Scripture and Questions for Study and Reflection:

1. In what ways do you serve Jesus in and through Grand Lake United Methodist Church?

2. Are you aware there is a program in and through the United Methodist Church which helps equip and empower people in the church? Lay Servant Ministries has a multitude of classes that can equip and enhance your skills and understanding. These can be found at: https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/lay-servant- ministries-catalog. Ray and Valerie Kramer have taken Lay Servant classes, Lay Speaker classes, and Ray is a CLM (Certified Lay Minister) which has equipped him in a variety of ways in service. For more information, go to: westohioumc.org/ search?search_terms=Servant+Ministries.

3. Each of us have been given at least one Spiritual Gift at our Baptism. We learned about Spiritual Gifts in our last sermon series. If you have not taken an assessment, you may want to try this one to better understand how God created you: https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/gbod-assets/generic/ Spiritual_Gifts_Inventory_Download2002.pdf.

4. Although God has given us Spiritual Gifts to uplift the church and its ministries for the common good, we are also able to serve outside our giftedness. What areas of interest might you have?

5. What has God brought to your attention that needs cared for, or has God laid a new missional/ministry outreach upon your heart?

6. The difference between an attender and a member can be summed up in one word: Commitment. Members commit ourselves to Christ and one another. We pray for one another, encourage one another, we bear each other’s burdens, we worship with each other, and we give and serve alongside one another. We witness only in positive ways that build up the church and the congregation. Our vows of prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness are our witness before God and to each other.

If you are not yet a member, and are interested in more information, please talk with Pastor Debbie.

Prayer for the Week:

Thank you, Lord, that we are able to profess Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We thank you, Lord, for our baptism that is a public symbol of our faith. We thank you, Lord, that you have brought us to Grand Lake United Methodist Church, as part of this fellowship that prays, worships, gives, serves and witnesses together. Help me live into my vows, for your honor, glory and praise. Amen.