God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

Hebrews 6:10 NIV

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

Galatians 5:13 NIV

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

1 Peter 4:10 NIV

On this very dreary-looking, rainy day, I’d like to share a very bright spot from my weekend – Parent’s Night Out on Friday. I can’t tell you how much joy this monthly event brings to my life! I will admit that there are times when I think I will skip it and stay home but I don’t. I go and I am reminded why I am always happy to be there. This past Friday was no exception. As I sat at the registration table a family came and their 3 year old son came running to the table, he was SO excited! This was their second time at PNO and one of our youth had made such an impression on him the first time that he couldn’t wait to see her again. Unfortunately, that youth was not able to be there and there were a few moments of disappointment for him but he quickly moved into joining the other children and had a great time in spite of missing his new friend. We had another family come, also for their second time and I had the opportunity to talk with his mom towards the end of the night. I was able to share with her what a great help her older son had been and just to sing his praises of how I had observed him throughout the night. I learned that their first visit was a while back when the program had just begun and they had come as a response from receiving one of our postcard mailings. We have several families that come because someone they know from our church has shared our Facebook posts. Other families come because their children go to our childcare center or Sunshine Mountain Preschool. Every month I am always amazed by how well the children play with each other. We are grateful to those who have donated toys – toys that offer opportunities for the children to interact with each other. I have witnessed the love and care brothers and sisters have shown one another in their parents’ absence. I have witnessed relationships being built between the children and the youth and ladies that generously offer their time each month. We are providing opportunities for not just these relationships but also for their parents/guardians who get a chance to have a night out. There is no greater reward than to hear how much these parents appreciate this ministry. I will never forget the night when one of the dads came back into the church after they had left, just to say how much they appreciate what we do.

This is just one of many ways available to serve here at Christ Church. We are all called to use whatever gifts God has given us to serve others. Let us consider how and where God can use us. Where is God calling you to serve in 2017? Let us go and let us serve Him!

Amen!

Liz