Dea'con [Gr. diakonos]. A Christian officer, whose spiritual and moral qualifications are laid down in I Tim. 3:8. It is justly assumed that the 7 men chosen to relieve the apostles of the secular care of the widows and other poor people in the early church were deacons (Acts 6:1-6). Their charge of the needy did not debar them from the privilege of speaking publicly for Christ, for Stephen and Philip labored also as preachers and evangelists. They did so, however, in the exercise of a personal gift rather than on an official duty. A plurality of deacons existed in the church at Philippi, and shared with the bishops the duties of the church (Phil. 1:1).

The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA) Part II Book of Order Section G-6.0402 reads: "It is the duty of Deacons, first of all, to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress. They shall assume such other duties as may be delegated to them from time to time by the Session."

:: DEACON MINISTRIES

VISITATIONS
“I was sick and you visited me…” Matthew 25:36
    
Part of the deacon’s ministry is to provide visits to those in the hospital or homebound. This is the ministry that is of the greatest assistance to the pastoral staff.

Hospital Visitation
As a deacon, please read the Deacon’s handbook for visiting the sick prior to beginning this part of your ministry. It is recommended to call ahead to make sure the person is still there and is up to receiving visitors. Flowers and cards are generally available in the office to take with you. Occasionally, any deacon may receive a spontaneous personal request from the staff to make a visit.

Homebound Visitation
As a deacon, if you would like to visit someone who is homebound, please tell the chairperson and Jack Noble will be match you up with someone to visit. You may go alone or team up with another deacon. Flowers are generally available in the office to take with you. We also have special deacon’s cards for this purpose. If you are matched up with a homebound person, remember their important occasions (birthdays and holidays) with cards/flowers. It is recommended to call ahead to make sure the person is still home and is up to receiving visitors.

OFFICE DUTY
“Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality…” Romans 12:13

The deacons act as receptionists in the office every Sunday and on the Saturdays when “THEY” meet, answering the phone and assisting people however possible.

As a deacon, you sign up for office duty at the deacon’s meeting. If you are unable to perform your duty on that day it is your responsibility to find another deacon to replace you.  There is a note book at the desk with most all of the information you will need to do this service. Wear your Deacon’s badge while on duty. If desired, you may call the office chair or go to the office during office hours to request more detailed training.
 

PEW DUTY
Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house; I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe. Psalm 5:7

As a deacon, you sign up to stock pews, chapel and choir loft with all needed supplies for church services, remove attendance sheets and deliver them to the office and generally tidy up. Supplies are located in the deacon supply closet. Make sure that you will have access to the sanctuary when you are planning to come as it is locked when not in use. You will sign up for either the south or north side of the sanctuary on a particular week. If you are unable to perform this duty, it is your responsibility to find a replacement. It is best to perform this duty as close to the Sunday service as possible because the sanctuary is used by many people for a variety of activities during the week. This task usually takes approximately one hour. If there has been an event on Saturday night, please come early Sunday morning to check that everything is in order, particularly in the first 10 pews.

FELLOWSHIP HOUR
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14

As a deacon performing this specific duty, leave the service before the last hymn to help set up on east side of the garden patio in appropriate weather and in the narthex during inclement weather. Pre-pour juice into plastic pitchers, then into juice cups. Do not leave large juice containers on table. Pour coffee from urn into silver coffee pitcher, then into cups. Make sure coffee creamers are on the table (kept in church kitchen refrigerator). Place donut holes in clear plastic trays. Set out fruit and donation baskets. Most guests will help themselves, but some may need aid opening creamers or pouring tea from the hot water pitcher. When it appears that everyone has been served, tidy up, bringing everything to the kitchen. The whole procedure is completed about ½ hour after the end of the service.

ST. LAURENCE CHAPEL
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat,” Matthew 26:35

The deacons provide food for the hungry through St. Laurence Chapel.

As a deacon, you sign up to provide lunch for a particular week. You may provide food in any form. If you choose to provide sandwiches, please do not put condiments directly on the sandwich. It is recommended that you place filling (meat, cheese, peanut butter, jelly) between the slices of a loaf of bread and replace it in the bag it was packaged in. Please do not make sandwiches that contain mayonnaise. Please bring food to church office or church kitchen refrigerators. Always label any food “St. Laurence”. Our day is Tuesday, although someone from St. Laurence comes for pick-ups almost every weekday.

TRANSPORTATION
“Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front.” Luke 5:18-19

This is an outreach ministry that takes people to church who do not have transportation, enabling them to continue their formal worship and fellowship with our church. If a deacon is available for this ministry (requires some heavy lifting at times) the chairs are contacted and further instruction/sign-up is provided.
The chairs check with the church secretary for the procedures to be followed and a list of people who need a ride.