Serving our neighbors 

Collecting. Preparing. Assembling. Packing. Donating. Signing. These are just a few words that describe how congregations served and loved their neighbors on “God’s work. Our hands” Sunday, the ELCA’s day of service on Sept. 7. 

Here is a look at some of this year’s projects in words and photos. 

Calling themselves “small but mighty,” members of Trinity Lutheran Church, Stephens City, Va., were busy with projects organized in four stations spread throughout their parish hall. At one station, personal hygiene items donated by members and friends were boxed up for a local Baptist congregation that provides weekly meals and showers for people who are homeless. At another station they filled backpacks with coloring books, crayons and colored pencils, journals and other items to be sent to a local crisis center for children awaiting foster care. In conjunction with Bread for the World’s Offering of Letters, a third station was set up for writing letters to legislators requesting their votes for bills that alleviate hunger and poverty. And finally, they signed “thinking of you” cards for their homebound members to be delivered that afternoon with small flower arrangements.    

Lutheran World Relief was the focus for many congregations. Members of Zion Lutheran Church in Barnegat Light, N.J., assembled 43 personal care kits and 49 school kits for the relief agency. Members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Tea, S.D., also made school and health care kits along with quilts and freezer meals for those who are hungry. They participatied in the Bread for the World letter project too. 

And Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Austin, Texas, assembled 250 baby care kits for Lutheran World Relief. This was a yearlong effort, with a “Tea for Tots” fundraising event held in June that raised over $7,500 for purchasing kit items. Each kit contained a jacket, two T-shirts, two outfits, a set of cloth diapers, two pairs of socks, a hand towel, and soap wrapped in two blankets and fastened with diaper pins. These kits are distributed to families in need all over the world. 

Members of Iglesia Luterana Santa María Peregrina (St. Mary Pilgrim) in Stockton, Calif., prepared care packages with hygiene products, snacks and the congregation’s information for the migrant community that goes to El Concilio. That charity provides information, legal counseling, financial assistance, day care for children and other types of services to the Spanish-speaking community in Stockton. 

This year Kihei (Hawaii) Lutheran Church held its first “God’s work. Our hands” day of service. Following the 2023 Maui wildfires, the congregation expanded its community outreach by assisting several local nonprofits. With the assistance of Lutheran Disaster Response, Kihei has provided financial support and monthly or quarterly items such as snack bags, sandwiches and more. The nonprofits are reporting that many Maui residents are still unhoused and the number of people they serve has doubled. So for its day of service, the congregation stepped up their production of these needed items. 

Nine stations were set up in advance to give each pair of hands an opportunity to help assemble the items. Members ranging in age from 10 to over 80 made 200 bags filled with snack and protein items, juice, and fruit cups. They also assembled 180 hygiene bags with toiletries, a first aid kit, toothbrushes and toothpaste, washcloths, hand towels and soap. Hygiene kits for women were also assembled. And their hands were busy decorating bags for the sandwiches with uplifting Bible verses and messages of hope. 

To be prepared in case a disaster happens, 25 members of Amazing Grace Lutheran Church, Waxhaw, N.C., packed emergency relief buckets for the North Carolina Synod disaster response team. Twenty buckets were assembled, with an approximate total value of $1,500, which was donated by church members.  

Proving that the day of service can come at any time during the year, Trinity Lutheran Church of La Crosse, Wis., held its annual block party on Aug. 12 with around 900 participants. Phillip Waselik, pastor of Trinity, said donated food from local businesses contributed to a sense of community. Entertainment included live music, games and a dunk tank featuring community leaders. With over 300 donated pairs of sneakers, each child left with shoes along with school supplies. In addition, over 30 county and nonprofit organizations, including the fire and police departments, shared information about the resources available to the community.

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