Renewing Our Resolutions: Service

SERMON TITLE:   “Renewing Our Resolutions:  Service”
SERMON TEXT:    Ephesians 4:1-16
PREACHER:           Rev. Kim James
OCCASION:           January 23, 2022, at First UMC
 
 
INTRODUCTION
 
                Many of you know that David Barron works at Weber Human Services.  Because of a recent conversation David had there, one of his co-workers contacted our church.  She was hoping we would put up a flyer and help publicize the need for senior volunteers.  She’s looking for volunteers to serve as companions to other senior citizens, to serve as foster grandparents to children, and to serve in our community’s many different helping agencies.  The flyer she sent had a graphic that said, “Doing good is good for you.”  It indicated that volunteering “reduces depression, chronic pain, stress, risk of disease, and social isolation.”  According to the flyer, volunteering also “increases physical fitness, mental function, sense of purpose, social connection, and longevity.”
                Those are all great reasons for retirees to call up Weber Human Services and volunteer.  Even when our age causes us to put the M-F, 8-5 responsibilities of our jobs and careers behind us, we still have many talents, knowledge, and skills to offer.  Of course, that isn’t news that has to come to us from Weber Human Services.  We in the church have long known that service is an important part of our life together in the body of Christ.  Like prayers, presence, and financial gifts—which we have discussed over the past three weeks—service is one of the vows we make when we join a United Methodist church.  So, as we continue our series on “Renewing Our Resolutions,” I invite you to delve with me into Ephesians, chapter four, and see what we can learn about service.

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