This morning Tiffany was getting ready to go to an all day meeting and asked me if I could help her by putting an English muffin in the toaster for her. I really did not feel like doing it. I was comfortable in my chair drinking coffee and reading something online. I wish that was not the case. I wish I had thought, “Hey, not only will I do that, but I will put butter and jam on it and fix her a cup of coffee for the road.” But my chair was sooooo comfortable and my coffee was still hot.

There it is. The old selfish nature poking its head out and thinking only of me. And aren’t we all like that? At least sometimes? If it’s not convenient, I don’t want to do it unless it somehow benefits me.

In Mark Chapter 10, James and John approach Jesus and request they be allowed to sit at his right and left when Jeus establishes his kingdom. They want the seats of honor. Jesus responds in a beautiful way: “…whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave to all. For even the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

Wow! Not only did Jesus say we need to get down and dirty to help each other, but he went on to say he will do this AND give his life up for us.

As you pray and think about where you might like to help at Team Church and in our community, please remember that Jesus did it first. And he is the model we should all be following.

On the Journey with you,
Scott

Sunday’s service is about just that…service. One of the four shared responsibilities of Team Church is to serve, and this weekend is a great time to find a place to serve in the church. “First Serve” Sunday is a special event sort of like a job fair for volunteers. Near the conclusion of the morning service, everyone will get up from their seats and mill around the ministry display tables.  Ministry leaders will be at each table to help each one figure out how he or she can get plugged in.

But what if…

• I don’t know what I want to do?
• I don’t know what I’ll be good at?
• I’m not sure I want to make a long-term commitment?

No problem. Don’t worry that you have to know for sure where you want to serve now…that’s why we call it “First Serve.” Just sign up for one or more ministry areas, and give it a try. There is no “long-term obligations” as the commercials say. We just want you to first serve in a few areas, and then you can commit to an area later to which you feel most called.

An overview of the ministry areas are available online anytime.  Browse the listing of volunteer opportunities at www.teamchurch.com/volunteer, and be sure to select “Lancaster Co.” from the “change campus” drop down menu.

As I left the house about 7am yesterday to pick up Dunkin Donut holes for church, it was pouring down rain.  I wondered if the rain was going to keep people indoors, and away from church.  I’ve heard somewhere that there are church-goers that melt in the rain!  My grandmother used to say that I wouldn’t melt in the rain, I would just lump.

Well the fear of melting never stops our awesome group of volunteers from rolling out at 8 am each Sunday morning to set up.  But we know that there will be times when team members will be away during sickness and special events, like this Memorial Day weekend.  So, spread the word that we can always use another helping hand.  That’s the spirit of teamwork! And as a team, we’re being counted on by friends that have already been invited, and others that just decided to come to church for the first time in a long time, come rain or shine.

Next Sunday, we’re going to display several ways in which everyone can serve.  So, until then, and at the great advice of Olivia, here’s a song to keep us focused during a gloomy, rainy week.

Click here to play Shine by Team Church Worship

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As life spins by at an uncalculable speed and my kids cause the gray shock of hair on my head to cover more of my cranial landscape, I constantly find myself thinking about how I am influencing my children. I gave up on profanity as a part of my daily routine a while back, but sometimes I use substitute words. Do you know what I mean? Words like “freaking”, “dang it”, and “heckfire”. OK, I think I just made that last one up, but I use substitute words to vent frustration, anger, etc. Sometimes when I am confounded by my wife or kids, I will say, “Seriously?” as in “Seriously, are you really holding trash that you dug out of the garbage can?” I never gave much thought to things like that till one day I overheard my oldest who is four say to my youngest who is 1.5, “Seriously Delia? Seriously?” That will make you pause and think about the level of influence you have.

As brothers and sisters of Christ, we are supposed to be known for being set apart. We are different from the people of this world. We have an eternal hope in our guaranteed final destination. We have a love that covers over us all. When you are thinking about helping grow God’s kingdom by sharing the Gospel which we are all called to do, don’t let it become an intimidating task. The way you live your life can be your influence, your witness, your expression of love not just to God, but to those around you.

Make the choice to be influential through your difference today. Don’t respond to the office gossip. Forgive your friend who let you down and remember why you are friends. Turn off the TV and talk to someone. Be a shoulder to cry on. These are not normal reactions of the world. These are actions of difference that will lead to joy and through your joy, the world can be influenced.