As followers of Christ, we are called to know and love our neighbors. In fact, it’s one of the GREATEST commandments.

“’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31

And in a world filled with darkness, we are also called to be the light.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

This Halloween, let’s LIGHT THE NIGHT! We wanted to share some ideas and suggestions on ways for you to get in your community, show Jesus to those around you, and intentionally get to know your neighbors:

• Host a block party. Set up a “base camp” on your driveway, and invite neighbors to potluck and mingle before heading out to trick-or-treat together.
• Sit on your front porch. Resist the temptation to sit in your home with your lights off or go back inside between visitors. Sit on your porch, greet the kids as they come by and make small talk with the parents. This is a great way to intentionally engage with those that live around you!
• Instead of handing out candy, set up a coffee, cider and hot chocolate stand. Some Styrofoam cups, a kettle of hot water and some packets of coffee/cocoa/cider are all that are needed. Make sure to talk with your neighbors as you serve them!
• Hand out already lit glow sticks to help light the night in the neighborhood.
• Outdoor movie night. Hang a white sheet from your garage door and project a kid-friendly Halloween movie onto it for neighbors and kids to enjoy for a few minutes.
• Hand out candy in a fun way! Set up some mini carnival games and get kids to participate in order to get candy: if you have a basketball hoop, they have to get a basket; play corn hole or washer toss; hopscotch on the driveway, etc. Kids and adults will love it and remember your house as a fun place to visit.
• Photo booth. Set up a photo booth in your front yard for parents to take pictures with their kids. A bench, some pumpkins, a fun “Halloween 2017” sign and some silly props will create a place for families to snap a picture. Offer to take the family picture for them and start a conversation!

Think of Halloween as the perfect opportunity to get to know neighbors with some gospel-intentionality. Let the light of Jesus shine through you as you serve and love those around you on a night that can sometimes be very dark!