nursing homes

The Power of Two

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment 
Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. Matthew 18:19 ESV

The power of two has been obvious ever since God looked down at Adam sleeping in the garden and said, “It is not good for man to be alone!” Moses had his brother Aaron, and Joshua stuck with Caleb. Jesus regularly sent the disciples out two by two, and even taught us that having a partner in prayer can move Heaven. In nursing home ministry, it is so easy to get so motivated to just get out there and get something done that we might forget to look to others for help. Being motivated to launch out is a great way to get started, but having a team member in ministry is vital to carry on the work.

But you might say, “I don’t know anyone who is interested in helping in nursing home ministry. But our lack of handy volunteers isn’t a problem for God. What He wants from us is simply the willingness to work with those He brings our way. Even when it seems we are alone at a facility, God just may surprise us from unexpected sources.

One of my favorite “volunteer stories” is about a man named Bruce. Bruce worked in the maintenance department of one of the facilities that I visit. After the service, Bruce would often greet me with a smile, a handshake, and a comment about how he also loved the hymns. One week Bruce asked if he could help sing with me. Though it seemed an odd request, I was later surprised and delighted as I heard his rich baritone voice joining in with me on “How Great Thou Art.” Not only was that a special blessing for me, but the residents also loved Bruce’s singing. Bruce reminded me that we were able to do far more together than either of us could do alone. Because we sang together, people had the chance to see their maintenance man in a whole new light. Though many residents looked forward to my coming in every Friday, Bruce could be there to encourage them or pray for them every day. Sadly, it was only a month or so until Bruce moved on to another job, but the memory of how God uses us together has encouraged me to always be keeping an eye out for the next “Bruce” who God might bring my way!

What is a Volunteer?

/ pastorpete51 / 8 Comments 
And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” Matthew 10:42 ESV

Not long ago my friends, Bob and Rita told me that due to their health issues, they were just too tired to continue volunteering. I was sad not only because I knew they loved coming, but because serving communion and helping pass out the newsletters may sound like small duties; but they matter far more to the residents than you may realize. Each volunteer in nursing home ministry brings with them their life experience, personality and heart. For those in long-term care, a volunteer represents someone who came, not because it was their job or their family duty, but because they cared. Volunteering in a nursing home takes a great many forms and each one of them matters to God. As Jesus said, “whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water…will by no means lose his reward.” Any small act that is done in love will be remembered by God.

Without Bob and Rita this last month, I struggled to figure out a way to offer communion to those who gather for the Sunday afternoon service. Each week I brought along the bag with the supplies in hopes of inspiration, but each week returned with it unopened. Then this Sunday at Discovery Village, I noticed there was a new staff member who had been assigned to stay with the residents during the service. I was delighted that when I asked for help, she graciously said “Sure, no problem!” So, I took out the cups, the serving trays, the bottle of juice and the box of Matzoh crackers and quickly explained how to prepare everything and then began the service. All seemed well as we progressed towards communion time, but after we finished singing and I was about to ask God’s blessing on the elements, I noticed that the plate for the bread still stood empty and Ava looked at me and asked, “How much do I need to use?” “Just break up one, it should be plenty,” I hurriedly whispered. Then. hoping for the best, I bowed my head, prayed and started playing the Old Rugged Cross. Just as I sang the first couple of notes, I noticed one of the residents springing into action. “Here, let me help!” Virginia offered as she went forward, taking hold of one of the plates. Then, as she started passing out the bread, a man who was there visiting his mom, also jumped up and took one of the trays of the cups. Though I had no plan, God provided three new volunteers in place of the two we had lost!

I say all this, to show that all it takes to be a volunteer, is a readiness to be pressed into action and a willingness to help. Jesus isn’t asking how qualified we are but whether we are willing to share with others, that cup of cold water that we have in our hands. If you are interested in becoming involved as a Nursing Home volunteer, stay tuned the next couple of days, because I will offer some simple guidelines to help you to get started. If you are already serving, then watch for links to some various resources that we offer, some free and others at a low cost that can help equip you on your journey as a volunteer. One four-legged volunteer recently walked into our meeting, right in the middle of the song service. But because she was so beautiful and gentle, I had to pause and get a few photos. She can’t sing or preach, but she brings a lot of comfort every time she lays her head in the lap of one of the residents and lets them stroke her neck! She reminds us that if we are willing to just hug a few necks, then we can share the love of Jesus with someone today!

Connected

/ pastorpete51 / 9 Comments

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 ESV


On July 26th, the Olympic Summer Games will begin in Paris. There thousands of athletes will compete for gold, silver and bronze medals in 32 sports. Like the ancient Greek games, the winners will proudly go home with those medals and mount them in display cases for everyone to see. But Jesus told His disciples that following Him, was not like that. Individual achievements were not to be their hallmark. Instead, Jesus made it clear that everything we do was about being connected, and specifically, being connected to Him. He told us that without Him, we could not accomplish anything. I know that in my nursing home ministry, there have been times when, just adding up the services put on, the number of people coming, or seeing how many children can be persuaded to sing carols at Christmas become goals in themselves. But Jesus said that living for Him was to be nothing like that. Instead, we are to simply remain in connection with Him, and He will accomplish the work of bringing about the fruitfulness. Yes, having a crowd show up for a service is fulfilling, but connecting people one by one to Jesus is what really matters. Think of the ministry of Jesus Christ. Certainly, He drew large crowds, to the point that He fed 5,000 men in one and 4,000 in another. But the goals of Christ were always far different than what ours would have been. He didn’t have folks sign “New Visitor” cards, collect contact numbers or start planning for an even bigger event. Instead, Jesus turned to His disciples and said, “Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. ” (John 6:56) Jesus was not pursuing popularity, but connection. He didn’t want to know how many were visiting, He wanted to know who would abide in Him. This was nowhere more evident than at the end of His life as He hung on the cross. There, the earthly ministry of Jesus ended as He connected to one disciple, one parent, and one soldier. Though countless millions would later come to faith in Him, that day Jesus focused only on those three who were nearest to Him. Alone and suffering terribly, He did not debate theology, but He prayed for forgiveness for those who had put Him there. He finished the work of our salvation, by being cut off and forsaken, so that we could be included and connected to Him. And if the Son of God loved us so much that He gave up everything so that we could be connected to Him, then we must be willing to give up whatever He asks to help people, get connected to Him. Last Friday we just returned to one facility where services had been cancelled for the past month due to another Covid outbreak. It was so great to get together and be connected again, and today’s video is the closing song of that service. I hope you join us in celebrating that connection by the grace of our wonderful Lord Jesus Christ!