Serve
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. I Peter 4:10
Here at Grace, our service through mission is at the heart of our life together.
Jesus chose to be a servant to others, as so do we. To help in caring for the needs of others our congregation:
sets aside a certain amount of the budget each year to financially assist individuals, groups, partner agencies and other non-profits; 11 agencies that serve both locally and globally receive funds to help them carry out their mission;
opens our buildings as a gift of space for meetings, Bible studies, and support groups;
provides community garden plots for those who would like to have a space to grow food or flowers, and share or trade produce and gardening tips;
invites members and friends to join in our volunteering as we serve those who are food insecure, suffering from disasters, dealing with age-related concerns, grieving or ill, or are in need of a friend or encourager at school or in a nursing home.
All are welcome to join us in serving God and others through our different mission opportunities.
Check out the information about our:
Food Pantry;
Stewpot (meals served);
partnership with our neighborhood Public School;
partnership with our neighborhood Retirement Community;
making and delivering Prayer Shawls;
community gardens.
Food Pantry Ministry
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink…I was naked and you gave me clothing.” —Matthew 25:35
Grace's Food Pantry is the First and Third Thursday of Every Month 6:00 p.m. at the Church
We often forget that some of our neighbors are lacking life’s basic need of food. Grace Food Pantry enables us to serve those throughout the greater Little Rock area by:
welcoming our neighbors in a safe, friendly and compassionate environment that maintains the dignity of each person.
providing food;
offering donated books for both children and adults to take home as their own;
TO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE Client Qualifications and Services
Who May Apply:
Persons with a photo identification card of any kind. Sign a document indicating that any products received from the food pantry will not be resold. Clients will be asked to share the names and ages of persons residing in the home, and employment status.
How to Apply:
Come to the Grace Food Pantry on the first and third Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary of the church.
Distribution of Food:
Food will be distributed on a first come/first served basis. Some personal and household products may be available. Persons are eligible to receive assistance twice a month, if needed.
Questions:
Questions will be answered by church staff or volunteers from 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, Friday, 9-noon. The church office can be reached at (501) 225-3274.
VOLUNTEER TO HELP WITH THE FOOD PANTRY
Volunteers are needed each month to help sort and pack food, as well as to greet our clients and distribute food and other items. To volunteer, call the church office, or come to the Sanctuary at 5:30 p.m. on our Food Pantry distribution nights.
DONATION OPPORTUNITIES
You may bring donations to the Pantry during regular church office hours, or on Sunday morning. Please label items for the Grace Food Pantry. The following items are always needed:
Books for children or adults
Peanut Butter
Canned meat, fruits or vegetables
Spaghetti sauce and pasta
Cereal
PARTNER APPRECIATION
Much of our food is either donated or purchased through our partner organization, the Arkansas Food Bank. We appreciate being a part of this non-profit which has been active in the battle against hunger in Arkansas for many years. More information about the Arkansas Food Bank can be found at http://arkansasfoodbank.org
Grace Presbyterian Church is able to offer two distribution days due to our partnership with neighboring church Second Peesbyteriaan Church. Second offers financial support as well as hands-on volunteers to provide services to our hungry neighbors.
Meal Ministry
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink…I was naked and you gave me clothing.” —Matthew 25:35
Stewpot Fourth Thursday of Every Month 10:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church 800 Scott Street, Little Rock, AR 72201
Members and friends of Grace Presbyterian Church volunteer to serve a meal at Stewpot (housed at First Presbyterian Church, downtown Little Rock) on the fourth Thursday of every month from 10:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. The mission of the Stewpot is:
To Feed the Hungry.
"The motto is “Feed whoever walks through our doors". The Stewpot is open from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Monday through Friday providing a hot meal to the homeless, jobless, elderly, physically or mentally disabled and displaced families in the Greater Little Rock area.
To Help Clothe the Needy.
