The Eeyore Project

What is it? Why are all those stuffed Eeyores perched in random spots around St. Matthew like so many gargoyles?

Remember Eeyore? One day Pooh and Rabbit were dropping sticks over the bridge and then running to the other side of the bridge and watching them go by. As they were preparing to drop a stick they saw Eeyore floating on his back down the river. They asked him whatever was he doing.

Eeyore said "I'll give you three guesses Rabbit". Digging holes in the ground? Wrong. Leaping from branch to branch of a young oak tree? Wrong. Waiting for somebody to help me out of the river? Right.

Waiting for somebody to help me out of the river.

Eeyore was helplessly and hopelessly floating down the river with nobody to help him out. Someone needed to save him.

So, Pooh and Rabbit figures that if they dropped rocks close enough to Eeyore they would cause waves that would gently bring him to shore saving him.

The first rock hit Eeyore right in the stomach and sunk him. But eventually the rocks made enough little waves to bring Eeyore to the shore so he could be saved.

St. Matthew is where "The Church Moves Out" to make enough Eeyore wave to bring others to the shore so that they can be saved from helplessly and hopelessly floating down the river of life.

What Eeyore Wave can you make? Here are some suggestions:

• Make a list of 3 to 5 people that you commit to pray for and look for opportunity to share your faith with.
• Sign up yourself (or a friend) to be a Smiling Senior. The only qualifications are that you need to be over 60 years old and willing to learn the names of 3 to 5 middle school kids and to greet them by name.
• Become a hospitality greeter and welcome people to church.
• Become a Welcome Desk Minister (Sign up at the Welcome Desk).
• Invite a friend to worship this summer or fall.
• Take the class "Becoming a Contagious Christian" starting in October.
• Wear your VBS t-shirt during the week and tell someone what happened at VBS.
• Look for someone each Sunday that you don't know and greet them by telling them your name.
• Next time you have a business meeting at Tony Roma's mention that your church is across the street and tell what you like about St. Matthew.
• Take your Men's Retreat coffee cup to work with you and tell a co-worker about the retreat.
• Host an Eeyore party. Throw a party in your neighborhood or with friends from work. Include your church friends and take the opportunity to introduce them to each other.
• Invite a preschool mother to MOPS starting on Fridays this fall.
• Invite a female friend to Abundant Life starting Tuesdays this fall.
• Invite a male friend to a Men's Gathering the first Thursday each month.
• Pray for a friend and tell them you've prayed for them.
• Invite your children's friends to Sunday School starting with Rally Day on September 8th.
• Sign up with a friend for Word on Wednesday starting on September 18th. Watch the Messenger for this exciting new adventure in fellowship and discipleship.
• Sign up with a friend for the Adult or Child version of "Walk though the Bible" on Saturday, November 9th. Nursery provided.
• Bring a friend to "Sundays at 6". Outdoor worship with fellowship on the rear patio each Sunday at 6 p.m.
• Invite someone interested in membership at St. Matthew to our new member class on Sunday, September 22. Better yet, attend the new member class with them!