God's Work, Our Hands

“God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday is Sept. 8, 2024!

This day is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America — one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.

Service activities offer an opportunity for us to explore one of our most basic convictions as Lutherans: that all of life in Jesus Christ – every act of service, in every daily calling, in every corner of life — flows freely from a living, daring confidence in God’s grace.

Ministries of Grace Lutheran Church

VISTE
Volunteers in Service to the Elderly VISTE was established in 1983 and Grace has a long history of helping with food, hygiene items and financial assistance.

ANCHOR HOUSE
Started in 1974, Anchor House houses  and cares for boys age 12 to 17. Their Transition program serves young adults ages 18 to 21, both male and female, and has four houses to assist them with the tools to become capable adults. The church supports this Christian ministry by means of donations of food, hygiene items, household items and general supplies.

CROP Walk
CROP Walk is an acronym for Christian Rural Overseas Program. Each February members of Grace join with other churches walking to raise money for World Hunger with 25% of the funds staying in the local community.  CROP Walk is a nationwide event, beginning on October 26, 2009 and draws walkers from communities around the United States.

REZ House
Resurrection House Mission of the ELCA is a Lutheran Church in Dade City. It was founded by Farmworkers Self-Help (FSH), Rez House has been it’s own 501c3 entity since 2003. The two work closely together, but have separate boards and financial accountability. Both groups have helped the community at large for over 40 years. Grace assists with food, clothing, personal hygiene and household items and financial support. Items that are not immediately needed are sold in their Thrift Store to raise extra funds for community Support.

ELCA– God’s Global Barnyard
This is an ELCA based program that collects funds to buy a variety of farm animals for communities around the world and also the united States so that they may become self-sufficient. If enough funds are raised an entire farm may be purchased and contributed. 

SPCA
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals maintains a no-kill shelter in Lakeland.   Animals maintains a no kill shelter in Lakeland. It houses cats and dogs providing for their personal and medical needs. Grace collects pet toys, comfort supplies, pet food, and financial support.

OSCAR J. POPE
This elementary school is the most disadvantaged school in Polk County. Grace has assisted for many years with the Backpack Ministry and with school supplies in the fall. The Backpack program supports 30 at-risk children who have been handpicked by the staff as the most needy.  This program assists the food insecurity these students face, as lets them know that others care! School supplies also ease the financial struggle many of the families face.

TALBOT HOUSE
Founded in 1979, to help people with food and housing, it has expanded into assisting with medical, job training, socialization, overnight and long-term stays, daily meals, and food distribution. We help with food, clothing, personal hygiene, monetary contributions, and other collections as needed.

COPS 4 KIDS
Organized by the Lakeland Police Department, it provides toys to children of all ages at Christmas time. Grace collects toys and money for this worthy cause.