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In Acts, the first deacons were selected because there was a need in the growing church to wait on tables and serve food. The disciples were tasked with spreading the gospel and are recorded as saying “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables” (Acts 6:2)

The disciples’ call was to preach and spread the Gospel, and their desire to devote themselves fully to that duty.  So the church was tasked with selecting deacons to serve tables who were of good repute, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom (Acts 6:3).

And so, the first seven deacons were selected.

Through the years, deacons have filled many roles in different churches.  Sometimes they have been the governing board.  Sometimes they have been the spiritual leaders of a church. 

In our church, we go back to the original model described in Acts, and have deacons who are faith-filled models of serving others, while the Trustees are the governing board, and the Elders have spiritual oversight. 

Recently, our deacons answered a call to assist an older community member with moving out of a beloved home and into an apartment.  Without the action of the deacons, this person had no resources to move. Another deacon follows and monitors an older person, helping them get to church. 

The deacon’s fund assists our church family and community with unexpected financial crises, and helps that person meet a critical need. 

Deacons also help with transportation for our older members and shut-ins, meal trains, as well as serving communion, and other service tasks.

We are so grateful to God for calling our deacons and for their acts of service.  We look forward to the next tasks God has in mind for them.

Prayer Focus for our Deacons

PRAISE – We praise you LORD, for you are making all things new! Your kingdom, your mercy, your justice, your goodness – will prevail. We praise you that, as we serve you, our labors are never in vain!

CONFESSION – LORD, even your deacons, who are called to serve, do not always want to –
do not always serve with willing hearts. Forgive us, cleanse us, and lead us to serve with joy
and humility.

MEDITATION – 1 Peter 4:10 – As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. Matthew 20:26-28 – But whoever would be great among you
must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the
Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Hebrews 10:24 – And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.

PETITION – LORD, help each of us hear your call to serve. Give us grace to accept help
when we need to be served. Let it all be joy as we walk with you and with each other.

INTERCESSION – We lift up our deacons – Janet Butler, Brandon Crandall, Jon Cruzan, Sue Cruzan, Ernie Fisher, Merry Fitz-Randolph, Dale Green, Mickey Johnson, Brittany Kersten,
Marcy Kersten, Melissa Lade, Doug Lubke, Doneta Osborn, Renee Sanford – Keep them strong spiritually, physical, mentally and emotionally. Draw them closer to you. Keep them faithful in your word and in your service. May those they touch see the light of the gospel through their
actions and testimonies. Let them grow more and more like Jesus, seeking to serve as He served. May they bless our church, our community, and even to the ends of the earth.

THANKSGIVING – Thank you for blessing us with deacons who serve so faithfully in meeting
the needs of our church family.

REST – We trust you to provide leadership and servants for the future – as you are and
always have provided for all our needs.