Friends of Hope Day

 

The Sabbath of April 12, 2014, has been set aside by the Seventh-day Adventist Church as a time for every local church to open its doors to members of the local community. It is envisioned to offer the local congregation an opportunity to share its hospitality and, through that, to engage visitors with what it means to be a part of God’s family. The resources on this page can provide to churches an array of possibilities in opening their hearts to their friends and neighbors.

 

Programming

• In Clusters and V’s: a children’s story to serve as an object lesson to illustrate the importance of hospitality in Christian living.
• Fellowship in Hope: a Sabbath School program designed to further the impact of a visitors’ day.
• Friends of Hope:  a sermon for the divine service to explore what it means for the church to be a witness in the community.
   

Materials

• Follow-up Strategies for ‘Friends of Hope” Day: an outline of possible approaches that the local church may take in response to interests generated by a visitors’ day. 
• Guidelines for Greeters: suggested do’s and don’ts for making visitors feel welcome and at home. 
• Connectors for Christ: further strategies and approaches for greeters. 
• Training Hosts: a how-to for leaders who are preparing greeters in the local church. 
• Community-friendly Sabbath Schools: a guide for making the atmosphere of a Sabbath School more warm and inviting to visitors.