STephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus were of the household of Chloe (1 Cor.

1:11) supplied Paul with that which he needed, either money or food. The house of Stephanas, is said to be addicted to the ministry of the saints..(P aul says he baptised those of this household ..1 Cor. 1:16). This family was one of the first of Achaia that accepted Christ as LORD and call ed the first fruits of those who received the Spirit in those parts. (Romans 16: 5) To be said to "have addicted themselves" to the ministry of the saints, shows t hey, by charity, ministered to the wants and needs of the saints. Paul says they are to be valued and esteemed for their works sake. He goes on to say (in 1 Cor. 16:18) to acknowledge them as helpers in the work of the min istry. Paul says to treat those that have helped him, with either food or money, with r espect and honor. We hear much about the five fold ministry, but little is said about the importan ce of the layman in the congregations today. God has given gifts to everyone who believes, one of those gifts is the gift of "HELPS"... Those who give into the ministry, either time, or money are said to be esteemed with abundant honour. It is a sad thing that some who have "addicted themselves" to the support of man y ministries are often simply forgotten and unappreaciated....unnoticed, and man y times simply overlooked. It is those very persons that Paul says we are to esteem and honor. The ones wh o are faithful to 'show up" and who are faithful to "give" the ones who do the c ooking for the camp meetings, and the ones who clean the rest rooms for the serv ices. Everyone is so busy trying to look important and carry a "big" title, no one wan ts to stay longer just to "sweep up", mow the grass, straighten the chairs, and do the mudane and rountine things needed to suppport the saints who assemble the re. Yet, it is these very people we should "esteem highly"...and recongize that they also bear the burden of the people with those flashy leaders, so that the leade rs do not bear it alone. (Numbers 11:7) The same Spirit that is upon the Pastors, evangelists, teachers, and prophets is the same Spirit that is upon those who addict themselves to service the saints. But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man se verally as he will. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the m embers of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. (1Cor. 12: 11-12) Today I simply want to send out a great big "THANK YOU" to all those porters, do ormen, maids, and hand maidens, the house keepers, and the ushers. Those who la bor behind the scenes so that the rest can expect to find the sanctuary clean an d welcoming when they get there. Door greeters, ground keepers, and cooks, THAN K YOU for you deserve esteem and abundant honor for all you do to keep the minis

ty of Jesus Christ going forth. Even as Paul made sure to mention those who "labored" with him in the gospel, al l of those who may not been seen in todays assemblies, are needed and I wish to honor all those who have spent years praying for their ministry or pastor. Pray ing for the members of their local congregation. Those who have given tithes fa ithfully for years and those who stand outside in wind and rain to escort us int o the churches with umbrellas ready. Those who print out the programs and those who do the taping in todays ministries. The "unseen" saints that labor among u s. THANK YOU and GOD BLESS YOU ALL in the Wonderful NAME OF JESUS CHRIST amen Paul, in one place, gives us a list: Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: ' Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us. Salute Andronicus and Junia, Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord. Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household. Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord. Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord. Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them. Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the s aints which are with them. Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your beha lf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grac e of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. (Romans 16:3-20)