What a JOY to know this month marks the twentieth year God has blessed the First United Methodist Church of Vidalia, GA with our Bethany Home (presently the Oaks at Bethany) Ministry! Our habit has been to visit once a month, although there have been some months we have missed. Also, there has been at least one occasion that the Home had mass sickness and we did a Prayer Walk outside the Home.
This quest began as a service provided by our Ninth & Tenth Grade Sunday School Class. Some time later, it was passed on to the Eleventh & Twelfth Grade Sunday School Class. Then, about 10 years ago-upon the arrival of Ashley Clift Sasser as our Youth Director-it became a part of the entire youth program.
Our ministry is driven by the Bible verse: James 1:27 (NLT)
Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.
We certainly minister to widows, but the spirit of the verse drives our ministry! Many residents are certainly like widows, while all are in need of a touch, a song, a conversation, or a prayer. And, that is precisely what we give them!
Over the past 20 years, there have been countless youth (estimate of well over 100), as well as adults, that have been a part of this ministry. The nursing home staff has been so accommodating and grateful for our visits. But, the stars are the residents themselves! We have made so many friends over the years. They have taught us many lessons. They have sung with us. They have allowed us to pray for them, and some have prayed for us. They laugh with us. They bless us. And some of the looks they give us when we're singing makes me LOL on the inside. It's funny how the purpose of our trips is to bless the residents, but we are always the bigger recipients! God is so good! I have probably been more aware of Him and felt a special closeness to Him in these visits more in this ministry than any other. It's just special.
Our times and formats have changed over the years. Our current tradition finds us going to the Home on one Sunday per month. Our 9:00 worship service has allowed us to go immediately after Sunday school. We eat lunch at Zaxby's prior to heading to the Oaks at Bethany. Once we arrive at the Home, we say a prayer under our special tree adjacent to the parking lot, then there is often a mad dash to the central porch complete with rocking chairs. Here, we take a pic, which is displayed on FB and Instagram. We get many encouraging "likes" and words on these sights. Once inside, we enter the cafeteria. The room is close to capacity with residents providing kind words and smiles--as well as the staff. Most of our group heads over to the piano. One or two of us visit at the tables. We sing several songs. We are never perfect, but we make a joyful (and worshipful) noise to the Lord, and He is among us! We often laugh, especially at ourselves. Not long ago, we were singing our little hearts out, and almost everyone had cleared out of the cafeteria! Ha! Good times! Upon the conclusion of our Cafe Concert, we visit individual rooms with more conversation, singing, and praying. Our youth AMAZE me with their sincerity, dedication, and sensitivity to the residents and God's Spirit!
We praise God for each special visit during these 20 years! All glory to our God!!!
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