Going with the concept that it is better to give than to receive, the Albany (Ore.) Church broke the traditional Christmas caroling routine and tried something new and exciting this year.
Normally members band into two or three small groups to go door to door, singing and handing out literature, asking for donations for Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), and leaving the neighborhood feeling like just another church group hitting them up for a donation at Christmas time.
But this year they went into the neighborhood with an attitude of giving, not receiving. It says in John 6:35 that Jesus is the bread of life, and this was the message that they wanted to share with the community. When neighbors came to the door expecting to be asked for a contribution, they instead heard that Jesus is the bread of life and received a bow-topped loaf of bread and a pamphlet from ADRA, which just happened to have a loaf of bread on the last page. The warm reception by the surprised community made it a fantastic experience.
Members still received donations for ADRA because people wanted to give. The neighbors stood outside and listened to the carolers, applauded and wanted more. Albany members ended up handing out more than 150 loaves of bread and truly made friends for Jesus during this happy night of caroling.
During the holidays, members of the Albany Church went caroling door to door and gave people loaves of bread.
