We are the Sermon Sunday

This past Sunday, our church took part in a special project called "We are the Sermon." Wesley was the volunteer coordinator for this special event, and I want to share about this amazing day!

Almost two years ago, Wesley heard of a church in Texas that was going out into the community on Sundays and being the Hands and Feet of Jesus. Instead of worshiping in the building, the church was actually taking the Sermon to the streets. The church was displaying the very essence of Jesus Christ- Service to Others. The members of the church were not just "talking the talk; they were walking the walk."

As soon as Wesley heard about this, he was 100% on board! He became very passionate about this idea and shared it with our friends at the West End Church of Christ in Nashville. The elders and staff loved the idea so much that they began organizing a "We are the Sermon" last Spring. Wesley shared the idea to some at our church, Grace Chapel Church of Christ, as well. Plans were made and the date was set for our own "We are the Sermon."

Wesley worked with volunteers to locate 25 different service projects in Forsyth County. It was amazing to see how much need is in our area! It took over three months of planning and organizing, but Sunday 300 members of our congregation went out and served!

It was AWESOME! We gathered together for a communion service, and then we were dismissed to our projects. Some went out to homes and helped clean and landscape. One group even built a wheelchair ramp! Other members went to visit at area nursing homes; provided food for some needy families; or watched the Grace Chapel kids while the parents served. 

The tagline for the day was "It's not something we do - it's who we are" We are children of God. Jesus came into this world not to be served but to serve. If our Savior can humble Himself and be like a servant not to prove something but because it is the very essence of who He is, shouldn't we all strive for that as well?

Sunday we were given the opportunity not to worship in a corporate setting with songs, prayers, and a regular sermon. But rather to worship in our service to others. Not because it is something we had to mark off a to-do list, but rather because it is a God given desire within each of us to give to those in need purely so that others "may see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven" (Matthew 5:16)

I came across this message in the introduction to James in my Inspirational Study Bible by Max Lucado. I had to share for it sums up the reasoning behind "We are the Sermon" 

Francis of Assisi once invited an apprentice to go with him to a nearby village to preach. The young monk quickly agreed, seizing an opportunity to hear his teacher speak. When they arrived in the village, St. Francis began to visit with the people. 

First he stopped in on the butcher. Next a visit with the cobbler. Then a short walk to the home of a woman who had recently buried her husband. After that, a stop at the local school to chat with the teacher. After some time, Francis told his disciple that it was time to return to the abbey. 

The student didn't understand. "But we came to preach," he reminded. "We haven't preached a sermon."

"Haven't we?" questioned the elder. "People have watched us, listened to us, responded to us. Every word we have spoken, every deed we have done has been a sermon. We have preached all morning."

"Preach without ceasing. If you must, use words." St. Francis.