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There were four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. There was an important job to do and Everybody was asked to do it. Everybody was sure Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought Anybody would do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.

We smile at that, yet we understand the truth it contains. Everybody is somebody in His church! You are not an accident in the body of Christ. Scripture is clear that everybody has been given grace in God’s family. Ephesians 4:7 says, “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.” You are uniquely graced with Christ’s gift. The grace given to you was exactly the right measure suited to God’s purposes for you and for the church.

This means that we should not compare ourselves with others. It means that every one of us is to be a minister to the body. Some are given the gift of intercessory prayer. Some are given the gift of teaching. Some have the gift of hospitality or mercy or helps or giving or encouragement or one of several other gits mentioned in Scripture. The point is every person is needed in the body of Christ! Every gift is to be used, not for personal fulfillment, but for the building up of EBC!

The amazing thing about the parts of the body of Christ is how much we need each other. Just like if I stub my toe, my hands and my legs, and my eyes all immediately join in the reaction, so it is in the body of Christ. We are part of each other. “If one part suffers,” Paul says, “every part suffers with it.” If you haven’t done it in a while, read the entire chapter of I Corinthians 12.

As you serve you grow, and the church is strengthened. In the fall, the Network Spiritual Gifts seminar will be offered again to help you not only discover your God-given, unique contribution to the church, but also to move you into meaningful service. Keep your eyes and ears open to the ways you can plug in and serve. Specifically, during On Goal week extra hands are needed at the beginning and end of each day for about 30 minutes to help with set up and take down. You just might be the “Anybody” we need!

And to the many who serve in our church, I want to thank you! Whether it is behind the scenes or more visible, your faithfulness to the work here is appreciated. And remember, “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them” (Hebrews 6:10).

Blessings to you, church. And remember, “Be strong & courageous!

Pastor Brian