How Can I Help?
Opportunities to Serve God & Help Others
[Jesus said,] "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'"
Matthew 25:40

Many opportunities to serve exist within and outside of our congregation.In
addition to the ultimate gift of salvation, God gives us so many gifts
of time, talent and treasures that we can use to serve Him and others.
It is with joy and thanksgiving that we give in response to that which God has first given to us.
Please scroll through the opportunities below and prayerfully look for the
ones that fit your unique set of gifts.
For contact information or other details on any of these opportunities, please contact the church office at 419- 589- 5252.
Prayer Needs
Within Our Congregation
- Pray for Pastor Bonnie as she both leads and supports the congregation
- Pray for our congregation council members and other leaders within our congregation
- Pray for our new Preschool Director, Kelly, as she prepares to lead the staff and children.
- Pray for our Preschool staff and Board as they bring the Good News to the children entrusted to their care
- Pray for those on our congregation prayer list (published each week in the Sunday bulletin)
- Who need healing of body, mind and/or spirit
- Who are celebrating joys and milestones in their lives
- Who are mourning the loss of a loved one
- Who have the burden of another of life's sorrows
- Who are serving in the military and those who have served to preserve our nation's freedom
- Pray for our congregation's childrens' ministry program
- Pray for our continued support of and outreach through Angel Food Ministries
- Pray for our congregation, the Synod and the ELCA as we worship God and serve His people
- Serve on the phone or e-mail prayer chain
Outside of Our Congregation- Pray for Lutheran Disaster Response as they help communities and familes in need in the wake of various types of disasters
- Pray for Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, as she serves the Northeastern Ohio synod and especially as she conducts Bishop's Gatherings throughout the synod.
- Pray for Rejoice Lutheran Church, a mission congregation in Hudson, that Ohio has contracted with Mission Builders in the ELCA to build their first facility.
- Pray for our local serivce missions, many of which we support in other ways
- Salvation Army/ Dewald Center
- Harmony House
- Richland Pregnancy Services
- CHAP
- Youth for Christ
- Lifeline of Ohio (organ donation resources)
- Pray for Angel Food Ministries as they continue to serve both through and outside of our congregation
- Pray for other service missions as they spread the message of the Gospel and serve as God's hands in the US and around the world
- Youth Encounter
- Captive Free
- Spoke Folk
- Lutheran World Relief
- Pray for our neighborhoods, city, state and nation, and for those who make decisions so that we can live together in peace
Giving of Goods and Monetary Offerings
These giving opportunities should be in addition to your usual worship offerings.
Within Our Congregation- We need a good wheelbarrow and a long outdoor extension cord
- Check the sign-up sheet in the Narthex for Sundays when we need sanctuary flowers. The cost for two vases is $30. The cost can be split with another family. You can also request that the artifical arrangements be used in the sanctuary and your flower offering will be placed in the general fund.
- The second Sunday of each month is designated for Food Ingathering. Bring your offerings of canned goods, boxed dinners, peanut butter, and other items with long shelf lives. There is some space to store frozen items in the chest freezer. This food is given to families in need in our community. Monetary offerings are also welcome and are used to purchase needed items.
- The blue envleopes in your offering envelope box are for special offerings. Please take a few minutes to consider giving to a special ministry opportunity in addition to you regular giving.
Outside of Our Congregation- Rejoice Lutheran Church,
a mission congregation in Hudson, Ohio has contracted with Mission
Builders in the ELCA to build their first facility. If you would like to give a monetary offering (earmark and place in the offering plate).
Giving of Time & Talents
Within Our Congregation- Demonstrate support for programs and events just by helping or even attending!
- Bible Studies
- Wednesdays at 10 AM
- Women-- 4th Monday of every month at 7 PM
- Men-- 1st & 3rd Saturday of each month
- Scrub the Church Inside & Out-- There are still
several jobs left to do. The can be completed on your own time. See
the sheet posted in the narthx for things that still need done. (Be sure to sign for tasks you will or have completed.)
- We will start a quilting ministry if there is some interest expressed.
- Help is needed for all Angel Food Ministry distribution dates-- more are needed for early moring since we are now a distribution site
- Check the sign-up sheet in the Narthex for Sundays when we need worship assistants (greeters, ushers, & readers)
- Work in the nursery for Sunday worship or other events
- Serve on (or chair) a congregational committee
- Participate in the Vocal Choir or Handbell Choir
- Provide special music for worship services--especially needed during Sumer months when the choirs are on hiatus
- Serve as a Sunday School Teacher or Assistant
- Volunteer to run for a Congregation Council position
Outside of Our Congregation- Help with serving the Saturday Night Free Meal on Saturday at St. Luke's Lutheran (Marion Avenue at 5-way light). Arrive between 4 & 4:30 PM to help with set-up and serving. Plan to stay until about 7 PM to help with clean-up. Dessert contributions are always welcome.
- Share the Good News with others everyday as you walk and work in the "mission field"
- Rejoice Lutheran Church,
a mission congregation in Hudson, Ohio has contracted with Mission
Builders in the ELCA to build their first facility. If you are able to get dirty and help with construction, contact the church office (419- 589- 5252) for details.