Whoever want to be great must become a servant Mark 10: 43(Msg)

Our servant hood or service develops from the relationship we have with God. It is the love of Christ in our lives that desires expression. It is out of that love given in service, that we become the hands and feet of God. By giving up our self will and becoming a servant we experience the fullest measure of God's love in our own lives. .

SCRIPTURAL-THEOLOGICAL CALL TO SERVICE

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' Matthew 25:31-40

Render service with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not to men and women, Ephesians 6:7

These are just a few of the verses that point to the Christians' call to service. We are called to serve others out of love. Christ first loved us and commands his followers to follow his example of love. We are to reach out in love and service to all people. Christ touched the sick, the poor, those that others would not touch and restored their lives. When we reach out to the poor, sick, the prisoner we reach out and touch the hand of Christ. Our doing so demonstrates the saving presence of Christ in our hearts.

HISTORIAL CALL

"Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the time you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can." John Wesley

Long before the people called Methodist became a denomination it was a desire in the hearts of a group of Christians in England to live the call of discipleship. Along with a prayer, Bible study and righteous living they practiced servant hood by visiting the prisons, the hospitals, the poor and forgotten. One of the questions that was asked at the weekly class meetings related to how had each person present had shown the love of Christ by serving others. As the Methodist movement grew into a church we have not forgotten our roots. The United Methodist Church can be seen serving the needs of others in disasters, prisons, hospitals, working with children and seniors and countless other ways. We were present at 9-11 joining with others to serve those that were hurting by providing a safe place in the midst of fear. We have been present in the name of Christ wherever people are suffering or have needs that we can meet.

HOW CAN I SERVE

Locally

• Look around to see the needs in the church and community. Meet people where they are in the midst of their needs and touch them with the hand of Christ.
• Visit prisoners and their families.
• Help with the homeless shelters and with spouse abuse centers
• Help children's programs including boy and girl scouts.
• Work with seniors visiting those at home and in nursing homes.
• Make it a habit to call someone who is lonely or better yet take them to lunch.
• Even if we can't do anything else we can serve by being in constant prayer for others who are also giving their lives in service.

District/Conference wide

• Disaster response - when any natural or man made disaster is occurs the district and conference, disaster response teams go to work. There is a need for men and women to serve in immediate response and in long term response.
• VIM - volunteers in mission - teams are assembled on a district and conference wide basis to assist local churches and communities as well as to reach out to those around the world.
• Special offerings especially those such as World Day of Sharing, 5th Sunday, Offerings for our Senior care facilities and other offerings which allow the church of serve the needs of hurting people.

The best way to begin service is to knell in prayer and ask God,

"How can I be of service to you? Open my eyes to see those that need you today. I give my hands and feet and voice to you today Use me as you will for your glory. In Christ's name. Amen.