PlanningManual

A Community Outreach Event

Table of Contents

Planning and Publicizing Your Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2As You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Event Countdown Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5Overview of Activity Stations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6Craft/Snack Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9Game Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Storytelling Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14Group Event Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16Coloring Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20Notes for Next Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22Thank-You Note . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

FALLFESTIVALPlanning Manual

© 2006, 2009, 2010, 2012 CTA, Inc. Permission to make photocopies or reproduce by any other mechanicalor electronic means is granted only to the original purchaser and is intended for use within a church or otherChristian organization.

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Planning andPublicizing Your Event

Hosting a Fall Festival is a wonderful way to share the saving news of Jesus’ life,love, and salvation with families in your community—those who already have achurch home and those who do not. As you plan your Fall Festival activities, thismanual will assist you in making your event(s) both fun and spiritually meaningful.The Christ-centered books and gifts referred to in this manual can be supplementedwith a variety of additional items available through CTA’s website.

The key to reaching families both inside and outside the church is to invite as manyfamilies as possible. You will want to get the word out early and in many formats.Think about using postcards, door hangers, media ads, and perhaps even homemade posters displayed in local businesses. Church members can hand deliver flyers to their neighbors and also to local pre schools, Christian day schools, and day-care centers. You might even mailinvitations to neighborhood children and their parents.

Visit www.CTAinc.com/Free for customizable Fall Festival publicity materials.

Other details to consider as you plan:

• Review the large-group event options (see pages 16-19) to decide which one works best for your congregation.

• Begin to encourage donations from congregation members four to six weeks before the event. Alternatively, cash gifts can be used to purchase items you need.

• You can’t have too much help! Encourage volunteers of all ages to join in the effort.

• Provide Goodie Bags for all participants to use as they visit each center. CTA has developed attractive bags you can purchase very inexpensively. To order the Fall Festival Goodie Bags and other Christ-centered Fall Festival items, visit our website: www.CTAinc.com.

• Arrange for volunteers to help those children not accompanied by adults.

• Have an indoor backup plan for each outdoor activity on the schedule in case of inclement weather.

• Ask members of your congregation to pray for this outreach event!

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As You Begin

Use this guide to design an event that lasts from 60 to 120 minutes. You can adapt the ideas to any size group. Participants (children andparents) will visit three centers before the Group Event (trunk or treat,hayride, or harvest meal).

• As families enter, have them register. Collect names and other information you will need to make future contact with them.

• Give all visitors a Fall Festival brochure from each congregation or church group sponsoring the event.

• Divide the participants into three groups by colors. Sticky dots placed on clothing work well. Keep family members together in the same group.

• After registration, invite families to gather in a “holding area.” Musicians or volunteers with audio equipment and instruments or CDs can lead the group in Christian songs. A coloring page that can be copied and handed out has also been provided for use at this time (pages 20-21).

• When it is time to begin, welcome everyone, explain what you have planned, and point everyone to the focus of your celebration—praising and thanking God, the giver of all blessings, most especially the blessing of Jesus, our Savior.

EVENT COUNTDOWN

Choose publicity formats.• Postcards • Posters • Your organization’s website• Door hangers • Flyers • Newsletter• Media ads • Invitations

Information to include in your publicity: • Ages of children invited to participate• Date, place, and time of your event• Names and addresses of all participating churches• A list of other fall events and Thanksgiving services each church plans to offer

Order Christ-centered CTA products. Don’t forget to order Goodie Bags!

Choose the large-group option that works best for your congregation.

Create an indoor backup plan for each outdoor activity.

Design and print simple registration forms for families to fill out when they arrive.

Mount game directions on separate pages of stiff cardstock.

