FAITH CONNECTION – FARMERSVILLE UMC
Ministry Updates for Tuesday, July 28th, 2020
Faith Connection emails will be coming from my email this week. – Carol Barnes
The following devotion is contributed by Carol Barnes
Scripture: We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” Romans 12:6-8
Reflection:
This spring we set out on what would become one of the most non-traditional Confirmation courses ever. After meeting just four times in person for lessons and one trip to Omega Baptist Church in Dayton, we switched to an online format. Interestingly, the remaining courses which were held via ZOOM might be some of my favorites. Some of us met in our rooms with crazy color changing lights, some signed in at the camper, some people had silly virtual backgrounds, and all of us laughed multiple times during each session. I’m beyond grateful to the youth, their parents, Pastor Brian, Donna, DR, and Kurt for being so flexible and fun in this year’s Confirmation experience and I look forward to the time we can officially confirm Ross and Lindie to our church.
In one of our last lessons, we discussed 9 (kind of 18) spiritual gifts:
1. Organizer or Leader
2. Caregiver or Shepherd
3. Planner or Visionary
4. Initiator or Catalyst
5. Worker or Helper
6. Encourager or Healer
7. Advisor or Discerner
8. Teacher or Mentor
9. Advocate or Prophet
Our group defined each gift and came up with examples in our congregation for each one. In this time where we are not worshipping together at church, consider how you can still BE the church by actively sharing one or more of your spiritual gifts. How can we still spread God’s love from home or in a small group? Can you be a prophet by sharing the Facebook Live service link when it gets created or when worship starts on Sunday? Did you purchase items for the Covid Re-Entry Kits or help assemble them? Can you work ahead by planning upcoming Sunday School lessons? Every week Pastor Brian ends with saying, “You have a faith worth sharing, go out into the world and share it.” Let us not overlook this commission we’re so used to hearing but actively work to do our part each day.
Prayer: Father, remind us daily of our talents and show us how we can use them to share your glorious story with our families, friends, and communities. Help us to make our broken world a better place by sharing your love. Amen.