What would happen here at First Baptist if everyone 60 years and older were serving the body in some way? I think if we were to mobilize all of the 700+ people in this age category, we would see blessings multiply exponentially. Ask yourself, “What do I enjoy doing, have a passion for, or see God bless in my life?” Most likely your spiritual gifting is active through it, and the body of Christ and the unsaved world are beneficiaries of it.
Here are some examples of loving service in our own congregation:
Roses
From springtime until late into the fall, Bud and Doris Lavely, along with some friends, hand out roses to all of the ladies following each worship service. If you have been to Bud and Doris’ home or to Camp Harlow, you have seen their amazing assortment of rose bushes. The Lavelys’ love of gardening and desire to bless people with a beautiful expression of God’s love come together in the gift of roses which were picked and de-thorned on Saturdays, then kept fresh until they are handed out at church on Sundays.
Sisters in Stitches has given individuals with a love of sewing and quilting an opportunity to use their skills to bless many. Additionally, they disciple others in honing those skills. Now, countless have received baby quilts, orphans in Thailand have been warmed by soft, beautiful quilts, and many disabled and seniors have been blessed with lap robes.
Grounds
Each Monday morning, rain or shine, Helen and Marion Kintner have faithfully and lovingly picked up the litter in the parking lots and around the church building. They have also given tender care to the shrubs and plants, pulling weeds and picking up leaves all over the church grounds. We will miss them as they will soon be moving to North Bend, Oregon to be near their family.
Samaritan’s Purse
David and Joyce Alldridge are a wonderful example of serving others as one follows one’s own heart. David and Joyce spend the year purchasing things that go into a Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child shoe box. They search store ads, online special sales and liquidations, buying as many items as possible. They store these gifts until fall when they invite friends and grandchildren to a “box building” party.
This short list of ways people actively serve shows how God enables us to bless great numbers of people in significant ways as we follow our love of God and use the skills and spiritual gifts God has blessed us with. We could have also reviewed countless others: Tim and Mary Faulkner gave their time twice each week and also after special events to empty the trash and refilled the paper towels in all of the church’s restrooms. Hazel Taylor used her own photographs to make cards in which she wrote words of encouragement. She continued this ministry up to just days within her passing. And don’t forget all those who have practiced fishing for men by taking disciples on fishing trips.
So, whatever your interests, skills and gifts may be, please continue to bless others and be blessed along the way. If you desire to know concrete or creative ways you can serve, please contact one of the individuals below:
Pastor Glen Eickmeyer (glene
fbceugene [dot] com)
fbceugene [dot] com)Zindel Jackson (zindeljfbceugene [dot] com)
fbceugene [dot] com)