Christmas in Five Letters - EVENT GUIDE

CONTENTS
01 Introduction
02
03
05
Event Overview
Planning Timeline
Setting Up the Experience
21 Registration
22
26
Publicity Plan
Time Frame
28 Volunteers
28
29
30
Bits & Pieces
After the Event
Extra Resources

INTRODUCTION
Each Christmas gives your church a chance to swing your doors wide open and throw a
party for the newborn King—a party where everyone is welcome.
This Event Guide will give you a step-by-step plan for how to provide a warm and
welcoming space for families in your community to have fun, make memories, and most
importantly, reflect on the wonder of the God-with-us child coming to be near us in our
darkness, chaos, and brokenness.
Since this event may be very different from anything you’ve done before, here are five key
distinctions that will help you set proper expectations for yourself and the outcomes for
the event:
It's children-centered and as such provides plenty of room for freedom, joy,
spontaneity, and creativity. Kids love this event because they're allowed to be
themselves!
It’s community-focused and as such makes it easy for unchurched families to step their
foot into your church, have fun, and build relationships with other families.
It's family-driven and self-guided which means that the entire family can show up and
leave at any time they want and have a great time.
It's engaging and interactive, meaning that there are no observers at this event.
Everyone is a participant.
It’s a gift. By hosting Christmas in Five Letters you’ll be offering the families in your
community a beautiful gift—a chance to slow down amidst the holiday hustle and
bustle, and enjoy moments of peace, joy and togetherness.
And of course, Christmas in Five Letters is all about JESUS!
This is your chance to tell your people the wonderful news of God
coming to earth as a tiny baby and encourage them
to make room for Jesus in their heart.
|| 01 ||

EVENT OVERVIEW
CHRISTMAS IN FIVE LETTERS
A SACRED EXPERIENCE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
This event is comprised of three segments:
Five Interactive Stations
One or more Creative Stations
Faith-at-Home kits
INTERACTIVE STATIONS are self-guided, self-paced areas around your church where
families will engage in immersive experiences of the events surrounding the first Christmas.
Families will follow the Christmas in Five Letters family guide where they'll find Scripture
passages and instructions for each of the five stations.
CREATIVE STATIONS are self-guided, self-paced stations where families will engage in
creative activities like manger building, cookie decorating, and/or rock painting.
The FAITH-AT-HOME segment is when families receive a pack of the Christmas in Five
Letters postcards, beautifully designed with Scripture, images of Jesus, and family friendly
questions and activities. These postcards can be displayed at home in a special place
where kids can regularly interact with them.
AGE RECOMMENDATION
We recommend this experience for elementary-aged kids and their parents.
Consider offering childcare for preschoolers during this time to give parents
the opportunity to attend with their older children.
|| 02 ||

PLANNING TIMELINE
6 weeks out
Reserve date, time, location, rooms
Promotion begins
Finalize online registration forms
Open registration online & in-person
Social media push
In-service promotion
Send email invite #1 to families in
the database
Bulletin announcement #1
4 weeks out
Continue social media push
Continue in-service promotion
Send email invite #2 to families in
the database
Bulletin announcement #2
Send volunteer recruitment invite
Purchase all supplies
Create a layout/map of the event
Determine tech needs
Order/print station posters
|| 03 ||

1 week out
Continue social media push
2 weeks out
Continue social media push
Bulletin announcement #3
Send an email reminder to
volunteers
Send an email reminder to
registered families
Load tech content/music playlists
Print layout/map for families
(optional)
Print Family Guides
Print Faith-at-Home cards
event day
1 day before
Send text reminders to volunteers
Post social media reminder
Event set-up
Supplies ready for each family
Volunteer VIP Meeting
Send text or email reminders to
families
Ensure all supplies are ready
|| 04 ||