The purpose of the Clothes Closet is to distribute clothing and hygiene products to folks in need. The Clothes Closet is open every Thursday from 12:00 to 1:00, and is staffed mostly by volunteers.
To offer Free Medical Services to the sick.
The Baptist Health Community Clinic is held weekly at the Stewpot. Nurses come to the Stewpot each Friday from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm. A volunteer physician, along with two volunteer pharmacists, offer free medical care and prescription medications on the third Thursday of each month. Free Services Include: Basic First Aid, Blood Pressure Screening, Blood Sugar Screening, Care Coordination, Community Referrals, Diabetes Education Program, Diabetes Risk Assessment , Flu Shots (October and November), Health Monitoring, Individualized Health Teaching, Oxygen Levels, Parasitic (Lice) Treatment, Tobacco Education and Weight Management Education
TO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE Client Qualifications and Services
Who May Be Served:
Anyone who comes to the Stewpot will be served a meal. Those in need of clothing or medical care will also be assisted.
How to Be Served:
Come to the Stewpot Monday through Friday from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Monday through Friday for a meal; Thursdays from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. for clothing and hygiene products; Fridays from 12:00 pm. – 1:00 p.m. for the community clinic; third Thursday of each month for medical care and prescription medications.
Questions:
Questions will be answered by church staff or volunteers from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, Friday, 9-noon. The church office can be reached at (501) 225-3274.
VOLUNTEER TO HELP WITH THE STEWPOT
Volunteer opportunities include:
Team Captain
- organize and supervise our team, prepare food, serve, cleanup, 9am-1:30pm
Daily serving teams
- 7 people from 11am - 1:15. Grace covers the same day each month, fourth Thursday.
Donate food
- gallon size cans of vegetables, fruit, soup. Packaged cookies and crackers. Frozen meat.
Deep Cleaning
Donate Clothes
(Men's and Women's jeans, shoes and casual shirts are most needed).
Pick up donated food
from Arkansas Food Bank, Potluck or other food banks (requires heaving lifting and a truck or SUV)
Organize food in pantry
Pick up donated food from Community Bakery
To volunteer, call the church office at (501) 225-3274.
PARTNER APPRECIATION
We appreciate being a part of this non-profit which has been active in the battle against hunger in Arkansas for many years. More information about the Stewpot can be found at http://www.stewpot-littlerock.org/
School Partnership Ministry
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” - Matthew 19:14
Our church is an official Partner in Education with McDermott Elementary School which is located about a half a mile north of our campus. Opportunities for serving the children and staff at McDermott include:
the use of our fellowship hall for basketball and cheer practice at no cost;
collection of school supplies donated by members and friends at the beginning of the school year;
working with the school counselor in providing specific needs for specific children and/or their families;
gifting teachers with items needed for the school year;
offering several of our community garden boxes for school use at no cost.
VOLUNTEER WITH MINISTRIES AT MCDERMOTT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Other volunteer opportunities include:
reading to a class
at McDermott on ViPS (Volunteers in Public Schools) Reading Day (usually in November;
serving as an encourager
to a specific student or students once a week at the school.
To volunteer, call the church office at (501) 225-3274.
PARTNER APPRECIATION
We appreciate our partnership with McDermott Elementary School. More information about McDermott can be found at http://schools.lrsd3.org/?q=content/mcdermott-elementary-home
Retirement Community Ministry
Presbyterian Village 510 North Brookside Drive
Little Rock, AR 72205
Some of our closest neighbors, as well as several of our members, live at Presbyterian Village. Members and friends of Grace Presbyterian Church volunteer to serve in several different ways to brighten up the days of those who live at Presbyterian Village.
VOLUNTEER WITH MINISTRIES AT PRESBYTERIAN VILLAGE
Volunteers opportunities include:
Providing a birthday cake for health care residents on the third Wednesday of every month. The cake (enough to feed 25-30 people) should be delivered to Presbyterian Village by 2:00 p.m.;
Visiting residents who are members or friends of Grace Presbyterian Church;
Providing gifts to residents who are members or friends of Grace Presbyterian Church on holidays and birthdays;
Sending greeting cards or notes to residents who are members or friends of Grace Presbyterian Church;
Providing food for a social time our church sponsors on the third Monday in May;
Attending the May social and visiting with the residents;
Assisting activities directors at the Village in hosting movies, bingo, holiday parties.