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POST A REQUEST FOR DONATIONS

For the Craft/Snack Station

Graham crackers IcingPlastic knives M&M’s candiesRaisins Licorice lacesSmall paper plates Ziplock bags

For the Games Station

• Hurried Harvest (no supplies needed)• Blessings from God

Small, unbreakable item, such as CTA’s bookmarks, for each child

• Turkey TrotOrange or brown crepe paper strips

• Blessings Abound!Small, medium, and large balloonsGifts for everyone, such as CTA’s S.H.I.N.E. bookmark and Scripture smarties (Item #SNE2JBKCA)

For the Storytelling Station

Pumpkins and carving suppliesCTA’s Pumpkin Prayer bookmark (Item #PPR2JAK) for every child oranother Pumpkin Prayer item

Overview of Activity stations

Three volunteer “walkers” (wearing colorful, matching T-shirts orholding brightly colored flags) will each lead a group to one of thethree activity stations. As each group is dismissed by color,volunteers should take note of the time. At 15-minute intervals, thevolunteers will help their group rotate from station to station. It willhelp if a coordinator blows a whistle each time the groups are tomove. After each group has visited all three stations, participants willgather together for the culminating Group Event (trunk or treat,hayride, or harvest meal).

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Craft/Snack Station

Place a graham cracker square on a paper plate for each participant. Also set out several small bowls containing the following: icing, plastic knives, M&M’s candies, raisins, and licorice laces.

Ask participants to name several blessings God has given to them. Say, Whenyou remember all the ways God blesses you, how do you feel? Humbled?Happy? Thankful? Use the items on the table to design a face that showshow you feel.

Participants can ice the graham crackers and then use the edible items to createfaces that reflect their gratefulness to the Lord.

As they work, encourage participants to talk about a special blessing they havereceived from God. What makes this blessing so special? Also remind everyonethat Jesus far surpasses any other blessing. He is the best blessing of all!

Participants may eat their snack or place it into a ziplock bag for later.

Recruit Volunteers

Be specific about what kind of help you need

Publicity designerPublicity team to distribute flyers, invitations, etc.Musicians or volunteers to lead the group in Christian songsThree volunteer “walkers” to lead groups to stationsLeaders for the Craft/Snack StationLeaders for the Game StationStoryteller (or storytelling team)Volunteers to help children not accompanied by adultsPrayer support teamLarge-group event coordinator

and, if you choose Trunk or Treat

Families who will host a trunk Servers for a hot chocolate boothPeople to provide hot People in charge of warming areachocolate and cookiesFace painters

and, if you choose Hayride

Drivers Safety volunteers for wagonsDevotion leader Refreshments coordinatorPeople to provide refreshments Refreshments servers

and, if you choose Harvest Meal

People to donate food CooksDecorators Setup crewServing crew Cleanup crew

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Game Station

Choose the following games that will work best in your setting andwill be age appropriate for the children who attend. Before eachgame, the leader will explain how the game is played. The leadershould also explain how the game can remind everyone of the manyblessings our God has given to us—especially the blessing of Jesus, our Savior.

Tip: Game directions may be mounted on separate pages of stiff cardstock for quick and easy reference.

Hurried Harvest

Overview: Participants will follow the leader’s directions:

• Say, Fall is a busy time of year. Leaves need to be raked. Let’s all pretend to rake leaves.

• In the fall, football and other fall sports begin. Let’s run in place. But don’t stop raking leaves.

• Thanksgiving Day will soon be here, and I can hardly wait to eat the turkey and pumpkin pie! Rub your stomach, but don’t stop raking leaves and running in place for football.

• Stores already have Christmas displays ready. Maybe we should start shopping for Christmas. Sing “Jingle Bells,” but remember to continue all the other actions, as well. Keep on raking leaves, running in place, and rubbing your tummies!

• Let participants continue trying to keep up all four directions for about thirty seconds, then tell them to stop. Invite the group to sit down and relax.

• Ask, How did it feel to do everything at once? (Responses might include silly, challenging, confusing, and impossible.)

• Say, Fall can be a busy time of year. Sometimes we become too busy to stop and thank God for all his blessings. Let’s take a few minutes right now to do just that!

• Invite participants to gather together with their family or join in small groups to share specific blessings for which they are grateful to God.

Fall Festival tie-in: Lead the group in a short prayer to thank God for everythinghe gives us, especially the greatest blessing of all—Jesus, our Savior.

