How does serving others help me grow as a disciple of Jesus?

Mark 10: 45 For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Serving others in ministry and missions gives you a sense of belonging as a member of the Body of Christ. When you are helping others, the focus shifts from you to them. When you serve, you forget your own problems and are reminded that others also face difficulties in their lives. This helps you appreciate what you have and reminds you that you don’t suffer alone.

By serving others in your community or by serving in a ministry at church, you feel useful and needed. Having a positive impact on someone else’s life reminds you of the value you bring and gives your life purpose. Feeling fulfilled makes you incredibly happy. 

Serving others opens doors to solving your own problems. When you help someone else, you are gaining a new perspective. You are problem-solving. You are gaining experience. Whatever your problems may be, the process of adding value to someone else’s life helps you learn, adapt, and have a better chance of solving your own issues.

Serving others helps you to become more like Jesus Christ who came not to be served but to serve. Remember the spiritual principle always at work: the more you give your life away to God and others the more divine life you will receive in return. We see in John 12:26, “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.”

I want to serve! What should I do? 

Matthew 24:40 Whatever you have done for one of the least of my brothers and sisters, you have done for me.

We have a ‘playlist’ of serving opportunities for you to discern and pray about what might work the best for you to grow as a disciple. You may feel called to become an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, a reader, altar server, hospitality minister, cantor, choir member, welcome desk attendant, screens operator, live-stream camera operator, join a small group, become an adorer, the list goes on! “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. 

You may be called to serve in our wider community by taking holy communion to the homebound, visiting people at skilled nursing facilities, bagging groceries for our Good Samaritan food pantry, knitting blankets with our Warm Up America team, or help the seniors of our parish in our newly formed Golden Grace outreach. See the list at the welcome desk or call the rectory for more information on how to serve!

Save the Date! On Saturday October 22nd we will be hosting our 1st annual parish service day. We will begin with a blessing for all the volunteer ministers at the 8:15 AM Mass and conclude by 12 PM with a lunch in the Parish Center. There will be opportunities to serve at various community organizations and on church property throughout the morning. This is a great way for you, or your family, to get started with serving in our parish community. More details as well as sign ups to come!