How Can I Serve Locally?
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.
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. If you are interested in learning more, please contact the CRC office.
Opportunities for Service through CRC:
- Financial Giving: When you support CRC, you are joining a team committed to blessing the Upper Valley. Since the beginning of CRC, we have given away over $220,000 to missions and charity, nearly $50,000 last year alone.
- Community Groups: Each of our small groups is encouraged to find ways that they can serve the community. Therefore, it is not surprising to find them serving community dinners, collecting food for the hungry, doing work projects for local charities, etc.
- Pioneering: If you have a vision for pioneering an unmet need, we’d love to talk to you. Please contact the CRC office.
- Prayer: At CRC we do not underestimate the greatest power for good in our community, the gracious power of God. Therefore, in our worship, various ministries and small groups, prayer for the work of God in our community is a priority.
Upper Valley Service Organizations: (alphabetically listed)
- American Red Cross: Providing disaster and emergency relief. http://www.redcross.org
- Bethany Christian Services: Pregnancy and adoption services. bcsvermont@bethany.org or locally at 603-483-2886
- Bonnie CLAC: Helping people with transportation needs. http://www.bonnieclac.org or 603-443-9701
- CareNet Pregnancy Center: http://www.care-net.org or locally at 603-298-6123
- Cover: Home repair program. http://www.coverhomerepair.org
- The Family Place: Providing assistance to families with young children. http://the-family-place.org or 800-639-0039
- Food Pantry: First Baptist Church of Lebanon: 603-448-5618; Grace Outreach: 603-643-4006
- Habitat for Humanity: Creating affordable housing. http://www.uppervalleyhabitat.org
- Hannah House: Supporting pregnant and parenting adolescents. 603-448-5339
- The Haven: A homeless shelter serving families. 802-295-6500
- House of Hope: A homeless shelter serving single adults. 802-296-8181
- Lions Club: Service organization: http://nhlions.org or Don Willeman 643-5588
- Listen Community Services: Helping people in times of need. http://www.listencs.org or locally at 603-448-4553
- Good Beginnings: Program for families with newborns. http://www.goodbeginnings.net
- New England Theological Seminary: Church planting organization: http://www.netsem.org
- Richard W. Black Senior Center: Activities and support to our Senior citizens. http://www.hanovernh.org or 603-643-5531
- Rotary: Service organization; 643-3103
- ServiceLink: Serving Senior citizens in our community. 1-866-634-9412
- Special Needs Support Center: For parents of children with special needs. http://www.snsc-uv.org
- Tucker Foundation: Oversees services and religious opportunities at Dartmouth College. 603-646-3350
- Upper Valley Hostel: Serving out of town patients. 643-3277 or uvhostel@valley.net
- Upper Valley Land Trust: Promoting land conservation. http://www.uvlt.org or 603-643-6626
- WISE: Crisis intervention for women. http://www.wiseoftheuppervalley.org or 603-448-5525
- Young Life: Introducing youth to Christ. younglife@valley.net or 603-304-9303
- Youth In Action: Teen volunteer program. 603-643-4313
Your Vocation:
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.
How Can I Serve Globally?
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.
Short and Long Term Missions:
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 BGC World Missions and numerous other agencies, we have a network of missions and relief opportunities that stretch around the globe. To learn more, check out our Missions page or see our Events Calendar.
Financial Giving:
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 averaged giving away nearly 20% of our budget to support other charities and ministries, and we aim to increase the percentage that we give away every year. In the relatively short history of CRC, we have given away over $220,000 to missions and charity, nearly $50,000 last year alone.
Pioneering:
If you have an interest in pioneering an unmet need, we’d love to talk to you. Please contact the church office.
Prayer:
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.