Deacons’ Newsletter | Q2-2024
Sharing with the Saints (Rom. 12:13)
Author: Midway Diaconate
Author: Midway Diaconate
Welcome to the second edition of "Sharing with the Saints" in 2024. In this newsletter, we reflect on the first three months of impactful stewardship and dedicated service to our congregation. Through these updates, we hope to encourage you and affirm God's blessings on our church.
Devotional
Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:14
And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.
Paul ends his first letter to the church in Thessalonica with a series of exhortations & commands that all churches would do well to pay attention to today. One that is frequently memorized and displayed in homes is verses 16-18: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances…” but before he writes to us about these spiritually grounding instructions for ourselves, he gives us instructions on what and how to help others—in our church and our homes. We see four clearly stated instructions:
Admonish the Idle
When admonishing, or reprimanding, we see love being carried out. It can be as simple as a warning or as exacting as discipline. “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives” (Proverbs 3:11-12).
Who are the idle? For the original audience of Paul’s letter, it was those among them relying on others for food and financial support, selfishly exploiting the charity of others in the church. Thus, in Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians, we read a warning against idleness: “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat” (2 Thess. 3:10b).
Are we idle in our work? Idle in our faith? Are our children idle or are we idle to our children? James tells us our faith should be evidenced by our work “Show me your faith apart from your works and I will show you my faith by my works… For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead” (James 2:18, 26).
Encourage the Fainthearted
The command here is to encourage not to sympathize. Today we are inundated with Christian sympathy and that is good in specific situations but we more often need to encourage and be encouraged. We live in a society that has warmly embraced defeat and has negative outlooks on seemingly all things, albeit worldly things. Sympathy is used for situations that are done, over, and final. But we are a church militant, with the hope of being a church triumphant. Whatever setback, challenge, trial, or tribulation we experience as God’s chosen heirs is more of a halftime moment than a post-game sympathy from a father. “Say to those who have an anxious heart, ‘Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you” (Isaiah 35:4).
Help the Weak
Midway has been blessed with a diaconate and church body willing and able to help those in our church and community (and world) with assistance in a myriad of ways: spiritually, financially, giving of time & labor & food, funds for surgeries, and medical care in India and throughout. In James’ letter, he tells us “Religion that is pure & undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans & widows in their affliction” (1:27), in essence, to help & encourage those who are unable to help themselves. Note that the Word doesn’t tell orphans and widows what Paul wrote to the Thessalonian free-loaders who can work but don’t. Paul in addressing the Ephesian elders says “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive,’” (Acts 20:35).
Be Patient with them All
Patience is a virtue! My father told me this millions of times, clearly seeing my youthful haste. As a young father personally, patience is very difficult and doesn’t seem to get much easier with age. But consider what we see in Paul’s description of love to the Corinthian church: “Love is patient and kind;” (13:4) the very first thing we read about love is that it is patient. Consider your children (or as a child), the instruction or discipline given, the encouragement poured into a sad or struggling child, the help and support the way child so desperately needs. After all such energy we pour into our children, we are patient with them because we love them. Are we as the bride of Christ much different? If we are to endure and remain steadfast for the crown of life, is it too much a burden to be patient for the Lord’s work in those in our flock? Our faith ought to be reflected by our patience. For we should never lose sight that “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth” (1 Cor 3:6). May we strive in prayer and in action to serve one another more as a church body, and to build up our church to love to and to good works, encouraging one another more and more!
Devotional
Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:14
And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.
Paul ends his first letter to the church in Thessalonica with a series of exhortations & commands that all churches would do well to pay attention to today. One that is frequently memorized and displayed in homes is verses 16-18: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances…” but before he writes to us about these spiritually grounding instructions for ourselves, he gives us instructions on what and how to help others—in our church and our homes. We see four clearly stated instructions:
- Admonish the idle.
- Encourage the fainthearted.
- Help the weak.
- Be patient with them all.
