Northwood Ministry Opportunities

Matthew 9:37- 38   "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out the workers into his harvest fields."

Alpha   Care Groups     Children's    Choir    Comforters    Connections   Decorating    Education    Endowment   Evangelism    Fellowship   Friendship    GOLF    Hard of Hearing    Library    Meals   Nomads   Nursery    Praying   Prayer Shawl    Preschool Families    Facilities    Soup Kitchen    Transportation  Technology   Visitation    Women's    World Outreach   
Capital Campaign    Deaconate    Elders    Personnel    Strategic Planning Staff    Stewardship    Worship   

Angel Tree: Chair - Kitty Bates & Lisa Dudley

Angel Tree is a ministry that reaches out to the children of inmates and their families with the love of Christ.

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 Care Groups Ministry: Chair - Pastor Paul Jackson

  These small groups provide individuals with: a more personal connection with the church; spiritual growth through relational Bible study; friendship; support and encouragement; the opportunity to discover and use spiritual gifts; and the development of lay leaders. This ministry team organizes small groups that meet weekly in homes.

 All are invited to be a member of a care group. Opportunities will be open for apprentice leaders and home hosts.

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 Children’s Ministry: Director - Betsy Clewett

The Children’s Ministries team is responsible for the children’s programs at Northwood including children’s moments, children’s church at both early and late service, Kingdom Kids, Lifeliners, Birthday party for Jesus, Easter Clyonhildren’s Gathering, children’s activities at the church picnic. The Children’s Ministry team has a huge task, and we have chosen to make our youth a priority. In order for us to fulfill our commitment to our youth programs, many volunteers are needed.  Anyone interested in serving on this Ministry team in any way is encouraged to sign up.

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 Choir: Director - John Hakes

  In both the Old and the New Testament, people approached God in love, prayer, and supplication through song. It is natural for the heart to praise God. It is a joy to open the mouth and sing praises to God. We have a whole book in the Bible of songs (Psalms) to the Lord. David, in the tabernacle, had choirs singing praises to God around the clock. Come be a part of a wonderful group of people who love the Lord. It is a beautiful ministry of encouragement to be a part of the Choir that brings us closer to God.
 Anyone who wishes may join us. God didn’t say that we must have a wonderful voice. He said “...make a joyful noise unto the Lord.”  Psalm   66:1  He takes our voices and hearts and makes them joyful. Come; you will be most welcome.

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Comforters Ministry: Chairs - Beverly Robertson & Judy Hockett

 The Comforters provide services at funerals. They provide assistance with greeting guests, signing guest books, ushering and seating and provide information on additional parking at Page Elementary. Members will remain in the narthex to direct guests to the bathrooms, nursery or answer other questions. This ministry is separate from the meals ministry and is not responsible for the meal service. Members are often called to serve during week days and on short notice.  Anyone interested in serving on this Ministry team in any way is encouraged to sign up.

Connections Ministry: Chair - Pastor Paul Jackson

This ministry helps new members find meaningful connection in our church family by providing personal attention, "Discovery" seminars, and opportunities for fellowship and relationship building.

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 Decorating Ministry: Chair - (contact church office)

  This team supervises and creates interior and special event decorations for the church and its sanctuary to enhance activities and worship services. Floral arrangements are needed on a weekly basis. Please join us if serving in this ministry appeals to you.  Anyone interested in serving on this Ministry team in any way is encouraged to sign up.

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 Education Ministry: Chair - Judy Hockett

  The Education ministry is responsible for planning and administering the Sunday School programs and Vacation Bible School. They order Sunday School material, locate and train teachers, plan Vacation Bible School, track attendance, purchase supplies, create budgets, decorate classrooms, plan the Christmas program, and see that the needs of our children are being met. Areas that volunteers are needed include Sunday School teachers, V.B.S. teachers, V.B.S. kitchen workers and craft coordinators, office and secretarial help, people willing to provide transportation, substitute or short-term teachers, and any other talent you would like to share.  Anyone interested in serving on this Ministry team in any way is encouraged to sign up.

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Endowment:

This ministry is composed of the board trustees and two other members of the congregation.  their task is to manage and publicize the Endowment Fund, sponsor "planned giving seminars", contact prospective donors and promote other activities which bring growth to the Endowment fund.  volunteers with financial planning background are encouraged. 

