewed a spirit of compassion among our own members and sparked a steady flow of visitors to our services.
At the time the article was written, Rodney Long pastored the Chadron, NE., Seventh-day Adventist Church. He currently pastors the Capitol View Church in Lincoln, NE. Reprinted with permission.
