Note from Yvon: This is one of the most wonderful and caring ideas I've ever seen on how to share the gospel. For those of you who remember the "Wordless Book," a little booklet that told the gospel story through colors as you explained it, this is an expanded version of it, done up in cloth and decorated with lace, buttons, jewels and decorations. Below are complete instructions as well as pictures of the entire book. There are so many ways this can be used in evangelism at nursing homes, hospitals, many other places.
In addition, making them could be a great project for Ladies Circles and other church groups. Changing production methods in churches make the groups that used to collate the bulletin no longer necessary in some churches, but getting together to work on projects that serve others is always a joy.
I cannot thank enough, Joyce Joseph, who sent these samples, the pictures and instructions. Her mother (age 85) does a lot of the sewing for her. She told me to please pass on her information and to contact her with questions concerning construction of the booklet at jwjoseph320@yahoo.com.
Canvas Salvation Booklet
Taking a cue from the song “Tell Me the Story of Jesus”, this canvas booklet spells out the ABCs of salvation: admit, believe, commit. Follow the plan below to make your booklet today and start sharing the good news story.
Create A Canvas Booklet in 8 Steps
1. Copy and laminate story cards (found at womenonmission.com). If printing a large quantity, go to a copy center. Otherwise, use the church copier. Lamination can be done at a copy center or school supply shop.
2. Cut 20 14-inch canvas circles. Purchase a 14-inch circle shape, or use a plate or bowl. Duck Canvas is a good thickness and stiffness. Each page is separate and sewn to the page in back of it. Pages need to be made and decorated separately (this step hides stitching) and then sewn together by hand or machine. Again, sew the buttons, jewels, and decorations on BEFORE sewing the book together.
3. Cut two large red hearts.—One for the GOOD NEWS page and one for the HOW CAN I BECOME A CHRISTIAN.
4. Cut nine smaller hearts of the correct colors for the story cards. (See photos on womenonmission.com.)
5. Cut all letters from felt. Use 1-inch, 1-½-inch, and 2-inch letters. Use precut letters or trace on the felt with wood letter shapes or stencils.
6. Cut the correct color shapes on felt for the letters to be sewn on. The exact shape is not that important as long as the letters fit on it and the shape fits on the page. Use your creativity. Search craft shops (JoAnn’s, Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Wal-Mart) for wood shapes that will fit.
7. Decorate the pages with sparkly sew-on jewels, buttons, sequins, etc. Glue-on felt and jewels will work, but they will not be as sturdy and permanent. Make the page attractive, bright, and attention grabbing.
8. Make this a joint effort and project—organizing, designing, cutting, and sewing. Women who do embroidery or appliqué work can really use their imagination.
—Instructions by Joyce Joseph, Tennessee. Contact her with questions concerning construction of the booklet at jwjoseph320@yahoo.com. The booklet has now been translated into Spanish and she will be glad to help you with story cards and photos for that translation.
Use Canvas Salvation Booklets for:
- Overseas or stateside missions trips
- Vacation Bible School
- Children’s Sunday School classes
- GA® and RA camp
- Day camp
- Migrant camp
- Homeless shelters, women’s shelters
- Nursing homes
- Retirement centers/assisted living facilities
Here are pictures of the booklet.
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If you have ideas, project, communication tools of any sort that you would like to share with others to encourage and enable them to better communicate in the church please read about our Great Idea Swap (Click here to so to that section) and send materials via email to: yvon@effectivechurchcom.com.