SETTING UP
As you set up your church, it is important for families
to go through the experience in order, based on the
word “JESUS,” and the Family Guide.
To help families know how to navigate the experience,
we suggest printing large posters of each letter (see
POSTERS FOLDER) and displaying them outside each
room. Directional arrows can be placed on the floor
with painter’s tape or directional signage can be
printed and displayed.
The following order will give families the best
experience based on the Christmas story timeline:
WELCOME STATION – Families sign in and
receive their Family Guide.
INTERACTIVE STATION J – Jesus... Foretold by
Prophets
INTERACTIVE STATION E – Jesus... Conceived by a Virgin
INTERACTIVE STATION S – Jesus... Proclaimed by Shepherds
INTERACTIVE STATION U – Jesus... Worshipped by Magi
INTERACTIVE STATION S – Jesus... Celebrated by Us
CREATIVE STATION #1 – assembling wooden mangers
CREATIVE STATION #2 – Christmas rock painting
CREATIVE STATION #3 – Christmas cookies decorating
FAITH-AT-HOME – Visual devotions to take home.
|| 05 ||

Each station represents a different part of the
Christmas story, therefore we recommend each
letter of the experience have its own designated
space or separate room, as the props will be
different for each station.
Check out these recommendations on how to set up
each station, and feel free to add your own
creativity to continue to bring them to life!
WELCOME STATION
Set up a few tables and chairs.
This area should be located directly where families walk in and clearly marked with
registration signage.
Set out your registration materials and Family Guides.
This might be the best spot for families to also pick up their FAITH-at-HOME postcards,
either at the time of registration or when they leave the event.
SUPPLIES:
One table
One tablecloth
One or two chairs
Map of the building
Family Guides (for when they arrive)
Faith-at-Home postcards (for when they leave)
|| 06 ||

Check out this adorable
Christmas Playset
available exclusively at
WeAreKidMin.com
|| 07 ||

STATION J
Hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth, Isaiah, Micah, and
other prophets predicted that a Savior would come.
At this station, families will get a chance to make their own predictions and celebrate the
God who keeps His promises.
Set up a table with five mystery boxes.
Each box should have a number 1 through 5.
For a more festive look, wrap the boxes in Christmas paper.
To make it even more festive, set up a Christmas tree and place the five mystery boxes
underneath the tree.
Families will be invited to shake the mystery boxes and make predictions about what’s
inside each one.
They’ll write their predictions in their Family Guide.
Suggestions for what to put inside mystery boxes: 1) a roll of toilet paper, 2) a sponge,
3) coins, 4) a handful of macaroni, 5) LEGO bricks
Set up a separate table with identical mystery boxes that are open.
Families will get a chance to look inside to find out if their predictions are accurate.
SUPPLIES:
Mystery boxes (sealed)
Mystery boxes (revealed)
Christmas tree (optional)
IDEA: If you’re expecting a lot of families, set up several spots with the
mystery boxes so that more than one family at a time can participate in this
activity.
|| 08 ||

STATION J - continued
Set up a PROPHET’S TABLE that will include:
Oil lamp
Scrolls with Messianic prophesies written on them
Feather quill with ink bowl
Families will be invited to:
Pick a scroll and read through the prophesies.
Trace a Messianic prophecy in their Family Guide using the ink quill.
Spend a few moments in reflection and prayer.
SUPPLIES:
Oil lamp(s)
Scrolls with Messianic prophesies written on them
ACTIVE LINKS TO
SAVE YOU TIME
Feather quill with ink bowl
Wet wipes and paper towels (just in case since you’ll be dealing with real ink)
IDEA: If you want to remove any chance of the ink being spilled, go with ball point feather
pens instead. >>> CLICK HERE to see an example.
Here are some of the prophecies you may want to write inside the scrolls:
Isaiah 7:14
Isaiah 9:6-7
Micah 5:2
Jeremiah 23:5
Psalm 72:10-11
|| 09 ||

STATION E
Imagine the shock felt by Mary, a simple teenager
engaged to a local carpenter, when the angel Gabriel
spoke of her role in the arrival of a Savior.
At this station, families will learn that God still loves to surprise us by giving ordinary
people (like Mary and us) a part to play in His extraordinary mission.
This station has two parts: SURPRISE and CELEBRATION.
For the SURPRISE segment, each family member will pick one envelope from the “You’ve
Got Mail!” table. Then they will take turns opening their envelopes, reading their “surprise
mail” and acting out just how surprised they are in response to what they just read.
SUPPLIES:
Surprise envelopes with surprise messages
A mailbox, table, or some other fun container to hold the envelopes
A trash can for used-up envelopes and messages
CLICK ON THE PICTURE OF THE MAILBOX TO SEE AN ADORABLE
OPTION FOR THIS STATION.
YOUR LOCAL HOMEGOODS OR HOBBY LOBBY MIGHT HAVE
GREAT OPTIONS FOR CHRISTMAS MAILBOXES.
YOU COULD ALSO MAKE AND DECORATE ONE
YOURSELF. DECORATE THE MAILBOX WITH LIGHTS
AND/OR HELIUM BALLOONS.
|| 10 ||

