Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.  (I Corinthians 12:4-7)

Dear brothers & sisters in Christ,

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior. Amen.

Years ago, one of the confirmation students (who shall remain nameless) asked why I wasn’t eating any snack at the beginning of class. It happened to be one of those Wednesdays that had involved a lot of visitation and had already included a fair dose of goodies and coffee (probably way more than is considered healthy). She then declared that she wanted to be a pastor too — so she could drink coffee and eat treats all day. As amusing as that anecdote is, I do not discount the gifts of eating and drinking coffee because it is so often integral to hearing people’s stories. Those are two gifts that have served me well over the years (even if my primary physician thinks otherwise).

Oftentimes we do discount many of our own gifts. Some we take for granted. Others we simply do not associate with ‘church’ activities and especially not with ministry. Yet much mission work is made up of seemingly mundane tasks done out of love for God for our neighbor.

We also tend to have difficulty appreciating the gifts of others. It takes building a relationship with someone to really appreciate the variety of gifts they bring to the Body of Christ. Relationship involve vulnerability and vulnerability can open us up to pain or rejection.

It can be challenging to identify means of service in seemingly mundane gifts and talents in ourselves and others. In those instances, we not only do limit ourselves, but we are attempting to limit the Holy Spirit – which usually doesn’t work very well.

The challenge is in discerning and using those gifts to serve God and neighbor. This challenge can only be met by listening and following the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We rely on the Spirit not only to strengthen us but also to lead us. The Spirit gives us gifts and helps us use them to the glory of God.

We have been given the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is alive and active in the world, in our lives – and in the Church. The hard part is listening to the Spirit’s guidance. Discipleship depends upon listening to that voice. Congregational life is intended to serve the efforts of the community to listen to that voice together. We listen together. We share those ‘varieties of gifts’ to serve God and neighbor. We move as one in the world to make disciples of all nations. We trust in Christ’s presence in our midst as we go out into the world. We see His presence in the presence of our fellow believers.

Something as simple as helping a neighbor turn to the correct ‘red hymnal’ is a form of evangelism (and can spare them a fair amount of grief and embarrassment). That is just one example of how mundane actions can be used to glorify God. Here are some other various gifts (very loosely categorized) that can be used to shine the light of Christ into the world:

Teaching

• Telling Bible Stories
• Skills
• Sports
• General
• Relationship building
• Marriage mentoring
• Parent mentoring

Music

• Teaching
• Performing
• Leading
• Planning

Evangelism

• Visiting
• Drinking (serving) Coffee
• Greeting
• Sitting w/ someone during worship
• Inviting
• Hymnal guides
• Writing

Caring ministries/service

• Sewing
• Crafts
• Cooking
• Repairs/ maintenance
• Building
• Cleaning
• Organizing
• Gardening
• Visiting
• Reading (to elderly)
• Childcare
• Sending cards

This list is only a sampling. There are many other gifts and talents that we can use to serve God. There are varieties of gifts and varieties of services, but one Holy Spirit. Christ has promised to be with us. He has sent the Holy Spirit to work among and in us. He has given us authority to be His Body in the world. Trust Him. Let us go out into the world to serve God with confidence.

The grace and peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Carla

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20