Hello friends,

Spring has finally made her presence known.  The flowers are beginning to bloom and the days are becoming longer. And if you’re an allergy sufferer like me, the symptoms will soon pass.  I can’t wait to hang out with my grandbabies, taking in the warmer weather. Zoo, here we come!

Restore is looking forward to another Love Portsmouth Serve Day, a wonderful way for us embrace the warmer weather as a church.  Small group leaders are preparing their members for different projects throughout our community. Interested peoples are welcome to join a team and meet new people while having fun serving our neighbors.  Serving our neighbors is not difficult. First, we need to prepare our hearts and minds before God, to come with a humble and willing spirit (Psalm 143:10). He has already come before us in our communities in need.  We have to meet HIm where He is already present.

Next, how we serve can be very simple, from prayer to worship to manual work.  Questions we can ask what business, organization and/or individuals could use a blessing? Who in your neighborhood has a need?  What project types best suit your group’s ages and abilities? Here are a few ideas:

• Clean a widow’s or single mother’s yard

• Kids can host a lemonade stand

• Have a tea party at a nursing home

• Help nursing home residents prepare care packages for foster kids

• Serve a hot breakfast for the homeless

• Do a community trash clean up

Finally who we serve is of the greatest importance.  We come to serve not to question or judge one’s condition or circumstance but to show the love of Christ during our interactions. Jesus sat with the undesirable of society- the prostitutes, the lepers, the sinners of His day (Mark 2:15). We are not to show fear or apprehensions when serving but express a joyful spirit in sharing the Gospel with others.  It is in these settings where people are saved and God is glorified (Matthew 4:14-16).

Beware my friends.  During our times of serving, your heart will break and become full of compassion towards the needs of others.  Yes, we come to serve but God will reveal Himself to us and show us where we need to change (pride, humility, obedience).  We will be pruned to bear more fruit for our personal growth and for the growth of the Kingdom.

I would like to leave you with a charge David gave his son Solomon- "And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.  Be careful now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it." - 1 Chronicles 28:9-10. I’m extending this charge to us-to show people salvation is found in Christ and to build the kingdom.

I can’t wait to see you on May 25 for Love Portsmouth Serve Day.  If you have any questions or would love to coordinate a project, don’t hesitate to contact me.  

Latrilla