Blessed To Be A Blessing: Home Edition Its More Than A Meal Extending Grace by Serving Others A Handbook for Meals Ministry
Introduction For some, making a meal for a friend or loved one may seem like an overwhelming challenge. For others, preparing the food is simple, but it doesn t seem like you re doing enough. And for many of us, accepting the gift of a meal is hard and can feel uncomfortable even when the need is great. In this handbook, we hope to share with you: - how to mix intentional prayer into the recipe - helpful tips for simplifying the process of making a meal - Tried and True, simple recipes from military spouses across the nation - and thoughtful ways to share Christ- whether you re serving a friend, neighbor, coworker, or church member Our prayer is that you will better understand how the simple blessing of a meal can convey the powerful and personal Love of Jesus. May you be blessed too, even as you bless one another. Love, Tracey Beers and Christie Greeson Contents Seasoning with the Spirit Pg. 3 The One Anothers Scripture for the One Anothers A Blessing Benediction Record Keeping Current Needs Pg. 7 Equipping the Saints Pg. 10 How to Build a Meal Equipment and Supply List Easy Proven Recipes Tips for Delivering and Presenting the Meal * All images are used by permission from unsplash.com ã2018 Grace Church www.gracefayette.org 2
Seasoning with the Spirit We have been tasked to use the freedom we enjoy in Christ to SERVE ONE ANOTHER (Gal. 5:13). Therefore, let us not slice an onion or warm an oven before acknowledging that these efforts are not ours alone, but an extension of God s love and provision. And thus, may we begin by seasoning this meal generously, with Spirit filled prayer and blessings. The One Anothers Who are we called to serve? There are many One Anothers drawn out of Scripture. Here are some: - Pray for one another (James 5:16) - Wash one another s feet (John 13:14) - Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15) - Be hospitable to one another (1 Peter 4:9) - Encourage one another (1 Thes 5:11) - Comfort one another (1 Thes 4:18) - Speak truth to one another (Eph 4:25) - Bear one another s burdens (Gal 6:2) ã2018 Grace Church www.gracefayette.org 3
Scripture for the One Anothers - How we can pray in Spirit and Truth Examples for Encouragement, Comfort, Confidence: Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (1 Thes 5:11) But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31) When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. (Isaiah 43:2) The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. (Proverbs 18:10) Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life [a]? 28 And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear? 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:25-34) He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death [a] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. (Rev 21:4) ã2018 Grace Church www.gracefayette.org 4
A Blessing Benediction Adding a special note of encouragement with a blessing or prayer is an easy way to share the Spirit with One Another. Here s a good one: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26 ã2018 Grace Church www.gracefayette.org 5
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Record Keeping Track your Meals Ministry work here. Make sure to include notes about the recipes and develop your own personal Go-To list of winning meals. Who Did I Serve What I Made How I Prayed Notes ã2018 Grace Church www.gracefayette.org 7
List of Current Needs: Notes: Jim and Rita Gunter Tom and Bonnie Kopp Health issues Tom- cancer treament Bob and Penny Farles Low Sodium The Hassenritter Family 6 people, The Kaspar Family 2 adults, 4 kids GF, Whole30 ã2018 Grace Church www.gracefayette.org 8
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Equipping the Saints How to Build a Meal The key to building a meal is to keep it simple. It should be easy to double. In fact, plan to double the meal and make it for your own family as well as your friend. An Entrée + A Vegetable Side + A Bread/Starch Side + A Treat = A Meal The Entrée is typically a protein. Examples might be marinated chicken, chicken noodle soup, chili, pulled pork, meatballs, meatloaf, ham. Meatless options can include soups, quiche, pizza, chili, roasted veggies and beans, grilled artichokes. The Vegetable side can be as simple as a bag of salad with a bottle of dressing. It could be a bag of frozen mixed veggies, cut carrots/celery/cauliflower, creamed corn or fried okra. The Bread/Starch side can be French bread from the grocery store, baked biscuits, warmed rolls, baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta. The Treat should also be simple. Made at home or store bought, this is the sweet end to the meal. Cookies, a pan of brownies, or a bag of dark chocolates are all great options. Equipment and Supply List Whenever possible, use disposable containers! It significantly lessens the stress for the recipient when you remove the need to wash and return dishes. Before you get started make sure you have: -All your ingredients -Disposable containers -Foil and ziplock bags -Written instructions for cooking, reheating, or freezing the meal Consider adding: -Paper plates, napkins, plastic utensils -Snack and/or breakfast food: Muffins, granola, granola bars -Drinks: tea, water bottles, juice, milk -Fresh Flowers-the grocery store selection is quick, easy, and cheap! ã2018 Grace Church www.gracefayette.org 10
