Lenten Journey – Day 18
One of the things I really love about our church is that we are such team players. People don’t expect me as the pastor to do everything and I, in turn, have a cast of people I can count on to compensate for my weaknesses and do real hands-on ministry stuff. Yesterday was a great example.
Every Thursday a different church from our local ministerial association is responsible for leading a mini-worship service at 3 different nursing homes. Yesterday was my first turn. And I was scared to death! I’ve never done a nursing home service before. I didn’t grow up knowing my grandparents or any elderly at all so I feel quite awkward around them even now. It is a real stretch out of my comfort zone (even after spending two years previously pastoring a church with many senior adults).
Fortunately, I didn’t have to do it alone. I was surrounded by a great team. Tami accompanied me to play piano and lead the singing. She said she hadn’t played in years, but I don’t believe her. She did awesome!
Lyle also came and he was a godsend! He just got right in there and visited with all the folks like they were long-lost friends. It was great to watch him work the room (not to mention his aid in singing). The two of them really eased my discomfort and allowed me to focus more on just leading the service. We ministered to the people as a team.
I could go on and on with example after example about how people in our church work together and fill each others’ voids. People like Kevin, Dale, John, Ben, Daren, Carol, Heidi, Twyla, Fauna, Natasha, Lauren, Hazem, Amelia, Micah, Jason, Josiah, Grant, Alvin, Mark, Trisha, Suzanne, James, Susan, Gretchen, Michael and probably a bunch of others who I’m temporarily forgetting because they do things so secretly that nobody even knows it.
Epiphany Station is what it is because of all the great selfless dedicated people that give generously of their time, resources and talents to make everyday Sunday.
Prayer for today:
Lord, may I be a conduit of blessing to everyone I meet.
Use me as your vessel to pour your life into others.
Give me pure motives to serve you and others.
May you be glorified through your body, your church.
