Guest Blogger Archives - Page 3 of 10

Only Two or Three – Day 27

Posted on Mar 11, 2018 in Blog, Devotions, Guest Blogger, Lenten Devotional 2018 |

Wherever two or three are gathered in my name there am I in the midst of them.

Matthew 18:20

My father passed away when I was in my twenties after a long battle with cancer. Sometime later my mother shared a very sad memory with me. When Dad became too sick to be able to attend church any longer no one from our church ever brought him Communion at home. Why did that happen? Were they too busy? Were they unaware of his need? Did my parents never request a visit? We had been members of that parish for almost twenty years.

A few months ago I was asked by Ramona Chance if I would consider becoming a LEM. I responded immediately by saying, “Yes! I have always wanted to do that!” I didn’t even say, “I’ll pray about it and get back to you.”

A LEM is a lay Eucharistic minister. We assist at the altar by passing out the wine, but we also go to homes and hospitals to bring Communion to those in our church family who are unable to come to the Sunday service. That’s what I wanted to do! So I got my little home Communion kit and off I went. The experience has been so humbling for me! First, I became aware of not being prepared, mentally or spiritually. So, I’m working on that. The trip to wherever I am going is filled with prayer. I am learning the service so it becomes an avenue of blessing rather than a stumbling through an unfamiliar sequence of prayers. Next, the Holy Spirit impressed on me what I am actually doing. I am taking the “real presence” of Jesus to the sick and the isolated. That little box takes His Body and Blood out of the sanctuary and into the world. I am humbled! I go to where there are only two or three of us and there He is in the midst of us.

I think that those of us who are healthy and able maybe take the wonderful mystery of the Eucharist for granted. It’s there every Sunday and we put out our hands and receive. Sometimes we may even skip a Sunday. No big deal. I’m speaking of myself here. It’s so routine that maybe we become dulled to its miraculous beauty. Jesus offers Himself in the bread and wine in a very unique way, different than in prayer or worship or fellowship or study or even in meditation. Next Sunday, pause for a moment and become aware in your spirit of His real presence. You may see or perhaps feel in a deeper way His glory and love at the altar.

If any of you are sick and have missed communion, call us and we will come. A simple call to the church office will make us aware of your need.

I know in my heart that my father has forgiven the negligence of that church who forgot about him when they no longer saw his face on Sunday mornings. I hope my mother has forgiven too. And I pray that Servants will always be a place where we go out to those who can no longer come in, that we will go out to share the presence and love of our gracious Lord in the unique way that He commanded.

Ann Shower

Ann has been a member of Servants since 2002 when it was St. Michael’s. Some of those years were in absentia at her northern outpost in North Carolina. Besides being a LEM she is involved in SOC’s prayer ministry and also serves on the vestry. When she is not busy being the in-home grandma to her family, she loves going to the beach and traveling back to NC, and occasionally going to Alaska, even in the winter!

Life-Giving Ministry – Day 26

Posted on Mar 11, 2018 in Blog, Devotions, Guest Blogger, Lenten Devotional 2018 |

“That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases…. Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”

Mark 1:32-38

I need Lent. I need it this year more than ever. The Lord has brought me so far and yet I fall behind and don’t even realize. In Mark we see the true reason Christ came. Jesus healed many. Notice after a day of healing, early the next morning Jesus went to a solitary place to pray. He then was told there were more people to heal. Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else….that is why I have come.” I have been here so many times, “Jesus, what about my healing?” I am learning through this passage that Christ cares about my physical condition but His main focus is the Gospel. Physical healing would make God look grand, my soul is a much bigger deal for my Father.

I have grown proud this year instead of staying humble. Proud, meaning I check in daily with God, but mainly only spend quality time when things go bad. Humility is when I recognized my weakness. Weakness is seen as sad today, but when we are weak, He is strong. When I recognize my weakness, I lean on Christ harder, I extend grace much easier. There is a cleansing effect with weakness and suffering. This has hit home with many issues I am facing: marriage, kids, career, my health. I know Christ cares, but if I really get to the Gospel, it empowers all that I face. Not to frighten anyone as my marriage, kids, job and health are well, but all could be better if I stayed humble.

