What is a Deacon?
In Greek, the word “deacon (diakonos)” means “one who serves.” The story of the ordination of the first deacons is found in Acts 6:1-6, as follows:
“Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, ‘It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word.’ What they said pleased the whole community, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. They had these men stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.”
Here is what Jesus said about those who serve:
“…whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man (Jesus Christ himself)came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for all.” Mark 10:43-44
At Sunset Hills UP Church, deacons are the “arms of Christ,” serving in a variety of ways. We reach out with our arms to greet fellow worshipers on Sunday morning, and to help the elderly in and out of the church van. We carry the chancel flowers to people who need to be cheered up. We bring a recorded CD of our worship service to those who can no longer come to church. We prepare and deliver meals to those recovering from illness or surgery or grief. We serve pancake suppers and sometimes spaghetti dinners. We wrap those in need of comfort in prayer shawls and the very young in baby blankets made of love and prayers by our own hands.
We serve the Lord with gladness!
Check Deacon Ministries Tab to learn more about Sunset Hills UP Church’s Deacon Ministries
In Greek, the word “deacon (diakonos)” means “one who serves.” The story of the ordination of the first deacons is found in Acts 6:1-6, as follows:
“Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, ‘It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word.’ What they said pleased the whole community, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. They had these men stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.”
Here is what Jesus said about those who serve:
“…whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man (Jesus Christ himself)came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for all.” Mark 10:43-44
At Sunset Hills UP Church, deacons are the “arms of Christ,” serving in a variety of ways. We reach out with our arms to greet fellow worshipers on Sunday morning, and to help the elderly in and out of the church van. We carry the chancel flowers to people who need to be cheered up. We bring a recorded CD of our worship service to those who can no longer come to church. We prepare and deliver meals to those recovering from illness or surgery or grief. We serve pancake suppers and sometimes spaghetti dinners. We wrap those in need of comfort in prayer shawls and the very young in baby blankets made of love and prayers by our own hands.
We serve the Lord with gladness!
Check Deacon Ministries Tab to learn more about Sunset Hills UP Church’s Deacon Ministries