Ministry…It’s for You!
What does it mean to do ministry? For many of us, we think of ministry as something we do at church, or at least connected to a specific church group. If it doesn’t involve the Bible then it can’t be ministry, right? Or if no one is converted on the spot or they don’t show up in worship next week, then it might not be good ministry. Ministry is sometimes seen as something that we aren’t equipped to do and/or the stuff you pay a pastor to do. It might be that we have an unclear definition of what ministry really is.
According to The Externally Focused Church by Rick Rusaw and Eric Swanson, our definitions of ministry are often too narrow. “Ministry is simply ‘meeting another’s need with the resources God has given to you.’” With this definition of ministry we may be able to claim a new outlook on what we are already doing and really make a difference for God’s Kingdom.
First let’s understand that ministry can either be inward or outward focused. When we become a church that is too inward focused, we forget that Jesus came to “proclaim good news to the poor, freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, and to set the oppressed free” (Luke 4:18). If Jesus came to serve others, then we should do the same out of love for Jesus. We must get involved out in the world, not just on Sundays or limited to people who are members of our church family. Outward-focused ministry is when we go forth to engage with the community and take the light of Christ into the world. Where is our focus?
Carson UMC has a lot of ministries that are outward focused; reading with elementary students on a weekly basis, monthly Sunday School at the nursing home, Bible studies outside the church, adopt-a-family at Christmas, a Thanksgiving meal for the community, Ingathering, the Riverside Food Pantry, live streaming of our worship services, the community garden, and a workout group to name a few. Mt. Hope also cares about the community with Mission Breakfasts, a Bible study in a public place, a soup supper, helping at Care and Share House and others ventures. To do these well we need to continue to grow in the depth of our faith. That is where Bible studies and small groups come into play. Some inward focus is necessary to equip and encourage us to go out into the world and change lives.
Some of you might not be involved in any of the above mentioned programs, but keep reading before you get down on yourself. How involved are you in the community already? Many of you coach, volunteer, and serve on the Optimist Club/Lions Club, Rodeo Committee, School Board, or City Council. What if you began to embrace those things as your ministry? It might change how you function within the organizations and how joyful you are when things get busy. A coach can coach to win or to win AND shape the lives of young people in a positive way. You can volunteer or you can see your volunteer work as a way to show others the love of Christ. This is a new a way to look at things you are already doing. If they involve the community and serving others, then they can be ministry!
Our church is involved in a process called Healthy Church Initiative where we are going to nail down a vision for our church. What need in our community is our church specifically gifted to help meet and how can that bring glory to God? God must be the catalyst behind this action. We need you to help us by telling us how you are already involved and what needs exist in the community.
During Lent, our sermon series will highlight our new understanding of ministry as anything that meets the needs of someone else with the resources God has given to you. This new approach to life might change your present, your future, and the lives of people in our community. Ministry is for you because God is working through you and all of us together! -Pastor Brody
CELEBRATION MOMENTS
-Celebrate the ministry of the United Methodist Women (UMW)! If you want to get involved, this group’s next meeting is Tuesday, February 2, 9:30am, at Carson UMC. If you have any questions talk to Margot Young (712-484-3677).
+Sunday, December 13 the UMW hosted their Christmas Dinner following worship. They prepared ham, cheesy potatoes, green beans, and desserts. It was fun for everyone to spend quality time together and to meet new people.
+Did you know that the UMW is providing Clorox wipes and Kleenex to all of the Riverside Schools? These ladies see a need and decide if they can help meet it. Thank you, UMW, for being a part of serving God by caring about our community!
+The UMW also sews lap quilts for people who are battling sickness or who need to know they are loved by God. If you go to the Oakland Manor you will probably see quite a few of these beautiful quilts lying on the laps of residents. Thank you, UMW, for sharing God’s love with the elderly and sick.
