Service

Opportunities

In our mission statement, we say that we want our members to take part in the mission of Christ’s Church by the sacrificial giving of their time, talents and treasures (#5).

The following are detailed ways in which our members can serve the Lord in our congregation with their time and talents. By showing these things in detail, every member can know what is expected of them and choose to do things which fit their abilities and time.

The objective of this list is to give every member of the church a catalog of service opportunities that they can do during the year. The goal is that we see our congregation thriving and growing as the members feel more and more as an integral part of our family at Lord of Life.

Service opportunities run for one year (January – December).

The list below is divided into two parts: A)the names of the service opportunities; and B)the description of each service opportunity.

A - SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

1 – MAINTENANCE

A. Maintenance coordinator

B. Riding lawn mowing

C. Push lawn mowing

D. Weed eating

E. Grounds upkeep (twigs, cones...)

F. Parking lot upkeep

G. Playground upkeep

H. AC filters upkeep

I. Plumbing upkeep

J. Electrical upkeep

K. Lighting upkeep

L. Storage rooms upkeep

M. Bushes upkeep

N. Beautification of grounds

O. Garbage cans (out and in)

2 – WORSHIP

A. Set up

B. Run TV screens

C. Usher

D. Clean up

E. Head Usher

F. Communion set up

G. Communion take down

H. Filming for Facebook

I. Choir

J. Pianist/Organist

K. Instrumentalist

L. Coordinator of musicians/choirs

M. Parking lot greeters

N. Narthex greeters

O. Post-service welcome

P. Altar flowers

Q. Festival decorator

R. Festival decorator assistant

S. Sound system

T. Baptism napkins

3 – CHILDREN

A. Confirmation Day

B. Sunday School coordinator

C. Sunday School teacher

D. Sunday School assistant

E. Palm Sunday leader

F. Palm Sunday wavers

G. Christmas Eve leaders

H. Christmas Eve presenters

I. Children’s devotion

4 – ADULT DISCIPLESHIP

A. Women’s Bible Study Leader

B. Set up for ABC

C. Coffee Prep for ABC

D. Snacks for ABC

5 – TREASURY

A. Treasurer

B. Financial Reporter

C. Counting Offerings

D. Budget setting

6 – COMMUNICATION

A. Church website

B. Church Facebook

C. School Facebook

D. Church Instagram

E. School Instagram

F. Calendar

G. Photographer

7 – OUTREACH

A. Stepping into Lutheranism 1-3,11,8

B. Deeper into Lutheranism 4,5,7/9,10

C. What About…? 6,12-15

D. Hope Village

E. Fall Festival

F. Halloween in the Park

G. Summer VBS

H. Winter VBS

I. Spring VBS

J. Follow-up on prospects

8 – ASSIMILATION

A. New members

B. Updating “service opportunities”

9 – FELLOWSHIP

A. Red Hats

B. Friday night supper and cards

C. Congregational Meeting Potlucks

D. Oktoberfest

E. Advent Meals

F. Lent Meals

G. Easter Breakfast

H. Young Adult outings

I. Youth Group outings

10 – SCHOOL

A. Board

B - SERVICE DESCRIPTIONS

1 – MAINTENANCE

1A – MAINTENANCE COORDINATOR

1. Coordinate the mowing and weedeating so that it gets done every week during the growing months.

2. Be the liaison between the called workers who have a maintenance desire and the persons that are in charge of each.

3. Report to the president any maintenance projects that are done that are out of the ordinary.

4. Get whatever tools are needed.

5. Maintain the tools and mowers that we have.

1B – RIDING LAWN MOWER

1. Riding lawn mower is in shed. You need a key.

2. Put gas into the mower.

3. Mow the entire property once a week during the growing months.

4. Spray off the mower when finished.

5. Let coordinator know of any situations involving the gas, mower or property.

1C – PUSH LAWN MOWER

1. Mower is in shed. You need a key.

2. Put gas into the mower.

3. Mow in the areas that the riding lawn mower cannot reach.

4. Mow every week during the growing months as well as during colder months when grass appears high.

5. Spray off the mower when finished.

6. Let coordinator know of any situations involving the gas, mower, or property.

1D – WEED EATER

1. Weed eater is in shed. You need a key.

2. Weed eat every week during the growing months. Spot weed eat during the cold months.

3. Weed eat in the areas that the lawn mower cannot reach.

4. Weed eat the ditch between the parking lot and road.

5. Let coordinator know of any situations involving the weed eater or property.

1E - GROUNDS UPKEEP (twigs, cones...)