Admonish the Idle
When admonishing, or reprimanding, we see love being carried out. It can be as simple as a warning or as exacting as discipline. “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives” (Proverbs 3:11-12).
Who are the idle? For the original audience of Paul’s letter, it was those among them relying on others for food and financial support, selfishly exploiting the charity of others in the church. Thus, in Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians, we read a warning against idleness: “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat” (2 Thess. 3:10b).
Are we idle in our work? Idle in our faith? Are our children idle or are we idle to our children? James tells us our faith should be evidenced by our work “Show me your faith apart from your works and I will show you my faith by my works… For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead” (James 2:18, 26).
Encourage the Fainthearted
The command here is to encourage not to sympathize. Today we are inundated with Christian sympathy and that is good in specific situations but we more often need to encourage and be encouraged. We live in a society that has warmly embraced defeat and has negative outlooks on seemingly all things, albeit worldly things. Sympathy is used for situations that are done, over, and final. But we are a church militant, with the hope of being a church triumphant. Whatever setback, challenge, trial, or tribulation we experience as God’s chosen heirs is more of a halftime moment than a post-game sympathy from a father. “Say to those who have an anxious heart, ‘Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you” (Isaiah 35:4).
Help the Weak
Midway has been blessed with a diaconate and church body willing and able to help those in our church and community (and world) with assistance in a myriad of ways: spiritually, financially, giving of time & labor & food, funds for surgeries, and medical care in India and throughout. In James’ letter, he tells us “Religion that is pure & undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans & widows in their affliction” (1:27), in essence, to help & encourage those who are unable to help themselves. Note that the Word doesn’t tell orphans and widows what Paul wrote to the Thessalonian free-loaders who can work but don’t. Paul in addressing the Ephesian elders says “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive,’” (Acts 20:35).
Be Patient with them All
Patience is a virtue! My father told me this millions of times, clearly seeing my youthful haste. As a young father personally, patience is very difficult and doesn’t seem to get much easier with age. But consider what we see in Paul’s description of love to the Corinthian church: “Love is patient and kind;” (13:4) the very first thing we read about love is that it is patient. Consider your children (or as a child), the instruction or discipline given, the encouragement poured into a sad or struggling child, the help and support the way child so desperately needs. After all such energy we pour into our children, we are patient with them because we love them. Are we as the bride of Christ much different? If we are to endure and remain steadfast for the crown of life, is it too much a burden to be patient for the Lord’s work in those in our flock? Our faith ought to be reflected by our patience. For we should never lose sight that “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth” (1 Cor 3:6). May we strive in prayer and in action to serve one another more as a church body, and to build up our church to love to and to good works, encouraging one another more and more!
Mercy Ministry Update (Sammy Mitchell)
In Q1-2024, we handled 17 cases, assisting 10 of them, which accounts for about 58% of the requests. The remaining 41% either did not follow through or were ineligible for support. Additionally, we refreshed our "2 Men for 2 Hours" program, which helps widows in our church with small tasks around their homes. Three members have already benefited from this program light yard work and maintenance at their houses.We encourage anyone in need of this service to contact us at mercyprojects@midwaypca.org.
Did you know?
The Mercy Projects is comprised of helping hands from all across our church, not just the Diaconate. If anyone can help with these projects, please email mercyprojects@midwaypca.org to be added to the distribution list as various projects and needs arise. These needs can vary from moving furniture for a family in need to clearing the yard for a widow to helping beautify our church building & grounds.
In Q1-2024, we handled 17 cases, assisting 10 of them, which accounts for about 58% of the requests. The remaining 41% either did not follow through or were ineligible for support. Additionally, we refreshed our "2 Men for 2 Hours" program, which helps widows in our church with small tasks around their homes. Three members have already benefited from this program light yard work and maintenance at their houses.We encourage anyone in need of this service to contact us at mercyprojects@midwaypca.org.
Did you know?
