All Aboard!

By Denise Simms

May 18th - - next Sunday - - the train is leaving Grand Central Station! Your destination? The 40+ thriving ministries at Central. Sunday, May 18th is Central's Ministry Fair, part of 40 Days of Purpose, highlighting the fourth purpose we will consider together "Ministry - you were shaped for serving God." Grand Central Station will be part of each worship service on Sunday, May 18th with "conductors" to escort you from the sanctuary to the station - a large tent outside. There will be ministry "tracks" to follow and first class seats for all passengers!

John Michael Talbot wrote a song with the words of St. Teresa's prayer:

Christ has no Body now but yours,
no hands, no feet on earth but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which he looks
with compassion on this world.
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good.
Yours are the hands with which he blesses all the world.

This week we will grow in our understanding of what it means to become like Christ. Next week we will consider how we are shaped to serve God as part of the body or church of Christ. God calls each of us to discover and use our unique gifts, abilities, passions, experiences and personality to build up the body of Christ.

When you arrive at "Grand Central Station" on Sunday, May 18th, look for ministries that interest and inspire you. Have the ministry conductors tell you their stories of how God has been working through this ministry team. As you pass each table, pick up a prayer card so that you may offer to God each ministry's needs. If you would like to explore joining a ministry team, fill out an Opportunity Card. You might even suggest adding cars to the train if there is an area of ministry you would like to help develop at Central.

Each of us has a contribution to make to the Body that is Central. May 18th is your ticket to begin finding your place of service. You might ride a few trains - try a few ministries - before you find the best fit, that's the process of "body building." Jesus is calling you to be his hands and feet, and has uniquely shaped you for this privilege.

So, ... All Aboard at Grand Central Station
Sunday, May 18th!