"Project Serve" Time Again

Have you ever thought that it sounded funny to you that at church, “services” are when people sit down and listen? Isn’t “serving” something you get up and do? About ten years ago, someone came up with an idea to help change that thinking, which we called “Project Serve”.

What is Project Serve?

Outreach is the heartbeat of TMC, and serving is our passion! To underscore our commitment to both, we traditionally set aside the Sunday on Labor Day weekend as “Project Serve,” where we cancel our worship gatherings for the day and go out and serve in practical ways within our community.

What to Expect?

This year, Project Serve falls on Sunday, September 6. On that day, we come dressed for “work”, go serve, and return for lunch together.

SCHEDULE
7:00a - Coaches and Team Leads meet
7:30a - People arrive, check in, and gather in the auditorium as teams
8:00a - Team Rally (worship, prayer, and photograph)
8:30 - Teams go to worksites
11:00a - Team regather at TMC for lunch under the TMC Ramada (invite our guests)

Why Is It Important?

1. Many of our Golden Acres neighbors rely on us to help get their property ready for annual inspection
2. We have broadened our scope of ministry to include our local Strategic Partners as a way to serve them
3. The people we serve experience the Love of Jesus through our actions. We want them to “see” the love of God before they “hear” us talk about it.
4. Canceling our worship gatherings on a Sunday clearly “puts our money where our mouth is” on this subject so that people know outreach and serving are more than just talk.
5. This allows us to broaden the types of gifts considered “ministry” in our church.
6. Many who thrive on this type of ministry learn of our ongoing “Outreach Projects Team” where we serve practical needs of many people year-round.

How do I get involved?

Sign-ups begin on Sunday, August 9 and run through the end of the month. There will be a table under the canopy on Sunday mornings. People will be able to select the team they want to serve with (until they are full). Each team’s “Site Lead” will have already done the assessment of the project; team members will bring the equipment and supplies the project requires. Large tasks are referred to our Outreach Projects Team where more time and more specialized skills are available.

One tip is to look for a project that matches the equipment, skills, or interests that you have; most will be yard work.

How do sign-ups work?

1. Teams available online only until “full”
2. Select among available teams
3. Sign-ups begin August 9 and end on August 30 (unless all sites are full)
4. Walk-ups will be assigned only certain teams

Project Serve often leads to great stories of people interacting with the community or stories of new people meeting new friends that they can begin doing life with!
We hope you will choose to be a part of this fun day with us!