You've been chosen to have tea with none other than
the King of England himself.
Get ready to sip your favorite Earl Grey and chat about
corgis and crown jewels.
Bring your best manners and practice your royal wave!
Touchdown! You've been chosen to play in the NFL
Super Bowl. Break out the touchdown dance because
you're about to step onto the biggest stage in football!
Don't forget your lucky jersey and a game face that can
rival Patrick Mahomes’!

Houston, we have a surprise!
You've been chosen to go on a mission to Mars
with NASA. Pack your spacesuit and prepare to
boldly go where no one has gone before.
You've been chosen to be a Master Ice Cream Flavor
Inventor. Your mission, should you accept it, is to
create the wildest, wackiest ice cream flavors known to
humankind. Get ready to scoop, swirl, and sprinkle
your way to ice cream glory!

You've been chosen for an extraordinary adventure. Your
assignment: Step into a time machine and journey to a
specific period in history. Witness significant historical
events firsthand and document your observations. You'll
play a vital role in unraveling the mysteries of the past.
You've been chosen for the lead role in the next
blockbuster alongside Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
Get ready to shine on the silver screen!
P.S. You may want to start practicing your Oscar
acceptance speech.

You've been chosen to cook alongside Gordon
Ramsay on his hit TV show, "Hell's Kitchen." He
heard about your legendary grilled cheese sandwich
and can't wait to see if you have the skills to handle
his fiery temper in the kitchen!
You've been chosen to sing a duet with the one and only
Adele at her upcoming concert in your city. She heard
you sing in the shower (yes, she has some serious
connections) and was blown away. So get ready to say
"Hello" to your newfound stardom!

STATION E - continued
The angel’s announcement that Mary would give birth to the
Son of God must have confused and even frightened her.
Yet she took God at His Word and accepted her calling.
Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be with me just as
you have said” (Luke 1:38).
Later on, she magnified God in a song of praise.
For the CELEBRATION segment, each family will write their own Song of Praise starting the
same way Mary began her song: “My soul magnifies the Lord, for He has...” and then they
will list some specific ways they’ve seen God’s power in their lives and praise Him for how
He came through for them.
SUPPLIES:
Permanent markers for families to write their praises
Fun cutout shapes where families will write their praises
A designated space where families will attach their praises
IDEAS FOR FUN CUTOUTS (click on each item below for more details)
Stars 9.5" x 10"
Balloons 6" x 5"
Hearts 6" x 6"
Starbursts 4.7" x 6.3"
Starbursts 5" x 6.6"
Starbursts 9" x 6"
Starbursts 11" x 7"
|| 11 ||

STATION S
It's interesting that Jesus' birth was first revealed to
shepherds, who held a lowly status in society. They were
considered so unreliable that their testimonies were
inadmissible in Jewish courts, and they were even deemed unclean by the religious
establishment. Yet, God chose these humble shepherds to spread the message of the
Messiah, making them the world's first evangelists.
As Luke recounts, the shepherds wasted no time in sharing their remarkable encounter
with the angels and the birth of the Savior. Those who heard their account were filled with
excitement and amazement.
At this station, family members will experience the challenges of the shepherd’s life as
they compete in the Shepherd Showdown race and they will experience the joy of telling
others about Jesus during the Baa-lievers activity.
SHEPHERD SHOWDOWN GAME
Family members will compete by guiding their "sheep" (potatoes) through a challenging
zig-zag path marked with masking tape using only their shepherd's staff (broomstick).
SUPPLIES:
Potatoes (sheep)
Broomsticks (shepherd's staff)
Masking tape (path)
Variations: To make it more challenging, you can add obstacles or
increase the length of the path.
|| 12 ||

