Category: Service

Banquets: Our longstanding ministry of love and service to other congregations in our area. Neighbors: see a need and meet it.

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Blog Celebrations Holidays Hospitality Service

Upson Downs 11.29.2021

Well, we did it! We had a grand and glorious celebration of grace and thanksgiving. We received rivers of grace: a visit from the Williams with a good time of connecting, Ramon’s annual holiday weekend with us, okie dokie Henrietta sharing words of wisdom, and seeing Anne after a long absence. Ash dropped in for a visit as well.

Our feast of the leftovers reminded us once again of our abundance, enjoying together  the delicious food prepared by hands of love, and hopefully filling ourselves by returning thanks and remembering blessings too many to fully recount. The dance was wild and crazy as always, with some fun surprises, some poignant moments, and plenty of action. Of course, “midnight bowl” was earlier than usual due to Covid issues, followed by the obligatory trip for more food with the youth after the bowling. There were many achy knees, feet, and general weariness the next day; nevertheless, it was a time to be treasured for years to come.
We began the blessed season with an opportunity to partner with Ramon in his Lutheran Border Ministries by building a house in Tijuana, visiting a children’s home, and providing dental care by Jose and Mary. The delicious icing on that particular cake was reconnecting with our dear Abif. This great event could not have happened without the generous support of the VanHofwegens, Johnny Colombero, and Patty Will. We give thanks for their kind offerings which allowed us to bring joy and shelter in Jesus’ name, and to serve our faithful brother Ramon.

Sunday night was the first Sunday of Advent, anticipating the light breaking into this dark world in the coming of Jesus. We head into this glorious and blessed time with joyful expectation. All the traditions continue as the mantle passes to the next generation. We will be busy in a time full of purpose and profound significance. We are most blessed.
Grace and peace to you all in the name of our beloved Savior.
For Church of the Servant-King, Regan 

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Service Unity

Walk for peace

Pastor Sonja Dawson of New Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church and Pastor Jack Read from Church of the Servant King marching for peace and justice in Los Angeles today.

What a special moment was shared today with Pastor Jack Read of the Church of the Servant King. Our fathers marched together over 28 years ago during the 1992 civil unrest and we are still fighting the good fight today. Thank you, Pastor Read and COSK for your support.

Pastor Sonja Dawson (Facebook post)

The purpose of march today was to demonstrate unity and peace in light of the recent injustices. It was coordinated with the police and mayor’s office and marked by prayer, peacefulness and unity. Many different churches were represented. In light of our history with our brothers and sisters at New Mount Calvary we felt we could and should send whoever we could.

We prayed for peace and true Christian brother and sisterhood to be demonstrated and feel that this was accomplished. There are other media, news reports, video, and photos we will add to this story as we are able. Thank you.

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Service Updates

Upson Downs

Life in the Body of Christ

Jeremiah busy helping with some projects

Like everyone else, we are practicing social distancing while still trying to maintain “the unity of the Spirit” in our body. We count ourselves as most fortunate since we are stuck together here, helping each other, and serving each other in myriad ways.

The younger members shop, while those at home cook and tend to children. We are able to support those working from home due to efficient planning and help from Jack McCorkel. Those who are out of work are finding opportunities to tackle some of those projects which are further down on our to-do list.

Going through Rich’s things is bittersweet of course. It always brings a rush of memories and not a few tears, but is also a wonderful reminder of his far-reaching thoughtfulness and prodigious library which will be available for generations to come. We are finding more occasions to hang out, pray together and study together. We have become more thoughtful about meal planning, and more forward-thinking about our provisions, being careful but not panicked.

The children seem to be adjusting well to having more adults around, with more occasions to read, do puzzles, play games, or watch Sherlock Holmes together. When we “go out” to lunch, it’s usually next door. But we know we are incomparably blessed to have each other, emphasized even more so when many are truly alone and terrified.

We are striving to be of service to our neighborhood as well as to one another, and are currently pursuing the possibility of getting a Red Cross bloodmobile to come in order to donate much needed blood. We are eagerly anticipating the arrival of three new babies, one at the end of April. There is uncertainty about what the situation will be in the hospitals when the time for delivery comes, but we are trying to remain optimistic about that.

Jeremiah has been invaluable with his skill and willingness to tackle big projects. He will be going back to Portland soon, but we hope not too soon! Our neighbor Leslie is home from college indefinitely, and she has been is pitching wherever she is needed. “Half-pint,” as she is nicknamed, has been a HUGE help. God is good.

Categories
Gospel Service

Reaching in and out

Video sharing

In COVID-19 like fashion, I am tinkering with video to support my students. I am trying to share an original short video each day or so. My school “Reading foundations” playlist on my channel is here: Along with the “safer-at-home” COVID-19 restrictions comes the question of reaching out in our church community context. This has brought me to a point of wondering, “Can we use video to reach out as a church congregation?” We have been reaching out to our neighbors to see how we can serve, but that is limited too, and we can’t invite people to any gatherings. I was speaking with Scott about this last night while at the same time he was excited about a new way he has been thinking about to share the hope of the gospel with people. I captured these clips to share. What do you think? Am I on to something here? Can “informal” videos like this one, along with other types, be an authentic and effective way to serve our neighbors and virtually many others around the world?
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Service Updates

Expressing oneness

a banquet table

A Banquet Anniversary

Saturday night we served a banquet to 240 people who came to support a vital inner-city ministry. We realized this was something of an anniversary as we had been serving this group for 25 years; this also marked the inception of our banquet ministry. The first time we were asked to come and help at one of their early fundraisers, we quickly ascertained that it was a rather chaotic event. The people who were actually the leaders, teachers, and ministers were in the kitchen with us, frantically trying to serve the guests!

To say there was a drastic lack of leadership and direction would be a mild understatement. Everyone was pitching in and trying to help but there was no way for the hosts to visit, explain, or answer questions about their ministry, much less enjoy a meal. And voila! A seed was planted in us and we realized that we could offer our hands in service.

Though we are few in number, we have a vision for unity in the body of Christ. Currently we are blessed to serve many banquets each year, Some are gourmet, catered affairs, and some we cook ourselves. This service is offered up free of charge, asking only for out of pocket expenses such as food or decorations as well as covering our gas money. We have learned to be very economical, saving considerable money. We cook pretty well, and we clean up too!

Some put in their reservations as soon as their banquet is over for their next year’s event. A few years ago we served a banquet where the late Frank Pastore was the speaker. “What a neat ministry,” he said. “Come on my radio show and I will gladly promote your services!” While we appreciated his enthusiasm, we weren’t sure we could handle the outcome, so we never pursued the opportunity.

But we gladly promote the need for brothers and sisters to get creative and use whatever gifts you have to support, encourage, and edify the bigger body of Christ. This may help fulfill our Lord’ s last prayers, “…that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that thou hast sent me…” John17:23