Note from Pastor Jana We continue remembering our vows and what they mean. This is the last article on our vows because service and witness go together! Here are the vows we take when we join the church: We vow to faithfully participate in the life and ministries of our local congregation through our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. Now this is really about putting those gifts in action! You want to serve in a way that fills your soul. You want to joyfully serve or at the very least enjoy it to some extent. Otherwise, it’s not being authentic to who you are. It’s allowing all of the pieces of our vows to come together. Pray for how God is calling you to serve. By sharing your gifts and service, you are going to be present and others are able to witness your faith in action. Our vows really intertwine together. What God desires is a faithful response, a joining in mission and ministry that responds to God's love and grace. In the General Rules of the church, John Wesley called the early Methodists to live out their faith by "doing good of every possible sort, and, as far as possible, to all [people]." What good can you offer in the world? We know there are all types of way to serve. Good at writing cards? Send a card or note to someone letting them know they are loved or invite them to church. Good at singing - Join the choir! Good at cooking - join Let’s do lunch crew. You can find something that can be done at church and is needed. You can find ways of serving the community around us too! Identifying the needs in a community and taking action is what witness is all about. When we live out these vows, we can do it privately, but we are called to witness. So, every once in a while be sure to live them out loudly. You can do that by sharing with neighbors or strangers. As Saint Francis of Assisi says, “Preach the gospel at all times and use words when necessary.” Leading a Christian life by example is a form of witness. In Christ, Pastor Jana
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