Materials Needed
Treat bags or small baskets big enough for a plate of cookies, ribbon, scissors, assorted cookies.
Refreshments
Chocolate chip cookie pie and cookie dough ice cream. Use a mini muffin pan to make cookie cups. Then add the desired filling. There are numerous filling suggestions online.
Guest Speaker Options
- Policeman on the subject of personal safety and crime prevention.
- Firefighter to discuss fire safety and how to respond to an emergency.
- Someone from the medical community to talk about heart health, which is the leading cause of death among women.
Fire Safety Quiz
Using the website: www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire/home-fire-quiz.html have the women take the fire safety quiz.
Service Project
Love to Our Community Servants
Suggested recipients could be firefighters, police, paramedics. Have women who are willing to bring cookies sign up and tell what kind they will provide. Decide ahead of time the amount of cookies needed.
Day of the Event
Place plates of cookies on a table. Ask a couple of the women to walk around the table and put an assortment of cookies on individual plates. Have other women at a packaging station to place the cookies in bags or boxes and tie them with a ribbon. Add a note indicating where the cookies are from and the corps contact information.
Another suggestion would be to have a “baking station” during the program and make the cookies.
Cookie Quiz
Who made the first cookies?
- French
- Italians
- British
- Persians
In what year were cookies first made.
- 18th Century
- 7th Century
- 20th Century
- 16th Century
Who invented the chocolate chip cookie?
- Betty Crocker
- Duncan Hines
- Ruth Graves invented this recipe during the period when she owned the Toll House Inn, in Whitman, Massachusetts.
- Smith
Which country eats the most cookies?
- England at 13.6 kilograms per person per year
- United States
- Holland
- Italy
Other than something delicious to eat, what does the word “cookie” describe?
It is used in connection with the Internet and tells the server that this person has previously visited the site.
What are cookies called in other countries?
Biscuits—England and Australia
Galletas—Spain
Keks—Germans
Koekje—Dutch
Cookies, Cookies, Cookies
When I think of cookies, my mind automatically goes to Sesame Street and the phrases “Me want cookie!” and “Me eat cookie!” spoken by the lovable Cookie Monster. I actually have Cookie Monster as the voice on my GPS app. While traveling, he offers words of encouragement. If I make a wrong turn, he tells me that it’s okay and that I should eat a cookie. When I reach my destination, he tells me that I am a good driver and yes, I should eat a cookie. It puts a smile on my face as I journey along.
You and I should be a source of encouragement to each other as we are all in different places on our spiritual journey. Ephesians 4:29 (NLT) says, “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” Instead of using sarcasm or spreading gossip, our words to each other should be an extension of God’s grace, spreading kindness and building each other up.
Our words are one way we follow God’s leading in our lives. The Holy Spirit is very much like our personal GPS, guiding us though life. Isaiah 30:21 (NIV) tells us, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” We never have to worry about being led astray or having a bad connection. God is always speaking, always guiding. How we listen or how closely connected we are to Him is up to us. Each of us should desire a walk with God that is always in tune to the leading of His voice. May we be able to say like Samuel, “Speak, for your servant is listening” (1 Sam. 3:10 NIV). Listening to God’s voice, doing His will, even though we might have chosen a different path for ourselves, provides encouragement for others to remain faithful during difficult times in their lives.
Collectively, we can be a source of encouragement to those in our community as they journey through life. You never know what someone may be going through. The stresses of a difficult work load along with home life can take its toll. A little note of support or a small token of appreciation can have a huge affect. Unfortunately, many in our community may have a wrong impression of The Salvation Army. They may not be sure what to believe about who we are and what we do. This is a simple way to show love and kindness, to let people know that they are valued members of the community and of value to God. It’s just one way our words and actions can point others to Him. We read in John 13:35 (NLT), “By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”
Sweets have become a great way to spread cheer. Cookies themselves are so easily shareable. May you and I share encouragement with those who need it.
