Sacrifice

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”  Hebrews 13:16
Sacrifice – often times in the old testament, had an entirely different connotation than what comes to mind when we talk about sacrifice today.  Open virtually any book of the old testament and it seems like the ancient Israelites were always setting something on fire – or butchering something on an alter….everything from doves to bulls and rams – as a sacrifice to God.
But – when Jesus started to teach in the new testament, sacrifice started to be a little more personal.  sacrifice wasn’t just about a bird or an unblemished lamb every now and then….it was about total surrender of self.  It was about loving God so much that you would forego ANYTHING and EVERYTHING.  Jesus himself loved so deeply that he gave the ultimate sacrifice.  He died – a horrible death – on the cross….for unlovely sinners – like me.
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  Mark 10:45
Death on the cross for Jesus and eternal life for us. AND – as if THAT wasn’t enough to forfeit – Jesus’ ENTIRE life was about serving others.  Sacrifice – in its truest form – isn’t just about giving; or even about giving everything up.  Sacrifice is about serving others – not being self-serving.  Sacrifice is about loving others – more than ourselves.
Just a little over a week until our official DAY OF ACTION and I have a very important question for each of you – “What are you willing to sacrifice for a neighbor in need?”
It’s a personal question.
It’s a brutal question.
It’s a question that I sincerely hope you pray about.
And when you have the answer I hope that you take the leap of faith and make that sacrifice willingly…..and like King David with a humble spirit and a repentant heart.  And most importantly – sacrifice lovingly ….and not because I nagged you to give something up to serve others.
If this blog touched a nerve (or worked on your nerves) so much that you want to slaughter a bull and bring it to me Sunday…..I’ll see that it is put to good use.  But if the blog touched your heart and you want to sacrifice in a way that shows that you “Love God, Love people and take action” email us for serving opportunities and donation lists.
“And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.”  1 Corinthians 13:3

We Need YOU!

One of the best quips I heard recently regarding our DAY OF ACTION was when Raphael said something to the effect of “Even if you are a nerd like me and can’t do construction – I heard we were going to be serving food!”  So, so, so hilarious and so very true!!

And once again it just goes to show that we need every single one of you to be a part of this event. Specifically – I need all you computer nerds, facetime freaks and gizmo geeks to band together and get the word out about the serving opportunity available the week of July 9-13th.

“Ye Olde Persons” – me in particular – have no idea how to promote events in this age of social media. So, if you happen to love twiddly tweets, or you are great at snapping and chatting while chewing gum, or simply like to Face-Brag……NOW is the time to do it.

We need to get the word out to everyone who wants to be a part of the DAY OF ACTION to get on-line and fill out an application with Servants, Inc.  This is the group that is organizing the week of service in York City – we are partnering with them because they have the expertise (that I lack) to get the right tools and equipment to the right job site!   Their website is Servants.org and they just need information related to your skills and the times that you might be available so that they can coordinate and organize the activities for the week.

And the rest of you…..those whose skill set with technology is as extinct at the dinosaurs….I need you to pray.  We need you to lift this project up in prayer and ask God to bring us together in a big way as we serve our neighbors in need.  I can’t think of a better way to show York that we can make big changes when we Love God, Love people and Take action.

“Lord, teach me to be generous.  Teach me to serve you as you deserve.  To give and not to count the cost.  To fight and not to heed the wounds.  To toil and not to seek for rest.  To labor and not to ask for reward.  Save that of knowing that I am doing your will.”   Saint Ignatius of Loyola

Day of Action

I’ve been sitting back, waiting for my turn to tell you all about the upcoming – first ever –  “Day of Action”.  I kind of get a chuckle out of the pre-announcements and “sort of” announcements and the information that is floating around about this event. What I can tell you right now is that you are not going to want to miss being a part of something that can change how you look at your world.

Here are the basics. The event is being held during the week of July 9-13.  You can volunteer any day or time during that week –  however, the focus for us as a church is going to be Friday the 13th– some people’s superstition – our DAY OF ACTION!   Beginning early in the morning we will be gathering at the Logos Academy on West King Street in York to prepare and serve breakfast for all the volunteers.  Then we will be going to individual job sites to help our neighbors in need with all sorts of home repair.  At the end of the day – we will be providing the evening meal for all the volunteers and homeowners, as we gather together to recount the amazing ways God was moving among us as we took action by serving others.

The group we will be partnering with is called Servants, Inc.  They have fantastic information on their website – be sure to look them up. Basically they are a local organization who come alongside homeowners to provide home maintenance and repair services to the elderly, the disabled or the needy who are unable for whatever reason, to do the work themselves and are unable to pay professionals to do the work for them.

But here is the beauty of this project – you DO NOT need to know how to operate power tools.  You don’t even have to LIKE power tools.  You just need to have a willingness to serve. Throughout the coming weeks I will be detailing all sorts of ways that you can be a part of this amazing event!

Today – I want you to physically pick up the phone and either call or email Alisha Crooks. Yes!  Right now!  Even before you finish reading …..just pick up the phone and call.    Alisha is one of the sweetest people I know and I want you to overwhelm her with phone calls!😊  I want you to leave so many messages that she has to hire an assistant to return calls. I want her to get sick of hearing “Hi! I’m from actionchurch!”

