ELCA Day of Service

On Sunday, Sept. 10, congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will again join together for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday. As we observe the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, we are reminded of the gospel’s promise that we are freed in Christ to love and serve our neighbors.

In “The Freedom of a Christian,” Martin Luther wrote: “A Christian is lord of all, completely free of everything; a Christian is a servant, completely attentive to the needs of all.”

As you begin to explore opportunities to participate in “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday, I invite you to consider what the Reformation promise means for us today in our neighborhoods and globally as we carry forward our work to reconcile and restore communities in Jesus’ name.

Once you begin making plans for the day of service, we ask that you register your congregation so we can share and tell stories about the good work that we do together.

Please visit ELCA.org/dayofservice for helpful resources for your planning including:

• The 2017 version of the toolkit, with a new section on advocacy-service activities.
• A new worship resource
• Bulletin inserts
• Posters

Old Lutheran will once again have T-shirts available for purchase. The bright-yellow shirts provide a wonderful visual impact across the ELCA. The deadline for ordering your congregation’s personalized T-shirts with Old Lutheran is Aug. 15.

If it’s not possible for your congregation to participate on Sept. 10, please consider another day for your service activities.

Watch how some members shared God’s love with their neighbors during the 2016 day of service.

“God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday celebrates who we are as the ELCA – one church, freed in Christ to love and serve our neighbor. This is work you do in your communities every day, and we look forward to doing this work together again this year.