Fervent in Spirit: Serving the Lord in Every Season

By Katy Miller

Romans 12:10–11

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. (ESV)

The winter season at Oak Hill often comes with a flurry of last-minute changes to ministry schedules, and the past few weeks have been no exception. Whether it’s sick children, holiday plans, or blustery snowstorms, we regularly need to adapt to the unexpected. Having coordinated the Welcome Team through several winters, I walk through this season with gratitude for how our team reflects the heart of Romans 12:10-11.

There have been Sundays I’ve seen the team greet each other while shaking the snow off their boots, recalling stories of the adventurous drive to church, and then step into their service role with a smile. We’ve also had mornings when I’ve spontaneously asked people to serve last-minute because others couldn’t make it, and the response is an immediate “yes!”  I especially appreciated their flexibility and faithfulness to serve during our recent short-notice switch to a Saturday night service, when we had no problem covering all six Welcome Team roles needed to warmly gather people in. 

In circumstances like these, I have seen our team members “love each other with brotherly affection,” stepping up to give extra sacrifice with camaraderie and joy. Our ushers and parking attendants “outdo one another in showing honor” by braving the frigid temperatures to open doors and greet others with warmth. They have “not been slothful in zeal, but fervent in spirit,” when they bundle up in snow gear and leave extra early to be present (when it’s safe to do so, of course!). So join me in saying, “Thanks for another winter!” to the Welcome Team members who have been an example in serving the Lord.