Service

Throughout the Bible, God calls people into service.  To name a few, we have Moses, Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Jonah, John the Baptist, and Saul (who became Paul).  Not all of these servants were perfect—in fact many of the servants were hardly that excited about being called into God’s “army.”  But they went---and God provided the help to all who had a willing heart.  God wants to make a covenant with us that he will be with us to the end.  Our part of the covenant is simply to be willing servants.

We need to have a willing heart to serve.  As a part of the Covenant Prayer which John Wesley asked his Methodists to confirm each year since the year 1780, he said


Even though we are blessed at Garner UMC to have a wonderful professional staff which works extremely hard as a team, it is important to remember that every member of the Church is in fact a minister.  The word minister means “servant.”  So, let us all think about how we can serve.  By the way, we all can serve in some way.  Listed below are some of those ways, but you may think of others and you may already be involved with other valid ministries in the community (which we would like to know about).
Take time to look at these specific ways in which you may be service to your Lord and to your Church.

o    I commit to volunteer on weekdays at the Church assisting the Church staff in its work.
o    I commit to volunteer once a quarter in the nursery.
o    I commit to volunteer as a youth counselor for the Year 2011.
o    I commit to playing in the band—either for Spoken4 or the JOG Band.
o    I commit to going on a missions work team to Haiti in 2011.
o    I will commit to help lead Children’s Church during worship on a rotating basis.
o    I will commit to helping in the Church nursery during Wonderful Wednesdays.
o    I commit to serving the Church in helping improve the church grounds and facilities whenever called upon by the Trustees.
o    I commit myself to work with Scouting.
o    I commit myself to work as a part of the “tech team” which will run sound and video for worship and other activities.
o    I commit myself to help put up chairs and tables for activities at the church as I am called upon.
o    Underline one of the following: I am willing to serve in the choir or as an usher, or as a greeter for worship.
o    I commit myself to serve at the TIKI Hut information center.
o    I commit myself to be available to help serve or cook meals in times of bereavement or other needs.
o    I commit myself to work in the Holy Java Café.
o    I commit myself to serve on committees of the Church as I am asked to do so.
o    I am willing to help cook and serve food---and to help clean up---for the HOPE ministries.
o    I am willing to help teach Sunday School for children or youth.
o    I will be a faithful member of Methodist Men or of one of the circles of United Methodist Women.
o    I am willing to help carry out communion to the homebound in the community.
o    I commit myself to read scripture or serve communion during worship.
o    I would be willing to help contact first-time visitors to our church.
o    I would be willing to take CD’s/DVD’s of worship services to homebound members.
o    I would be willing to serve in other ministries, such as ________________________