1. Keep an eye out for bush and tree debris (twigs, cones, etc) and clean up by putting in trash cans.

2. Keep the drains clean of any debris, and keep grass from growing over them.

3. Come out immediately after windy days since limbs and cones will be all over the place.

4. Keep an eye out for trash on the property and dispose of.

5. If you see any balls, frisbees, hockey sticks, etc., put them into the school’s ball bin.

1F – PARKING LOT UPKEEP

1. Sweep off loose gravel, dirt, and mud.

2. Keep the parking lot markings fresh and clean.

3. Keep the drains clean of any debris.

1G – PLAYGROUND UPKEEP

1. See to it that there is enough mulch on the playground.

2. Take up any weeds that may have grown through the mulch.

3. Make sure that the swings, etc., are clean and in good repair.

1H - AC FILTERS UPKEEP

1. Let the coordinator know how many filters of each size are needed.

2. Check/change the AC filters in all the buildings 3 times per year (August, December, and April)

1I - PLUMBING UPKEEP

1. Whenever called upon by coordinator or called worker, fix the plumbing problem.

1J – ELECTRICAL UPKEEP

1. Whenever called upon by coordinator or called worker, fix the electrical problem.

1K - LIGHTING UPKEEP

1. Whenever called upon by coordinator or called worker, fix the lighting problem.

1L – STORAGE ROOMS UPKEEP

1. Organize the storage rooms in the fellowship hall and school building.

2. Clean the storage rooms.

1M - BUSHES UPKEEP

1. Keep bushes trimmed, level, and low.

1N – BEAUTIFICATION OF GROUNDS

1. Add or subtract flowers and plants around church and school buildings.

2. Keep beautiful by taking out weeds and watering as needed.

1O – GARBAGE CANS (out and in)

1. Every Sunday and Wednesday evening, put full garbage cans out at the parking lot entrance.

2. Every Monday and Thursday evening, bring the garbage can back to their parking spots.

2 – WORSHIP

2A – SET UP

1. Before Bible Study (9:30am), using the bulletin, put up hymn and liturgy numbers on the hymn boards.

2. See to it that hymnals and songbooks are properly in the racks.

3. Make sure that there are no messes or litter, on or under the pews or in the hymn racks.

4. After Bible Study (10:15am), turn on the TV sets, using the remote that is in the lectern.

5. Go to the balcony and connect the computer to the screens so that the first slide is showing on the screens.

2B – RUN TV SCREENS

1. For the entire worship service, make sure that the correct slide is being shown on the TV screens.

2. Come at least 5 minutes before the service begins to see if pastor has any special directions.

2C – USHER

1. Make sure the temperature on the thermostats is properly set. (in general, 68 during cold days and 72 during hot days.

2. Hand out bulletins, beginning 15 minutes before service is to begin.

3. Light candles on the altar 5 minutes before service is to begin.

4. After the sermon, do whatever needs to be done with offering plates as directed by pastor/bulletin

5. During communion, usher 10-14 people to the front per table.

6. During communion, from the front, direct people where to go.

7. During closing hymn, put out the candles.

8. After announcements, usher people out with a smile, beginning at the front of church.

9. During the service, gage whether or not the temperature should be adjusted.

2D – CLEAN UP

1. After everyone has been ushered out, go through each pew and pick up any messes or litter that is on and under the pews or in the hymn racks.