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Fall Festival tie-in: God gives us so many blessings—friends, laughter, goodfood, health, and so much more. The greatest blessing of all is Jesus, ourSavior. He is the blessing that never can be snatched away from us. Hisforgiveness and love are eternal.

Blessings Abound!

Fill the playing area with small, medium, and large balloons. At the leader’ssignal, participants will have twenty seconds to gather up as many balloonsas possible. Caution players that if they touch another player, both mustforfeit a balloon.

Monitor play for the 20-second time limit. Count to see who has collectedthe most balloons. Congratulate the winner and invite participants to sit down.

Fall Festival tie-in: Say, Blessings are like the balloons. Encourageparticipants to name a few “big” blessings and/or “medium” and “small” blessings.

Ask, Do we always appreciate our blessings? At times, we become sobusy trying to gather more and more things that we neglect theblessings God has already given to us. Sometimes we fail to show Jesus’love to those around us who need our help.

I’m so glad Jesus forgives us and keeps on loving us. He helps us shareour blessings with others and helps us thank God for each and everyblessing we have received. Our Lord gives us the blessings he knows wecan handle. But he also blesses each of us with what we need most—forgiveness and eternal life in heaven through Jesus.

Hand out a gift (for options, visit CTA’s website and type “fall festival” intothe search box) and remind everyone that the blessing of salvation is for all!

Blessings from God

Seat participants in a circle. (If your group is large, consider forming twocircles.) Teach everyone the chant:

Blessings from God.Blessings for free.

Here is a blessing God gave me.

Plan to pass a small, unbreakable item (such as a CTA bookmark) aroundthe circle as everyone says the chant. The person holding the item at the end of the chant must name one blessing God has given to him or her.Continue play until everyone has had a turn to participate.

Fall Festival tie-in: Remind everyone that our greatest blessing is Jesus, our Savior. He paid the price for our sins through his death on the cross.Jesus rose again, and now we can be sure that one day we will live with himin heaven. Invite the group to give three cheers for Jesus—the greatestblessing of all!

Give everyone their own CTA bookmark. (For information visit our website: www.CTAinc.com. Look at the bookmarks in the Fall Festivalsection.)

Turkey Trot

Each player will need a “turkey tail.” A strip of orange or brown crepe paperwould work well. Have players tuck the strip into their waistband or backpocket. When signaled to begin, players must flap one arm like a turkeywing while they use their free hand to snatch the “tail” from another“turkey’s” waist—simultaneously protecting their own “turkey tail.” When aplayer loses his “tail,” he may continue to play, but must remember to flapone arm as instructed. The game ends when everyone tires or collapses inhearty laughter.

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Storytelling station

Share the “Pumpkin Prayer” with the audience. As the poem is read,audience members could help to clean and carve pumpkins as directed inthe poem. Be sure to distribute copies of the “Pumpkin Prayer” bookmarkbefore participants leave the area. Alternative Pumpkin Prayer items areavailable at www.CTAinc.com.

PlanningManual

A Community Outreach Event

The LORD is my light and my salvation. Psalm 27

:1

Getting to the HeartDear Jesus, open my mind so I can learn about you.

God helps us learn about him. We want to do that because he made us, he

loves us, and he tells us the best ways to live. When we live in the ways he

commands, our lives will bring us the most happiness and peace. (Point to the

top of the pumpkin on the picture.) God doesn’t “take our top off ” and drop in

knowledge in the way we might open a pumpkin. Instead, he teaches us from

his Word. From the Bible, we learn about God and about what God wants

from us. �e Bible says, “Know that the L, he is God” (Psalm 100:3)!

Take all my sin and forgive the wrong that I do.

Look at the top/stem on the pumpkin picture. (Point to it.) When you cut

the top off a real pumpkin, what do you see? Lots of icky, slimy stuff is inside,

isn’t there? We take all this stuff out when we carve a pumpkin. All that slick,

slimy sludge reminds us that we have a lot of icky sinfulness inside us, too.