The reason I share this scripture and what God is teaching me is because where I am, what is influencing me, affects not only me and my family, but the ministries I am called into. It all goes back to the Gospel, and if we say the Gospel is true, we must serve. We were designed to serve.

I have been grouping with four amazing women for over 10 years now. This group is not a Bible study, it is an accountability group. We share our successes, failures, closest moments with God. We hold each other accountable and pray for each other throughout the week. When something happens to one of us, we are the first line of defense. A small group is needed to have a safe place to grow in Christ. I also have a heart for college students. I love to have them over and cook a homemade meal. This simple act means so much to them. The college students coming to Servants do not need to be entertained; they are hungry for spiritual food, and at times homemade food. Life gets busy but I make sure I push myself to make room. Human nature is to look out for yourself, your family first. I always know if I am in His will if the thing I am investing in is life-giving. I know this because I can be tired but when I push through and invest, I leave filled! Another ministry is to my pastor, my husband. Since the day Alex was ordained I heard the Lord instruct me that my main ministry was to him. I was not to be a partner in his ministry, meaning visible within the church. I heard very clearly to be home for the kids and for Alex. I am his prayer warrior, his sounding board, I believe in him and trust the vision God gives him. I look to him as my pastor. Though not visible, it is how I serve the church.

Since our children were born they saw groups meeting in our home, they rode along when we visited and picked up the Sudanese for church/youth group. It was also important for them to have their own ministry opportunity. They started their ministry in the church as acolytes. Before that time there really wasn’t a way for them to give back. As they grew up, if one wanted to stop serving as an acolyte we would say, “What other ministry are you going to take on?” They would pray about it and then tell us what ministry they wanted to invest in. As they grew, so did their ministries… nursery helper, kids church, Club 45, middle school youth while in high school, Young Life leaders/ high school group interns in college.

As I’ve seen my children grow into adults I noticed one consistent thing: they are all doing ministry. Off on their own in college and into adult life they continue to serve. I believe the foundation was set that is it expected for all of us to invest in Kingdom work. It has been a joy to see what God calls them to ministry-wise, which of course in turn has deepened their faith.

Jody Farmer

Jody has lived in Gainesville since 2002 and has been a part of this body since. She has three adult children, one daughter-in-law, and one soon to be son-in-law; Jake & Paige, Charleigh & Andy, and Samantha. She has been married to Alex for 26 years. She was a stay-at-home mom for 18 years before reentering the work force in 2012. She is the Senior Sales Manager at a publishing company. She enjoys interior decorating, thrifting and being anywhere with her family! She is so thankful for this church where she can be herself and grow more each year.

Border Crossings – Day 25

Posted on Mar 10, 2018 in Blog, Devotions, Guest Blogger, Lenten Devotional 2018 |

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

John 1:1

A border crossing carries with it a sense of the unknown, perhaps even a hint of danger. However, we do not have to travel to foreign lands to cross borders. Our country is divided – by race, social class, gender, religion, immigration status – and those borders are marked by incomprehension (“we” or “they” just don’t get it), fear, and sometimes loathing. As Christians, how are we to respond?

In reading the prologue to John’s Gospel I see the Incarnation as a grand border crossing – from God to man, from heaven to earth. But it was not the only one He made, because Jesus was born into a society like ours, with many borders. His natural place was in the center: He was Jew not Gentile, man not woman, healthy not sick, middle-class and educated not poor and unlettered, righteous not a sinner. In that, He was like many of us at Servants of Christ – born on the right side of all the borders. But the Gospels show us that He spent His adult life purposefully crossing all those borders, until finally He was executed for it. We know that God had a deep and mysterious purpose in all this, but His persecutors surely did not. They were reacting in fear and outrage to His actions. Did He have to heal on the Sabbath, consort with tax collectors and prostitutes, disrespect the spiritual leadership, and disown the temple as a place of worship? Apparently the answer to all the above is yes.

