LEWISBURG W.Va (WVDN) – A local church has been sharing its ministry and tithing with the community so that all who are in need can be helped.
Pamela Harders heads the “Saturday of Service” ministry, sponsored by the Edgewood Presbyterian Church Hospitality Team. The church provides parishioners and others an opportunity to live the gospel message that by “serving others, they are serving Jesus.” Saturday of Service started with the intent to bring the church together for a meal while not being able to gather due to the pandemic. It seemed a reasonable proposal to give up one Saturday each month in service to God’s calling. Little did they know just how big this project would grow.
Harders stated, “As a result of the pandemic, we wanted to provide wholesome meals to those who may have been limited by travel to restaurants and grocery stores. Upon reaching out to Tabor Towers, Morgan Manor, Lewisburg Manor, and Brook Village, it became quite clear the need to serve seniors, those with disabilities, and those with limited incomes via this safe avenue. Volunteer Delivery Teams are loaded up and dispatched to each residential site. Edgewood also wanted to provide meals to anyone who could pick up a meal at the church, thus the drive-thru model evolved. Saturday of Service is currently advertised through word of mouth, the residential sites listed above, the Lewisburg/Fairlea Food Locker, the Williamsburg Food Locker, Snacks in Packs via Lewisburg Elementary School, Greenbrier County Communities in Schools, Lewis Terrace, Wellspring of Greenbrier, WV Helping Hands, as well as the Edgewood Facebook page.”
In addition to the four sites mentioned above, they also offer delivery to individual homes within the community, including residents of Lewisburg, Fairlea, Ronceverte, Maxwelton, Frankford and White Sulphur Springs. In addition, they provide meals to the staff at the Greenbrier County 911 Center, Lewisburg Fire Department, Lewisburg Police Department, Greenbrier County EMS and Peyton Hospice House. They also offer meals, that are picked up from an outside source, and delivered to various folks on the western end of Greenbrier County.
Saturday of Service doesn’t just serve those with limited incomes, homebound or seniors. This ministry also reaches out to those who are lonely, those who can’t or don’t cook homemade meals, and those who just need to see a smile or hear a friendly greeting. This group of volunteers not only provides food for the physical being but also food for the spiritual being.
Since its inception, Saturday of Service has provided 15,030 meals throughout the community. The number of meals served has steadily increased to an average of 650 monthly.
In February 2022, they began giving new books to any child who arrived at the church via the drive-thru. This added offering of giving free books to children provides an opportunity to fill a child’s life with adventure and knowledge through the joy of reading.
As an added treat, they couldn’t forget about four-legged companions. In August 2022, they began giving treats to dogs who were with their families in the drive-thru. At times, you can find homemade apple butter or other sundries for sale during your drive-thru.
In February 2024, a “prayer pot” was added to this project. Folks who arrive at the church via the drive-thru are given an opportunity to write out prayer requests and drop the requests in the prayer pot. After each Saturday of Service, volunteers gather to lift those names in prayer.
“Needless to say, as the numbers continue to grow, so does the need for increased funding. Some who receive meals do donate back to the cause, but we certainly don’t ask or require any monetary gift for the meal. Saturday of Service is currently funded via donations, fundraisers, and grants. As this ministry continues in its fourth year, the need remains to focus on food insecurity within the Greenbrier Valley for anyone who needs it or wants it. It is our intent to do what we can with whatever we have.” Harders said.
Edgewood Presbyterian Church is a Matthew 25 Church that accepted the Presbyterian Church USA’s invitation to follow Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 25:31-46 by becoming active disciples and making a difference in our community and the world.
If you would like more information or to volunteer with “Saturday of Service,” contact the church at 304-645-6536.