VOLUNTEER WITH PRESBYTERIAN VILLAGE’S KINDNESS COMMITTEE AT GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
A group of residents from Presbyterian Village come to Grace Presbyterian Church on the second Thursday of each month at 2:00 p.m. to help with our Food Pantry. Members of the Kindness Committee will spend about an hour packaging or sorting needed items for our Food Pantry. This might include dividing large sacks of beans or rice into smaller packages, putting together special holiday gifts, or sorting items on the Food Pantry shelves. Volunteers prepare the room and the projects for the Kindness Committee, welcome them to the church, and assist them with the project.
To volunteer, call the church office at (501) 225-3274.
PARTNER APPRECIATION
We appreciate being a part of this non-profit which provides continuous care for the older adult population from independent living to skilled nursing and rehabilitation and everything in-between, in a healthy, secure and joyful environment for all residents.
More information about Presbyterian Village can be found at http://presbyvillage.org/
Community Gardens Need a space to grow vegetables or flowers?
Grace Presbyterian Church is providing space in raised beds for gardeners in the community. There are 20 plots available at the start of the season February 1st. There is a $15.00 rental fee for each plot. Feel free to share or trade your produce with your gardening neighbors.
Come check it out!
For more information contact the church office. (501) 225-3274
Responsibilities of the Gardner:
Please make sure to weed, water, and care for your plot.
Only legal plant life is allowed.
Restore your plot to as new condition at the end of the season by removing cages, stakes, dead plants and other foreign material.
Responsibilities of the Church
The church has some tools to assist you. Remember the use of theses tools depends on your care of them.
The water hose is available for watering
PLEASE NOTE: Children are encouraged to assist their families in gardening. Please make sure they are supervised at all times. We (Grace Presbyterian Church) assume no liability.
Grace provides two plots at no charge to our partner school , McDermott Elementary for students to learn and grow.
HAPPY GARDENING!
There are also service opportunities during Sunday morning worship:
serve as a liturgist
serve as a visitor greeter
head usher
serve as a communion preparer or server
provide coffee fellowship
nursery volunteer
In providing service to and with others, we are caring for Christ and following in his way. These service opportunities help us to grow in our faith, in building community both within the congregation, as well as with our neighbors and larger community, and in understanding the needs of our community and our world.
Serving as Liturgist For Worship
The liturgist serves as the lay leader for worship on Sunday mornings during the 10:30 a.m. worship service, or for special services during the year. Liturgists walk to the chancel with the pastor at the beginning of the service and lead their parts of the service from the lecturn (podium on the north side of the sanctuary – Rodney Parham side). Generally the liturgist will lead the congregation in the Call to Worship, the Prayer of Confession and the Assurance of Pardon, the Passing of the Peace, announcing hymns and responses, and in reading a scripture lesson. The liturgist also receives the offering plates and joins the pastor in the congregational response to the benediction.
A bulletin is emailed to the liturgist by Thursday of the week, with portions to be led by the liturgist highlighted, along with specific instructions. A copy of the scripture to be read is also emailed in advance. A large print, highlighted bulletin and a copy of the scripture reading are also available for the liturgist on Sunday morning in the church office.
The pastor or a member of the worship committee will be pleased to meet with anyone who would like to serve as the liturgist for Sunday morning, or at special services such as Christmas Eve or Good Friday. Questions can be directed to the pastor, to members of the Worship committee or to the church office at (501) 225-3274.
Serving as Visitor Greeter
The pastor or a member of the Worship committee will be pleased to meet with anyone who would like to serve as a visitor greeter for Sunday morning, or at special services such as Christmas Eve or Maundy Thursday. Questions can be directed to the pastor, to members of the Worship committee or to the church office at (501) 225-3274.