2. See to it that the hymnals and songbooks are properly in the hymn racks.

3. Turn off the TV sets using the remote in the lectern.

2E – HEAD USHER

Oversee 2a—2d.

2F – COMMUNION SET UP

1. Go into the vestiary (the room by the piano).

2. Fill the patten with wafers (both in the cupboard above the faucet)

3. Put cups in the communion trays (@60…40 fills one tray).

4. Pour wine (below faucet on the right side) into the cups, using communion cup filler (next to faucet).

5. Place lid over cups and place patten and stacked communion trays on the right side of the altar.

6. Place cloth (hanging in vestiary) over the patten and communion trays.

2G – COMMUNION TAKE DOWN

1. Take cloth home to wash.

2. Take patten and communion trays into the vestiary (the room next to the piano).

3. Empty the patten of wafers into the glass jar of wafers (in the cupboard above the faucet).

4. Wipe off patten with a paper towel and put it into its purple cloth.

5. Pour the remaining cups of wine into the wine bottle (under the faucet on the right side).

6. Throw away unused communion cups as well as the used cups that were placed in the baskets.

7. Wipe off communion trays with a damp paper towel, and stack on the right side in the communion tray box.

8. Empty the common cup (do not reuse this wine). Clean the cup with a damp paper towel and place it into its purple cloth.

2H – FILMING FOR FACEBOOK

1. Go to the balcony 10 minutes before the service and set up the camera to record for Facebook.

2. Begin recording 5 minutes before the service is to begin.

3. Run the camera to show not just the pastor, but also choirs, soloists, congregation, cross, etc.

4. End recording after the postlude is done playing.

2I – CHOIR

1. Choir director chooses music as guided by the pastor.

2. Choir director and members come to practice (usually every other week for 1¾ hours on Wednesdays)

3. On the days the choir sings, the choir gets together 15 minutes or more before the service is to begin.

2J – PIANIST/ORGANIST

2K – INSTRUMENTALIST/VOCALIST

1. Please let pastor know which instrument you play.

2. Play for services as discussed with the pastor.

2L – MUSIC COORDINATOR

1. In discussion with church choir director and school choir director(s) during the month of June, make out a schedule of when the choirs will be singing for the following year (August – May).

2. One month before every quarter (Feb-Apr, May-July, Aug-Oct, Nov-Jan), seek out instrumentalists to see how often, when, and what they would like to play.

3. One month before every quarter (Feb-Apr, May-July, Aug-Oct, Nov-Jan), seek out vocalists to see how often, when, and what they would like to sing.

4. From the information, work with pastor on days to use the instrumentalists and vocalists.

5. Let sound system leader know what is needed.

2M - PARKING LOT GREETERS

1. Sit at the picnic tables or benches for 15 minutes prior to the beginning of church.

2. Smile and wave at anybody, especially visitors.

2N - NARTHEX GREETERS

1. 15 minutes prior to the service, stand in narthex and seek out visitors.

2. Let them know how to follow along in a service (bulletin, hymn book, TV)

2O - POST SERVICE WELCOME

1. Get the visitors to sign their name, cell, address, and email.

2. Introduce yourself and let them know in what city you live.

3. Let them know how long you have been a member here.

4. Share something that you do with the church/school.

5. Ask them why they chose to worship with us at Lord of Life (as opposed to any other church in our area).

6. Email pastor (pastor@lordoflifefriendswood.com) concerning any thoughts you have concerning the visitor.

2P – ALTAR FLOWERS

1. Make a sign up sheet for members to say when they would like to donate flowers for the altar.

2. Encourage people to sign up.

3. Let members know that you can do the work of getting the flowers and putting them on the altar.

4. For those who request it, let them know the usual costs for certain arrangements.

5. Remind those who sign up for flowers to put down the reason for donating them. (birthday, memory, anniversary, celebration, , etc.)