-Celebrate the ministry of the Suzanna Circle! If you would like to get involved, they meet on Thursday, February 25, 7pm, at Carson UMC. Talk to Karen Gravett if you have questions (402-681-7428).
+On December 16, the Suzanna Circle wrapped all the gifts that church members had volunteered to buy for a few families needing some assistance to have gifts to give at Christmas. Thanks for showing God’s love to people in our community!
+The Suzanna Circle spent time decorating the church for Christmas and taking down the decorations after Christmas. They also organized the poinsettias that people could sponsor that decorated the church. Thank you for this service to everyone who got to experience a beautiful church during worship.
-Let’s celebrate the Christmas Worship Services we had at Carson UMC!
+For the last few years we have had a Blue Christmas Worship Service at Carson UMC. The Stephen’s Ministry Team leads the service. It is for anyone feeling lonely, depressed, overwhelmed, or missing a loved one during the Christmas season. It is a place where people who aren’t feeling full of joy during “the most wonderful time of the year” can come and express their feelings to God and others that care about them.
+Carson UMC had two Christmas Eve Worship Services; 4pm and 9pm. They included scripture, carols, preaching, and candlelight singing of Silent Night.
-Let’s celebrate the Tree of Lights and Christmas Eve offering taken during Advent.
+Each year, Carson UMC has a small tree that begins Advent unlit. We decide where this special offering will go and people can give as they feel led. When they give they twist a light bulb and the tree slowly becomes bright. This year the offering and Christmas Eve offering was taken to provide for people battling chronic disease and have to drive to Council Bluffs or Omaha often for doctors appointments. We collected just under $2,000! Praise be to God. Some people in our community will feel the love of God during a trying and exhausting time! Thank you to all who felt prompted to give by the Holy Spirit.
-Let’s celebrate the Healthy Church Initiative (HCI) process at Carson UMC!
+HCI is a process to grow the leadership skills of pastors and laity as we discern our distinct passion for serving God and our community and make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
+A large group of people from Carson UMC attended the last meeting on January 9. They had a blast discerning where God is calling us in the future. Thanks to everyone who is making this process a priority!
+The group meets one Saturday of every month under the leadership of Pastor Melissa Drake (the Field Outreach Minister in the SW District) and Bobbye Schubert, a lay member at Greenfield UMC. Anyone is welcome to attend the sessions and help our church grow even stronger! The next session is February 13, 10am-3pm, at Fifth Avenue UMC in Council Bluffs. Talk to Pastor Brody if you’re interested in attending.
-Let’s celebrate our ConfirmationClass and volunteers!
+Five junior high and high school students are meeting every Wednesday evening before youth group for in-depth study of the Bible and discussion about what it means to proclaim their faith to the world. This group will meet for three or four months, study and serve, and then end by joining our church and either claiming their baptisms or being baptized for the first time. They are reading their new Bibles and discovering what it means to serve others with the love of Christ. Paula Pilling is right beside them as they learn and ask questions.
-Let’s celebrate our Youth!
+The United Methodist Youth Fellowship (UMYF) meets every Wednesday evening at 6:30pm under the leadership of Mark and Susan Beedle. They share a meal, study the Bible, and have fun!
+We welcome volunteers to take a week to make supper for these kids during youth group. They eat at 6:30pm and there are about 15 of them. Please talk to Mark Beedle, Susan Beedle, or Pastor Brody if you are interested in taking a turn.
+Our youth are also active in sports, music and drama, academic endeavors, and sharing their own ways of serving our community. Thank the Lord for the talents of these young people and the inspiration they are to us! Encourage a young person this week; it is an investment in the future.
-Let’s celebrate the Child CareTeam!
+Did you know that we have a great group of people who have volunteered to take their turn in the nursery every couple of months? Our Child Care Team is made up of Barb Hart, Erin Drake, Josh and Melissa Hawkins, Michelle and Brooke Faxon, Donell Kvaal, Becky and Lindsey White, Cassi Reed, Shiloh Olmstead, Joni Gordon, Abby Taylor, and Mitch and Jennifer Rice. Nursery volunteers allow parents of young children to spend a little time worshipping Jesus and praising God each week.
