Permanent link to this article: http://eastminsterpca.org/ministries
Mercy
Ministering to the needs of our local community is important to us at EPC.
Helping Hands
EPC DIACONATE PHILOSOPHY OF HELPING HANDS MINISTRY
WHOM DO WE HELP? HOW DO WE HELP? WHAT DOES AN INDIVIDUAL DO TO RECEIVE HELP? We
believe that the neighborhood church is the vehicle for change in the community.
The scriptures teach us to love our neighbors as our selves and to be good
Samaritans to those in need. The scriptures teach us to be just, to live a good
life , to love mercy ministry, and to especially help widows, orphans, and
aliens. We start with our own families , trying to be good stewards of what we
personally and jointly have. Then we reach out to share and as we move outward
we spread the Gospel to those in the community in need. We help them because God
wants us to.
WHAT ARE THE DEACONS’ PRIORITES FOR HELP? “Do good for all men, especially to
the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10) This shows us to prioritize our help-
especially to those in the household of faith. In order to be good stewards the
Diaconate has the following priorities for dispensing help.
- Church members who are in regular attendance
- Church members generally
- Regular attendees
- Families of church members, when brought by family members
- People involved in or associated with ministries of our church, such as staff members
- of church or preschool, local ministries
- People in our neighborhood or geographic proximity to the church
- Neighbors of and referrals brought by church members
- Sister churches , locally locally requested through the Presbytery
- Referral brought from other ministries supported by our church
- Referral from other churches
- Referrals from Christian government or social service agencies
- Cal ins – Walk-ins, with preference given to poorest and neediest people within our geographic area depending on funds availability
WHAT NEEDS DO WE MEET? The deacons at EPC work behind the scenes in response to
emergency needs in the congregation and the community at large for housing,
food, utilities, transportation, medicine and other problems as they arise.
WHAT NEEDS CAN YOU AS A MEMBER MEET? “Let us consider how we may spur one
another on toward love and good deeds , and let us encourage one another.” (
Hebrews 10:24-25) Start where you are. Think of the needs around you. Ask what
you can do as an individual. If you know of someone in need call or talk to one
of your deacons for direction or advise. Don’t simply tell a friend or stranger
to call the church before you talk to someone. We are here as a resource for YOU
to help meet the needs of people, but we can’t always help everyone who calls.
WHERE DO THESE FUNDS COME FROM? The Deacons will raise funds through donations
received from special collections on the first Sunday of the month.
Women’s Outreach
The Women’s ministry of EPC have developed mercy outreaches to local nursing homes providing home made blankets and gifts to the residents at these facilities.
Holiday Food Baskets
For each of the major Holidays food baskets are distributed to those in need in the community.
Union Mission
EPC seeks to meet needs as they arise at the Union Mission. Collecting socks, underwear and food as needed. The pastoral staff preaches Chapel services once a month with members leading worship in both the women’s and men’s dorms.
Missions
In Acts 1: 8 we read; “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come
upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and
Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’’ The Great Commission that Jesus Christ
gave to us was to reach the world with the gospel message. We are to fulfill
this mandate in three phases. In Jerusalem – Our local neighborhoods Judea and
Samaria – The larger community and state The end of the earth – The World
At Eastminster Presbyterian Church we are seeking to fulfill this commission.
We are actively involved in outreach to each area we read about in Acts 1:8
JERUSALEM
- Wanda Keith – CEF
- The Union Mission
- The Gideons
- Carlos and Leigh Ellen Rodriguez – Church Planters – Redeemer Church
- Bob and April Willetts – Church Planters – Grace Presbyterian Church
Judea
- David Andersons – Capital Comission
Samaria
- Scott and Elizabeth – JARRS
- Ken and – JARRS
THE WORLD
- Tom and Lucy – MTW
Our goal for our foreign missionaries is to support them 1/4 of their total support. While we are not there yet, we desire to continue moving in that direction.
SHORT TERM MISSIONS
We seek to send teams each year on short term trips. These brief trips offer a chance to catch a vision for missions and to serve outside of our comfort zones. In 2007 and 2008 our teams went to Ballymena, Northern Ireland and served in the Dunclug Estate for 10 days.