Volunteers Bring the Joy of Jesus to People
(Posted June 10, 2021)
“Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation’s compassion, unselfish caring, patience, and just plain loving one another.”
- Erma Bombeck, author and humorist
The wonderful thing about a Sunday when we honor everybody who in some capacity volunteers for our church is that it’s an opportunity to thank the people who have faith in what First Church is doing. For me as Pastor, if you care enough to volunteer – whether that involves cookies or hitting High C’s – it means you believe in the worthiness of our efforts to bring the joy of Jesus to people.
Church Services on Sunday
In-Person Service begins at 10 a.m. Please observe these social distancing guidelines when you worship with us.
Watch us on Facebook: We livestream our services to Facebook. You may view them live or on demand at www.Facebook.com/DanburyChurch/videos.
Volunteers Impact People
It doesn’t matter what it is that you do. One way or another what you voluntarily do impacts the lives of many, or even just one.
I know it may seem strange to think when you, as a Thrift Shop volunteer, sort clothes or run the register, that you could be saving someone. But you literally make the world better for someone you’ve not met.
I know it may not seem like much to show up early for services and, as a deacon, set up communion or fill the candles or set the communion table, but it is you who put the polish and sparkle into Sunday rituals.
I know it may be hard to schedule rehearsals for kids to learn how to sing and act in the Community Chorus. But we’ve all noticed how some of the most timid children have blossomed into performers, all the while enjoying themselves, and making parents proud.
I know that signing up for coffee hour and bringing your best cookies may not feel earth-shaking. But you never know how lonely one of your fellow church members may be when you serve them. Just that one smile and discussion with you might well dispel his or her sense of alone-ness, to help give someone a sense of belonging that lasts well beyond Sunday.
I know you think no one knows or cares as you sit at night knitting or crocheting a prayer shawl that will be given to people going through hard times. But you see, you have never seen as I have the joy and surprise on their faces when we wrap it around them.
I know that it’s hard to make time for choir rehearsal, with your busy schedule. And yet you will never fully appreciate how your voice ignites a flame of joy in so many people sitting in the pews or tuning in to our livestream or YouTube replay.
I know that you may think that what you teach our littlest kids about Jesus and God in Church School is just a drop in the bucket, but years from now that one thing you told them about loving people will be the thing that gets them through the tough moments of young adulthood.
I know that committing yourself to being a Council member requires time and meetings. But above all else you KNOW how important it is to keep First Church not only alive, but healthy.
The Truth About Volunteering
You see, all these seemingly small acts of volunteering really are facets of one much larger truth: That we can manifest our love for the Christ we see in the faces of all the people we touch in many, many different ways. On behalf of all the people you have touched, THANK YOU.