How Can I Serve?

The Gospel, as it is properly understood and applied, makes us into a servant-hearted community. Serving others instead of ourselves is a necessary by-product of following Christ.

At CRC we believe the primary way followers of Christ serve their community is in and through their local church. Jesus said that the Church, by just being the Church, is “salt and light” for the world (Matthew 5:13-16). For this reason we encourage service in every aspect of our life together.

We encourage everyone who considers CRC their church home to participate in the life of the church by serving on the Master Service Schedule (MSS). The MSS coordinates all volunteer roles needed to keep our Sunday morning services running smoothly. Since so many people serve on the schedule, many find that it is a great way to get to know others in the church community. Service positions include:

• Set Up/Pack Up
• Sound Tech and Sound Assistant
• Childcare (ages infant through 1^st grade)
• Greeting

On average, individuals serve twice every three months. If you are interested in joining the Master Service Schedule, please email the church office.

Other areas of service at CRC are often highlighted in the church bulletin or Friday emails. If you are not on the email list, please contact the church office so we can add you to the list!

Have you ever considered your job as a way to worship Christ and serve your neighbor? The Gospel, as it is properly understood and applied, produces the most conscientious workers. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24). Imagine that! God counts your work as a doctor or dentist, electrician or engineer, carpenter or teacher, artist or accountant, mother or father, as service rendered to Christ. Indeed, the Gospel elevates every aspect of our lives.

If you work in the health care or in the arts, check out our ministry pages for more information about vocation-specific fellowship opportunities. 

Each summer we organize a CRC Community Service Day where we send teams to serve organizations in the local community. In addition, we strongly encourage everyone to seek the betterment of life in the Upper Valley by supporting and serving organizations like the ones listed below.

• American Red Cross: Providing disaster and emergency relief. www.redcross.org
• Bethany Christian Services: Pregnancy and adoption services. www.bethany.org or locally at 603-483-2886
• CCEF New England: Christian counseling 802-356-9065 or newengland@ccef.org
• Cover: Home repair program. www.coverhomerepair.org or 802-296-7241
• The Family Place: Providing assistance to families with young children. www.familyplacevt.org or 800-649-3268
• Food Pantry: First Baptist Church of Lebanon: 603-448-5618; Valley Bible Church 802-295-5000; Wellspring Worship Center: 603-643-2700 
• Good Beginnings: Program for families with newborns. www.goodbeginnings.net or 603-298-9524
• Habitat for Humanity: Creating affordable housing. www.uppervalleyhabitat.org
• The Haven: A homeless shelter serving families. 802-295-6500 or www.uppervalleyhaven.org
• Lions Club: Service organization: http://nhlions.org or Don Willeman 643-5588
• Listen Community Services: Helping people in times of need. www.listencs.org or locally at 603-448-4553
• Maynard House (formerly the Upper Valley Hostel): Serving out of town patients. 643-3277 or http://www.maynardhouse.org/
  
• More Than Wheels: Helping people with transportation needs. www.bonnieclac.org or 1-866-455-2522
• Pax International: Hosting Foreign exchange students: www.pax.org
• Pregnancy Center of the Upper Valley: www.pregnancycenteruppervalley.com or locally at 603-298-6123
• Richard W. Black Senior Center: Activities and support for our Senior citizens. www.hanovernh.org or 603-643-5531
• Rotary: Service organization; www.hanovernhrotary.org
• ServiceLink: Serving Senior citizens in our community. 1-866-634-9412 or www.nh.gov/servicelink/
• Spark! Community Center Center: Community center where those with disabilities can develop their strengths. www.sparkcommunitycenter.com/ or 603-678-8619
• Special Needs Support Center: For parents of children with special needs. www.snsc-uv.org or 603-448-6311
• Tucker Foundation: Oversees services and religious opportunities at Dartmouth College. 603-646-3350 or www.dartmouth.edu/~tucker/
• Upper Valley Land Trust: Promoting land conservation. www.uvlt.org or 603-643-6626
• The Eleazar Wheelock Society: Integrating faith and learning in the Dartmouth community. www.eleazarwheelock.org
• WISE: Crisis intervention for women. www.wiseuv.org or 603-448-5525
• Youth In Action: Teen volunteer program. 603-643-4313

At CRC we desire to be not only a church that serves the Upper Valley, but also the world. Below are several ways that you may be able to participate.

In the short history of CRC, we have sent out numerous individuals to do a variety of projects both long and short term. Through our connections with Converge Worldwide Missions and numerous other agencies, we have a network of missions and relief opportunities that stretch around the globe.

By financially supporting CRC, you are “joining a team” that is directly helping those in need around the world. As a matter of fact, we have recently averaged giving over 20% of our budget to support other charities and ministries, and we aim to increase the percentage that we give away every year. For more about making a financial contribution, click here.

If you have an interest in pioneering an unmet need, we’d love to talk to you. Please contact the church office.

At CRC we do not underestimate the greatest power for good in our world, the gracious power of God, and so in our worship, various ministries and small groups, prayer for the work of God in our world is a priority.