 Evangelism: Chair - Pastor Paul Jackson

 The Evangelism Ministry team is responsible for visiting newcomers to our church. When someone fills out a pew card requesting information about our church, the Evangelism Ministry visits with them and answers their questions about Northwood. They also call anyone who requests information by marking that section of the attendance books. We presently have about 30 members, everyone goes out in pairs about 3 times a year.  Anyone interested in serving on this Ministry team in any way is encouraged to sign up.

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Facilities Ministry: Chair - Randy Eastman

 This ministry team is responsible for the maintenance of the church building and property. They are responsible for making a maintenance budget and planning for major repairs such as painting and roof repair. They see that the lawn gets mowed and the grounds are taken care of. They make arrangements and supervise any necessary repairs to the building or property. This ministry team has a subcommittee called the “Maintainers” who meet during the week to do yard maintenance and the daily repairs required to keep our building looking so nice.  Because of the large volume and nature of the work, it is important that this team be well staffed with active volunteers. Anyone interested in serving on this Ministry team in any way is encouraged to sign up.

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Families with Preschool Children: Director - Betsy Clewett

This ministry provides volunteers for classroom aides, story readers, and special activities.  Volunteers welcome.  Anyone interested in serving on this Ministry team in any way is encouraged to sign up.

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G.O.L.F.: Chair - Pastor Paul Jackson

  GOLF, or Gathering Of Loving Families, is our Wednesday night fellowship. This team provides meals, classes for all ages, and a time of fellowship. This team is responsible for planning and preparing the meals, organizing classes, preparing an annual budget, and praise time. Areas where volunteers are needed include meal planners, food shoppers, set up, cooking and clean up, people willing to share a craft or talent, Bible study or other class teachers. Anyone interested in serving on this Ministry team in any way is encouraged to sign up.

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Hard of Hearing Ministry: Chair - Leone Miller

  The purpose of the group is to assist our members with hearing loss and to reach out to our community by providing services to the hearing impaired. This ministry is also responsible for educating people on hearing loss and supporting our assistive communication programs including our” Loop System”, and projection systems.

Anyone interested in serving on this Ministry team in any way is encouraged to sign up.

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Library Ministry: Chair -Leone Miller

  The Library Ministry is responsible for operating and maintaining the library. We are looking for volunteers to enter books into the computer and process the new books. (Giving the book a category number, putting a pocket and checkout card in the book, labeling the outside of the book with a category number, and placing it on the shelf) Help is needed for inventory and to do computer input for our new computerized inventory.  We meet every Thursday at 9:00 am.  Anyone interested in serving on this Ministry team in any way is encouraged to sign up. 

Library Crew

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Meals Ministry: Chair - (contact church office)

  In the event of a birth, serious illness, or funeral, this ministry team provides assistance with meals for the family.  Volunteers willing to whip up a “double-batch” and share half with the needy family are always welcome to join our team.

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Northwood Nomads: Chairs - Gary & Meredith Noble

This ministry team coordinates trips for the Northwooders who enjoy traveling and Christian fellowship.  The group travels to various areas once a month for two or three days.  Trips have included a high lakes fishing trip, Sisters Quilt Show, Spruce Goose Museum, and Lincoln City.  Open to anyone with an RV, tent or who just enjoys traveling. 

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Nursery Ministry: Chair - Betsy Clewett

  This ministry team is responsible for the operation of our children’s nursery. Their duties include providing a safe, Christian environment where families can feel comfortable leaving their young (birth - three) children during worship services and other church functions. Specific areas where volunteers are needed include serving as an aide to our nursery staff during worship services, (We always strive to have at least two workers in the nursery at all times), working in the nursery for board meetings and other church functions, sanitizing toys, special cleaning assignments, and planning lesson and craft activities.  Anyone interested in serving on this Ministry team in any way is encouraged to sign up.

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Personnel Ministry: Chair - Robert Keefer

  This ministry team is responsible for overseeing all paid employees of the church. Their duties include the advertising for and interviewing of prospective employees, writing up job descriptions and forming compensation packages (in conjunction with the stewardship ministry), and assisting the pastor with personnel decisions.  At the present time this ministry team is fully staffed and not looking for new members.

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Praying Group Ministry: Chair - Mary Lou Hanna

  Each of us has an extended family, many of whom are not part of the regular fellowship at Northwood. These people are very important to us, and at times, are in need of special prayer.  Please call Mary Lou Hanna at (746-5862) to begin a prayer request. Mary Lou, passes the prayer request on to the Elders, the Cluster Group of the person making the prayer request, and to the Praying Ministry Group.  Anyone interested in serving on this Ministry team in any way is encouraged to sign up.