A detailed list of instructions will be given to those who volunteer to serve as a the visitor greeter. The purpose of the ministry of greeting is to make first time and recurring visitors fell welcome, at ease and accepted. The visitor greeter identifies and makes contact with visitors to our worship service.
The visitor greeter will arrive 20 minutes before the service begins and remains at the visitor station (podium with guest book, pens, and name tags) until the first hymn. The greeter speaks to guests and visitors with a word of welcome, providing any needed information, and offering them the opportunity to sign the guest book and asking them to make a name tag.
Children are welcome in worship, but we also have childcare available for children in kindergarten and under. Childcare is located in the Education Building. Older children are encouraged to remain in the service. If children are present, the pastor will invite the children to come forward for a Children’s time during worship. The Christian Education committee has prepared bags for children to use during worship. A member of the Christian Education committee or the Nursery attendant can help you locate these bags, which are in the front room near the sanctuary off of the narthex.
The ministry of welcome and hospitality is very important in the life of Grace. The visitor greeter is the “front line” for our welcome and hospitality.
Serving as Head Usher
The usher’s keys to the building are found in the church office mail box (in workroom) marked “usher” (3rd box down on right hand side)
For one month:
- Arrive at the church early; no later than 8:45 a.m. Open the doors to the education building (both front and back), sanctuary, and fellowship hall.
- Turn on lamps in the church parlor and the lights in the sanctuary. If there is a problem with the temperature or thermostat, call David Winter.
- If dehumidifiers are running in the sanctuary, empty them and put them in the closets at the front of the sanctuary. Dehumidifiers are only run as needed, so if you don’t see them out, disregard this item.
- Put a small bottle of water behind the pulpit for the pastor. The cup and the baptismal pitcher need to be emptied after the service.
- Have one or two people hand out Sunday bulletins between 10:00 and 10:30 a.m. Bulletins are in the wire basket on secretary’s desk. During the Announcements and Prelude, lock both doors to the office and the south doors in the Education Hall.
- Have two or four people to collect offering.
- Pick up prayer request cards during the first hymn and give to the pastor.
- Count the number of people attending service. Notate on a pad of paper and leave it with attendance sheets and unused bulletins collected after the service on secretary’s desk.
- After the service, pick up attendance sheets, left-over bulletins/papers and place in box on secretary’s desk. Put Bibles and hymnals in racks. Check for pads, pencils, registration cards, and prayer cards.
- Put the dehumidifiers out. Leave the swinging doors to the sanctuary propped open.
- Turn off all lights including those in the parlor and sanctuary.
- Lock all doors after church:
Sanctuary-lock both top and bottom bolts on inside of door. Pull on the door to make sure it locked.
Fellowship Hall – same duties as Sanctuary
Office Door – lock dead-bolt.
Both Christian Ed Hall doors – remember to lock both north and south hall doors
Serving as Communion Preparer For Worship
A detailed list of instructions will be given to those who volunteer to serve as communion preparer for worship services. Ordinarily, the grape juice and bread can be found in the small kitchen off of the narthex on the day of the service. One of our members bakes the bread and someone buys the juice. Pitchers, cups and plates are also found in the cabinets in the small kitchen.
One loaf of bread will be cut up into bite size pieces (this is usually done by the bread baker.) The second loaf is to be slightly scored in the middle with a serrated knife.
The goblets, pitcher, and bread are placed on the communion table before the service begins.
After the service, the preparer checks with the pastor to see if anyone has requested home communion. Any remaining juice can be placed in the refrigerator in the small kitchen, and bread can be scattered in the courtyard for the birds. Goblets, pitcher and plates should be washed and dried and placed back in the cabinets.
The pastor or a member of the worship committee will be pleased to meet with anyone who would like to serve as the communion prepare for Sunday morning, or at special services such as Christmas Eve or Maundy Thursday. Questions can be directed to the pastor, to members of the Worship committee or to the church office at (501) 225-3274.
