Members Actively Participating in Service - MAPS
God calls each and every member to join in the ministry of the church. What is your place - your Destination for Service? Prayerfully consider where you can be involved.
Below you will find many descriptions of Destinations from which to choose. ALL are important, ALL make the Church of the Palms an effective ministry for our Lord.
Giving your time and talents are equally important in Christian stewardship as giving financial resources. Using this MAP Directory of Opportunities is easy. Just follow these steps and join in:
1. Begin with the Prayer of Commitment or one of your own.
2. Look at the list of Destinations
3. As you read through the descriptions, mark those which attract your interest.
4. Complete the information form - send to the church office in care of Lori Hoffert, Front Office Coordinator, or call 924-1323 x 200.
5. Your response will be processed and you will receive a call to welcome you into service!
May God bless you as you answer his call to do your part in the ministry of our church.
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DESTINATIONS
Traditional Worship Services
Greeters: Welcome worshippers at several places on campus. Serve one month at a time.
Ushers: Assist worshippers to pews on Sundays and special services during the year. Usher teams serve on a monthly basis.
Reception Room: Available to offer information about the church and membership after Sunday services.
TV Ministry: Assist in the broadcast of the 9:15 a.m. service to the Sarasota community on Comcast Channel 189.
Communion Preparation: Prepare the elements for communion, usually the day before.
Flower Committee: Prepare flowers after the 11:00 a.m. service for distribution to hospitalized and homebound.
Pew Rack Committee: Restock materials in pew racks. Work in teams, usually on Thursday afternoon.
Acolytes/Crucifers: Light the candles during the Prelude, process with the cross, extinguish the candles at the benediction. Ages 8-high school.
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Garden Worship Services
Setup: (before 9:00 a.m. service) Complete room arrangement. Set up involves putting the pails and offering envelopes on the tables. Tables and chairs are set up by the custodians.
Break Down: (after the 10:30 a.m. service) Help put things away and clean up.
Welcome Center: Greet people under the yellow umbrella and share information about our church.
Greeters: Volunteers greet others as they enter the Campus Center for worship.
Praise Musicians: Provide instrumental music for the services.
Praise Singers: Lead the singing for the services.
Readers: Read the morning scripture and offer the prayer.
Computer Technician: Advancing the song lyrics and other images during the service. Requires a one week a month commitment. Training provided.
Sound Board Operator: Sound tech helps with set up and operation of audio system for rehearsal and service. Requires a one week a month commitment. Training provided.
LightingTechnician: Advancing lighting on stage during the service. Requires a one week a month commitment. Training provided.
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Music and Arts
Provides many opportunities to participate in the church’s music program.
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Chancel Choir
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Praise and Glory Singers
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Cantori Choir
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Creative Signers
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The Palms Players
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Orchestra
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Organ
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Piano
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Handbells
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Children’s Choirs
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Children and Students
Supervises and staffs teaching programs for elementary, middle and high school students. Provides for programs and Vacation Bible School.
Sub-Committees:
Sunday School Activities (all ages)
Wednesday Activities - PULSE for Middle School students
Early Childhood Center
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Adult Education Classes: A variety of classes and Bible studies are available for adults on Sunday mornings and throughout the week. Most are available for you to attend any time you are able; a few recommend advance registration. All provide great opportunies for learning and fellowship! Special education events are featured during Advent, Lent, and other times during the year. Be sure to check the Palm Fronds and weekly bulletins for current information about all the adult education offerings, as programs and topics are regularly updated.
Book Club (Faith-based): This book club will meet monthly to read and discuss a wide variety of faith-based books.
Caring Ministry: Visit our members and lift the spirits of those who have difficulty leaving their homes and who would welcome a friendly face and a pleasant conversation with a representative of our church.
Food Ministry: Help with food ministry to prepare tables and food for dinner on Wednesday evening and other times as needed.
Food Pantry: This group helps in two ways:
1. Teams fill the grocery bags each weekday
2. Volunteers distribute the packed bags from the Distribution Center to those in need of food who have been referred to our church for help.
Good Samaritan Mission: This local mission is largely a Hispanic migrant mission. Volunteers contribute school supplies, food, clothing and financial support.
Habitat House and Operation ReHabitat: Help construct and/or reburbish housing with local families in need.
