What's Your Story?

You have a story.

It's a good one!

Is it clear to you?

Have you spent time thinking about how your faith has shaped your life?

Consider sharing your faith story.

Inviting others into your journey is courageous, has amazing power, and will encourage others.

How has loving the Lord affected your life?

Are you willing to put your story into written words?

Share your story as a guest contributor on this blog.

Submit in writing or by email to judi@htlutheran.com

Time, Talent and Treasure

"God's Work. Our Hands." It's a familiar slogan used to emphasize service in our church body, local communities, and the world.

Using your time, talent, and treasure, you can do God's work, serving people and places with your hands. Doesn't that sound amazing?

But what happens when the speed bumps in life occasionally slow down a desire to seek opportunities or change? And why is it so darn comfortable following the same routine (including service of time, talent, and treasure) day in/day out, or even year in/year out? Do you hesitate to change the path, try something new, or serve with people you don't know very well?

So here's the big question: How can you best spend your time, use your talents, and share your financial treasure? Colossians 3:23-24 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. There are many possible (and very acceptable) answers to the big question, but where is the best place to start? Here are a few things to think about:

• Did you know that Holy Trinity has checklist to help you identify specific areas of interests? This form represents some of the opportunities that are currently available. Check the areas where you would like to serve. 

þ	Worship	7:45	9:15	10:45	Comments
	Assist with communion
	Read lessons in worship
	Usher at worship
	Greet at worship
	Volunteer at the Welcome Center
	Prepare & serve coffee after worship
	Volunteer in nursery
	Operate Sound Board

	Prepare the altar for worship (Altar Guild)
	Provide cookies for after services
	Straighten up church after worship
	Other (please describe)

  

þ	Choir &  Music	Comments
	Participate in Jr choir (gr 2 through 6 )
	Participate in Adult choir  (gr 9 and up)
	Participate in Orchestra - list instrument
	Participate in Handbell choir
	Participate in Praise Worship Music Team (10:45 Service)
	Other (please describe)

  

þ	Outreach	Comments
	Participate in Habitat for Humanity team
	Participate in Mexico Mission team
	Participate in Treasure Box Distribution
	Write articles for newspaper
	Other (please describe)

þ	Fellowship - Small Groups	Comments
	Participate in Koinonia (adult fellowship & study meets once a month)
	Participate in Campouts
	Participate in Dinner for 6
	Participate in Bible Study
	Participate in Men’s Breakfast Group
	Participate in Tuesday Women’s Fellowship & Bible Study (Circle)
	Assist in planning Women’s Events (Women’s Tea & Advent Dinner)
	Participate in Widow’s Mite (support group & fellowship)
	Participate in Quilters Group (sewing skills not necessary)
	Participate in FACESS - Young Parents Group
	Participate in Fun Team (planning Fall Festival & Annual Picnic)
	Other (please describe)

þ	Youth & Children’s Activities	Comments
	Assist with children’s activities – Indicate Grade:
	Assist with Junior High activities
	Assist with Senior High activities
	Assist with Wednesday evening Confirmation Class as a group leader
	Be a Prayer Partner for a confirmation student
	Serve on Youth & Family Ministry Team
	Other (please describe)

þ	Education	Comments
	Be a Sunday school teacher
	Be an assistant Sunday school teacher
	Be a substitute Sunday school teacher
	Assist with Vacation Bible School
	Teach/lead adult classes
	Other (please describe)

þ	Social Ministry  & Caring Ministry	Comments
	Participate in Christian Meditation
	Participate in email Prayer chain
	Visit sick and shut-in
	Prepare & deliver meals to families when needed
	Provide babysitting when needed
	Deliver Meals on Wheels (4 times per year)
	Deliver tapes of worship services to shut ins
	Assist with Divorce Care classes
	Assist with Grief Share classes
	Assist with Divorce Care for Kids classes
	Assist with Card Ministry (sending cards to prayer chain)
	Assist with Blood Drive
	Give rides to church
	Provide transportation service when needed
	Other (please describe)

þ	Finance and Financial Stewardship	Past Experience/comments
	Assist in annual stewardship program
	Count Sunday morning offerings
	Serve on Finance Committee
	Serve on Endowment Committee
	Other (please describe)

þ	Property Maintenance and Improvement	Past Experience/comments
	Serve on Property Committee
	Help on church “work days” (bi-annually)
	Gifts I can share:  paint, woodwork, electric, plumbing (please circle all you can share)

þ	Administrative Assistance	Past Experience/comments
	Assist with bulletin folding (Friday mornings)
	Assist with folding newsletter (one Thursday morning/month)
	Assist with miscellaneous office work

  

1.  These are the areas where I have served in previous church and community groups:

  

2.       These are the areas I am currently serving and participating in at Holy Trinity:

  

3.      Of all the areas I checked, my top three interests are:

1. 

2. 

3. 

• Is there something you'd really like to do, but it's not listed on the form? Talk to a church leader or a friend in the congregation. Get the conversation started and participate the magnificent effects of your time, talents, and treasure!
• Not sure what to do? Uncomfortable making a change right now? Take your thoughts, concerns, and desires to the Lord in prayer. Listen for Him. Keep asking. Keep listening. Psalm 145:18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

As a church body, our ministries and programs rely heavily on the service of our members in a variety of areas-doing God's work as a caring and sharing congregation. How will you join in? Matthew 5:16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.