Why Nursing Home Ministry?

There is still time to plan a Christmas visit to a local nursing home. Of any time of year this may be the most available open door to share the love of God at a long term care community near you!

pastorpete51's avatarWalking With Lambs

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11 KJV

Saturday there is a neighborhood Christmas get-together or maybe it will be breakfast with Santa at the church. Then there are the kids coming the following week-end with the grandchildren just before that Christmas caroling at the nursing home. Wow! If you are anything like me your schedule is busy so then why should we even consider packing in nursing home ministry on top of everything else?

Every Wednesday we receive a copy of a local paper that we do pay for, do not like and rarely read. In fact every home in our neighborhood gets a copy tossed into our driveways. The…

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Nursing Home Week

If you are not involved with Nursing home ministry you may not know but this week is national nursing home week in America. I would love to see many more people getting connected with nursing home ministry but not for the wrong reasons. We don’t go just because we feel sad or sorry for people. We go as an expression of the love of Christ. Nursing homes are not just a location, they are a needed part of our community.  People who live in nursing homes carry the memories, experiences and wisdom of an entire generation that is entering the final chapter of their lives. The most important part of any story is its conclusion and we stand in danger of missing it if we forget them.

If you would consider getting involved in nursing home outreach where you live but aren’t sure where to begin then Nursing Home Ministry – The Heart of Jesus Christ

is a resource that offers an inspirational look into the basics. Nursing Home Ministry thumbnailYou may feel you don’t have a lot to give but Jesus told us that if we gave even a cup of cold water in His name we would be doing something of value to God. God has given each of us a cup and it doesn’t matter the size or shape of our cup. What matters is if we are willing to give it away!

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Reflections of Hope

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Maybe your first memories of Mother’s day are of coming home from school with a hand written card and kisses. Later it meant a special dinner at a restaurant and flowers for her. After leaving home we probably gave Mom a phone call and sent her favorite chocolates in the mail. But for some this Mother’s day is a little bitter sweet because it means just another visit to her in the nursing home. Being a part of the “Nursing Home Community” makes us different. Whether we are residents, visitors, volunteers or staff we face a challenge to our hopes every day.

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

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Having had the wonderful privilege of serving as a volunteer nursing home chaplain for almost 25 years, I have learned much about hope from people I have met there. If you are a nursing home resident Reflections of Hope is written for you. If you are a shut-in, a nurse, a therapist or a care giver these pages are dedicated to your hopes. If you are a family member struggling with the decision about what to do for your mom or dad, brother or sister, these 50 days of hope are your invitation to trust God with all your struggles and to hope again. Why not begin with me a journey towards hope today? Jesus knew what it means to be caught out in storms, suffer rejection and even abandonment. He willingly chose to pass through all of these things so that today we could be filled with hope through Him!

Reflections of Hope is available in softcover or E-book format on Amazon.

Reflections of Hope