Presence
How many Lutherans does it take to gather for worship?
Do you know how many Lutherans it takes to gather for worship? Your church staff and elected leaders work hard to organize more than 120 volunteers each week to make sure everyone in the church has three opportunities for a full and rich Sunday morning:
1) An hour of worship;
2) 20-30 minutes of fellowship;
3) An hour of Sunday school or Bible study for all ages.
Sunday school and J-Church for our children takes volunteers. Our volunteers for leadership at Insight (adult education) have doubled in the last two years. There are some behind the scenes movers and shakers such as the money counters, Altar guild, church mice, coffee and treats, the sound board and PowerPoint operators – to name a few. Who is it that changes the paraments for the seasons, fills the wine cups, brews the coffee and advances the slideshow?
Then there are those we may notice each week: the greeters, ushers, readers, Communion assistants, musicians, worship assistants, choir and praise team. For all three services on a typical Sunday morning, we have as many as 30 volunteers helping make worship happen. That number is more than double when you include praise team, choir members, and special music.
Have you ever thought about being a lay volunteer during the week or on Sunday morning? It may be that little extra motivation you need to get you and your family here each week. How about lending your voice to the choir for a season? Maybe you prefer to be behind the scenes?
Contact a pastor, the choir directors or the Director of Lay Ministry, Tom Bond, to talk more about how you might volunteer. You can check out our opportunities to serve here on the website as well, click here!
You would be amazed at the difference giving 10 minutes of your time to prepare the morning reading, or 10 minutes during the service to help distribute Communion adds to your ability to worship. Volunteering during the service rarely takes away from your worship experience but adds to it. There may be nothing more powerful than declaring to your church family members that Jesus gave his flesh and blood for them when you assist with Communion. Seeing you serve once a month sends your children a strong message that worship is just as much about how God uses us as it is the peace or courage, we get from being with God.
Thank you for serving with joy and thanksgiving.
In Christ,
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