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A MESSAGE FROM THE PULPIT

L to R: Volunteers of America Delaware Valley ministers Terrance Hobson; Eugene Zalewski; Mildred Samuels; Lola Oyesanmi; Daniel L. Lombardo; Crystal Snowden; Maureen Dobosz; Sheila Jones; Toni Mahan-Wood; and Leon Sowell. The ministers helped lead our 'Joy to the World' service on December 11 at the Collingswood Church of Christ.

This is the text of President and CEO Daniel L. Lombardo's remarks to the congregation during the "Joy to the World" services of Volunteers of America Delaware Valley on December 11.

Good evening to all of you, our family of Volunteers of America Delaware Valley. Welcome to our Joy to the World Christmas service. Each year, this is one the most exciting and spiritually uplifting experiences I enjoy as part of the Delaware Valley family a family of people who live to help people. The blessings that you share with your Volunteers of America family will bring many blessings to you from our Father God and his son from whom all blessings flow.

As you have already experienced, this truly is an evening of Joy. All of our ministers, ministerial candidates, and many others have come together for worship and praise to share the spirit with each and everyone of you. Many have brought gifts and talents such as testimony, song and dance. We are embraced by God’s word and filled with the joy of a season that represents the birth of Christ our Savior.

We heard in the reading by Minister Gene in “Psalm 100” encouraging us to “shout for joy” and “be filled with joyful songs”. We also heard Kathy White read from “Luke” that the angel said “I bring you good news of great joy”. It is scripture like that that showers us with warmth and energy and make us want to shout for joy.
I have two other brief passages that I like and personally relate to.  In “Luke 1:44” Elizabeth says to Mary “as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears the baby in my womb leaped for joy”. For the mothers in the room you can relate to that. You have experienced that yourself in some way when a significant other said something or entered the room you felt your baby leap for joy. In fact my daughter, who is with child, claims that after Pittsburgh beat Dallas her baby leaped for joy. Seriously though, the point here is anticipation-- the anticipation of something great about to happen.

In our life too, we feel that great things can happen especially when we help someone through an issue, solve a problem with someone, give someone encouragement, help someone think that their life can change and to help them anticipate the great thing that happens with that change.

Another thought that I would like to give you comes from Paul’s letter to Philemon. Paul heard about Philemon’s love for the Lord. It was something that deeply moved Paul and he writes to Philemon and says “your love has given me great joy and encouragement”. For me that is the magic of what you do, the love that you give to those we serve gives so many great joy and encouragement.
Think about some of the comments made by our management team during your orientation. You may remember me saying that although we may seem to be a step removed from what you do as the care takers, know that we too serve to help you meet your challenges each day.

You have heard on numerous occasions, words like dignity and respect, support, nurturing, limit setting. All of those are the guiding principles that come from our ministry to help those we serve. These words are also the same guiding principles we must give to each other.

Each of us have different responsibilities. Sometimes we have a chance to share with each other what we have been able to accomplish.  Sometimes others from the outside feed back to us the kind of impact we are having on those we serve. Sometimes people who are toured through our programs see the twinkle in your eye, the smile on your face, the compassion you exhibit, and want to support or be part of this organization and our ministry.  Sometimes the people we have served come back just to say thanks or to share their joy with us.


Trust me when I tell you we are different, I don’t mean weird- I mean special. What is it that makes us unique? Let’s think about that for a minute. In some cases we serve people no one else wants to take care of. Sometimes we are the only ones between hope and hopelessness. We take great joy in meeting the needs of our clients. Also notice that we provide ways to help them meet their spiritual needs too, regardless of their faith walk, being Christian, Jew, Muslim or Buddhist. Whatever your faith walk we will support you in some way.  For we know deep in our hearts that your personal faith walk is essential for your growth, development and in some cases your rehabilitation. Do we brag and pound our chests to how good we are? No, like in “Colossians 3:12”  As God’s people, holy and dearly loved, we “clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience”.

We heard in the song “ Joy to the World” the promise of salvation. Each of us in our personal faith walk through life has a path strewn with challenges and obstacles, just like those we serve. As each obstacle is overcome it fills us with as sense of accomplishment and great joy. It is this same feeling we must help make possible for those we serve. It is the promise of salvation.

I want to leave you with one more passage that really represents who we are here at Volunteers of America Delaware Valley. The words come from “Matthew 25: 34-40” “ Then the King will say to those on his right come you who are blessed by my Father, take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked after me. I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then the righteous will answer, Lord when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? When did we see you as a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothed you? When did we see you sick, or in prison and go visit you? The King will reply: I tell you the truth, whatever you did for the one of the least of these brothers of mine you did for me.”

May God Bless you and keep you in the crook of his arm and may he bring you Great Joy!

Rain didn't dampen the spirit of the crowd at our annual Christmas service, "Joy to the World," on December 11.