SERVICE In Our Community

by brad on September 25, 2009 » Add the first comment.

Thank you for HOSTing or Leading a Small Group of LifePoint Church.  We have three objectives for each Small Group:

  1. Discipleship
  2. Community
  3. Service

On week 4 of “Centered” we will be discussing Service: Ministry & Mission.  We would love for EVERY Small Group to choose a service opportunity and serve together to meet the needs of others.

Remember….nothing brings a group together like a service project. This doesn’t need to be difficult or require more time than you have to give. Every group is different and has different things that speak to their hearts. Some like to love on the elderly, some are fix-it-upers, some like to cook meals for those in tough times, and others don’t have time but like to collect goods or contribute specific items. God made us all different for a reason….and He needs us for ALL of those reasons.

Look over the list below. Some are one time deals and others are a long-term commitment. One of these may or may not speak directly to you but perhaps there is someone in your group that would love to do it.

Please print out the list and discuss these idea at your next small group gathering.

If you want more detailed info you can call/email the person coordinating the need.

1) Change the life of a child with just one hour of your week by mentoring a K-5th grader at Stewartsboro Elementary

  • Read with them in the library
  • Play some ball with them in the gym
  • Stop by and eat lunch with them
  • Show up with cupcakes or cookies on their birthday
  • CONTACT: Rodney Knight (rodney327@gmail.com)

2) Gather your group and help make the city a cleaner and environmentally safer place. Greg Upham with the Town of Smyrna is responsible for storm water cleanup. There are several drainage ditch areas that collect trash & debris. A few people and an hour or two of your time can make a huge difference while also showing the city officials that LifePoint cares about our community.

3) Smyrna has a wonderful non-profit organization that truly makes life special for those with special needs. The organization is called ABLES and they provide recreational activities for special needs children and young adults in Rutherford County. Things like bowling, softball, day camp and even dances. Nancy Scott is always in need of volunteers to help with these events and is also looking for someone good at photography to take pictures at these events so they can include them in their annuals.

  • CONTACT: Nancy Scott 220-9161

4) The (CMJC) Christian Men’s Job Corp is getting very close to a relationship with LaVergne High School in which they would provide life skills & job skills to Senior (males to start) who don’t have the means to continue their education. They are in need of teachers (can be male or female) and coaches (male only) to work with these young men. This would be a 10 week commitment that would begin in October. It would require 4 hours each week or two 2-hour sessions. (evenings 6-8) With a little time & love you could change the course of a young man’s life.

5) Love to cook? Food warms the soul! There are so many families going through tough times that need a little extra help around the house. One of the most challenging is feeding the family. We could probably give you a new list every week of people that could use our help with meals. If your small group likes to cook please let us know and we can keep you aware of families in need. This week’s family has some home renovation going on. The work being done is by one of our other small groups and is being done to help this family care for their 3 year old daughter who now suffers from a brain injury due to drowning in a pool several months ago in LaVergne. They need some light handy man help as well as meals for this family while their kitchen will be out of service. If you can help:

6) A lady in Burton Farms (off Chicken Pike) has just been diagnosed with stage 3-C Ovarian Cancer. Her husband got put on part-time status several months ago, thus losing his insurance. This family is not only fighting for the life of this loving mother & wife but now facing the horrific stress of the medical bills. Meals or small monetary donations, lawn care or just sending a card letting them know your small group will pray for them would be a wonderful gift of Christ to share with this family.

7) Love Halloween & want to show the Town of Smyrna that LifePoint is excited to be a part of this community? Get involved with this year’s Halloween in the Park. It’s happening October 24th and they need volunteers. They are looking for “spooks” to work on the trails & also folks who want to help with the games. (egg toss, sack race, pie eating, inflatable games, etc.) Let’s love on Smyrna residents!

LifePoint also has a lot of church members that operate, run or work with local charitable organizations. To view these organizations and to get more info on their volunteer opportunities & service projects you can visit  http://www.lifepointchurch.org/local

Lastly, for you creative groups that want to come up with your own projects, here are some great ideas on how to serve those in your community:

  • Hold a neighborhood or work-place food drive & donate the goods to your local food bank
  • Visit a senior center/retirement home and help with social activities
  • Have each group member clean out their closets & donate items to the local Salvation Army
  • Purchase inexpensive coats for school children that will be without them this winter. Contact your local school to determine sizes needed & coordinate delivery
  • Contact local treatment centers & see about offering transportation for sick individuals who need the help
  • Contact your local dialysis center & offer to make snacks for their patients on special needs diets. (They have to sit there for hours & are typically all alone)
  • Donate Blood
  • Purchase an extra cup of coffee or newspaper for the person in line behind you.

Please let us know if you adopted a project by entering the name of it in your weekly attendance where it says “Recent Mission Project Completed:”
Thank you again for your service, your leadership, and your desire to live a Christ-centered life.

Thank you for sharing with your small group and serving God together.  Please email Eddie.mosley@lifepointchurch.org your choice.

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