2Q – FESTIVAL DECORATOR

1. Lead the way in decorating and undecorating the church and grounds for special times of the year.

2. Let the assistants know at what time the decorating and undecorating will begin…and do not begin until that time.

3. Direct the assistants so that they know what to do.

4. Change banners at the appropriate times

2R – FESTIVAL DECORATOR ASSISTANT

1. Come to decorate or undecorate at the time determined by the festival decorator.

2. Follow the directions of the festival decorator.

3. Decorating and undecorating times are done around the Christmas and Easter seasons.

2S – SOUND SYSTEM

1. As directed by the music coordinator, set up mics and sound system at least half hour before service.

2. Make sure that the volume of each mic being used is at a good level.

3. Be ready with new batteries in case lapel mics die, and take to pastor.

2T - BAPTISM NAPKINS

Make sure we have napkins on hand for baptisms.
Sew a Christian symbol on the napkin for a keepsake.

3 – CHILDREN

3A – CONFIRMATION DAY

1. See that the gowns are cleaned and pressed prior to confirmation (May)

2. Buy red boutonnieres for each confirmand

3. Buy a celebration cake and punch (or whatever) for after the service.

4. Have cake and punch ready to be served, with paper plates, cups, etc.

5. Set out a box for confirmation cards and gifts.

6. Get back the gowns from the confirmands and store for next year.

7. Pass out the gifts to each confirmand.

8. Clean up after the celebration.

3B – SUNDAY SCHOOL COORDINATOR

1. Choose a curriculum for grades pre-K3 through 5th grade.

2. Be ready to assist any SS teacher on teaching materials or discipline.

3. Set up a schedule for when the SS teachers and assistants will teach.

3C – SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER

1. Choose a class to teach (Pre-K3 – 1; 2nd-4th; 5th-8th)

2. Team up with an assistant.

3. Teach on 34 Sundays at 9:15am. (January-May; August-November)

4. Prepare, using the curriculum guidelines

5. Know how you will use your assistant

3D – SUNDAY SCHOOL ASSISTANT

1. Choose a class/teacher to assist (Pre-K3 – 1; 2nd-4th; 5th-8th)

2. Assist on 34 Sundays at 9:15am.

(January-May; August-November)

3. Know what the lead teacher wants from you before the class begins.

4. Learn to be a SS teacher.

3E – PALM SUNDAY LEADER

1. Obtain palm branches that can be waved by wavers (4F)

2. Teach children (or HVers) how to walk down aisle with palm branches during a song, lay down the branches, and go to their seats

3. Teach them during the first half of the Sunday School hour on Palm Sunday

4. During the second half of the SS hour on Palm Sunday, have a Palm Sunday devotion/art project (unless the wavers will be practicing a song with choir)