The Loving Stitches : Make baby blankets, sweaters, hats, socks and quilts for First Step and Healthy Start. Lap robes for the Veterans Hospital and local nursing homes, prayer shawls for visitation pastors to distribute, teddy Bears for the Sheriff’s Office and Police Department to distribute and helmet liners for the troops - service men and women in Iraq.
This group meets the fourth Friday of each month in the Chapel Reception Room from 10:00 a.m. - noon.
Memorial Services and Funerals: Compassionate volunteers to usher, greet, and assist guests in signing the registry book during these services.
Men’s Bible Study and Breakfast: Tuesday morning at 7:30 a.m. at Heritage House. Join us for prayer, Bible study, food and fellowship.
Men’s Wednesday Bible Study Group: This study group meets at 7:00 a.m. in the Chapel on Wednesdays throughout the year.
Mission Projects: Our church reaches out in missions both locally and around the world. We have several projects we undertake to provide help to meet many needs. See the Mission 2010 booklet for details.
Pathfinders: The Pathfinders program offers church members the opportunity to serve as a “buddy” for a new member. We offer a tour of the church campus, information about opportunities to serve our church, and a welcoming hand to new members at Church of the Palms.
Presbyterian Women: Circle meetings provide opportunities for Bible study and fellowship. In addition, women meet for monthly gatherings to nurture faith through prayer, bible study and supporting the mission of Church Worldwide. A luncheon and program are a part of the gatherings.
Resurrection House: Office and support volunteers are needed at Sarasota’s only daytime resource for our homeless population.
Stephen Ministry: Provide a helping relationship focusing on one-to-one needs of each person. Thirty-five hours of training is required. Classes are held once a year.
Student Ministry Adult Volunteers: If you have an interest in helping our middle school and high school youth grow in Christ, there are many different opportunities to use your skills and abilities to help our youth. Contact our youth director, Dereck Thompson, for more information.k t
Sunday Morning Prayer Group: Come join others who meet to pray for our church, pastors, our congregaion etc. We meet at 8:00 a.m. each Sunday morning in the Administration Building.
Teaching Adult Education Classes: Skilled individuals may share with the pastor their thoughts and ideas for future classes.
Time Tithers: Individuals who have committed themselves to devote one tenth of their discretionary time to the Lord’s work.
Tutoring: Tuesday afternoon and evening and Thursday afternoon in the Campus Center. During the school year, tutors work with students in programs designed to help students from elementary to the college level to improve their educational skills in a one-on-one setting.
Wednesday Dinner and Activities: Join us for dinner between 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. in the Campus Center followed by a variety of adult education programs open to all. Dinner reservations are appreciated but are not required.
Women’s Prayer Group: Please feel free to join us every Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. in Room 208-210
Adult Fellowship
Bridge Group: Meet in the Chapel Reception Room on the first and third Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m..
Palm Singles: Palm Singles is an active and fun group. You’ll find great activities every week throughout the month; dinners, game nights, bike rides, Domino nights, movie groups, beach walks, eat-outs and more! We encourage you to join these activities and get better acquainted. Reservations required.
Church Officers
The Church Session consists of seventeen elders. They are elected by the congregation for a three year term – four elected each year. They are the ruling body of the Church. They take care of the guidance and direction of the ministry of the church.
SESSION COMMITTEES
Class of 2012
Charlee Bell
Brad Carlson
Penny Mathews
Fee Mercer
Jim Morris
Margaret Wenger |
Class of 2013
Sharon Bonnet
Roxanna Browning
Ginna Clark
Emily Conklin
Babe Hart
Pete Nowak |
Class of 2014
Don Schalekamp
Doris Kamphuis
Dutch Johnson
Joan Emrich
Rick Taylor
Sarah Cortese |
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Administrative/Office Volunteers
Church Library Volunteer: Volunteers are needed to arrange books and supervise circulation.
Receptionist: Work at the front desk answering phones and directing visitors. Office will try to accommodate your schedule.
Office Volunteers: Various office duties depending upon current needs - bulk mailings, etc.
Printing/Assembling Palm Fronds: Volunteers are needed to print and assemble the Palm Fronds newsletter each month. Times will vary. Training is provided.
Display Areas: Volunteers are needed to maintain display areas - bulletin boards, kiosk and publications display holders. Displays are updated every Friday.
To inquire further regarding any of these programs, please call the church office – 924-1323. Our weekly bulletin provides additional information on all current activities with phone numbers or e-mail connections.
