Living Lord Church makes a difference through ELCA service day
On Saturday, Sept. 6, a total of 47 members and friends of Living Lord Lutheran Church in Bartlett participated in a variety of mission activities for a special day of volunteerism called “God’s Work. Our Hands.”
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America encourages member churches to join in this day of service each year. Living Lord Church offered three different ways to serve the community on Sept. 6, according to Gayle and Ed Chiarugi, who served as the project leaders.
The first group, made up of 30 volunteers, gathered at the church from 9 a.m. to noon to take part in several service projects to help people all over the world as well as in the local community.
Volunteers assembled school kits for distribution by Lutheran World Relief in regions around the world that are affected by poverty, conflict and natural disasters; others in the group rolled 467 bandages for medical kits to be distributed to countries in Africa, Asia and Central America through Global Health Ministries; and more volunteers created over 85 Cards of Hope to be distributed by the nonprofit Phil’s Friends to those affected by cancer throughout the country.
A second team, representing the Living Lord Glory Gardeners, comprised nine volunteers who spent a good portion of the day engaged in weeding, raking, brush cleanup, planting and more to improve the church grounds. “Our awesome Glory Gardeners were at it again, working hard all over the church grounds to keep things looking beautiful and creating a safe and inviting space to gather and welcome the community,” said the Rev. Kristian Johnson, Living Lord’s pastor.
The third group, of eight volunteers, took part in a house-build project in Elgin with Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley.
Group leader Ed Chiarugi was impressed with the team’s enthusiasm as they hung doors, installed door casings and windowsills, painted trim, and installed bathroom vanity cabinets. “Our team was excited to take on these important projects, contributing toward the construction of this welcoming home.”
After this exciting day of making a difference, the church’s project leaders and their helpers are looking forward to next year’s “God’s Work. Our Hands.” day.
“It was an amazing day of mission and service — and fun and friendship!” said Gayle Chiarugi. “Our teams gathered and mobilized to help people near and far through local, regional and global mission.”
Living Lord Lutheran Church, 1044 Congress Drive, offers two worship services each Sunday. In addition to youth and family ministries, the church has music ministries for children, youth and adults, with varying styles and opportunities.
The church does outreach and service activities both within the congregation and in the local community. It also sends mission teams to assist people affected by disasters in different regions of the country, in addition to supporting global missions to help people in need.
Learn more about Living Lord Lutheran Church at livinglordlutheran.org. Living Lord Church is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and welcomes all to participate in its community of faith.