-Let’s celebrate Mt. Hope UMC!
+Mt. Hope UMC worships at 9:30am every Sunday. This means that people who have Sunday activities can almost always be in worship. Stop by on your way to Council Bluffs and take time to worship our Lord and Savior.
+Mt. Hope UMC has Mission Breakfasts so we can financially support the ministry of the Care and Share House in Council Bluffs. People who are in need can find food and clothing at this wonderful place. In addition, many members of Mt. Hope UMC spend multiple days a week volunteering at the Care and Share House. Join us for the next potluck-style Mission Breakfast Sunday, February 14 at 8:30am, in the church basement.
+Mt. Hope UMC also has a Bible study on Thursdays at 1pm in the Greenbriar Apartments Club House. Everyone is welcome to attend.
+Mt. Hope now has children’s activities during the sermon. So bring your young children along and during the sermon they can do an activity while you relax and listen.
+Mt. Hope UMC is planning some fun gatherings on the church grounds where people can spend time together and children can run and play. We are just waiting for the weather to get warm!
+If you know of someone looking for a traditional worship service in an open country church, Mt. Hope is the place to be! It’s located on Highway 6 about a mile west of the Treynor T. People are attracted to different styles of worship and different settings. Mt. Hope is unique because there aren’t many open country churches left. So, if a friend of yours was raised in a country church and that’s what they are looking for, Mt. Hope UMC is for them and they will be welcomed!
-Let’s celebrate HolyBaptism!
+Emery Grace White was baptized on Sunday, December 27 at Carson UMC.
+ A BIT ABOUT EMERY
Emery Grace White is the daughter of Patrick and Becky White. She has four older sisters; Baylee, Lindsey, Taryn, and Willow. She's a very happy baby and loves her sisters as much as they love her. She fights going to sleep at night and mom and dad are still trying to find a solid food that she will willingly consume! Her calm and peaceful demeanor blends perfectly with the crazy schedules and happenings of a house with six ladies and one Patrick!
A Birthday Thank You!
Thanks to Mt. Hope UMC for recognizing my birthday and Carson UMC for having a birthday potluck for me after worship. It reminds me how blessed Maddie and I are to be a part of these church families. When I arrived at Carson and Mt. Hope UMC I was 25, and I just turned 29! Can you believe you all have almost gotten me to my thirties, and I don’t have gray hair yet?! Just kidding! Time has flown by, and God has guided us through so much. Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and gifts. God bless you all! -Pastor Brody
One Way to Get Involved
Ministry should be primarily focused on helping our community and reaching out with the love of Christ. That is what will draw people’s interest toward Christ and God’s love will do the rest. So, here is one way, among many, to help our community; volunteer at the concessions stand for high school games.
Bradley Swope and I recently helped at the concessions stand, and we had a blast! We got to talk to new people, and laugh with old friends. It didn’t take us long to catch on to how they serve food, but all you really have to do is help customers. If you are interested, you don’t have to do any food prep because it is already there waiting when you arrive. Just have a smile on your face!
Why the concessions stand? Well, do you remember being a parent of a high school athlete? Do you remember when the coaches or administrators would beg you to take a turn in the concessions stand? All you really wanted to do was watch your child! Parents never had to miss their child’s game to work in the concessions stand, and I think that rarely happens now. But what if parents could even enjoy the games before or after their child’s game or enjoy those precious years of competition and learning without another task on their plate? Maybe our church could do our best to ensure that no parent of a high school athlete ever has to work the concessions stand. Then, when their children graduate, they will be refreshed to take their turn and return the favor. Plus, if they are ever looking for a church, they might remember that “those nice church people” cared about them, even before they walked through the doors of the church building. Talk to me if you are interested in volunteering and making this a ministry! -Pastor Brody