What is Your Gift?
Christine Leichliter

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-13
"And His gifts were . . .for building up the body of Christ until we attain to the unity of the faith" 

We, as Christians, are called, all of us, to the task of building up the body of Christ -- each of us through our own talents. Some are called as apostles, or prophets, or evangelists, or teachers. But all are called, no matter our talents, for the single purpose of building up the body of Christ.

And so, we, as Methodists, believe that we are called to identify our individual gifts, then use them in faith, to build our community of believers. So often we want to say, " Who, me? I don't have the gift of Prophesy, or preaching, or teaching. How can I help to take on such a holy and sacred task?"

But it is evident, particularly at  Arcola, that all are not only invited, but welcome. We see our Pastors, and Ministers, obviously. But we also see our youth; they serve, they praise through music, they do community service, they join together in fellowship to grow and to create community, and they learn that a life of service to the body of Christ begins now, at whatever age we are.

So, each Sunday, after a Communion where all are welcome, we are commended to go out and use our gifts to the building up of the body of Christ.

Prayer:
Father God, you have given us gifts, all unique, for the single purpose of building up the body of Christ, the Church. Help us to go out and serve, remembering that you have sent us to use our talents for the purpose of creating a community of Faith. Amen.