The Joy of SERVING!

Jesus said, "Who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves."

-Luke 22:27 (NRSV)

In our text today from Luke's Good News we see Jesus asking the simple question does God call us to be served or to SERVE? Indeed the role of the Church and the Christian community is to SERVE. The Rev. Dr. Margret Ann Williams of theological fame in Chicago is know for her enthusiasm when it comes to serving. So much so that Chicago Black Methodist for Church Renewal named an award after he called the Rev. M.A.W. Joy of Serving Award, which is now given annually to both lay and clergy who exemplify the highest levels of christian servant-hood. Rev. Williams lives a life molded after John Wesley's words Do All the Good You Can All the While You Can.

While many people talk about serving more times than not they are self-serving, not living up to our Christian call. This is why when people and places step up in mission and service I take time out to acknowledge them. Therefore today I would like to illustrate the servants hearts of A Just Harvest, they talk the talk and walk the walk.

The Community Kitchen A Just Harvest’s Community Kitchen began as a ministry of the Good News Community Church (United Church of Christ) in 1983. In the beginning, we served meals a few days per week. Today, with the help of more than 40 partnering organizations and nearly 10,000 volunteer hours, our Community Kitchen is the largest and only self-standing community soup kitchen in the Chicago metro area. We serve hot, nutritious meals 365 days per year to anyone in need. Last year, the Community Kitchen served more than 54,000 meals.

Family we should all take the call to service so seriously that we commit ourselves to helping persons going through the storms of life. For more information about these programs or opportunities go to: www.ajustharvest.org