Worship With Our Hands

By Rachel White, Pastor of Next Steps

At our last Compassion Kit Build, I stood back and watched my kids pitch in alongside their friends, packing kits for neighbors they’ll never meet. It was one of those moments that stays with you.

Packing Compassion Kits at our last build.

One of those friends came because of a conversation. His mom is a parent from my son’s school, and years ago she told me she wanted to raise her kids with a selfless heart. When the kit build came up, I asked if her kids would like to join us. To say yes, she had to walk through our church doors first, and she did. It was a delightful surprise. Serving gave her a way in that felt simple and unintimidating.

That’s the heart of what we’re stepping into this Sunday. All fall we’ve been walking through Isaiah 40–66 in The Heart of Revival, and this week’s question is “How should revival affect society?” Isaiah 58 gives a blunt answer. God’s people were doing the religious things: fasting, showing up, asking why God hadn’t noticed. And God says, in effect, that’s not what I asked for. “Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter?” (Isaiah 58:7). Then comes the promise: spend yourselves for the hungry, “and your light will rise in the darkness” (Isaiah 58:10).

So on Sunday, November 1, we’re going to worship with our hands. We’ll gather at 10am for a shortened service of about 30 minutes, with Pastor Ellis preaching from Isaiah 58, and then the whole church family will be sent out. There are three places to go, and here’s where we could use you most:

Local schools. This is where we need you most, and you don’t need kids at the school. Families and adults will pick up litter, pray, and play at the school of their choice. It takes 30–60 minutes, so dress for the weather.

Tacoma Rescue Mission. Our Outreach partner needs hands for lunch prep and service or landscaping, at their Family Shelter or Downtown campus. Spots are limited, so sign up soon. Ages 8 and up, about 2–3 hours.

Kitsap House. Our church plant in Port Orchard is full, which is amazing. You can join the waitlist in case plans change.

Staying close to home? There’s no limit on the Compassion Kit Build in the Gathering Place, so bring as many people as you can. You’ll pack socks, toothbrushes, and other essentials for neighbors who are vulnerably housed, and all ages are welcome. Families with babies through PreK can do a mini-serve in Neel Chapel, and childcare is available during worship.

The details:

Sunday, November 1

10:00 am worship, then we head out to serve

Wear shoes you don’t mind getting dirty. We’ll have a Serve Day t-shirt and snacks for you.

Clocks fall back that morning, so you get an extra hour of sleep and no excuses.

Many activities don’t require pre-registration, although it really does help our team to know. You can sign up here. If you’re heading to Tacoma Rescue Mission, there’s one extra sign-up for your shift with them, and your confirmation email has the link.

So here’s my question: who could you invite to join you this Sunday? Maybe it’s a friend from school, a neighbor, or a coworker who has said they want to live more generously and hasn’t known where to start. An invitation to serve might be the easiest first step.

Pastor Rachel