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PITTSBURG —
What better way to spend a Saturday morning than working to benefit somebody else?
That’s the idea behind Good Samaritan Saturday, held on the first Saturday morning of each month. Jeff Murphy, active member of the Pittsburg Presbyterian Church, is organizer.
“My hope and vision for this is to involve other churches and anyone else in the community who wants to help,” Murphy said.
He noted that sometimes as many as 15 people show up on the first Saturday at the church for a brief devotional and prayer before they get their work assignments.
“We have a list of elderly and single people in the church that we call to ask if they need any help around their yard or anything else,” Murphy said.
This Saturday there were around five Good Samaritans, counting Murphy, and assignments including fence work, getting a car washed and helping out at the Pittsburg Community Garden.
Virginia Darling was assigned to drive the car through a car wash.
“During the school year, I don’t have the time to do this,” said the Pittsburg Community Middle School music teacher. “I like to help when I can.”
Murphy and another young man were going to tackle the fence project, while Jim Brumfield said he was getting loads of recyclable materials from people to take to the Southeast Kansas Recycling Center.
“I’ve made two stops already and will have one more before I go to the center,” he said. “I usually volunteer each month. I don’t do a lot of heavy stuff, mainly recycling.”
Jim Harris ended up at the community garden, where he harvested potatoes.
“When I was a kid, my dad had a hard time getting me to dig potatoes,” Harris said. “Now here I am doing it for somebody else.”
He also says that he’s a regular Good Samaritan volunteer.
“I’ve helped Habitat for Humanity, done a lot of yard work, helped with local tree limb removal after the spring wind storm, helped in Joplin and put up railings and done things inside houses,” Harris said. “We’ve done a lot of good over the past year.”
Murphy also likes the fellowship aspect of it.
“When you’re working together, you really connect and get to know the person working next to you,” he said.
Murphy is inspired by a quote he heard, “Preach the gospel. Use words if necessary.”
“When you’re doing something, you don’t have to say anything,” he said. “They can see your love of neighbor. I think about Jesus building the church, and it’s not this denomination or that denomination, it’s the church. We can all be one in service.”
Anyone wishing additional information about Good Samaritan Saturday may contact Murphy at jwm8778@hotmail.com or call the Presbyterian Church office at 231-2920.
What better way to spend a Saturday morning than working to benefit somebody else?
That’s the idea behind Good Samaritan Saturday, held on the first Saturday morning of each month. Jeff Murphy, active member of the Pittsburg Presbyterian Church, is organizer.
“My hope and vision for this is to involve other churches and anyone else in the community who wants to help,” Murphy said.
He noted that sometimes as many as 15 people show up on the first Saturday at the church for a brief devotional and prayer before they get their work assignments.
“We have a list of elderly and single people in the church that we call to ask if they need any help around their yard or anything else,” Murphy said.
This Saturday there were around five Good Samaritans, counting Murphy, and assignments including fence work, getting a car washed and helping out at the Pittsburg Community Garden.
Virginia Darling was assigned to drive the car through a car wash.
“During the school year, I don’t have the time to do this,” said the Pittsburg Community Middle School music teacher. “I like to help when I can.”
Murphy and another young man were going to tackle the fence project, while Jim Brumfield said he was getting loads of recyclable materials from people to take to the Southeast Kansas Recycling Center.
“I’ve made two stops already and will have one more before I go to the center,” he said. “I usually volunteer each month. I don’t do a lot of heavy stuff, mainly recycling.”
Jim Harris ended up at the community garden, where he harvested potatoes.
“When I was a kid, my dad had a hard time getting me to dig potatoes,” Harris said. “Now here I am doing it for somebody else.”
He also says that he’s a regular Good Samaritan volunteer.
“I’ve helped Habitat for Humanity, done a lot of yard work, helped with local tree limb removal after the spring wind storm, helped in Joplin and put up railings and done things inside houses,” Harris said. “We’ve done a lot of good over the past year.”
Murphy also likes the fellowship aspect of it.
“When you’re working together, you really connect and get to know the person working next to you,” he said.
Murphy is inspired by a quote he heard, “Preach the gospel. Use words if necessary.”
“When you’re doing something, you don’t have to say anything,” he said. “They can see your love of neighbor. I think about Jesus building the church, and it’s not this denomination or that denomination, it’s the church. We can all be one in service.”
Anyone wishing additional information about Good Samaritan Saturday may contact Murphy at jwm8778@hotmail.com or call the Presbyterian Church office at 231-2920.