STATION S - continued
RULES
1. Set up the zig-zag path on the floor with masking tape.
2. Each player gets a potato (sheep) and a broomstick (shepherd's staff).
3. On "Go," players must use either end of their broomsticks to gently guide their potatoes
through the path without letting them roll outside.
4. If a potato goes off the path, the player must stop, retrieve it, and continue from where
it left the path.
5. The player who completes the path in the shortest time wins.
BAA-LIEVERS
Family members will follow the prompts in their Family Guide and declare what Jesus
means to them by writing their faith statements on sheep balloons.
SUPPLIES:
Permanent markers
Sheep Balloons #1
Sheep Balloons #2
Sheep Balloons #3
|| 13 ||

STATION U
The Magi—whether there were only three or more than
20 of them is not clear—did not visit Jesus shortly
after He was born; they actually arrived months later
and visited Jesus at the house where He and His parents were staying.
Though we don’t know many details about these men, we do know their purpose. They came
to worship a king. It didn’t matter that the child didn’t live in a palace or that His parents
weren’t wealthy; “they bowed down and worshipped Him.”
At this station, families will take an honest look at what Jesus is worth to them and will have a
chance to express their worship of Jesus as the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
SMASHING IDOLS
SUPPLIES:
Play-Doh tubs
At this station, families will primarily interact with their Family Guides. In the end, each family
member will be invited to pick up a lump of Play-Doh and shape out a symbol or
representation of something that fights for the first place in their life. For example, money,
people’s approval, stuff, good grades, friends, success, and so on.
They will then have a chance to repent, “smash” their idols, and declare Jesus
as the King of their life. They’ll finish by creating a new shape out of their
lump – something that represents Jesus to them or expresses what He’s
worth to them.
|| 14 ||

STATION S
The angels rejoiced and celebrated the newborn King with singing. The Magi took a long and
dangerous journey so they could worship the King of Kings and celebrate Him with their gifts.
Simeon and Anna celebrated Jesus in their own unique ways – by simply beholding Him,
blessing His parents, praising His Father, and proclaiming Him to others.
People whose hearts were soft and whose eyes were open were immediately moved in the
presence of this God-child. They simply couldn’t contain their joy.
At this station, families will be invited to express their joyful celebration in various ways like
signing, dancing, acting, and posing in front of the camera.
The main idea is to create an interactive photo booth experience for families – a setting
where they can have fun, make memories, and express joy.
Be sure to have a friendly person to capture people’s emails (if you’ll be sending digital
images) or street addresses (if you’ll be mailing out prints). This will be a great way for you to
stay in touch with your guests and show up in their Inbox or mailbox with pleasant surprises.
If your budget allows, we highly recommend you rent a 360 Rotating Photo Booth. Families
will have so much fun with it!
Oriental Trading offers several Nativity backdrops you may want to explore for setting up a
more traditional photo booth. Be sure to enlist the help of a professional photographer,
especially if you’ll be mailing out prints.
Check out Photo Booth Props in your Event Kit. Print, laminate, add craft
sticks and let the fun begin! Inside the Nativity
Character Set folder you’ll find puppets and
masks which you could also use at this station.
|| 15 ||

CREATIVE STATION #1
Set up several tables. Cover the tables with plastic tablecloths.
Set out smooth rocks, paint, and paintbrushes or paint pens.
Set out small cups of water to clean the paintbrushes as kids change paint colors.
At this station, families will be encouraged to paint Baby Jesus ROCKS, take them home, and
then hide them throughout the community.
The Family Guide contains instructions and extra designs for inspiration.
SUPPLIES:
Tables
Plastic tablecloth
Paintbrushes
Tempera paint
Acrylic paint
Paint pens (optional)
Smooth rocks
Spray sealer
ACTIVE LINKS TO
SAVE YOU TIME
|| 16 ||

CREATIVE STATION #2
Cookie Preparation
Bake a large batch of sugar cookies in
advance. You may want to involve volunteers
in the baking process. You may also buy them from a
local bakery.
Ensure you have a variety of cookie shapes and sizes. Consider gingerbread cookies
and other Christmas-themed shapes (stars, angels, sheep, Christmas tree, circles,
squares, snowflakes, candy canes, etc.).
Allow the cookies to cool completely before the event.
Decorating Station Setup
Arrange tables and chairs in a way that provides enough space for families to
decorate their cookies.
Set up decorating stations with individual workspaces for each family. Each station
should include cookies, icing, food coloring, and decorating tools.
Provide a variety of sprinkles, edible glitter, edible eyes, and small candies for
decorating.
Atmosphere
Incorporate some holiday music playing in the background to create a festive
atmosphere.
Take photos or videos during this activity and share them on social media or your
church's website to celebrate the holiday spirit.
|| 17 ||

