Presented by Barb Squires at the February 16 council meeting
This is Barb's first year serving on Easter's Church Council.  She is council secretary and liaison to the Social Justice/Service Committee.  She and husband Danny have two grown sons.

"to Grow in Faith and Carry on the Work of Jesus Christ"

How do you carry on Easter’s mission of, “To grow in faith and carry on the work of Jesus Christ?”  Let me suggest to you to grow in faith by carrying on the work of Jesus Christ.  Here at Easter Lutheran Church we have an abundance of opportunities to share our time and talents.  Sometimes the opportunity requires minimal time and talents for those of you that do not think you have the time or the talent to give.  Other opportunities require more time or talent.

Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.  

A few years ago, after my youngest son graduated from high school, I found I had a void in my life.  I was no longer spending my time supporting my children, transporting them to events, volunteering at school and church, and watching them participate in sports and school activities.  The status of “Mom” and all that it entailed had immensely changed.  There was no more rushing out of work to be needed somewhere.  Apparently God had a plan for me and that plan was Easter Lutheran Church.

Since I became a member at Easter two years ago I have been blessed to be able to participate in many of the volunteer activities at Easter.  Volunteering brings a great deal of satisfaction: to know in some small way I have participated in the life of Easter Lutheran Church.

There are many ways to participate and volunteer at Easter Lutheran Church.  During worship the choir, The Messengers, the children sing the praises of God.  The ushers help facilitate the service.  Church school teachers fill our children with wonderful stories of Jesus.  Easter members serve communion to one another.  The sanctuaries are beautifully decorated for the season.

Confirmation mentors work with youth as they are confirmed.  We see beautiful fleece blankets piled high in the hallways, which youth have made for those in need.  In the spring we see our youth in front of the church, each announcing which mission trip they will be taking with chaperones.  Let’s not forget the church picnic at the end of a wonderful Vacation Bible School.  

Behind the scenes a daytime volunteer group is always busy helping administratively with mailings.  The Church Council, as well as many committees, work to keep Easter Lutheran Church running smoothly and following our plan, vision, goals and mission.  There are volunteers in the office on Saturday morning.  The Prayer Team prays for those who are ill or in need of strength in their time of trouble, sorrow or thanksgiving.  There are those that mow the lawn, shovel snow, help remodel the Sanctuary.  The New Member Welcome Team shares dinner to welcome and get to know new members at Easter.

Food is collected and delivered to Eagan Resource Center after services.  Volunteers work at the Eagan Resource Center to obtain and distribute food to those in need in our community.  Food is packed at Feed My Starving Children for those in need so many miles away.  At Loaves &Fishes hot meals are served to families in the south metro.  Helping Hands teams have gone to Rushford, Minnesota to clean up and rebuild after floods.  They also participate in Habitat for Humanity.  Easter has opened its doors and provided volunteers and blood donors to the Red Cross blood drives.  Many people in the south metro had winter coats this fall as Easter opened its doors for the Salvation Army for Coats for Kids.  Volunteers worked with Armful of Love to provide gifts during the Christmas season.  

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”                                                   
I recently asked the members of the Social Justice committee, “Why do you volunteer?”

The answers were amazing:  
It’s rewarding, it’s the right thing to do, for the smiles and hugs, to be the hands and feet of Jesus, to give back, to demonstrate faith, to be part of the solution, it makes my heart and soul feel good, because God is the ultimate volunteer, because someone asked me to.

There are many more opportunities to serve at Easter.  Volunteering is a great way, “To grow in faith by carrying on the work of Jesus Christ.”  Please prayerfully consider an invitation to volunteer.  Check out the opportunities listed on the pink Response Sheet at worship services, in the announcements or by completing the Serving Joyfully form that is located near the Welcome/Information Center.

“We do God’s work not because God needs us to do so, but because our neighbor does.  We do God’s work in Christ’s name for the life of the world.”