“God’s Work. Our Hands.” Day of Service

“Come all you people! Come now and serve the Lord!”

This past Sunday congregations from across the Southeastern Iowa Synod donned bright yellow t-shirts and went out into their communities as part of the ELCA’s first “God’s Work. Our Hands.” Sunday in celebration of the ELCA’s 25th anniversary.  To quote Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson, “We are a church that rolls up our sleeves and gets to work,” and in this synod we got to work by: packaging 2800 meals for “Kids Against Hunger,” collecting donations for local food pantries and clothing closets, building a Habitat for Humanity home, singing at assisted living homes, visiting elderly neighbors, painting, picking up litter along highways and in parks, making quilts and school kits for LWR, creating care packages for military personnel, and serving at Ronald McDonald House.

As the Lutheran Church, we are one community and one body in Christ, and many congregations across the synod joined together for the day of service. In Muscatine over 600 members from New Era Lutheran Church, Zion Lutheran Church, Grace Lutheran Church, Shepherd of the Cross Lutheran Church and Lutheran Homes worshipped together at Central Auditorium. Pastor Gloria Dovre, assistant to Bishop Burk, preached at the service, and the liturgy was divided among each congregation to represent each churches diverse expression of faith. “It was good to see five unique expressions coming together and moving to the same word and sacrament.” Pastor Gary MacManus, Grace Lutheran Church. In a joint offering, the congregations raised $850 for the ELCA Malaria Campaign, donated a half ton of food that was taken to the local food pantry, and collected school supplies. After the service was over a group went out into the community and gave a fresh coat of paint to the Flickinger Center, a local after-school program.

On September 8, and every day throughout the year, the congregations of the Southeastern Iowa Synod provide opportunities for us to live out our calling to do God’s work in our communities. “God’s Work. Our Hands.” day of service was a reminder of the power of serving with and four our community.

For additional photos, visit the Southeastern Iowa Synod facebook page.

Do you have stories, personal reflections or pictures from “God’s Work. Our Hands.” day of service? Email Minda Davison at [email protected].

Additional stories and reflections from “God’s Work. Our Hands.” Sunday.