CREATIVE STATION #3
Set up several tables. Cover the tables with plastic tablecloths.
Set out manger kits (pre-cut wood and nails) and hammers. Refer to the Manger Prep
Insturctions.pdf inside your Event Kit for all the details.
Set out step-by-step instructions on each table (see the next page).
At this station, families will be invited to assemble wooden mangers as a symbol of Christ’s
humble birth.
They will take their managers home to set up in front of their Christmas tree as a reminder of
what Christmas is all about – God coming to us as a baby.
On Christmas Day, they can place a doll representing baby Jesus into the Manger to
celebrate God’s greatest gift to us.
They could also turn their manger into a gift basket by filling it with baby items or a gift card
and dropping it off at a local crisis pregnancy center.
|| 18 ||

FAITH-AT-HOME KIT
FAITH-AT-HOME KIT includes a set of six print-ready cards. You can find them inside your
Event Kit.
Print them on cardstock. Cut them out and have them at the Welcome Station for families
to pick up as they leave.
Each beautiful card is based on the Interactive Stations families completed at the church,
and includes Scripture reading, heart-searching questions, fun activity, and a prayer. This
will be a great way to make it easier for parents to point their children to Jesus in the days
leading up to Christmas.
|| 19 ||

FAMILY GUIDE
Each family will receive a Christmas in Five Letters Family Guide at the Welcome Station,
which they will use to navigate the event.
The guide includes Scripture readings, activities, and instructions on what to do at each
station.
The guide follows the order based on the letters in the word JESUS, however, families don’t
have to strictly follow that order.
They can start at any station and make their way through the stations in the order of their
choosing.
Click on the image below to access the Canva template of the Family Guide. It will give you
full freedom to add your logo, contact information and make changes to any station you
want to.
|| 20 ||

REGISTRATION
For your team to successfully prepare, it is recommended families pre-register and pay
for the event ahead of time.
It is also recommended to charge a small fee ($5-10 per family) for the event to create a
level of commitment from each family.
This is a nominal fee and should be paid during the pre-registration period.
We suggest giving a pre-registration deadline of 7-10 days before the event.
FORMS TO CREATE
Online Form (either through your website or Google Forms)
In-person Paper Form
Fee: Decide on the amount per family and how your ministry will collect money
(offering both online and in-person options is the best way to go).
Make it clear that you don't want money to be the reason someone doesn't come.
Offer scholarships, discounts or altogether wave fees for single parents.
A well executed pre-registration strategy will give you a clear picture of how many
people to expect and how many supplies to prepare.
You'll want to prepare 20% more of everything to be sure that you're ready for
anyone who comes without registration.
|| 21 ||

PUBLICITY PLAN
Here’s content to help you promote the event on various platforms. Feel free to tweak and
use it to best fit your needs.
PARENT EMAIL #1
Hey LifePointe parents,
This holiday season, we invite you and your children to experience the heart of Christmas
in a fresh and bonding way.
Our church is hosting CHRISTMAS in 5 LETTERS interactive event for the whole family, and
we don't want you to miss it.
There will be seven [insert your number] sensory-rich stations where you and your
children will explore God’s amazing love and celebrate the birth of Christ our Savior.
DATE: December 8
PLACE: Church auditorium and select classrooms
TIME: 6-8 PM
This is a self-paced and self-guided event. Your family can come at any time while the
event is open.
The experience will take about 60-70 minutes to complete, but you can stay as little or as
long as you want.
Registration is now open. You can register here (link to online registration) or at church
this Sunday! The cost is $5 per family.
We hope you will invite your friends and family to be a part of the experience
and pray it will be life-changing for all who attend!
(your name)
|| 22 ||