I have pondered for many years what the life of Christ implies for me, a wannabe disciple. Can I live a comfortable, middle-class American life and still reach heaven at the end? Part of me remains suspicious – my life seems too easy, too soft. Yet the Gospels contain hope – not just for the tax collectors, prostitutes and immigrants – all those on the wrong side of the borders we have constructed – but perhaps even for people like me. But if we are to follow Jesus I think we must seize the opportunities we are offered to meet people on the other side of our borders – they might be part of God’s plan for our sanctification. Perhaps ministry is not so much about changing the world but more about becoming part of it.

My worldview changed after Janice and I participated in a Just Faith class in 2009. This was a 6-month series of weekly meetings and readings, with occasional outreach events and other kinds of retreats. In Just Faith we discovered a theologically consistent doctrine of social justice, rooted in the scriptural truth that man is created in the image of God. But it is not always easy to put what we know, or even what we desire, into practice. It took several years after we finished Just Faith before I found the work I feel I was called to. In the meantime I saw several of my fellow participants find a role to play in advancing the Kingdom. But not me; my skill set, so well suited to making a good living, was not so great for helping others. But God and Gainesville Community Ministries combined to make an offer I could not refuse. Now I spend a couple of hours each week teaching high-school science to a group of adults that are several borders removed from where I normally live. It’s easy and obvious to count up all the differences. Yet we are all sinners in the sight of a holy God – more similar than all our differences. And I hope and believe that our time together, where besides our studies, we share our stories, our hopes, and our difficulties, is pleasing to Him.

In the Catholic tradition St. Veronica offers her veil to Jesus to wipe His face. I wonder if she saw Him, or one of the least on His way to a ghastly fate she cannot change. But it does not really matter, because according to Jesus, it is the same thing (Matthew 25:40). She simply offers her gift, which I think is all that we are called to do. But the altar might be across the border.

Tony Ladd

A member of Servants since the beginning, Tony has been teaching at Gainesville Community Ministry since the fall of 2012. In addition to teaching he enjoys working, reading, walking, and thinking.

Welcomed With Open Arms – Day 24

Posted on Mar 9, 2018 in Blog, Devotions, Guest Blogger, Lenten Devotional 2018 |

I first visited Servants somewhere back in 2013, I believe. I was immediately drawn to the liturgy, the beautiful mix and balance between the ancient Church and the presence of Christ in the contemporary world. The next thing I became acutely aware of was the lack of “judgmental” eyes, noses, and mouths. I was impressed by the sound doctrine and the great emphasis on the Word of God. I was rather blown away by the sense of acceptance I felt from Father Alex and so many others. I had been, for a couple of years, pretty much out of fellowship and disgruntled with some of the aspects of “Evangelical” Christianity, or at least the many forms of baggage it carried; though I had, after 25+ years of being an Evangelical, grown in my love for and knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. It took about another year after those first few visits before I started coming regularly as did my wife Annette. She too really dug Alex’s and the rest of the leadership’s preaching, etc. I began to experience a time of growth once again. I was meeting people and building friendships, not only with Alex, but also other brothers including Ken Campbell, Michael Duncan, Larry Goble, and so many more.

Over the past five or so years, I have been blessed to participate in things like driving Ms. Jerri and her great-grandkids to church for a time. And later, I was asked or invited to help out and become part of the audio-visual team. I have also been welcomed with open arms to start practicing with the worship (music) team. And yes, being historically a solo musician, playing with others has been and still is quite a (good) challenge! There has been, and is now on the horizon, so many ways to serve. The list could easily go on.

A few verses, life verses, come to mind as I reflect on the four plus years I have been attending (and this Sunday, am to be confirmed or received in) Servants of Christ Anglican Church. In 1 Corinthians 9:22b, St. Paul tells us that he has become all things to all men, so that he by all means may save some. I think, now a guy in his mid-fifties, that I have been able to realize that verse personally more so at Servants than anywhere else I have worshipped and fellowshipped in my almost 40 years of being a Christian. And another, in Romans 8:1, I find great assurance that “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

At Servants, this is a joyous reality.

