Anti-Panic Section 6

Anti-Panic Passover Guide
Section Six

APPRECIATION

TO VOLUNTEERS

Remember that I asked you to ask yourself, "How do I show my appreciation to my volunteers?"I’d like to share this teaching with you as I do with my own volunteers.

In Biblical times, the priests would run to the Temple to be first to serve God! They always wanted to be first to serve, first to help in every way, and first to every service! They wanted to do more than what was required! This is known as "beautifying the commandment."

This is the attitude God looks for in His servants! The servant of God has a heart like Abraham. Abraham responded to God's calling in his life by saying, "Here am I, God, use me!" This is the attitude that needs to be a part of every person working as a member of a larger group of people doing the Lord's work.

I have worked with volunteers and service organizations for years. The good organizations know that you have to show your appreciation or the volunteers won’t come back! Good messages and communications of appreciation must come both vocally and written from the top down. My volunteers know that I write personal "hand-written" thank you notes. They give so much of their valuable time to help behind the scenes, and I am so blessed to have them as part of my team!

I have to make time to write thank you notes, so I put that into my planning. I try to fit my thank you notes to their own personalities. I don’t write a carbon copy note! Sometimes I write "thank you" down the side of the envelope under the return address six or seven times even after I finish the inside message. I cannot tell you that I write too many thank you notes! My team knows that I am very busy, but they know that when they call me, I drop everything to talk to them as if their call was just what I wanted to do that day! That is a way of saying, "You are important to me!" I try to send small gifts, handmade stationary, or whatever that I stick back to use as thank you gifts. We are not a rich group of people, so we even bake cookies and breads to say our thank yous. I always try to write my own thank yous! If you are too busy to say "thank you" then you are too busy for God to use you!

God cares about exhortation and good communications. The Bible is full of communication and praise! "God inhabits the praises of His people".

When you have children, the best way to change something in them that you don’t like, is to center o the positive things, and then praise them for making the changes! Ninety-five percent of people spend 95% of their time saying negative things! God’s words are filled with exhortation! If you are not an exhorted, then I doubt that God will give you a team to lead. Honestly! Look around you, and see how many people look to you for leadership. My home is where my office is located. It is filled with people every day! The phone rings off the hook with people calling to talk about projects. Communications and exhortation go hand-in-hand. Yes, you can learn to say "thank you," but first you have to learn to vocally praise people. Even children love to come to my house to help! They know that they are welcome and the cookie jar is full!

Exhortation is important, and as you move through the event, look for the positive things that each volunteer does that you can make a note later to praise them about! I even write thank you notes to the small children that hold doors open or carry things to the car! Its like my secret assignment while I am about my work. Encourage your volunteers to write thank you notes to each other during the events, too.

You will be pleased with the "Here am I" attitude of helpfulness, that they will present to your guests. We have had people from hundreds of miles away come for a Passover Seder and were shy for the first thirty minutes. Then we explained that we were all a team and asked them to join our team for their visit. They pitched right in and the day of the Seder I found them at my house cooking and cleaning because they knew that I needed the help! Then they were the first ones to send in their reservations the next year! They could hardly wait to come back! They knew that they would be appreciated, and not taken for granted. They wanted to be "first" in what God was doing the next year! Give praise generously!

Craft Ideas

Half the fun of Passover is the decorating, and making crafts. They add so much to the event! Of course, if you are crafty then that helps, but if not, then ask children or a friend. We’ve only listed a few ideas, but if you come up with more, we would love to share them with others.

One idea that was shared with us: The people had gone to a lumber yard and actually purchased a door in its frame. The men braced the doorway so it was firmly set, and then they decorated the lintels (corners) of the door with red paint to look like blood! Everyone who entered the evening had to enter by the blood on the door! What a vivid reminder of our Messiah’s sacrifice as the Blood of the Lamb!

Another idea was for everyone to dress in Bible time costumes. Bathrobes and sandals, anyone?

Still another time we brought our best family dishes, crystal and china to one of our Seders. We each brought extra settings to share with our guests, too. One father sent flowers for his family’s table when he was unable to attend due to business out of town. The only problem came when we cleaned up. We didn’t like hauling our best to and from in cardboard boxes, so decided that since paper was "kosher" that we would stick to it for our community gatherings. We also felt that some people might feel more comfortable if everyone had the same kind of dishes as everyone else. Some didn’t have fine china and crystal, and we didn’t want to embarrass anyone because their dishes weren’t as fine as another person.

