Area resident Jack N. was grateful to see three carloads of volunteers from Royal Redeemer Church show up at his front door on Saturday, May 7. The volunteers were there as part of “Servant Saturday.” They and 325 church members were out in the community to help Jack and other families and non-profits with projects that they couldn’t get done themselves.
Jack had just gotten home from the hospital, and he needed their help in getting his yard back in tip-top shape.
“It means a lot to me that they came. I just can’t do a lot of this anymore,” said Jack. “They helped me in getting my yard looking good again. I am so grateful.”
The crew trimmed the bushes in the yard, raked and picked up leaves and picked up fallen branches in the yard.
Don Berish was a member of the crew that worked at Jack’s house. “You can see the results yourself,” said Don. “We created a traffic jam in front of the house, motorists were watching us work.”
Jack Nelish’s house was just one of 37 locations where crews from Royal Redeemer Church worked on “Servant Saturday.”
“Twice a year members of Royal Redeemer get out of the church and into the community to be the hands and feet of Jesus by serving others on Servant Saturday. Our desire is simple, not to ‘play’ church, but to ‘be’ the church and help God’s love spill over into the world,” said Senior Pastor Reverend John Zahrte.
Annette Shanks, who matches servants with projects and the necessary materials so everything runs smoothly, says there’s no shortage of locations where they are needed. “The city of North Royalton recommended some, we have locations that we go to every year because they need the help and elderly members of our congregation that need assistance,” said Annette.
I asked Annette why 325 church members would give up their time on a Saturday morning to help. “We often talk about Jesus with our lips, but we are actually living it by showing Jesus’ love by our actions and not just by our words. I think they are here to serve people because they love them and they want to share that love.”
The morning started off with breakfast for all the workers. The day ended with everyone returning to Royal Redeemer for lunch and fellowship.
Another location where Servant Saturday crews worked was the City of North Royalton Cemetery. Workers took down dead tree limbs, cleaned up along the north fence line next to the Radio Station property and trimmed around the trees and grave sites.
Jennifer Ratliff’s work schedule finally allowed her to volunteer for the first time. “I want to give back for the blessed life that I have.” Her husband Mark was working a short distance away using his weed-wacker to trim around the graves. “I’ve been involved in Servant Saturday for four years. I’m serving the Lord for the blessings he has given me and for this great community.” Gary Preston echoed similar feelings, “I want to get involved and help the community and the church.”
Mayor Bob Stefanik said, “This is a great event to see over 300 people come out on a Saturday morning and give back to the community. This is uplifting to see.” City Council President Larry Antoskiewicz, Ward One Councilman John Nickell and Ward Four Councilman Paul Marnecheck were on hand as well.
There will be another Servant Saturday happening later this year. If you can, be sure to join in and help your neighbor and the community.

By JOE JASTRZEMSKI
Contributing Writer