The week of February 8-14th is dedicated as a CrossWay Service Week – a week designed for the people of CrossWay to set aside 2-3 hours to get out and serve other in our community in practical and meaningful ways. Why are we doing this?
Mission and Service
We are going this because it flows out of our mission as a church. Our mission is to glorify God through the transformation of lives by the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Servicing others – especially those who are socially, economically, and educationally disadvantaged – flows out of a profound understanding of the gospel. Let me identify three ways I see this service week connected to our mission as a church.
Serving those who are disadvantaged demonstrates the power of the gospel to change our lives from being self-focused to others focused. Prior to our conversion our orientation is self’; we are self-focused, self-serving, self-oriented, self-preserving, selfish. But the gospel changes all of that. It reorients our lives first Godward and then towards those around us. It is only by the power of the gospel that we are able to obey Jesus command.
Mission and Service
We are going this because it flows out of our mission as a church. Our mission is to glorify God through the transformation of lives by the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Servicing others – especially those who are socially, economically, and educationally disadvantaged – flows out of a profound understanding of the gospel. Let me identify three ways I see this service week connected to our mission as a church.
Serving those who are disadvantaged demonstrates the power of the gospel to change our lives from being self-focused to others focused. Prior to our conversion our orientation is self’; we are self-focused, self-serving, self-oriented, self-preserving, selfish. But the gospel changes all of that. It reorients our lives first Godward and then towards those around us. It is only by the power of the gospel that we are able to obey Jesus command.
"But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. -Luke 6:27-31
Serving those who are disadvantaged demonstrates the love of Jesus in very practical but meaningful ways. Jesus not only spoke about the Kingdom of God, but He demonstrated the Kingdom of God. He did this, primarily, towards those who were social outcasts. His preaching was often accompanied by acts of kindness and mercy. His acts of kindness were the hands and feet of His gospel message.
And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. -Matthew 4:23
Serving those who are disadvantaged demonstrates our love for Jesus. This is the one that hits home for me. How much do I love Jesus? Do I love Jesus enough to feed the hungry, and cloth the poor, and love the unlovely?
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.' -Matthew 25:35-40
CrossWay Service Week
So as a church, let us seek opportunity to serve those who are disadvantaged this week. Let us pay attention both to those who we know in our lives – neighbors, family members, coworkers – and those who are strangers (Luke 10:25-37). As fathers, let us lead our families. As Care Group Leaders, let us lead our CG members. As young adults and youth, let us lead our peers. Let us demonstrate the power of the gospel this week. Below, I have duplicated the bulletin insert for your ease of reference.
Sample Volunteer Ideas
So as a church, let us seek opportunity to serve those who are disadvantaged this week. Let us pay attention both to those who we know in our lives – neighbors, family members, coworkers – and those who are strangers (Luke 10:25-37). As fathers, let us lead our families. As Care Group Leaders, let us lead our CG members. As young adults and youth, let us lead our peers. Let us demonstrate the power of the gospel this week. Below, I have duplicated the bulletin insert for your ease of reference.
Sample Volunteer Ideas
- Help an elderly or disabled person with cleaning, cooking, going to the store, etc.
- Call a food pantry and ask what they need. Then go buy it and deliver it as a family.
- Gather up a group and lead a time of worship/singing at a nursing home.
- Babysit a couple's children for a night so they can go out on a date.
- Shovel or snow-blow a neighbor's driveway and sidewalk.
- Make sandwiches, go to Chicago and hand them out to the homeless.
- Spend time with the homeless at a shelter or take a homeless person out to lunch.
- Serve at a soup kitchen.
- Fix something for your neighbor - their car, something in their home, etc.
- Buy groceries for your financially struggling friend or neighbor or offer to bring them meals.
- Host a fundraiser for a charity or for someone in need.
- Knit a hat or make a blanket for the homeless or poor.
- Send a care package to a soldier or missionary serving overseas.
Local Organizations
In addition to individual acts, you may want to contact a local organization in our community and see how you can help. Please note, however, that most organizations cannot easily accommodate one-time volunteers. They are looking for longer term commitments, and many opportunities require training. But there are organizations doing great work that need lots of help, so this week could be a great opportunity to get involved.
Genesis House 262-697-1510
Care Net Pregnancy Center 262-658-2222
Salvation Army 262-564-0286
Boys & Girls Club of Kenosha 262-654-6200
The Sharing Center 262-997-0783
Love, Inc. 262-763-6226
Shalom Center 262-658-1713
Women and Children's Horizons, Inc. 262-652-9900
You can find a fuller list of organizations and opportunities at Volunteer Match.
In addition to individual acts, you may want to contact a local organization in our community and see how you can help. Please note, however, that most organizations cannot easily accommodate one-time volunteers. They are looking for longer term commitments, and many opportunities require training. But there are organizations doing great work that need lots of help, so this week could be a great opportunity to get involved.
Genesis House 262-697-1510
Care Net Pregnancy Center 262-658-2222
Salvation Army 262-564-0286
Boys & Girls Club of Kenosha 262-654-6200
The Sharing Center 262-997-0783
Love, Inc. 262-763-6226
Shalom Center 262-658-1713
Women and Children's Horizons, Inc. 262-652-9900
You can find a fuller list of organizations and opportunities at Volunteer Match.
