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Because we live in a broken world, all of us experience pain from time to time. God calls us to reach out in love and compassion to members of the church family and the community who are hurting. While new ministries and groups are begun as the need arises, here are some of the ministries of compassion in which members of FPC currently serve:
MINISTRIES TO SHUT-INS
We want those in our congregation who are home bound or in nursing care facilities to remember that they are connected to a church family and that we care about them. Every shut-in has the opportunity for a personal “Shepherd” – an individual who will visit several times a month, share the news of the church, and pray with the shut-in. When it is not possible to visit a shut-in, due to the travel distance or other reasons, a member of the Phone Ministry will call several times a month to “check in”, see how the shut-in is doing, see if the shut-in needs anything, and pray over the telephone. And monthly, Church Elders take communion to the shut-ins. This opportunity to hear Scripture read, a meditation shared, a prayer said, and to receive the sacrament of communition reminds the shut-ins that they are connected and important members of God’s family.
PRAYER MINISTRIES
Believing that God calls us to prayers of praise and adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication, and intercession, you are invited to join a prayer ministry. The Monday Prayer Group meets every week at 5:45 PM in the Church Parlor. Intercessory prayers center around those on the weekly prayer list and requests submitted on Sunday mornings. The Prayer List, updated twice a week and printed on blue paper, is placed at the Welcome Center on Sundays and in the Jeffords Center on Wednesday evenings. Requests for prayer are called into the Church Office during the week or written on prayer cards found in the Sanctuary pew racks on Sunday mornings. An Email Prayer Chain is another way members can learn of intercessory needs and take them to God in prayer.
RAINBOWS FOR CHILDREN
This ministry is for elementary and middle school children who are grieving a loss, such as death, divorce, a move or some other transition. Trained Christian facilitators help the children work through their grief. The 14 week session is divided into 2 semesters.
FPC FOOD MINISTRY
This ministry is for members of the congregation who have had a death in the immediate family, experienced a serious illness or hospitalization, or have a newborn baby. Volunteers provide meals to extend care and support.
FUNERAL GUILD
When a funeral or memorial service is held in the Sanctuary or Chapel, the Funeral Guild attends to the preparation details so that the service will run smoothly and the family of the deceased will be well cared for.
HANDYMAN MINISTRY
In an effort to provide household repairs to those unable to handle them on their own, this ministry team will do such things as change a ceiling light bulb, do minor repairs in and on a house, or give recommendations for making a home handicapped-accessible. The one requesting assistance pays for materials.
FAITH IN ACTION TEAM
This team of church members travels to disaster areas to provide a helping hand.
STEPHEN MINISTRY
Stephen Ministers are lay men and women from our congregation who are trained in Christian care giving. This ministry reaches out to the lonely, the depressed, the bereaved, those hospitalized and convalescing, the divorced, and the aged. If you need a Stephen Minister or know someone who does, please call the church office.
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