Deacons

This year the Deacons have focused on the theme of finding JOY while we grow and serve. We invite everyone in the congregation to share in this JOY of personal growth and service. Please contact your deacon if you are willing to serve fellow members who need assistance with every day things most of us can do without even thinking about it. Here are some examples of the nature of JOY as described in the New Testament.

Christian JOY acknowledges our salvation and victory over death.

PSALM 20:4–5: “May he grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans! May we shout for JOY over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions!”

We have JOY knowing that even the darkest of times will be followed by God's blessings.

JOY begins in Jesus, and when we serve him by loving and caring for others we are filled with the JOY of Jesus.

JOHN 15:10-12: “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my JOY may be in you, and that your joy may be full. ‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.’”

We have JOY because we have faith that we are forgiven of all our sins as the result of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.

LUKE 15:7: “I tell you, there will be more JOY in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

Our place in God's beautiful creation gives us JOY.

1 CHRONICLES 16:32–34: “Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall the trees of the forest sing for JOY before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” PSALM 30:4–5: “Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but JOY comes with the morning.”

JOY is impossible without the hope we find in the Gospels.

ROMANS 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all JOY and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

JOY is one of the rewards (fruits) of service to others.

GALATIANS 5:22–23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

JOY comes through living your faith even when times get tough.

JAMES 1:2: “Count it all JOY, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”

We experience JOY just by being in the presence of Jesus by serving others.

PSALM 16:11: “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of JOY; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” PSALM 95:1–2: “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a JOYFUL noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a JOYFUL noise to him with songs of praise!”