A Day in the Life… Thrift Shop

of First Thrift Volunteer Mary Lou Heffelfinger

Several years ago, my husband and I decided to volunteer at First Thrift Shop for five hours every Thursday. I help with the pricing and my husband Joe helps in receiving and the men’s area. We have met so many new friends that it now seems like a family get-together. This has been a great way to become integrated into our large church family and to know we are doing something worthwhile for our community. Shop Manager Jill House always begins our day with prayer for any special needs and for the customers we will meet throughout the course of the day.

Helping and volunteering at First Church has become an important part of our lives which we consider our ministry for God’s kingdom. Joe is currently serving as an elder. We both usher on Sunday mornings several months during the year and for BCF events. We also help serve Communion in Price Chapel on Sundays.

A Day in the Life… of Hospitality Volunteers

Joyce Filbrandt

My husband Mike and I arrive for the 9AM Sunday service to help serve coffee. It is easy and a really nice way to “meet and greet” church members and visitors. The Hospitality staff have everything set up for us and we are finished by 10:30AM. Occasionally I help in the church office with mailings and assist with the Manger Tree Project. I love serving on the Women’s Jail Ministry Team and enjoy being a part of the Prayer Warriors.

Pat Huisjen

I attend the 11AM service on Sunday mornings and as the last hymn is sung, I scurry off to McClure Hall to help serve at one of the coffee kiosks for about 30 minutes. It’s a great way to greet people and serve them with a smile as I hand them a coffee cup and lid.

There are so many opportunities to be “helping hands” here at First Church. I also volunteer at the First Thrift Shop and on the Banner Committee.

TESTIMONIAL

Ray Eifler (1934-2018), Area of Service: Ushering

Henny and I are grateful to have the privilege and honor of ushering at our church and the opportunity of greeting and getting to know our fellow members as we hand out Sunday bulletins. Ushering is also a rewarding obligation that allows members to both worship and serve our Lord, and is essential to the life of our church.

Think of this: during season there are 26 weeks and for just the 9AM and 11AM services, 32 ushers are required to serve our church each week. That means 832 ushers were needed to serve our church last season; that total does not include the 5:30PM Saturday Praise service, the 7:30 First Light service, the remaining 26 weeks of the year, and ushers for special events. So we invite all members, especially couples, to pick a month and let the church know that you will worship and serve as ushers for that month. Your benefits as an usher include a special blessing for your service and reserved seats at the rear of the sanctuary each Sunday.

There is no greater joy than worship- ing and serving our Lord Jesus Christ! Come and take the yoke of the Lord for it is easy and the burden is light (Matthew 11:30). Sundays are an opportunity to take the yoke, and worship and serve the Lord.

Ray wrote this testimonial in the summer of 2017 about the experience of ushering with his wife, Henrietta. He served as Usher Captain for many years, was a sponsor of the Bonita Christian Forum and Concert Series, and was involved in the Great Banquet.