We can’t clean ourselves out. But Jesus died on the cross so our sins can be

forgiven. �e Bible promises, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to

forgive us our sins” (1 John 1:9).Open my eyes so your love I will see.(Point to the eyes on the pumpkin picture.) �e heart-shaped eyes remind us

that we see how much God loves us when we look around at all the wonderful

things God has created for us. We see God’s love for us when we read the

many Bible stories that tell all God has done for us. We also see how much

God loves us when we look at our families and remember the love we share

with one another. But we see God’s love really, really clearly when we look at

the cross where Jesus died for us! �e Bible talks about this great love: “See

what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children

of God” (1 John 3:1).I’m sorry for times I’ve turned up my nose at what you’ve given

to me.Do you know what it means to “turn up your nose” at something? When we

“turn up our nose,” we show disrespect. We show how little we like whatever

we’re thinking about.

Sometimes we turn up our nose at God’s gifts to us. We won’t eat the

vegetables or casserole Mom made for supper. We don’t like to wear a certain

shirt Dad bought for us. We think God should give us more or better toys.

We may even think we know what we need better than God does! �ese

are sinful attitudes. When we tell Jesus we are sorry for these sins, he always

forgives us. He died on the cross for sins just like that. (Point to the cross-

shaped nose in your picture.) In his death, Jesus showed us God’s deep, deep

love. Our Lord will give us exactly what we need, especially forgiven, clean,

thankful hearts. So we can pray, “Create in me a clean heart, O God”

(Psalm 51:10).Open my ears so your Word I will hear.

Does your mom or your dad or your grandma ever have to tell you twice to

clean your room or brush your teeth before bedtime? Sometimes we don’t

listen very well. God wants us to listen to our parents and teachers. He wants

us to listen to him especially well! (Cup your hand around your ear.) Jesus said,

“Blessed . . . are those who hear the word of God and keep it” (Luke 11:28).

Listen carefully! �is is important!Open my mouth to tell others you’re near.

Do you remember that several of Jesus’ first followers were fishermen? When

they started following Jesus, he told them they were not going to catch fish

anymore. Instead, they would “fish” for people by telling them about God’s

love and forgiveness. (Point to the mouth on the pumpkin.) We can use our

mouths to tell others about Jesus, just like the first disciples did. “I will tell

what he has done for my soul” (Psalm 66:16).Let your light shine in all I say and do! Amen.

Have you ever carved a real pumpkin? Did you put a candle or flashlight

inside to make the face light up? �e light inside a carved pumpkin can

remind us that the Holy Spirit lives in us. When he does, God’s love shines

through what we say and what we do. �en other people see Jesus in us. �en

our friends want to have Jesus in their lives, too! We can sing, “�e L is

my light and my salvation” (Psalm 27:1)!

Getting Started

Ahead of time, download the free Pumpkin Prayer placemat from

CTA’s free resources website (www.CTAinc.com/FREE) or draw

a large Pumpkin Prayer pumpkin on a sheet of construction paper,

being sure to focus on the shapes. Make sure the picture is large and

clear enough for every child to see.

Introduction

(Hold up your Pumpkin Prayer pumpkin picture.) Look at the

pumpkin on this page. How is it different from other pumpkins?

Pumpkins with symbols like these give us a way to share our faith

with others. We can tell them about the symbols and what they

mean. And the symbols can help us pray the Pumpkin Prayer.

Here’s how!

�e Pumpkin Prayer

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GroupEventoptions

Group events can be as elaborate or as simple as you wish. Here are a few ideas to spark your imagination. No matter which group activity you choose, be sure to use the opportunity to distribute information about upcoming Thanksgiving celebrations in your congregation, regularly scheduled worship services, and other church activities. The group activity is a prime opportunity to share Christ’s love personally with visitors.

As participants complete the final station’s activities, thank them forcoming. Invite them to come back at any time to be a part of the fun and worship at your church. Visit www.CTAinc.com/Free for customizableFall Festival handouts that allow you to include your church’s name, phonenumber, and worship times.

Direct the families to the Group Event you have chosen (trunk or treat,hayride, or harvest meal). Explain basic procedures and send them on their way.