We put white linen table cloths on our tables whenever possible. Sometimes we use plastic covers over our good linen table cloths as this is not a night where the wine doesn’t get splattered. If we have small children around, then plastic covers really are encouraged instead of worrying over fine linen. You might consider a plastic lace table cloth if you want something dresser. But don’t get legalistic. If it is going to affect your evening then, do what you can live with later.

One year some ladies found a sale on satin and cut red satin table runners with pinking shears. Another year a large florist donated a beautiful satin center piece for the head table (we had to return it the next day). We put it off to the side of the main speaker as you couldn’t see what he was doing during the meal though. Since then we have used low flat table center pieces instead. We’ve asked different ladies to be in charge of different areas of the room each year to help balance out the decorating.

Another volunteer was cleaning out her grandmother’s deserted house, and found some woven tapestry fabric in gold and black, that we turned into table runners. You can look at garage sales for fabric, wide ribbon, or even use crepe paper.

Just remember to keep it simple and within your budget.

One of our volunteers turned her husband loose in his wood shop the night before the Seder, and he made wonderful Star of David (6 points!) candle holders that were flat, and then drilled holes for the candles in the middle. You can also glue candle cups onto the piece of wood for safety sake, too.

From our resource publisher’s list in the back of this book you will find ideas for involving children and committees in making this a very special event - whether in your home or for a larger group. You can have weeks of fun making various craft items to decorate and teach with. You could make place cards, place mats, napkin rings, matzah covers, design coloring books, write a children’s Haggadah for them to follow along with, make your own Seder plate , or even create children their own Seder plate out of paper plates to follow along with!

The children could be called to come to the front of the room where a story teller dressed in Bible time costume, could read from a picture book about the Exodus (you can find such a book in our catalog or at your public library). You could have the children even prepare a drama telling the story of the Exodus, too. Their involvement is totally up to you and your committee! You might have the children come together several days in advance and bake matzah bread and talk about the Exodus. The ideas are plentiful! Just remember to write the good ones down and pass them back to us, okay? We like to share them with others on our website!

As it is said, "You shall tell your children on that day." Exodus 13:8

Head Coverings are optional!

Another volunteer might be a seamstress with some extra wedding fabric. The fabric could be cut into head covering sizes so that all the women could have a veil to wear. Men might want to wear a hat, too, but it is not required. In many of the Jewish source books, you will find kippahs for men. Many Jewish men wear a dressy hat for the evening, but if a man is not comfortable wearing one at the table, then don’t make them! We’ve told them for years to take their hats off when they come inside of a building and at a table, so this is something that is difficult for them to handle sometimes.

Matzah Holder

Materials needed; Minimum of four 10 inch square pieces of fabric, sewing machine, fabric paint, craft glue or a craft glue gun, sequins or glitter glue (is sold in a melting stick), and some tassels or fringes, or if you rather---4 white men’s handkerchiefs can be used in place of the square fabric.

Directions: Glue or paint your design on one of the men’s handkerchiefs (If you are using fabric that is not hemmed, then you will want to hem the edges nicely around each piece). Let it dry thoroughly. Stack the four men’s handkerchiefs one on top of the other. Sew three sides together. NOTE: If you are going to add trim around the edge, (gold or silver) then you will want to sew it on before sewing the four pieces of fabric together. Examine your seams to be sure that there are three pockets. These are about $3 each to make, and add a nice touch to each family’s table. You may trace your designs with carbon paper on to the handkerchief. Several of the resource publishers have festival coloring books available that you could trace.

Songs for a Seder

If a Music Coordinator or Dance Teacher is needed, include this in your planning and recruitment. During the Seder, you sing many songs. You may order tapes from many sources for Passover songs, or furnish sheet music. Include a sheet with the words of the songs for everyone attending the Passover Seder. Try to order the music at least six weeks prior to the event. We have included the words to the very basic traditional songs in this book. Tapes of these songs are available from your local synagogue gift store or even a Christian book store. You may also choose to have specials or sing other songs that you already know.

