Eternal Value

Are you looking for friends, new experiences and excitement? You don't need to bungee jump, hike the Pacific Crest trail or travel to exotic lands. Volunteering can bring all of these things to your life and you can have an eternal impact on the lives of others as well.  

I come from a family that has modeled the importance of serving others. Some of my great memories are working with my dad and others putting up sheetrock and pulling wires in a new church building project my dad was heading up, helping my mom put together table favors for special events, and sewing curtains for the nursery with my mom and her friends.

From the time we got married my husband, Skip, and I have been involved in Awana. It's so fun to see "kids" that are now grown, and reminisce about them being in one of our Awana clubs. Today Skip is serving in Awana with a young man that used to be one of his clubbers! What a joy to be involved in the lives of these kids for eternity whether in Sunday school, Awana, nursery, Upward Basketball or some other ministry. 

Over a year ago my daughter expressed an interest in serving in Higher Grounds, the coffee shop at church.  We thought this might be a fun way to be able to serve together - and it has been.  She has also had the opportunity to learn some valuable job skills plus gain some real-world experience. Serving in Higher Grounds may not seem like it has eternal impact but we have been able to provide yummy drinks (and caffeine!) to church attendees and visitors to help them enjoy their day.  We've also had the opportunity to build relationships with the fabulous volunteers in the coffee shop and with those who regularly stop by.  Since people are eternal, working in the coffee shop does have eternal value!

Really, volunteering is just a way to be involved in the lives of others, to walk with them in life and to encourage them in their journey of faith - sharing in their joys, struggles and challenges.  Nothing could be more exciting than that!

--Karen Neill

 

THE GOD QUESTIONS

Exploring Life's Greatest Questions about God

If you would like to sign up for this 4-week small group then all you have to do is fill out your name, email, phone number, and specify which time you prefer to attend the class. It’s that easy. For any questions, you can call the church at (503) 364-2285 and ask for Pastor Jeff.

Click this link to sign up for The God Questions Registration  http://fbcsalem.org/godquestionsregistration/