3F – PALM SUNDAY WAVERS

1. Children or Hope Villagers

2. Follow directions of the leader.

3. Be at church by 9:15am on Palm Sunday

3G – CHRISTMAS EVE LEADERS

1. Obtain any costumes (if desired) to present the Christmas story

2. Teach children (and/or HVers) one or two popular Christmas hymns to sing

3. Teach children (and/or HVers) a few verses of the Christmas story to narrate

4. Use the SS hour in the month of November and December to prepare

3H – CHRISTMAS EVE PRESENTERS

1. Memorize hymns and Bible verses as given to you by the leaders

2. Come every Sunday morning at 9:15 in November and December to prepare for your service to the Lord

3. On Christmas Eve, at 6pm, sing your heart out and present our Savior’s birth to your friends and family

3I – CHILDREN’S DEVOTION

1. Children over the age of 10 who can be a buddy to a younger child

2. Walk up quietly to the front with your buddy

3. Encourage your buddy to listen and answer questions

4 – ADULT DISCIPLESHIP

4A – WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY

1. Lead a Bible study

4B – SET UP FOR SUNDAY’S ABC

1. Set up tables and chairs on Saturday

2. Clean table tops

3. Clean off chair seats

4C – COFFEE PREP FOR SUNDAY’S ABC

1. Coffee and accessories are on the left side of the kitchen.

2. Coffee pot is in pantry

3. Brew coffee for 15 people

4. Set up coffee area with cups, creamers, etc.

5. After Bible Class, clean up

4D – SNACKS FOR SUNDAY’S ABC

1. Draw up a list for when people can bring snacks.

2. On Saturday, remind those who signed up for snacks.

3. After Bible Class, clean up

5 – TREASURY

A. Treasurer

B. Financial Reporter

C. Counting Offerings

D. Budget setting

6 – COMMUNICATION

A. Church website

B. Church Facebook

C. School Facebook

D. Church Instagram

E. School Instagram

F. Calendar

G. Photographer

7 – OUTREACH

7A – STEPPING INTO LUTHERANISM

1. This is a Bible Information Class for those who want to learn more about Lutheranism, and maybe become a member at our church. It is comprised of 5 sessions.

2. By coming to these sessions, you will be able to meet up with parents who are sending their children to our school and begin building a relationship with them.

3. You will also get to review 5 lessons on basic Lutheranism

4. You can also lead the way in asking questions in order to encourage questioning from those in attendance

7B – DEEPER INTO LUTHERANISM

1. This continues the BIC for those who want to learn more about Lutheranism and become a member. It is comprised of 4 lessons.

2. By coming to these sessions, you will be able to meet up with parents who are sending their children to our school and begin building a relationship with them.

3. You will also get to review 4 lessons on Lutheranism

4. You can also lead the way in asking questions in order to encourage questioning from those in attendance

7C – WHAT ABOUT…??

1. This continues the BIC for those who want to learn more about Lutheranism. It is comprised of 5 lessons.

2. By coming to these sessions, you will be able to meet up with parents who are sending their children to our school and build a relationship with them.

3. You will also get to review 5 lessons on more difficult Lutheran teachings

4. You can also lead the way in asking questions in order to encourage questioning from those in attendance

7D – HOPE VILLAGE MINISTRY

1. Get to know the Hope Villagers

2. Head up events that celebrate Hope Villagers’ accomplishments.

3. Go to Hope Village on Friday mornings with pastor to help lead in singing hymns and hearing devotions

4. Be a liaison between congregation and Hope Village to let us know about things going on at HV so that members can respond appropriately

7E – FALL FESTIVAL

1.

7F – HALLOWEEN IN THE PARK

1.

7G – SUMMER VBS

1.

7H – WINTER VBS

1.

7I – SPRING VBS

1.

7J - FOLLOW-UP ON PROSPECTS

1. Day 0 (same day they visit) send a thank you text message for coming. (Church service or outreach event)

2. Day 1 (Monday AM) send a welcome email and guest experience survey. You ask the guest about their experience. You will learn things and improve in this way.

3. Day 3 (Wednesday) deliver “gift” (cookies??, pens??, …??) to their home.

4. Day 6 (Saturday AM) send email invitation back to Sunday service.

5. Day 6 (Saturday PM) send text message invitation back to Sunday service.

6. Day 8 (the next Monday) send email about our Facebook page for sermons.

7. Day 13 (Saturday AM) send invitation email to Sunday service.

8. Day 20 (Saturday) send invitation text message to Sunday service.

9. Day 24 (Wednesday) send “Do you have any questions about the church? / How can we help you?” email.

10. Day 52 (Wednesday) send week-8 follow-up email which can include the following: Invitation to Sunday service and/or other upcoming events.

8 – ASSIMILATION

A. New members

B. Updating “service opportunities”

9 – FELLOWSHIP

A. Red Hats –

B. Friday night supper and cards -

C. Cong Meeting Potlucks -

D. Oktoberfest -

E. Advent Meals -

F. Lent Meals -

G. Breakfast -

H. Young Adult outings -

I. Youth Group outings –

10 – SCHOOL

A. Board –

Church Offices - If interested please refer to the Church Handbook for positions.

These materials are available in a hard copy upon request or online…

Constitution
Bylaws
Handbook