Disciples in Action: from Hearers to Doers!
A disciple’s job is to SERVE others.
When the prophet Micah told his people how to practice faith, he told them to do justice and to love mercy (Micah 6:8). When Jesus was asked about ultimate matters, part of his response was “to love your neighbor as yourself.” Practicing justice and doing acts of mercy and service put flesh on God’s love. Caring for others in Jesus’ name in active, tangible ways 1) incarnates Christ’s presence and heart to others; 2) helps those we serve in places where they truly hurt and have need, and, 3) is a witness to those who are watching from the sidelines about the integrity and heart of Jesus’ followers.
Jesus didn’t just address the spiritual needs. His was a high-touch, hands-on ministry that addressed human needs for health, wholeness, and inclusion. The maturing disciple seeks to serve as Jesus served.
Serving others is a part of FELC’s life – and yours, too!
It’s obvious that First English Lutheran is a church that loves to make a difference. We are deeply involved in Christian service to others! The opportunities seem countless. Some serve by assisting in worship: reading lessons, playing instruments, setting up communion. Some teach, or chaperone youth events, or keep the church yard looking beautiful. Some cook and serve meals; others pack Snack Packs, make quilts, visit members as a Care Minister, help at the East Bluff Community Center, or give to help others through LSSI and St. Vincent de Paul Society…the list goes on and on. Some actively participate in service experiences, such as the summer youth mission trips, and special Outreach Committee partnerships. Some make it possible for others to participate by generously supporting fundraisers, or contributing to the First English Foundation, which annually gives over ten thousand dollars to various local, national, and global service organizations.
In the end, everyone wins when we choose to serve Jesus by serving others in His name!
A disciple’s job is to PRAY frequently.
Prayer is the way a disciple enjoys an intimate relationship with God. Prayer can be private or public, ritualized or conversational, silent or out loud, spoken or sung, words or action, simple or profound. Through prayer God’s will is discerned and greater clarity is gained for our journey. Prayer is powerful. Indeed, God’s creative, redeeming and healing power is often directed through prayer.
Jesus modeled the power and importance of prayer and provides our inspiration to embrace a prayerful stance toward all moments of life. One of the key ways Jesus showed his love for his Father was by regularly engaging in prayer. Throughout the Gospels we read how Jesus “went up to a mountain to pray” or “knelt down and prayed” or “continued all night in prayer.” As Jesus prayed, he gained a clearer sense of who he was (his identity) and what he was to do (his mission). Before he taught or healed, before choosing the Twelve or submitting his will to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed. Whatever the opportunity or challenge, Jesus turned to his Father first and sought the guidance of God.
Prayer is Adoration (praise, honoring God), Confession (saying “I’m sorry,” acknowledging sin, that “I can’t do it on my own”), Thanksgiving (saying thanks, counting blessings, allowing God’s perspective to shape life) and Supplication (asking for, praying for others, “petitions” in prayer) — ACTS. The Lord’s Prayer provides ample instruction for the content and elements of prayer and a prayerful life.
Prayer is part of FELC’s life – and yours, too!
Each Sunday, the Buzz includes a list of persons hospitalized the prior week; a list of our homebound members is available; and post-it prayers are shared weekly in worship. Use these prayer requests to remember fellow disciples in prayer throughout the week. Also, consider joining our prayer group, the First English Prayer Chain.
A disciple’s job is to INVITE others often.
The experience of God’s loving touch in one’s life is a meaningful gift the maturing disciple feels compelled to share with others. One way our faith becomes active is when we put into words what God has done for us. Words of witness and acts of genuine hospitality directed toward our friends, relatives and neighbors create the opportunity through which the Holy Spirit brings others into a relationship with Christ and his Church.
The biblical model for evangelism is relational: friends bring friends to Jesus.
“Come and see” are the operative words and find frequent expression in the Gospels, the story of the early Church, and in the tradition of the Church over the centuries. The disciple plants seeds and invites; the Holy Spirit works the miracle of faith and conversion.
Inviting is a part of FELC’s life – and yours, too!
In talking with new members or first-time visitors to First English, the story is almost always the same: “I came to First English Lutheran because my friend (or neighbor, or co-worker, etc.) invited me.” There’s simply no more effective way to get people to experience the love, hospitality, and exciting ministries of our congregation than person-to-person invitations.
As you think through the list of people with whom you work, play, or just bump into in your daily routine, it’s very likely that someone is “disconnected” from the faith community that the Holy Spirit is eager to welcome them into. You can be the catalyst of the significant improvement of someone’s life, just by saying, “Hey, you should check out my church. We have an awesome _____________ (whatever you feel would be beneficial to that person) that I’m sure you’ll enjoy. Come with me!”
“Disciples in Action: from Hearers to Doers!” is the theme for our Fall 2024 annual appeal. The theme comes from the core message of the Letter of James:
But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers… those who are doers, who put their faith into action—they will be greatly blessed in their doing!
True faithfulness before God is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to reflect God’s love and purity in all of one’s dealing with the world.
James 1:22, 23 & 25 (paraphrased)
Building on FELC’s focus, “Redeemed by Christ to Witness and Serve,” we will explore the 7 faith practices that make up a “disciple’s job description.” These are seven areas of responsibility in which God asks each of us to be engaged as a way to show both our gratitude for God’s grace in Christ Jesus, and our care for God’s children in our community and world. This year, we’ll go even further in exploring specific opportunities for ministry engagement, with the goal of connecting each and every member of First English with at least one new ministry commitment.
The 7 faith practices are invite, pray, serve, study, encourage, give, and worship.
Watch for these symbols in the weeks ahead as we prepare to make disciple commitments during worship on November 24, the Sunday before Thanksgiving!
