From the Preacher's Pen June 2009      


One of the most dramatic scenes in the life of Christ has to do with a towel and a basin.


You may remember it as "Jesus washing the feet of his disciples." The account is recorded for us in John 13. Upon washing his disciple's feet he asked them a question, "Do you understand what I have done for you?" In verses 13-17 we read, "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." Did you hear that last statement, "you will be blessed if you do them." Who of us doesn't want to be blessed by the Lord? Jesus was telling us that the way of blessing comes to us through a life of SERVICE.

Throughout the summer we will not only be learning how to "Put God First through SERVING" through the morning messages; but we will have some wonderful blessing opportunities of hands-on SERVICE throughout the church and community. On June 6 we will be blessed with a whole day of service for the church with an all church work day starting at 8:00 AM. God has really blessed us with some wonderful facilities and as a church family we will all be blessed as we work together, each one doing their part. Join us June 6! In July and August there are opportunities of service through working at the Church camp, or a work camp trip to New England with the youth. A brand new opportunity of service for the community will take place in the form of a work camp right here in our own back yard. The week of August the 10-14 we hope you will join us as we each day set out to do specific jobs for people throughout the community. We are hoping to put together a work team to do painting, lawn work, carpentry work and whatever else God provides as gifts of service for folk who otherwise could not afford to get the work done. Already we have lots of work planned; so we will need lots of helping hands. We are putting this in the June Newsletter so you can be planning on helping us with this great opportunity to reach out to the community in the name of Jesus. Even if you could only help a few hours each day you will be blessed for your work of service. You will be hearing more of our first community outreach through this "the Lord's Helping Hands" project in July and the first part of August.

The Apostle Paul reminded the Christians at Rome to, "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." (Romans 12:10-11) It is more blessed to give than to receive. What a great week of blessing this will prove to be for all of us here a SVCC. Plan now to receive a blessing this summer as we "Put God first in SERVING." I know we have a lot of people in this church that have the heart of a servant so let's plan on picking up the "towel and the basin and wash as many feet this summer as we can for the Lords sake. In Colossians 3:17 we are reminded that "whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

                                                                                                    Receive the Blessings,