Godspeed,

Dave Hall

Dave was born on Long Island, NY and moved to Florida as a new senior in high school. From 1980-1984 he was a medical laboratory specialist in the US Air Force. He loves to write and record original songs, having had a number of them published and given modest airplay on Christian radio. His wife Annette and he have been married for 30+ years and have been members of Servants of Christ Anglican Church since around 2013. Dave owns Out of Creation Jewelry where he creates and repairs jewelry. He loves the creative process, whether it is at the jeweler’s bench or playing guitar, writing, playing live, or recording songs.

Nothing Is Too Small – Day 23

Posted on Mar 8, 2018 in Blog, Devotions, Guest Blogger, Lenten Devotional 2018 |

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.

Romans 12:4-6

Being a member of this parish has been such a blessing for me. I’ve been able to use my gift of administration to help out in the church office. I started out with one day a week, then I added a second. Peace and a feeling of rightness came over me knowing I could make a difference when I made that commitment.

When I worked at my first career, Mondays were not something to look forward to even though I enjoyed my job. Now Monday morning I come in to the office and perform my tasks and know that I am helping others in their ministries. My main job as I see it is to move information from one person to another so others’ ministries flow more smoothly.

A fairly new ministry for me at SOC is cleaning the altar linens and getting them ready for the next service of Holy Communion. Every Monday I slip into the sacristy to drop off the clean, ironed linens and pick up the used batch from the previous week. As I wash and iron these things, I often think of how other people all over the world have done this very same thing through hundreds of years. It is my offering to the Lord, getting ready for a sacrament that represents His great love for each and every one of us.

I am blessed to be a part of the body of Christ which is SOC and is made up of many devoted volunteers. There are so many of us working toward a common goal, each dedicated to their particular ministry. It is easy to see the power of the Holy Spirit in us as we work. Whatever you feel called to do, take the chance and reach out; nothing is too small and everything is important. Every little thing we do weaves us together and makes us stronger in the Lord.

Susan Staley

Susan had a 30-year career at Fannie Mae working with foreclosure prevention, traveling all over the country monitoring and training servicers, as well as developing new procedures to streamline the process. She has 2 sons and 2 grandchildren. These days her favorite hobby is playing the mountain dulcimer.

These Faces Seem Familiar – Day 22

Posted on Mar 7, 2018 in Blog, Devotions, Guest Blogger, Lenten Devotional 2018, Uncategorized |

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. …’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Matthew 25:34, 40

To inherit the kingdom, I am directed to help the “least of these.” Jesus gives me some examples of those who fall into this category:

The hungry and thirsty – The homeless fit neatly into this group. But I don’t need to give to them because they will probably use the money to buy booze or drugs, right?
Strangers – Lately there have been several instances of people in town/coming to town who need a place to stay: people who were fleeing Irma, traveling ministry leaders, families of individuals receiving treatment at UF Health, old friends with young children. Yet my house is a bit messy, I don’t want to risk my children not sleeping through the night, and our dog doesn’t do well with strangers. If they understood my situation, they probably wouldn’t even want to come.
The naked – I give clothes to Goodwill all the time. Goodwill then provides my clothes to naked people, right? Check that one off the list!
The sick – I have a family with small children and it’s flu season, Jesus! It would be irresponsible for me to visit anybody at the hospital (i.e., flu den), let alone talk to my coworker who just sneezed.
Prisoners – Don’t those people have free food, television, and on-demand chaplains? Sounds like their needs are taken care of to me.

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. …’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Matthew 25:41, 45-46

This follow-up warning makes me extremely uncomfortable, but probably not as uncomfortable as Jesus when He is hungry, thirsty, lonely, naked, sick, and in prison. I feel God calling me to meet the needs of the least of these, irrespective of my family situation, health status (current or future), home size, handicaps, bank account, schedule, and especially my judgement of whether the person in question deserves help (spoiler alert: they deserve it!). So I ask you to join me as I attempt to picture the face of Jesus over the faces of those I would sooner not feed, accommodate, clothe, take care of, or visit.