PARENT EMAIL #2
Hey LifePointe parents,
We cannot wait for the CHRISTMAS in 5 LETTERS family event on (date) at (time) at
(place).
Come and experience the Christmas story through the eyes of the prophets who foretold
Christ’s birth and the ordinary, small-town girl entrusted with the extraordinary, God-sized
task.
You'll encounter the joy of the lowly shepherds who were the first ones to meet the longawaited
King.
You'll discover what the Magi must have felt when they saw the Child and His mother.
And most importantly, you’ll have a chance as a family to celebrate and worship Jesus
from your hearts.
Please register online (online registration link) or in person at church on Sunday!
This is a self-paced and self-guided event, so come any time while the event is open. The
experience will take about 60-70 minutes to complete.
We hope you'll be able to join us and encounter our Prince of Peace and Immanuel in a
fresh and meaningful way!
I am here if you have any questions.
(your signature)
|| 22 ||

SOCIAL MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENTS + STRATEGY
Post the CHRISTMAS in FIVE LETTERS theme slide with the following message:
Get ready to experience Christmas in a whole new way this year as the Christmas in Five
Letters event comes to (name of your church) on (date and time).
Check out details and how you can register at (online registration link).
We hope you'll be able to join us and encounter our Immanuel and Prince of Peace in a
fresh and meaningful way!
Create a Facebook Event on your kid’s ministry page with
all details and the CHRISTMAS in 5 LETTERS theme slide.
Create a Facebook and Instagram Live video with
all details of the event.
Post the CHRISTMAS in FIVE LETTERS theme slide with the following message:
Christmas is just around the corner. Though Christmas decorations and activities are
everywhere, it's hard to find anything reflecting the real meaning of Christmas — God’s love
breaking through and coming to dwell with us!
We hope you'll join us at the Christmas in Five Letters family event where we will get into
God’s Word and celebrate the God who so loved the world.
|| 23 ||

Be sure to check out the SOCIAL MEDIA folder in your digital event kit.
There you will find several variations of the theme squares/slides to make it easy for you to
show up in people's social media feeds with attractive graphics and clear, compelling
messages.
Here are a few more posts you may want to use in combination with the extra graphics.
Hey LifePointe parents,
This Christmas, we invite you and your children to take a journey into the heart of God.
Our church is hosting the Christmas in Five Letters event for the whole family, and we
don't want you to miss it.
There will be seven [insert your number] multisensory stations where you and your
children will explore God’s amazing love and celebrate the birth of Christ our Savior.
Click the link for more details.
We are counting the days till the big day! CHRISTMAS in 5 LETTERS is in five days!
Did you register? If not, there's still time.
We are so excited for your family to experience Christmas in a fresh and meaningful way as
you witness Jesus...
Foretold by Prophets
Conceived by a Virgin
Proclaimed by Shepherds
Worshipped by Magi
Celebrated by Us
|| 24 ||

BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS
Get ready to experience Christmas in a whole new way this year through the Christmas
in Five Letters family event.
CALL TO ACTION: Direct people to where they can get more info and sign up.
Examples: QR code, website, info kiosk at the church, etc.
We hope you'll be able to join us and encounter our Immanuel and Prince of Peace in a
fresh and meaningful way!
Our church is hosting the Christmas in Five Letters event for the whole family, and we
don't want you to miss it.
There will be seven [insert your number] interactive, multisensory stations where you
and your children will explore God’s amazing love and celebrate the birth of Christ our
Savior.
CALL TO ACTION: Direct people to where they can get more info and sign up.
Examples: QR code, website, info kiosk at the church, etc.
Don't miss your chance! There’s still time to register for the Christmas in Five Letters
family event! (date, time, place) Invite your friends and family to join us as we celebrate
God’s incredible love that came to dwell with us.
CALL TO ACTION: Direct people to where they can get more info and sign up.
Examples: QR code, website, info kiosk at the church, etc.
|| 25 ||

TIME FRAME
There is no right or wrong date for hosting this event.
Before you finalize the date for this event, you may want to check your:
CHURCH CALENDAR to make sure you won't be competing with something youth or
men's ministries are doing on the same day
LOCAL SCHOOL CALENDAR to make sure you don't schedule your event during the
peak of spring break when most of the families will be traveling
COMMUNITY EVENTS CALENDAR to make sure you are not competing with the popular
Music and Arts Festival in your area or something like that.
This event is completely self-guided and will take about an hour to an hour and a half to
complete. We suggest offering a two-hour window for the event to be open and allowing
families to come and go as they please.
Interactive Stations should each take about 10 minutes to complete.
Creative Stations should each take about 30 to 45 minutes to complete. Some families
may want to go through the J-E-S-U-S stations together but split for Creative Stations.
For example, dad may take the oldest son to go build a wooden manger, while mom may
take the rest of the kids to a rock painting station.
Faith-at-Home part will happen when families leave.
|| 26 ||

