On Sunday, April 21 we are going to reach out to serve and Be the Church!
We will have one brief worship service at 9 a.m. in the Gym to prepare us to do service projects out in our community or work on projects within the church that will have a positive impact. We will return around 12:30 to have lunch in the gym and celebrate God’s work and our experiences. Sunday School will not be held this day. Before and during this day our churches will give donations for the day, pray for our church and community, and grow together as disciples in mission. It will be a day to truly be God’s hands in the community and be witnesses of God’s love. There are projects for every age and ability level, and friends and families are welcome.
Childcare (infants – 4 years old) will be provided in the church nursery until 1 p.m. Sign up anytime online, outside the sanctuary, or during coffee time in coming weeks. A list of current projects are included here and will be updated online regularly! Please keep us in your prayers as we prepare for this event.
Some of the ways you can “Be the Church” on and before April 21st
Projects Taking Place in the Community
Christian Village Spring Clean— Clean, bring donations, and help out senior residents
First Responders Appreciation gifts— Make appreciation cards and care packages, then deliver to local stations and thank them for their service to our community
Loads of Love— Create supply packs and give away at local laundromats.
School Clean-up— Help with maintenance and beautification at CHES and MES
United Methodist Family Services— Help with projects in and around UMFS campus
Heart Havens Homes— Go to Heart Havens Homes to help with minor yard and home repairs
Hanover Animal Control— Deliver donations and spend some time with the animals and volunteers!
Hanover Christian Firewood ministry— Help prep firewood to keep folks warm
Blessings Bags— Youth project to make and distribute bags for folks experiencing homelessness
Homebound gifts— Making and delivering gift bags to homebound members of your congregation
SPCA Project for kids— A project just-for-kids with collections of supplies, making gifts for SPCA volunteers, learning about the SPCA, as well as crafts, stories, and snacks!
Projects at Shady Grove to Serve the Community
Blessing Bags for Children’s Hospital— Make blessing bags and cards for children receiving care Teacher appreciation gifts for Kitty’s Kids, CHES, and MES– Make gifts to help and thank our teachers!
CARITAS Furniture Build— Build furniture for CARITAS from a provided kit. Ages 10+
Knit or Crochet— Bring whatever prayer shawl or project for others you are working on and make some progress on it with new friends!
Pray for the Day— Come to the Sanctuary (or at home) and pray for the day’s activities and the people we encounter. More projects and slots will be added as needed! Teams Needed to Help Prepare for the Day’s Events (Ages 6+)
Set-up Team for Be the Church Day— Gather at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 20 to set up.
Transition Team— Transition gym from morning worship to lunch.
Take Down Team— Put tables and chairs away after lunch Sunday.
Be the Church Prayer
We are made in your image of love and empowered to be your body in the world. You call us to be your hands and feet, to offer our hearts and lives in service to one another. We give you thanks for the community we have in and around our churches, and ask for your guidance as we go out to serve the needs of our local community throughout the year. Thank you for your presence with us, and bless all that offer, through our gifts, prayers, presence, service, and witness. Show us how to carry out your mission of love and generosity. Help us be the church you have invited us to be, to be witnesses of your love in action. Reveal yourself to us as we come together, and in all that we do to lift up the beauty and dignity in your creation. Amen.