I got music tapes from http://ww.jewishsource.com or Source for Everything Jewish on the Resource List. The tape that I used is called: A Passover Sing-a-long for Kids (split trak). Brentwood Music, 316 Southgate court, Brentwood, TN 37027 (ISBN 1-55897-081-9.)

There are also dance videos available for congregational dancing, and our ministry does provide speakers and dance teachers if you will notify us well ahead of time.

Someone asked me recently what music we sang at our first Seder. They were "specials" and were performed by local people that did not know Hebrew songs. We had one lady that played the harp. She had found some Jewish music and performed Hava Nagila and others.

Songs that were sung: "Watch the Lamb", "This Blood's for You", "The First Farewell" and "Lamb of Glory". There was also a very powerful duet titled "And God Cried." If you would like to use these songs in your service then we see no reason not to include them. Our first suggestion is to pray, and then do what HE tells you to include. E-mail us at shalom@haydid.org with your questions.

Song: Avadim Hayinu

(Translation: We were slaves to Pharoah. Now we are free!)

Avadim ha-yinu ha yinu

ata b'ney chorin, b'ney chorin

Avadim ha-yinu

ata ata b'ney chorin

Avadim ha-yinu

ata ata b'ney chorin b'ney chorin

Had Gadya

REFRAIN

Had gadya, had gadya

that daddy bought for two zuzim

(Seder is sometimes used in place of zuzim)

one little kid, one little kid.

l. My father bought a lamb for Seder

refrain

2. Then came the cat and ate up all the lamb, my father bought to serve for Seder. refrain

3. Then came the dog and bit, bit, bit the cat, that ate up all the lamb, my father bought to serve for Seder.

refrain

4. Then came the stick and beat, beat, beat the dog, that bit, bit, bit the cat, that ate up all the lamb, my father bought for Seder.

refrain

5. Then came the fire and burnt up all the stick, that beat, beat, beat the dog, etc... refrain

6. Then came the water and put out all the fire, that burnt up all the stic, etc...(continue with refrain)

7. Then came the ox and drank up all the water, that put out all the fire, etc..

8. Then came the butcher and slaughted up the ox, that drank up all the water, etc..

9. Then came death's angel and slew the butcher, that slaughtered up the ox, etc..

10. Then came the Holy One, praised be He, and destroyed death's angel, etc..

Song: Dayeinu

(Translation: Had He only brought us out from Egypt, it would have been enough! Had He only given us the Sabbath, it would have been enough! Had He only given us the Torah, it would have been enough! You may also want to add this verse: Had He only given us Yeshua/Jesus, it would have been enough!)

Ilu hotzi hotzianu hotzianu mimitzrayim, (Egypt)

Hotzianu mimitzrayim, daiyenu!

Chorus:

Dai Dayeinu, Dai Dayeinu, Dai Dayeinu, Dayeinu, Dayeinu, Dayeinu!

Ilu natan natan lanu natan lanu et HaShabbat natan lanu et HaShabbath, Dayeinu! (Sabbath)

Chorus:

Ilu natan natan lanu natan lanu el HaTorah natan lanu et HaTorah, Dayeinu! (Torah means Instructions)

Chorus:

Ilu natan natan lanu natan lanu et Yeshua, nantan lanu et Yeshua, Dayeinu! (Jesus)

Hava Nagila

(can be sung or danced as a Hora)

(Translation: Come let us be glad and rejoice, Arise, brethren, with a youthful heart.)

Hava nagila, hava nagila, hava nagila, v-nis-me-cha

Oo-roo a-chim b-lev sa-me-ach,

oo-roo a-chim b-lev sa-me-ach

Oo-roo a-chim b-lev sa-me-ach,

oo-roo a-chim b-lev sa-me-ach

Oo-roo a-chim, oo-roo a-chim b-lev sa-me-ach!

Song: Eliyahu Hanavi

(Translation: Elijah the Prophet, Elijah the Tishbite, Elijah the Giladite. May he come soon in our time, and bring Messiah son of David.)

Eliyahu Hanavi, Eliyahu Ha-tishbi, Eliyahu, Eliyahu, Eliyahu Ha-giladi, Bim heira

v'yameinu yavo eileinu Im Mashiach Ben David,

Im Mashiach Ben David.

