The Servant’s Heart

To me, the servant’s heart comes from the Great Commandment in which Jesus declared “You are to love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. . .And you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matt 22:37, 39) What it looks like to follow this commandment is found by looking at Jesus.  Every aspect of Jesus’ life reflected his love of God and neighbor.  In looking at Jesus one sees that a servant’s heart is a humble heart, a selfless heart, and a sacrificial heart.  To have a servant’s heart like Jesus one must first have a heart for serving God, not out of obligation, but out of love.  Through the Holy Spirit we are given gifts and through our love for God flows our love for others in which we desire to use our gifts not for our own gains but to build up our neighbors. It is also through the Holy Spirit that we are transformed into the image of Christ so that all of our thoughts, words, and actions reflect the love of God and neighbor.

One of the gifts the Holy Spirit has given me is the ability and understanding of what it means to be a mentor.  In the industrial age, a manager was seen as a person who commanded their employees to perform or risk unemployment.  The relationship was more in the form of master – slave and not as partners.  In a mentoring role, a person is still a leader yet they lead by walking along side others guiding, directing, performing, and living in mutual relationship.  Jesus, with his servant’s heart, is the ultimate example of a mentor.  Jesus, though the Son of God, humbled himself to become fully human and be obedient to God all the way to death on a cross.  Jesus as human walked alongside a fallen humanity, healing, teaching, proclaiming the word of God, and showing how to live in a loving relationship with God and neighbor.  Jesus gave of himself and never asked anyone to do what he was unwilling to do.  As a mentor who has a servant’s heart I have walked alongside the people of my congregations and communities.  I am a fellow traveler who allows others to see me working out my salvation in fear and trembling.  It is through my failures and successes that I can point others to God’s grace that is freely given to all.

I look forward to walking alongside all of you at First UMC and the people of Chenango Bridge as we know, grow, and go together.

Grace & Peace,

Pastor Bob

*Note: If you wish to contact any of the leaders listed in the announcements please contact the church office at 648-4339 or email: chenbridgeumc@outlook.com for their contact information.

Ladies Group:  Monday Evening, 6:30—8 PM, Disciple Room (B4). Ladies meeting occasionally during the summer for fun & fellowship. Please contact Norma O’Connor for more information.

Knitting for the Lord. Some gather during the summer.  Contact Lynn Masland for time and place.

Tuesday Women’s group. Join us on Tuesday’s at 12:45 in the Disciple Room (B4), for a time of friendship, good food, & great conversation. Questions contact Dottie Brownlow*. Everyone is welcome!

Online Giving is now available. Scan this QR code to make a donation from your mobile device or go to www.chenangobridgeumc.org .  You may schedule monthly donations, pay for registrations/classes, or make a one-time contribution.

Collection for Local Flood Victims: Verizon at 1308 E. Vestal Pkwy  is collecting clothes, sheets, blankets, stuff animals, etc for local flood victims. You may just drop them off at their location.

Children’s Home Annual Ice Cream Social: Tuesday, August 8th from 5pm till 8pm, 1182 Chenango Street, Binghamton, NY 13901. Please help support the Children’s home & join them for some ice cream, cake & fun!

Collection for School Kits: to help UMCOR & our local schools to provide school supplies for needy children

August 5^th      – Round tip scissors

August 13^th    – 24 count box crayons & 30 cm Rulers must include centimeter markings (may have inch markings as well)

August 20^th    – Colored Pencils 10 to 12 per box

August 27^th    – 2 70 sheet count spiral note books

Volunteer opportunity: Sky Lake is requesting volunteers (ages 16+) to help with Summer Camp check-in! Any Sunday afternoon from 2-5 pm, between July 16th & August 6^th. Parking,  Welcoming Committee, Gift Shop and Check in are just a few of the jobs available!  Penny will have the interest form and any questions can be directed to our Program Director, Britny Wainwright, britny@skylakecenter.org or give the Sky Lake Office a call at 607-467-2750.

Knitting for the Lord: will be collecting red infant and preemie hats made from soft yarn in Oct for Heart month.  Also collecting for hats, mittens, and scarves for any age to be donated to schools, participation in the give away at Thanksgiving, placed on trees & fences in Binghamton, JC and Endicott, for the Rescue Mission & used for the Hat and Mitten Tree at church

Coupons To Care Group: Still collecting coupons & distributing items.  Please contact Sharon Quackenbush or Karen Hojsik with questions.   Leave coupons in Karen’s mailbox.  Contact Sharon or Karen, if you know of someone in need.  Requests are confidential.

Quality Steam Cleaning: We are grateful for the mutual support that we experience with businesses in our community. Quality Steam Cleaning, Mr. Anderson, has donated 10% of sales from church members who have used his services. We have received $272 from Quality Steam Cleaning.  Mr. Anderson will continue to honor this policy, and expand it by including 10% of carpet sales to church members who mention this promotion. Coupon below & available in the back of the church.

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