We’ve just celebrated National Volunteer Week 2018 (May 21-27). St John’s literally could not run without the massive support of our volunteers.
If you’re one of them; THANK YOU.
Your service to others is so greatly appreciated.
Paul wrote in Romans:
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
Serving one another, whether that be through existing church structures, or more organically through loving support and care, is just as much an act of worship as the songs that we sing, or the prayers that we offer. Giving up our own time and priorities to provide for others, and for God’s work, is pleasing to God, and brings him great joy!
This week, I spoke with some of our volunteers (you can read these stories on our website stjohnsdc.org.au/nvw), and hear their stories of serving in their lives.
What came through each of these peoples stories, was that while they were giving up their time and energy to serve, they were receiving far more than they were giving. The joy, relationships and experience they gained through their volunteering greatly outweighed anything they lost.
Scotty and Joy Maxwell said that once they were compelled to serve God and His mission, they didn’t know where to serve. So they gave the time that they had available over to God, and asked Him to use it for His purpose. That’s a bold prayer to pray, and God opened doors for them. He used the time they had given over, as well as their gifts and passions, to serve His purpose.
You might not know where or how to begin serving, but handing over your time to God, and honestly offering it to him is the best place to start.
The next best place to start is by offering to serve around St John’s. There are plenty of teams at all our services, and outreaches which are looking for more hands. Head to stjohnsdc.org.au/volunteer and put your hand up for something. You never know what God will use that offering for.