Service Opportunities
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)
What a wonderful and joyous calling we have! Opportunities to share the light and love of God in service to others are as endless as your imagination. Begin with prayer, and with a quiet spirit ask the Lord to soften your heart and open your eyes to see and step into the good works he has prepared for you and gifted you to walk into.
There are many opportunities inside and outside the church. Some are one-time or short-term opportunities, while others may ask for a weekly or monthly commitment. You may join something already in progress, but feel free to be spontaneous and start a brand new thing. Rather than just press forward on your own, consider inviting others to join you as you live out your faith and reflect the love of Jesus.
Below are just a few opportunities. If you have other suggestions or ideas, or would like help “plugging in” to a ministry please contact Andy Drake at eMail Andy.
Serve at PBCC
See the PBCC bulletin: prayer requests, children’s ministries, communion servers, etc.
PBCC Community Café (help with preparing and serving food on Sunday mornings between services)
PBCC Deacons: contact Bill Harman at eMail Bill
Beautiful Day Ministry: Julie VanLoan is PBCC representative at eMail Julie
Volunteers needed for PBCC events: Harvest Festival, All-Church picnic, etc.
Serve Locally
CityTeam Ministries in San Jose (408) 232-5600
- Family & Youth Outreach, Heritage Home, House of Grace, Recovery Center, Rescue Mission, etc.
Community Pregnancy Center in Mountain View (650) 964-8093
- Walk-a-thon; Prayer Vine
Green Pastures: home for mentally and physically disabled in Mtn. View (650) 965-2333
Capernaum Project: helping kids who have disabilities in club meetings (408) 286-3207
FirstResort.org (a Pregnancy Consulting Women’s Health Clinic that provides ounseling and medical care to women who are making decisions about unintended pregnancies. They have a Godparent Program where you are invited to provide a gift from the Target registry and participate in one of their baby shower celebrations.)
Habitat for Humanity (habitatsiliconvalley.org) (408) 942-6444 Ext. 302
The JW House is a place of welcome and support for families of patients, away from home, being treated for illness similar to the Ronald McDonald houses. There are numerous ways to volunteer and make donations. Training is provided. Contact April, the volunteer manager, or Jill, the house manager, at 408-246-2224, or go to www.jwhouse.org. Tours are given almost any time during business hours.
Loaves and Fishes Family Kitchen in San Jose (408) 293-4505
Our Daily Bread (St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Sunnyvale) serves lunch on M,W,F (408) 736-4108
Protecting Our Elders: Interfaith Response to Elder Abuse & Neglect - contact Margriet de Lange at eMail Margriet
Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara County <shfb.org>
Youth With a Mission in San Francisco (415) 885-6543
Community Emergency Response Team – Most cities have a C.E.R.T. program to train citizens how to respond to local emergencies, such as fire, earthquake, flooding, etc. The training they give includes much more in the way of First Aid, CPR, and just knowing who, in your immediate neighborhood, would need special attention during an emergency. To learn more or volunteer in Cupertino, call 480-777-3120 or to to their website at www.cupertino.org/emergency.
West Valley Community Services, Inc. is a local help organization, in some ways similar to a food bank, and so much more. Volunteer help is always needed to sort and distribute donated food to needy families and the elderly. Volunteers are needed for the food pantry, front desk, organic gardeners, gleaners and drivers (www.wvcommunityservices.org).
All local hospitals are always in need of volunteers for many tasks, which include manning the information desk, being a wheelchair assistant, taking blood pressure, and so much more. Most places would like volunteers to serve a four hour shift once a week. For more information call your local hospital and ask for the Volunteer Office.
Other suggestions:
Database of over 100 South Bay service opportunities: www.volunteerinfo.org/southbay
Helping your neighbors with landscaping, painting, home repair, etc.
Take a look at your local newspaper, community website, school newsletter, senior center, local library, etc.
Visiting and bringing food to the elderly, infirm, those celebrating a birthday, etc.
Serve Globally
WorldVision.org (family friendly: assembling Caregiver Kits, etc.)
Disaster Response Services of the Christian Reformed Church is one of several disaster response organizations at work in the U.S. at any given time. They have three or four sites at work at various places in the US in response to flood, hurricane, tornado, or fire. Most of the work involves helping the low income people to get their house back into a fit living condition. They work closely with FEMA, the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and several other Christian Church groups. Assignments are for three weeks, and there is always a waiting list of volunteers. For more information go to www.crwrc.org.