It’s easy for youth fellowship and church in general to turn into something like McDonald’s — I come to be served and then go about my life. But as Christians, we must be imitators of Christ. Philippians 2:5-11 is the hymn of Christ and tells us what Jesus came to do, which was to enter human history in humble service and obedience to God. In seeking and saving the lost, Christ became nothing for our sake. We don’t want to serve others to make ourselves feel better or to get in God’s “good graces”. Grace is about what God does for us, not about what we do for him. However, we also want to worship God with our lives (Romans 12:1-2) and imitate Christ’s humble nature. So we serve.

There are various ways you can serve the church and your community. Sometimes we’ll gather and serve together. Other times you can serve on your own or with your friends or family.

• Compassion UK | Compassion is an organisation “committed to the spiritual, economic, social and physical development of children living in extreme poverty in 26 countries, enabling them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults.” As a YF, we are currently sponsoring Wilmer, a 10-year-old boy in South America. A Compassion box will be available for donations each Sunday at Smithton Church and YF meetings.

• Food Banks | We have a church food bank, in which food is donated and kept frozen for individuals and families at Smithton that need meals. There is also the Highland Food Bank, which collects donations for the needy throughout Inverness and the surrounding areas.

• Blythswood Care | Blythswood Care is an organisation dedicated to “Christian care for the body and soul”. Aside from the previously-mentioned Highland Food Bank, Blythswood takes clothing donations as well. There is a Blythswood bin set up in the car park of Smithton Church. Blythswood also has an annual Christmas Shoebox Appeal, where shoeboxes are filled with basic items for children and teenagers who don’t normally receive gifts for Christmas.

• Other Service Projects | We also aim to get out in the church community and help those who need gardening work or would just like to be visited for encouragement. If you have any available projects for us, please let us know!