So, with a final pat on the back for a job well done, we pray that your seder will be an enjoyable one! There are many other dances and songs that enrich this experience. Table pounding is acceptable to keep the beat of the song, and to involve everyone in the dinner's festivities. Let us come to His table with rejoicing! Let us celebrate Yeshua as haMashiach! Let us return to our rich heritage of knowing Him on this night as He truly was! Our Messiah!

Listing of Associate Ministries

HaY’Did Learning Center
10737 Meadow Crest Drive
Broken Arrow, OK 74014
1-918-918-486-4666
shalom@haydid.org
http://www.haydid.org

Arkansas Institute of Holy Land Studies
Dr. Ron Moseley
9700 Hwy 107
Sherwood, Arkansas 72120
1-800-617-6205
rmoseley@cei.net
http://www.haydid.org/ark.htm

Peggy Pryor
35 Gwathney Church Road
Fayetteville, TN 37334
1-913-438-4877
ledevar@cora.net
http://www.haydid.org/ledevar.ht

Reb. Bev Clapp
PO Box 1949
Cave Junction, OR 97523
(541) 592-3843

Richard Booker
Sounds of the Trumpet
Institute for Hebraic/Christian Studies
8230 Birchglenn Lane
Houston, TX 77707
(218)-469-1045
shofarprb@aol.com
http://www.rbooker.com

Randy Felton
Potter's Clay Ministries, Inc.
417 NW 42^nd Street
OKC, OK 73118
(405) 528-7205
pottersclay@mail.icnet.net
http://www.haydid.org/potter.htm

Cathy Jo Wicks
Promised Land Bible Institute
P O Box 20299
OKC, OK 73156
(405)749-0010
Email: jillbrett@aol.com

Dr. Brad Young
Gospel Research Foundation
PO Box 35234
Tulsa, OK 74153
http://www.gospelresearch.org

Dwight Pryor
Dr. Marvin Wilson
The Center for Judaic-Christian Studies
PO Box 293040
Dayton, Ohio 45429
1-937-434-4550

Bridges for Peace
P.O. Box 33145
Tulsa, OK 74153
918-461-8800 or 800-566-1998
http://www.bridgesforpeace.com
BFP_US@compuserve.com

Philip Nowland
101 Surrey Road
Huntingdon
Cambridgeshire
PE18 7JU
England, UK
PNowland@netcomuk.co.uk
http://www.haydid.org/PhilipNowland.htm
Huntingdon England

Anita & Al Robertson
Towel and Basin
Congregation Festival
PO Box 470789
Tulsa, OK 74147
towelandbasin@sigmam.org
http://www.haydid.org/towel.htm

HaKesher Ministries, Inc.
Lenore and Ken Mullican
9939 S. 71st E. Ave
Tulsa, OK 74113-6224
http://www.hakesher.org
hakesher@aol.com

Rev. Dr. Gary & Deborah Collett
Jerusalem Ministries International
PO Box 1667
Everett, Washington 98201
or/ PO Box 11388
Jerusalem 91113 Israel

Congregation Yeshuat Yisrael
P O Box 40206
Nashville, TN 37204
http://members.aol.com/baruchshem/cyyl.htm

Cliff and Stephanie Robertson
217 Farm to Market Road
Libby, Montana 59923

Omega Praise Fellowship
of Southern Oregon
PO Box 1742
Rogue River OR 97537
1-541-855-7220

Mended Wings Ministries
Dr. Doug Wheeler
P.O. Box 8538
Bossier City, LA 71113-8538
(318)752-5871
mendwing@bellsouth.net
http://www.haydid.org/wings.htm

Contact any of our associate ministries
for more information on Passover!

Resource List

HaY’Did Learning Center
10737 Meadow Crest Drive
Broken Arrow, OK 74014
http://www.haydid.org
shalom@haydid.org
1-918-449-0449
(credit card orders)

Behrman House
235 Watchung Ave.
West Orange, NJ 07052
1-800-221-2755

Jonathan David Co
.68-22 Eliot Ave.
Middle Village, NY 10977
1-718-456-8611

Jewish Publication Society
1930 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103-4599
1-215-564-5925

Source for Everything Jewish
PO Box 48836
Niles, IL 60714-0836
1-800-426-2567

1-800-Judaism (an EXCELLENT Source)

Lederer Publications
6204 Park Heights Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21215