WHAT IF...
If you’ve never hosted a self-paced, self-guided, “come and go as you please” event, you
might be wondering:
WHAT IF EVERYONE SHOWS UP AT ONCE AND WE’LL HAVE A LONG LINE OF PEOPLE
WAITING TO GET ACCESS TO THE VERY FIRST STATION??
It’s a valid concern yet the “bottleneck” problem can easily be prevented. Check out these
practical tips:
Give the first two stations the largest rooms you have available to you and create
several activity centers within those rooms so that several families can have their own
unique experience at the same time. This would help you avoid a bottleneck effect right
from the start.
Keep in mind that families DON’T HAVE to go through all the stations in any particular
order. For example, you could direct some families to start with the rock painting
station, while others could be directed to begin at the cookie decorating station. Follow
a pattern where you do not overload any particular station.
Guess what?! Self-guided means that families can really start their journey at ANY
station! So, if someone wants to begin at the letter E station, it’s totally OK. They will
enjoy the event just as much. It’s not about the order of the stations, but the depth of
sharing and fun families experience at each station.
|| 27 ||

VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers are the rock stars of any event! They are the people that kids and families will
interact with so provide opportunities for volunteers to shine!
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Set-up & Tear-down Crew
Assists with decorating and setting up for the event
Assists in taking down all decorations, tables, chairs, etc.
Assists in setting up for the next event in the space.
Registration Team
Checks in families (collects payments from walk-ins).
Provides instruction to families as they enter.
Hands out Family Guides when families arrive and Faith-at-Home sets when they leave.
Station Leaders (1 per interactive station, 2 per creative station)
Provide oversight and ensure their designated station runs smoothly.
Set up the station prior to the start of the event.
Assist families in answering questions.
Ensure décor and station elements are presentable and replenished during the event.
Tech Team
Loads music content before the event.
Ensures each space has the means to play designated music.
Runs tech during the event.
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BITS & PIECES
GRAPHICS
Your Event Kit contains various graphics that will help you promote this event.
If you're interested in buying all source files ($75) so you could re-size and rebrand
the materials, or create custom stickers, church invitations, banners, door hangers,
yard signs, or a countdown video using the original artwork, let us know via email to:
hello@wearekidmin.com
FACEBOOK GROUP
If you would like to exchange ideas with other church leaders hosting Christmas in
Five Letters, be sure to join THIS FACEBOOK GROUP.
This group is a perfect place for you to ask your questions and keep us updated
about your progress. Questions, hacks, ideas, web links, pictures, and videos related
to the event are all welcome.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME
Make it not just a Family Event but an Intergenerational Event inviting people of all
ages to participate.
SERMON SERIES
Tell your senior pastor about this event, let him or her see the graphics and the
topics. Who knows, it might give them a spark for a sermon series.
STRETCH IT
Don't have enough volunteers or enough space to offer this as a 1-day event?
No problem! Spread it out between five midweek services. One station per
service with people taking home only one card from the Faith-at-Home kit.
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AFTER THE EVENT
EXPRESS GRATITUDE
After your event is over, be sure to thank the volunteers who served before and during
the event. Check out this cute APPRECIATION KIT your volunteers will love.
EVALUATE YOUR EVENT
Did you meet your goals?
How many people did you serve?
Were you able to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere?
Did everyone seem to have a great time?
What comments or questions do you remember hearing?
What overall impact did you have in your community?
Make a list of things you would do differently or things you would add to the next event.
Send a follow-up email to all the families that participated. Ask for their feedback about
the event and extend an invitation to visit your church or your next ministry event.
Share event photographs and stories on your social media platforms.
If you hosted a photo booth and captured professional photographs, promptly email or
mail them. Use this touch point as an opportunity to ask if there is any way you can pray
for each family.
Share event stories and photos with the leadership team of your church.
Calendar your next family event.
Your families will love EASTER IN FIVE LETTERS!
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