For this season of my life, God has called me to help lead and direct Servant’s ministry to Littlewood Elementary School. Please understand that I am a solid introvert and that this is not something that I would ever choose for myself – it was more of a situation of a door the size of NASA’s Vehicle Assembly Building opening in front of me. I encourage you to not shy away from opportunities that make you uncomfortable or that you think are incompatible with your personality type. I suspect more and more that Jesus rarely calls us to actions which make us more comfortable, equally comfortable, or even slightly uncomfortable. To follow Him, we must deny ourselves and daily take up our cross. Then, from under our cross, we will more easily see His face.

Justin Smith

Justin has been a faithful sinner for the last 33 years of his life and continues to find inventive and creative reasons for putting his palm to his forehead and his foot in his mouth. He is devoted to finding ways of taking the abundance of privilege, blessings, and grace that are being dumped over him to point others to Jesus. Though he feels called to Littlewood for now, Justin’s heart also lies in helping the homeless of Gainesville. If you would like to join Servants in reaching out to the least of these at Littlewood, he would love to talk with you – drop him an email at enroth215@gmail.com.

Courage to Serve – Day 21

Posted on Mar 6, 2018 in Blog, Devotions, Guest Blogger, Lenten Devotional 2018 |

I wrote an awkward and somewhat raw description of my Kairos prison ministry experience on the Servants of Christ blog in November 2016. Lowell Correctional Institute (Lowell C.I.) is located 30 minutes south of Gainesville and is the nation’s largest women’s prison. Each Kairos Weekend is set up similar to a “Cursillo” (Anglican 4^th Day or Walk to Emmaus) weekend, and there are typically two of these weekends each year that take place in Lowell C.I. The Kairos reunions occur monthly and are about 3 hours in length, which allows time for Kairos volunteers to pray with and encourage inmates who attend. As I enter Lowell a couple of times each month for the reunions (Lowell C.I. contains two female prisons), each time it is challenging. First, a prison isn’t the most hospitable place; no one really wants to be there (inmates or guards); it is a sterile place. Many of the people I speak with seem aloof or defensive. Second, who am I to bring the Gospel to these people? Haven’t I committed crimes? Haven’t I done wrong in the eyes of God? I put these questions, and many more, to James (poor James), and I pray, and Christ grants me the courage to consistently serve. I have learned how to rely on Christ. I have learned obedience to Christ.

There are the times when I do sense His presence, and it is so joyful. One of these moments of joy occurred while in a room on death row. There are times when the women are real, their pain is real, and they are repentant and desperately seeking Him. This is not the norm though, and I cannot rely on the brief moments of joy for my motivation to serve. Most times, in order to motivate myself in preparation for a Kairos reunion, it takes serious reflection on the cross. He sacrificed all for me, and what do I do with that knowledge? What do I do for those He loves, for those He wants?

Even with the uncomforting factor of the prison environment, this ministry has strengthened my faith. Through mainly the sharing of testimonies, this ministry has profoundly made clear some of the basics of my faith that I thought I had already learned. For instance, truly admitting how my sin permeates and hinders relationships is one main area that became clear. On a more comforting level, I witnessed answered prayers, healing these relational wounds (personally, and in the lives of a few of the inmates). A long term ministry commitment helps one to grow in all areas of life.

Prison ministry is foundational in my walk with Christ, though I do not write this as a recruiting attempt. Anyone who is truly interested in prison ministry should be deep in prayer on the matter, prepared to enter a developing-nation-type of environment: lack of resources, lack of peace, anger, uncomfortable topics of discussion, and tribalism in a sense. A woman I worked with on a Kairos team mentioned that anyone considering ministry abroad should try their hand at prison ministry for a year before embarking, to serve as a preparation boot camp of sorts.

I sense I am most unqualified to suggest ministry to anyone, possibly due to my lack of experience. I can report that, spiritually, I have grown more by obediently serving at Lowell than I have in any other Christian endeavor. Additionally, I have gained the blessing of fellowship with many really amazing women (not only those who serve in Kairos with me, but quite a few of the inmates who truly embrace the cross and are a source of light in the compound). Pray wholeheartedly and consistently for guidance in whatever ministry you enter, don’t limit yourself due to fear and take that first step – you can do all things through Him.

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

Hebrews 10:24-25

Leann Manley

Leann is an associate professor and instructor in the biological sciences at the College of Central Florida and has been a part of Kairos Prison Ministry since 2016.

