ELCA members plan for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday

CHICAGO – In affirmation of a church that boldly participates in what God is up to in this world, members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will gather together Sept. 11 for "God's work. Our hands." Sunday.

On this dedicated day of service, members of all ages will participate in a multitude of service projects, building on the work they do in their communities every day. Activities include cleaning beaches and parks, assembling school kits and hygiene bags, making sleeping mats for the homeless, collecting and delivering items to local food pantries and helping with home repairs and yard care.

The 2016 "God's work. Our hands." Sunday also marks the 15-year anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States. Many congregations' service projects will be in appreciation for the first responders in their communities.

At Hope Lutheran Church in Reno, Texas, volunteers will host a chili dinner for local police and fire departments, as well as EMTs and public works personnel and their families.

"We are protected by a five-member police department, a volunteer fire department and a dedicated public works department," said Connie Morrow, a member of Hope Lutheran who helped organize the service project. "We feel truly blessed to have these brave men and women there when we need them, by placing themselves in harm's way for us when necessary. We may be small town, but they are definitely big hearted. Our dinner is only a small token of the gratitude and admiration we have for them. They are truly doing God's work with their hands every day."

Other service projects for first responders include washing police cars and fire engines and delivering meals, baked goods and thank-you cards.

More information about "God's work. Our hands." Sunday is available at ELCA.org/dayofservice. 

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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with more than 3.7 million members in more than 9,300 congregations across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer, Martin Luther.

For information contact:

Candice Hill Buchbinder
773-380-2877 or Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
http://www.ELCA.org/news
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Lutherans
Living Lutheran: http://www.livinglutheran.com
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