Serve

We are all probably familiar with the children’s song about our Gospel light. Jesus said, no one lights a candle and puts it under basket. We are called to let our light shine. Serving in the church is a very important way that we let our light shine to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ. When we serve each other we are living out our true identity in Christ, who was himself a servant of all humanity. We will be encouraging people to sign-up to assist us in a number of new and existing volunteer opportunities here at St. Luke. I would like to encourage each of us to identify at least one area of service in the church.

We know that your life is busy and likely God has called you to serve in the community or in your home in a variety of capacities. Therefore, most volunteer positions have been divided into short components. Training for most positions will be offered for most positions at least twice in the month of August, so that you will feel comfortable and know that you are supported as you volunteer for the church. Below is a partial list of volunteer opportunities.

Our God is a welcoming God. His gift of new birth in baptism not only gives us new life, it gives us a new family. Greeters welcome family members to celebrate our new life. Greeters invite us to gather around our Father’s table to share in the feast of victory. Greeters should be friendly people who are able to offer assistance without getting in people’s way. Individuals, as well as families may serve as greeters. Our goal is to have two greeters at each door for each service. Greeters should arrive fifteen minutes before services and remain at the door for the first five minutes of the service.

Ushers help people to feel comfortable by minimizing the distraction of uncertainty in the flow of the worship service. In addition to serving as the second line of greeters for guests, ushers assist people in finding a seat. They gather the offerings. In cases of emergency, they help people to make a safe exit from the building. Ushers should be friendly people who are able to offer assistance without getting in people’s way. Individuals, as well as families, may serve as ushers. Our goal is to have four ushers at each service. Ushers should arrive fifteen minutes before services and remain at the door for the first five minutes of the service.

The Lector proclaims the Word of God in the Scripture Readings during the Sunday services. Scripture readers are not just reading the lessons, they are proclaiming God’s Word. When we speak the Word of God, we are God’s mouthpiece. Each person will hear a message through you as God’s instrument. Through the Holy Spirit. God calls those with a good voice for reading and a good level of comfort to stand in front of the congregation in the Lay reader program. Lay readers are assigned in each service. In addition to reading the lessons for your assigned service, the lay reader is expected to read through the lessons and familiarize themselves with the Scripture lessons they are assigned to read. Individuals and families are invited to participate as Lectors.

Getting our services out to the community requires a great deal of work on the part of individuals who serve with great dedication as members of the tech team. AVL team members assist with the audio, video, computer technologies, and lighting in the congregation’s worship service. Members of the AVL Team usually serve both services on their assigned Sunday. Audio teams members are expected to participate in Thursday night rehearsals in addition to being present for the services on Sunday. Extensive training is available for all team members.

Like doughnuts, coffee is an expression of hospitality. When someone comes over to visit, it is normal to offer them a beverage. Our coffee bar provides an area to gather and encourage each other with supportive conversations. Those who are assigned to the coffee duty would either serve in the morning shift, which involves getting the coffee ready prior to the early service, or they would serve in the closing shift, cleaning out the coffee machines and putting away the supplies.

One of the important reasons we gather for worship each week is to encourage each other. Doughnuts provide an enjoyable experience that gives us a reason to gather in one space. As we gather in one space, we have the opportunity to encourage each other as we learn more about how God is working in the lives of the participants. Sharing coffee, tea, or water while we nibble on doughnuts provides a relaxing atmosphere to get better acquainted. While most of the doughnuts so far have been paid for through the generous donation of those who picked them up, we have received some special donations to offset the costs of doughnuts. The primary task of the Doughnut crew is to pick up the doughnuts and drop them off at the tables after the first service has started.

The Chancel team sets up and puts away the communion table each Sunday. In keeping with our conviction that God is present in the Bread and the Wine, members of the Chancel team serve with dedication and reverence. Because the communion ware is fragile, the Chancel team is not a suitable service opportunity for families with young children. However, individuals, husbands and wives and families with older children may serve on the Chancel team.

Jesus said, “By this the world will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” To ensure that we all can grow in our love for each other, we are organizing a fellowship team. The fellowship team will plan fellowship gatherings and community-building events. If you love people, love planning parties, and/or love going to parties, the fellowship team needs you. The fellowship team is a great opportunity for individuals and families to serve.