Surprised By Community – Day 20

Posted on Mar 5, 2018 in Blog, Devotions, Guest Blogger, Lenten Devotional 2018 |

Ministry has taken many forms in my life and has always been an important part of my journey. I was first introduced to tangible ministry in high school through my youth group by doing service projects and mission trips. These first experiences built a foundation. I continued doing ministry in college through Young Life, where God developed in me deep joy in being used by God to serve others. As newlyweds, Sean and I found various outlets to serve together, one of which was Amor (building homes in Mexico).

As I transitioned into motherhood, I contemplated how my call to mission had evolved. I learned that my ministry focus needed to be on my family and I felt a peace and a joy about that role. I have felt enormous contentment being a part-time stay at home mother and a part-time speech-language pathologist.

A few years ago God surprised me through a group of young mothers from Servants, when together we formed the “SHARE,” a Bible study. I have been blown away by how God has used our group as a support system for the women at Servants and beyond. God has brought women into our group who have needed love, who have needed friendship, who have needed affirmation, who have needed support. I love to look back and think about all the beautiful women I have met through this group and the way our group has evolved over the years. Together we have walked through some intense situations, some deep hurt, and some times of joy and blessing. We have shared meals, laughter, tears, prayer, study, and of course, parenting struggles; but through these precious moments I have made deep friendships. I have loved seeing the barriers come down in this space that God has provided. We are serving each other through this season of motherhood, which can sometimes feel like survival. Life’s busyness along with our many roles and obligations can feel daunting and mundane. C.S. Lewis’s words here lead me to recognize and appreciate the friendships that I have made in the SHARE:

“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art…. It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which give value to survival.” ― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

The SHARE has given value to my “survival” and I think that each woman who has been a part of the group would agree. We serve each other in many ways, whether it be meals, prayer, watching each other’s kids, or just letting each other vent; it has been a valuable ministry. Previously, I would not have considered a Bible study to be a ministry, but God has surprised me. Ministry takes many forms, and in this season one of its forms in my life is a small group of women walking through life together.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Acts 2:42

Caline McDermott

Caline and her family have attended Servants since 2012. She started with the SHARE 3 years ago (I think?). She works as a part-time speech-language pathologist at Glen Spring Elementary. Caline has also served as Community Group leader, organizes monthly meals for the homeless at Grace Marketplace, serves on the worship team, and makes meals for college Young Life leaders. Caline and her family are always looking for the next adventure, whether it be surfing, traveling to the mountains, listening to live music, or exploring new trails around town.

Blessed to be a Blessing – Day 19

Posted on Mar 4, 2018 in Blog, Devotions, Guest Blogger, Lenten Devotional 2018 |

I have spent more than five of the last six years serving in a ministry that serves a very marginalized portion of our city – women who have been sexually exploited, enslaved, demeaned and demoralized, coerced into drug addiction – all to maintain the balance of power by their abusers. We went out onto the streets of Gainesville and to motel parking lots late at night in search of our Father’s daughters, because He wanted them found. We found them at St. Francis House, befriended them at strip clubs, met them on their own ground, without judgment. We prayed for them, if desired, and offered them a way out of “the life” if/when they were ready. Seldom was prayer rejected. We searched through posted jail photos and began visiting them there. Eventually we started Oasis, sharing a meal, sharing God’s love for them through ourselves, His Word and prayer, and worshiped Him together in song. We often supported our sisters at court hearings and spoke out in their support. That is a quick, though very incomplete, synopsis of what Created is all about.

Ministries in the Church can be divided in many ways. I see two divisions and believe that we have a responsibility to participate in both of these: to edify and build up the body of Christ locally and to grow the Kingdom by sharing the Gospel of our Jesus.

As a member of our church family, we have similar responsibilities to each other as we have in our personal families. We can love one another through our talents and abilities but also by servanthood: taking a meal, visiting the sick, and helping before and after church events, praying for one another, encouraging and uplifting one another.