Serving as Communion Server
The pastor or a member of the worship committee will be pleased to meet with anyone who would like to serve as a communion server for Sunday morning, or at special services such as Christmas Eve or Maundy Thursday. Questions can be directed to the pastor, to members of the Worship committee or to the church office at (501) 225-3274.
A detailed list of instructions will be given to those who volunteer to serve as a communion server. Servers proceed to the front pews of the sanctuary during the hymn following the sermon. The pastor will indicate to the servers when it is time to come to the front of the table (usually at the conclusion of the Words of Institution (“This is my body broken for you…These are the gifts of God for the people of God.”) Walk to the front of the table and the pastor will hand you either the cup or the plate of bread. Return to the bottom of the steps with your communion partner (person holding either the bread or the cup).
We serve communion by intinction. Members of the congregation will form a line and come forward. They will take a piece of the bread from the plate and dip it into the cup. As each person approaches you, greet them with “This is the body of Christ broken for you,” if you have the bread. If you have the cup, say, “This is the blood of Christ shed for you.” You may also choose to say, “The bread of heaven,” for the bread, or “The cup of salvation,“ for the cup.
After the congregation, pastor and liturgist have been served, please make sure that everyone has been served. You and your communion partner can take the bread and cup to someone in the pew, if they are not able to come forward.
After everyone has been served, turn to your serving partner and offer communion. Return to the table and give the elements to the pastor who will place them on the table. Return to your seats by way of the center aisle.
Serving as a Coffee Host
Dear Coffee Host(s): -
Thank you so much for saying yes! This is a guide to “enrich your hosting experience” - one we feel sure you’ll want to have again and again!
All supplies needed are in the parlor. If you need to refurbish supplies they are in the cabinet to the left of the sink or in the Fellowship Hall kitchen.
Serving Necessities
- Coffee makers
- Please use the 12-cup coffee maker with a paper filter. Use approximately one level teaspoon of coffee per cup or one heaping teaspoon for 2 cups and four tablespoons make 12 cups (full pot).
- Pour bottled water into Keurig coffee maker, turn on to heat water.
- Orange juice (1/2 gal.) and
- Doughnuts (2 doz. usually consumed) which you have purchased.
- Basket containing packets of sugar, sweetener, and creamer.
- Basket for money collection.
- Stirrers in container.
- Napkins (primarily for doughnuts).
- Coffee cups. (6 oz. cups)
- Juice cups. These are the smaller size.
- Small wastebasket. There is one in the parlor.
- Trash. Please take trash to dumpster after cleaning up to cut down on insects. Waste basket liners are to be found underneath sink in parlor.
Clean-up (There’s always a clean-up!)
- Move all items back to kitchen area as the church service starts - or at the end of the service. (Usually easier when narthex is not crowded.)
- Empty grounds into trash can. (do not empty them into the sink)
- Wash coffee pot in the sink.
- Leftover juice and doughnuts go home with you.
- Deduct your cost for the donuts from the cash basket or you can donate your cost of the donuts. Place remainder, if any, in envelope located in the cabinet to the left of the sink. Seal and mark on outside - “Coffee Money”- and put in the offering plate.
If you notice that we are running low on supplies, please leave a note on the secretary’s desk to refurbish.
THANK YOU!
Serving as Nursery Volunteer
Nursery volunteers spend time with infants and toddlers (up to 6 years old) following the Time with Children during worship . Please check the nursery/toddler room prior to the service to look for crafts and books with which you can use with the children.
Volunteers will arrive in the sanctuary a few minutes early to look for parents/grandparents and children, and ask if the child(ren) will be going to the nursery/toddler room during the service. If the child(ren) is not known to you, please help them to make out a name tag at the visitor greeter station. Please ask the parent(s) or grandparent(s) to come to the nursery/toddler room to get their children following worship.