Prayer Shawl Ministry : Chair - (contact church office)

This ministry team is just starting up and is need of helpers.  They are knitting or crocheting shawls and afghans to give to anyone in need of them. For any requests for shawls or more information or to join the Ministry, please contact Karin Pike  please also visit this website:  www.shawlministry.com  Anyone interested in serving on this Ministry team in any way is encouraged to sign up.

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Soup Kitchen Ministry (Family Dinner Program): Chair - Sandy Thomsen

This team serves food on Thursdays and Fridays at the First Baptist Church at “G” Street & 12th in Springfield. The number served has varied from 12-85. After serving dinner, we pack up “take home” food requested by people. Then we carry empty containers to the kitchen and help clean up by wiping tables. We now have 2 people serving on Thursdays and 2 on Fridays. Each person helps 12 times a year from 4:50 p.m. to approximately 6:15 p.m.   Anyone interested in serving on this Ministry team in any way is encouraged to sign up.

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Technology Ministry: Chair - Greg Noble

This ministry team works to keep our technology current and run the sound booth during Sunday morning, and all other, services at the church as needed.

Transportation Ministry: Chair - (contact church office)

The mission of the transportation ministry is to see that our members who do not have their own transportation have a way to church and church functions. We accomplish this in 3 ways:

1. Church members pick them up with their personal cars.

2. We use the church van and pick them up. (We alternate drivers with over 20 volunteers)

3. We also use RideSource and the church pays the transportation fee.

   Anyone interested in serving on this ministry team is encouraged to sign up.

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 Visitation Ministry: Chair - Mary Lou Hanna

 The goal of this ministry is to ensure that no one needing an encouraging hand is overlooked.

Goal 1: To encourage and support via the phone and personal contact those of our Church family who are hurting, lonely, or immobile due to life circumstances.
Goal 2: To encourage all the church family to reach out to at least one other family member at Northwood.

If you know of a person who would appreciate a weekly or bi-weekly contact, please let Mary Lou Hanna (746-5862) or the church office know.

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Women’s Ministry: Chair - Juli Meador

 This Ministry team is responsible for planning and carrying out women’s ministry activities at Northwood. This includes our quarterly meetings, craft nights, Bible studies, retreats, and other activities throughout the year. Specific areas where volunteers are needed include telephone callers, transportation providers, workers to set up and clean up at quarterly meetings, creative artists to help design a logo for our women’s ministry bulletin board, artists, newsletter reporters, and correspondence representatives.  Anyone interested in serving on this Ministry team in any way is encouraged to sign up.

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World Outreach Ministry: Chair - Leone Miller

  The World Outreach Ministry is responsible for communicating with the congregation the work and needs of the ministries that we support financially with 18% of our non-designated offerings at Northwood. During budget preparation this ministry team meets to determine and recommend levels of support to the board and the congregation. Currently our ministry team consists of: Luanne Lynn, Brad Childs, Emily Sachs.   Anyone interested in serving on this Ministry team in any way is encouraged to sign up.

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The Deaconate: Chairs -   Kitty Bates, Leisa McAdams

  The Deaconate are the servants of the church. Their duties include preparing and serving communion, cleaning up after services, seating and greeting at church functions, set up and clean up at church functions, providing transportation, assisting the Elders and leading the congregation by example.  This position requires an appointment by the committee of seven and approval of the church board.

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The Elders: Chair - John Sargeant

  The Elders are the spiritual leaders of the church. Their responsibilities include serving at the offering and communion table,  providing support and wisdom to the pastor and leading the congregation by example.  This position requires an appointment by the committee of seven, and approval by the church board and the church membership.

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Strategic Planning Staff: Chair - Staff

  This team is responsible for the long range planning of church building expansion projects.  During construction stages, the building ministry is responsible for reviewing decisions with the architect and contractor and is the church representative to the bank for loan information. 

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Stewardship Ministry: Chair - Richard Smith

 This ministry team responsibility is to oversee the gathering and use of church funds. They prepare a budget each year and monitor church expenditures. Unbudgeted expenses that come up during the year are brought before this team for their approval.  At this time this team is fully staffed and is not recruiting new members.

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Worship Ministry: Chair - Karin Harman

 The Worship Ministry works with the pastoral team and music ministry team to coordinate worship services on Sunday mornings and special holiday services. This team meets regularly to discuss the pace and style of the worship services and to self-critique its methods in order to best serve the needs of the congregation.  At this time this team is fully staffed and is not recruiting new members.

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