The second kind of ministry is to those who do not know our Jesus. It is a call to mission. It isn’t a suggestion made by Jesus but appears as an authoritative command at the end of the book of Matthew: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me: go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” In Romans 12:1, Paul urges us “to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” I love the notion that spending ourselves for others sacrificially is an act of worship. I struggled so much with trying to balance my time serving others in ministry with making time for prayer and worship throughout the day, and all along I was worshiping my Lord in action. What a comfort and blessing to know it was one and the same and the struggle unnecessary.

Being obedient does not require joining an organized ministry but it might. It could be as simple as praying daily for the Lord to send divine appointments and to fill you with His Spirit to boldly share your life in Christ and His Gospel in those situations as the Spirit leads. Parenting can be mission – sharing Jesus with our children, serving them, modeling “living in Christ.” How we respond to Jesus’s call is not so important. That we respond is essential.

The blessings that came with serving in ministry were many. Intimacy with the Lord grew and I found myself in prayer more frequently: while driving, at the gym, making supper, lifting women up in all their need, myself for strength and endurance and for those on our prayer chain. I kept lists of those prayed for and loved checking off answered prayers. It all built my faith and my reliance on the Lord. Using my talents to fundraise for Created through the many sales events in the ministry blessed me as well. It brought great joy and helped me to further develop these God-given gifts. I also observed miracles happening – God coming through again and again for the women and all of it grew my faith.

We are the redeemed in a fallen world. Our gratitude to our Jesus for what He did for us on the cross should be so great that it drives us to most willingly spend ourselves sacrificially in any way that we can. Blessed to be a blessing; saved to show others the way to salvation.

Consider serving in ministry as mission. Take 15 minutes twice a week to be in His presence, simply to listen to His heart for you and for His world. I dare you! And I dare you to pray this prayer that I prayed for the better part of one year while in discernment for missions: “Break my heart, Lord, for what breaks yours!”* I assure you He will show you exactly that corner of His heart that aches for a specific group of His people and He will lead the way for you to join or start that very ministry.

Nan Szypulski-Lewis

Nan is a retired speech and language therapist. She is also a mosaic artist, selling her work through galleries in Gainesville and St. Augustine and teaching mosaic workshops. She L O V E S helping others by volunteering her time and her talents. She also loves cooking and sharing meals with friends. When she’s no longer here, she hopes to be remembered as a “lover of Jesus” and a “servant of Christ.”

*Author Bob Pearce, founder of Samaritan’s Purse

Aware of the Neighbors – Day 18

Posted on Mar 3, 2018 in Blog, Devotions, Guest Blogger, Lenten Devotional 2018 |

In 2012, I realized that I had lots of spare time in my days. I was no longer working and since my mother’s passing I no longer had to help with her care giving. I was looking for a place to volunteer. A friend, whose husband was the director of Gainesville Community Ministries, suggested I start there. They needed a Language Arts teacher, so that is the position I took. Twice a week I meet with students who, for a variety of reasons, do not have a high school diploma. We work on reading and writing – but mostly reading. I have also volunteered with the adult literacy program at the public library.

I cannot imagine what it must be like to not be able to read; to see street signs or store advertisements and not know what they are saying; to be given a note from your child’s teacher, written directions, or a piece of paper to sign and not being able to comprehend the words on the paper. Think of the number of verses in the Bible that instruct us to study God’s words – how do we study it if we cannot read and comprehend it?

One of my favorite parables from the New Testament is The Good Samaritan. As we go about our day, we come across opportunities to show God’s love to our neighbors; and as Jesus said, our neighbors are the people we encounter in our daily life. One of the lessons I take from this parable is that we are called to notice others and show kindness, but we are also called to make a commitment. The Good Samaritan promised that on his return journey he would check on the man he had helped.

My commitment is to meet twice a week with people who haven’t had the advantages or encouragement that I have been blessed with and to offer both of these to them. I encourage each of you to be aware of the neighbors God puts in your path.

Janice Ladd

Janice has been attending Servants since the church first formed. She serves on the Missions’ Team, the Altar Guild, and has just joined the Vestry. This is only possible, because she is retired. Before retiring, she worked in early childhood education. Her husband, Tony, teaches at UF. She has one son, Marcus, who lives in Baltimore.