Guest post by my dear sister, Bonnie, who has a servant’s heart.
When Bonnie opened her Christian financial planning practice, it was to serve God by helping people learn to be good stewards with their resources. She retired recently and now serves by volunteering at her church and in the ministry.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Having been retired for just a few months and moving to what had been our summer home in Oscoda, Michigan, my husband and I are now full-time members of the local United Methodist Church.
I now have time to become involved in the ministry of this church and was deciding how I wanted to serve our Lord. I attended a couple of meetings with the local United Methodist Women, and decided my outreach goals could be met through this committee. At the second meeting I attended, we discussed starting a prayer shawl ministry.
I have since knitted three prayer shawls and crocheted one. These shawls and those made by the other women will be blessed with a prayer so we can present them to members of the church, family, community, or anyone in need of God’s healing touch.
I also volunteer at the local assisted living facility and will provide shawls for the residents. In addition, I offer religious classes, visitations, and we are working on providing a twice-per-month service.
As we begin work on our shawls, we bless them with a prayer.
Example:
Prayer of Blessing for the Shawl
May God’s grace be upon this shawl, warming, comforting, and embracing. May this mantle be a safe haven, a sacred place of security and well-being, sustaining and embracing in good times as well as difficult ones. May the one who receives this shawl be cradled in hope, kept in joy, graced with peace, and wrapped in love.
After the shawls have been blessed, they are wrapped to be presented with a Bible verse such as:
Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Isaiah 40:31
Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.
Blessings, Bonnie
What a sweet ministry. God bless you Bonnie.
Thank you, Deb. I’ll make sure Bonnie reads your comment. Stay
safe. Pat
What a beautiful way to serve others. She is a shining example of what a Christian woman should be. Bonnie is a blessing to many, and I am one who truly appreciate her giving heart.
Thank you, Shannon. What a nice note to write about Bonnie. She is
a blessing. Pat
What a beautiful heart she has.and stay you have a beautiful heart also and raised Becky and Rhonda to have beautiful hearts
Rose, how nice of you to comment on Bonnie’s post. We all remember
how you spread kindness and joy to all. Hope you’re doing well.
Thanks for stopping by. Patsy
Bonnie is such a blessing in many more ways than one
Debbie
Thank you, Debbie. So nice of you to comment. Bonnie is a blessing.
Stay safe. Patsy