The Mercy Projects is comprised of helping hands from all across our church, not just the Diaconate. If anyone can help with these projects, please email mercyprojects@midwaypca.org to be added to the distribution list as various projects and needs arise. These needs can vary from moving furniture for a family in need to clearing the yard for a widow to helping beautify our church building & grounds.
Building and Grounds Committee Update (Joe Hash)
The Building & Grounds Committee, together with all the Deacons, continuously monitors the buildings and grounds for any issues. We highly value your input and encourage you to reach out if you notice anything that needs attention. Please feel free to contact a deacon to report any concerns. Here’s a snapshot of our recent achievements:
The Building & Grounds Committee, together with all the Deacons, continuously monitors the buildings and grounds for any issues. We highly value your input and encourage you to reach out if you notice anything that needs attention. Please feel free to contact a deacon to report any concerns. Here’s a snapshot of our recent achievements:
- Completed a major roof repair thanks to the Lord’s provision through our well-established Long Term Building Maintenance Fund and our insurance, which covered the cost without needing additional funding. (Please see picture below):
- Built and installed a shelf for pool table accessories, hung pictures, mounted cue and table racks, repaired and touched up walls, replaced light bulbs, investigated the non-working overhead projector, repaired a broken table, and installed a door kick-down.
- Replaced light bulbs, touched up walls, cleaned the storage room by the 4th grade, and replaced light bulbs for the school.
- Built and installed a rack for gym hoops, repaired padding on the basketball backboard, installed door seals to prevent mouse entry, ordered and stocked paper goods, removed balls from the roof, unclogged toilets, attempted to repair the boys' locker room door closer (will need replacement), and replaced light bulbs and repaired teachers' lecterns.
- Power-scrubbed the entire men's bathroom floor, restocked paper goods, replaced light bulbs in various areas, reattached the downspout outside the 87 Sanctuary, assisted Cheryl and Judy with cleaning the choir closet, cleaned carpet stains, adjusted the ice maker, helped with cleaning due to Jean's illness, and conducted a property walk-around for maintenance.
- Performed a routine inspection and filter replacement via our service company Trane AC, with no apparent issues.
Risk Management Committee Update (Matt Buehler)
We keep two able-bodied men (congregants) on duty each Sunday for the morning and evening service to keep eyes on the premises to ensure our worship is not disrupted. As we aim to protect the grounds, nursery, your cars, and ensure the safety of all in our midst, please contact a deacon or usher on duty should you ever see suspicious behavior. While we are blessed to live in a safe area and not face the dangers our brothers and sisters in Christ face throughout the world, we want to do our best to take all precautions. We also would like to add to our security detail rotation so we can have people out of the service less frequently. If you feel inclined to volunteer to assist us in this effort, please contact Matt Buehler or Charles Hagan for additional information.
We keep two able-bodied men (congregants) on duty each Sunday for the morning and evening service to keep eyes on the premises to ensure our worship is not disrupted. As we aim to protect the grounds, nursery, your cars, and ensure the safety of all in our midst, please contact a deacon or usher on duty should you ever see suspicious behavior. While we are blessed to live in a safe area and not face the dangers our brothers and sisters in Christ face throughout the world, we want to do our best to take all precautions. We also would like to add to our security detail rotation so we can have people out of the service less frequently. If you feel inclined to volunteer to assist us in this effort, please contact Matt Buehler or Charles Hagan for additional information.
Conclusion
As your deacons, it is our delight and joy to serve you in Christ. If you need help or would like to volunteer in some way to serve our church family, then please do not hesitate to contact any of the diaconate committee chairs listed below.
As your deacons, it is our delight and joy to serve you in Christ. If you need help or would like to volunteer in some way to serve our church family, then please do not hesitate to contact any of the diaconate committee chairs listed below.
In Christ,
Deacons Charles Hagan & Dami Adeoye, Editors
Deacons Charles Hagan & Dami Adeoye, Editors
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