After the event and cleanup, gather all the volunteers and spend some time praying for the participants, asking God to bless the seeds of faithplanted at your event.

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Trunk or Treat

This is a fun and safe alternative to the traditional trick or treat custom.You’ll need a large, well-lighted, and level outside area. A parking lot orathletic field works well. (In case of inclement weather, a gymnasium orlarge fellowship hall may serve as an alternative.) Invite families to parktheir cars around the perimeter of your designated area so that children canremain safely inside the ring of vehicles. Children walk from trunk to trunkas they collect treats from participants. CTA offers several inexpensiveitems, all with a Christ-centered focus, you might consider distributing.Some examples:

S.H.I.N.E. (Share His Incredible News Everywhere)

Activity book Bookmark and candyGlow-in-the-dark stacking lead pencilFolding activity card Color-your-own suncatcherDrawstring backpack Value-priced party pack!

The Pumpkin Prayer

Goodie bag Folding story cardActivity bookmark with stickersPlastic tumbler Build-a-pumpkin activity magnetStencil Value-priced party pack!

Salvation Story Scarecrow

Activity bookmark with stickersHologram backpack tagGoodie bag Gospel Fun for Little Ones activity book

Light the Night with Jesus

Activity book and pencilSnap-n-glow cross necklace with bookmarkGlow-in-the-dark tumblerBookmark and candy

God Lights Our Way Glow-in-the-Dark Items

Silicone bracelet ShoelacesGospel Story by Colors braceletInk pen Cross-shaped zipper-pullFish-shaped necklaceLighted whistle key chain

Hayride

Safety is the first priority for a successful hayride. Be sure all drivers are experienced with their vehicles, know the designated route, and havewalkie-talkies or cell phones with them at all times. Drivers should maintaina safe distance between their vehicle and the one they follow. Each wagonwill also need a volunteer who will ensure participants remain seated at all times. When everyone is safely back at the church or bonfire site, avolunteer might present a devotion. (Visit www.CTAinc.com/Free, andchoose an appropriate devotion listed under Fall Festival.) After thedevotion, the volunteer may lead participants in singing, sharing stories, and more. In addition, you may want to offer hot apple cider and cocoa forparticipants’ enjoyment before or after their ride.

Harvest Meal

A shared meal is a great way to meet new people and get to know oneanother better. Your facilities will probably help you determine howelaborate a meal you want to plan. If you lack kitchen facilities, grillhotdogs outside. Participants can sit on blankets or tablecloths placed on the ground or the floor of the fellowship area. Or stage a chili cook-off,complete with prizes. Some churches may want to go all out with a turkeydinner complete with trimmings! Be sure to have adequate kitchen help and volunteers to assist with setup, serving, and cleanup.

We wish you God’s blessings on your Fall Festival!

See our Fall catalog or the CTA website for more options. For added fun,host a hot chocolate booth, face-painting station, warming tent, or campfireinside the ring of cars.

Go SHINEfor the Lord as you

Share His Incredible News Everywhere

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V© 2006, 2012 CTA, Inc.Permission to make photocopies or reproduce by any other mechanical or electronic means is granted only to the original purchaser and is intended for use within a church or other Christian organization.

NOTES FOR NEXT YEAR

These things went really well this year: I would make these changes for next year:

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Dear fall festival planner,We know that planning a fall festival can be a big

undertaking. To help make your planning as easy as possible,we’ve provided the thank-you note below. You can copy it anduse it as it is, perhaps matting it on colored card stock or type itin the free, downloadable Thank You postcard that matches thetheme for your event. Or, if you’re planning to treat yourhelpers with goodie bags, you could fasten this little note to thetop of the bag. However you choose to use it, your helpers willfeel valued and affirmed for choosing to share their time andtalents.

Your ministry partners at CTA

Dear

Thank you for your willingness to help with our Fall Festival. You helped to share the Good News of Jesus, the Light of the World.

I appreciate the time and talents you shared with the children.

God bless you.

Sincerely,