Easy Proven Recipes The following recipes were collected from military spouses. These are Tried-and-True! I would recommend you choose 3 recipes, from among these or from your own personal favorites, and make them your GO-TO, every time, automatic, darn-nearperfect, and your-own-family-loves-them Ministry meals. Make them so simple, comfortable, and easy that you never have to ask yourself What am I going to make? You already know it and you can cook it in your sleep. The No-Cooking Chicken Dinner 1. Go to the grocery store 2. Pick up a rotisserie chicken, coleslaw, potato salad and/or bread, and a container of cookies 3. Deliver The No-Cooking Pizza Dinner 1. Order pizza for pick up (or delivery) 2. Add a bag of salad, a bottle of dressing, a container of brownies, and a gallon of tea 3. Deliver Balsamic Marinated Chicken, via Southern Living Serves 4 Ingredients: ¼ cup Balsamic Vinegar ¼ cup Honey ¼ cup olive oil 1 tbsp dried rosemary 1 tsp salt 3lbs of chicken breasts, thighs, and/or legs 1. Combine first 5 ingredients in a large ziplock bag 2. Add chicken, marinade (1 hour, 2 hours, overnight don t stress) 3. Pour chicken and marinade into a greased 9x13 dish 4. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes or until done 5. Tip: baste occasionally during cooking with the pan drippings Add steamed veggies, a loaf of bread, and a treat ã2018 Grace Church www.gracefayette.org 11
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches via Allrecipes.com Serves 4 Ingredients: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts ¾ of 1 bottle buffalo wing sauce (Franks) ½ package dry ranch salad dressing mix 2 tbsp butter Bag of Buns or hoagie rolls 1. Place chicken in the slow cooker 2. Pour in buffalo wing sauce and ranch dressing 3. Add butter 4. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours 5. To serve, shred the meat and pile it onto the bun. Splash with remaining sauce Add a vegetable side (salad) and a treat Easy Chili, serves 4-6 Ingredients: 2 cans kidney beans, drained 2 cans pinto beans, drained 2 cans black beans, drained 2 cans (8oz) of tomato sauce 1 packet of chili seasoning (or your own blend) 1 small bag frozen corn Optional: 1-2 lbs ground beef, browned 1 lbs of bacon, cooked and chopped Or 1-2 chicken breast meat, cooked and shredded Toppings: Shredded cheese, Sour cream, Avocados, Tortilla chips/corn chips 1. Dump all the ingredients into a slow cooker 2. Cook until hot and bubbling 3. Serve Add cornbread, crackers, or chips, and a treat ã2018 Grace Church www.gracefayette.org 12
Baked Ravioli via Betty Crocker Serves 6+ Ingredients: 2 jars of pasta sauce (any variety) 2 packages frozen cheese ravioli (or other flavors) 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese Optional: Parmesan cheese 1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9x13 baking dish with butter or spray 2. Spread 1 cup of sauce in the dish. Arrange ravioli in a single layer. Repeat layers of sauce and ravioli. Top with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese 3. Cover with foil and bake 40 minutes. Remove foil. Add 1 cup of mozzarella cheese on top. Bake for 15 more minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly Add salad, (garlic) bread, and a treat Italian Pork Chops via Susie Arbore Serves 4-6 Ingredients: ½ pound of fresh mushrooms 1 clove of garlic, minced 1 medium onion, chopped 4-6 pork chops 2 8-oz cans of tomato sauce ½ cup wine (red or white) 1 tbsp lemon juice Salt and pepper to taste 1. In a slow cooker, add first 3 ingredients. Place pork chops on top 2. Pour tomato sauce, wine and lemon juice over top. Add salt and pepper 3. Cook on high for 5 hours+, until pork is falling apart 4. Stir it up just before serving Add rice, mashed potatoes, or bread, and a treat ã2018 Grace Church www.gracefayette.org 13
Tips for Delivering and Presenting the Meal 1. Always include an encouraging note with: a. Instructions for heating/serving/saving/reheating the meal. Note any potential allergens. b. Include a blessing or prayer share Jesus! 2. Be sensitive to the recipient s situation. It may be best to simply deliver the meal and leave. Be flexible. It s all about what THEY need! 3. If including paper plates and utensils, be generous with the quantity! Give them a whole pack of plates, a whole box of utensils, and a whole package of napkins. Chances are they will need them and your generosity will be appreciated. 4. It isn t required, but it never hurts to add more. Consider adding snack food, bottled drinks, tea, or breakfast foods. If they have kids, maybe include a game or activity for them. 5. Before you shop, call and ask if there is anything SPECIFIC that they need from the store (diapers, formula, cold medicine, dishwasher pods, paper towels, toilet paper) 6. Before leaving ask, How can I be praying for you? 7. When receiving a meal, accept it and say Thank You! ã2018 Grace Church www.gracefayette.org 14
Workshop Notes: Welcome Ministry Means? Meals Ministry Opportunities ã2018 Grace Church www.gracefayette.org 15