community – Church of the Servant King

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.

Expressing oneness

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