Alisha Crooks

Ph:  (717) 378-0336

Email:  alishacrooks@servants.org

Even if you don’t have a clue how you can help – call Alisha and tell her who you are, what you like to do, what you think you are good at (or bad at) doing and I guarantee you she WILL find a way for you to be a part of the event.  If you are interested in being a part of an actual work crew on a job site you will have to get in touch with Servants – BEFORE Friday !  They need to get an idea of skills and available volunteers so they know how to organize for the jobs that are the highest priority.

Get ready gang! Actionchurch is going to love God, love others and take action in a big way during our first ever DAY OF ACTION!

Getting to Know You

“Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to do good.”  Hebrews 10:24

One of the things – (in a long list of “things”) – that I love about working with Servants is their work ethic.  I remember the leader on our first assignment telling us to put our hammer down and interact with the homeowner – FIRST.  Get to know them – listen to their stories – pray with them.  At the time it seemed kind of counterproductive to me.  I was always the roll up your sleeves, grab your hammer and don’t stop swinging until the sun goes down kind of gal.

But what I came to realize is that at the end of the day…..more importantly – at the end of our lives – it won’t matter how quickly that roof got fixed.  But it will matter whether our hearts are fixed.  Our real goal as we go out into the community together is not necessarily to fix the physical needs, but rather to address the spiritual needs THROUGH our acts of love and kindness.

God commanded us in Deuteronomy to address the needs of the poor.  Jesus repeated the fact that there will always be someone in need.  And as followers of Christ we must address those needs…..whatever they may be.

“If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be. For the poor you will always have with you in the land.  Therefore, I command you, you shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor in your land.”  Deuteronomy 15:7-11

Servants and actionchurch’s main goal through EVERYTHING that we do is to love people.  Our love reflects Christ’s love.  The people that we are going to serve definitely have physical needs – bathrooms without working plumbing, leaking roofs, rotting foundations.  But often, they need a friend, willing to listen. They need a loving, compassionate person willing to pray with them.  They need someone to show them that they are loved, cared for and cherished – not only by us, but by God himself.

In the early “church” Jesus’s  disciples carried out his commandments literally – and –  there were NO needy persons.  Poverty was eradicated among them!  Can you even imagine a world like that?  How could that possibly be?

There was no one in the group who was in need.  Those who owned fields or houses would sell them, bring the money received from the sale, and hand it over to the apostles; and the money was distributed to each one according to his need. “  Acts 4:34-35

THAT’S how it can be.

Are you willing to open your hand?  Are you willing to get to know your neighbors in need? Are you willing to be a part of something bigger than yourself?

“Then I said, “Here I am, to do your will, O God…..”Hebrews 10:7

Ratios

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Another year gone by. Another Relay for Life – actionchurch style – in the books. If I had to describe this year’s Relay in one word (which I rarely do) – it would be – peaceful. I’m grateful for Rachel’s phenomenal planning skills – and I’m certain that her organizational expertise had a lot to do with this year’s successful event. And, actionchurch could never be a part of Relay to begin with – if it weren’t for Michele’s generous spirit and heart for serving the community. But – it was more than years of relay experience that made this event different. It’s hard to explain in written words (without my normal hand motions when I speak). If you were a part of Relay this year, perhaps you felt it too.

The tent was full – like always. The ratio of servers to those being served was almost perfect. Enough survivors and caregivers enjoying the evening that we had to hustle – but not rush. The food was extraordinary – like always. The ratio of crabcakes to consumers was over the top! Everyone walked away with full bellies, our crew had an opportunity for fellowship and we were still able to bless the first responders in our community with abundance. The weather was humid – like always. The amount of sweat was in direct correlation to the temperature. I don’t think I will ever get the ratio of butter pats to salad dressing correct – but that’s kind of a given 😀

So, all in all – not a whole lot has changed from previous years at the survivor banquet…..but there was a sense of peace and tranquility that I can’t remember experiencing in years past.

And – I’m pretty sure the rational is God.

From the very first Relay for Life that my family and I participated in with actionchurch God has always been at the very center of the event for me. I remember being moved to tears at the luminaria ceremony and how God called me and encouraged me to become an even bigger participant the next year….and the next year….and the next year. And I remember the year we added more children’s activities and the years we served breakfast for ALL the participants and praying that God would provide the resources and the volunteers. He showed up in such a big way that no one could question that God was solely responsible for the success of our endeavors.

Don’t get me wrong – there were always bumps in the road, friends with new cancer diagnosis and challenges to be overcome. But the resolution to the hiccups along the way always pointed to our Lord and Savior being at the heart of the crazy whirlwind of preparation and the back breaking, muscle aching, blister making thing we call Relay for Life.

But – THIS year – the ratio changed for me. The element of calm within the tent on that muggy, hot, humid football field was 100% God infused peace – 0% stress and worry. Gang, it was a great lesson for me. It was just SUCH an amazing feeling that I want to replicate in my personal life. I want to feel 100% – all the time – every day – completely infused with God’s peace. And I want that for you too!

So – thanks to all of you – the old guard from the Crew…..and all of our new friends who joined together in humble service. Thanks for making my job easy. Thanks for using your vacation days and Friday night to serve others. Thanks for showing God’s love to me…..and to the cancer survivors and their caregivers.

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16