-By The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Phelps Ollikainen
Lutherans serve. It is that simple. It is a way of life. It is a way of faith.
At worship, when we remind ourselves of who we are and how we are to live in faith, we ask one another: “ . . . Do you intend to continue. . . to serve all people, following the example of Jesus and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth?” (“Affirmation of Baptism,” Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Augsburg Fortress, 2006)
The response is always affirmative, “I do, and I ask God to help and guide me.”
Therefore, it is fitting that we recognize the 25th anniversary of the forming of our denomination with a day of service. We roll up our sleeves, build upon the relationships we have in our communities and get to work.
During the weekend of September 7 and 8, Lutherans all around the United States will find a way to honor our faith promise and serve intentionally in our communities. We will volunteer and gather supplies for vulnerable people. We will sing and work. We will make a vital difference as we have been doing for generations.
Lutheran social ministry organizations, like Liberty Lutheran, were mostly started by faithful people in congregations finding ways to help the most vulnerable in their communities – the elderly and the orphaned, survivors of disaster and newly arrived refugees. Their service became a ministry, the ministry birthed social ministry organizations, and these organizations continue on serving in our communities on behalf of the congregations and communities.
How will you honor and celebrate the way of service on the weekend of September 8 – or any day? Liberty Lutheran invites you to consider serving with us. Click here to find out more, including a list of opportunities for the weekend of September 7 and 8. You will find opportunities to learn about disaster response and resiliency, needed to get through any of life’s ups and downs. There are also opportunities to gather donations for our ongoing social service ministries. Lastly, you may choose to share your congregation’s gift of song with our senior communities.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Ollikainen, Director of Ministries : jollikainen@libertylutheran.org or 610-425-2981.
