Does anyone know the plural of Phoebe? Phoebes? Phoebi? I don’t know, but what I do know is that we are blessed to have several in our congregation!
Who is Phoebe? Excellent question! There are only 50 or so words, two verses, dedicated to her in the Bible, yet we find a description of the type of person that makes the church work!
Romans 16:1-2, I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.
I added the emphasis on “servant and “helper.” The word translated in the NKJV “servant” is the same word from which we get “Deacon.” “Helper” has also been translated as “supporter.”
We are blessed to have several women in our congregation that exemplify this description. They serve the church, often very quietly and in the background, and are seldom noticed. They support the church, and me, in so many ways but are seldom appropriately appreciated.
Heather, Ashley, Cristey, Mandy, Cheryl, Donna, Joni, Karen, Michelle, Ruby, Gloria, Gerda, Rachel, Jamie, Amanda, Annabelle, Sherry, Janice, Alli, Margie, Pat, Karen, Loraine, Michelle, Pat, Phyllis, Lupe, Latrena, Abigail, Taylor, Juliet, Jennie, Tammi, Kristi, Colleen, Cindy, Joanne, and I am sure there are others whose names have slipped my aging memory. None the less, the whole church and I commend you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Don’t worry guys, you’re equally necessary and appreciated!
Without the incredible volunteer servants and supporters, we could not do the ministry coming up this summer. VBS is going to be awesome!!! The next garage sale will be a huge success! The Anchorage Mission Trip is going to make an eternal difference! The Community Garden is ministering to the community in a unique way. Our Benevolence department is meeting needs in someone’s life. Youth will be reached through the several outreaches planned. Families are going to be blessed because of the Community Outreach team. The Annex is getting renovated. The Portables will be renovated. Wow! Just wow!
I do want to take a moment and thank John Mayes for his work on the Pig Roast. He, along with those that helped him, put on the best fellowship we have had in a very long time!
Also, thank you to the hospitality team that helped with the services for both Verna Baker and Deacon Don Lilja.
Acts 2:46-47: So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
God bless, Pastor Rob