“Wow” was the remark I heard the other day from a friend when I told them of the upcoming events in life of the church. He was surprised to hear of all that we were doing in the life of the church: the pancake breakfast, Fall Festival for Kids, local mission, WV Mission Trip, Interfaith Hospitality Network, Worldwide Communion Sunday, Veteran’s recognition Sunday, Consecration Sunday, Walk for Hunger, Flu Shot Clinic, and looking a little farther ahead in the calendar Christmas Party for Kids, Church Christmas Dinner, and the annual Christmas Pageant. I did not even mention our growing youth Sunday School, the five adult Sunday School classes, Alpha Group, the Tuesday night Bible Study at Border’s, Presbyterian Women or our regular meetings of Deacons, Session, and various committees. 

Our church is also host to a Cub Scout group, Boy Scout group, a youth choir, Young Life and several Girl Scout groups. Perhaps “Wow” is an appropriate comment when I begin to look at the list.

His next remark was interesting, he said, “Why do you do all these things?” My first thought was to go into a long discussion on how opening our doors to the community creates a stronger community, how we are called to go into the world, the fellowship that occurs at these various events, the need to study God’s word as a part of our ever continuing growth in Christ, and the opportunities for service. It was an overwhelming response, so I said, “It’s what we do.” In other words, this is what churches, this is what congregations, this is what disciples of Jesus Christ are supposed to do. It’s what we do.

As parents, Christa and I make sure our kids get to school, are fed decent and nutritious meals, are put to bed at a reasonable hour, are taken to the doctor and dentist when necessary, and anything else that helps in their nurture and growth as children. It’s what we do as parents, there is no choice in this matter, it’s just what we do.

The same holds true of us as servants and disciples of Jesus Christ. Living the servant life becomes part of what we do. We don’t wait to be served, we ask where can we help. We don’t wait to be asked, we sign up. We pay attention to what is happening in our church and in our community and we step up. We look at the broader picture, not just what is in it for me, but how does impact those around me. We are constantly on the look out for what is going on in the lives of others and seeing where a prayer, a helping hand, a phone call, a meal can help that person in need.

Jesus called us to this servant life when he got down on his knees, just before his death on the cross, and washed the feet of his disciples, encouraging them and us to be a servant people. Why are you doing this Jesus was the question on the disciples lips. The answer was quite simple, It is what you will need to do as disciples when I am gone.

There should be a question on our lips as well it should be “What can I do to help?”

Peace,
Rev. Phil