How we serve

Because God loves us, we respond in grateful service.

Lord of Life members serve each other and the community in many ways, sharing the gifts that the Lord has given them. Here are just a few examples:

Social ministry: A different local agency is featured each month for emphasis at Lord of Life. The current recipients or our gifts is in our newsletter. We often donate items we have on hand or can purchase inexpensively, rather than always checks or money. Examples of social ministry emphasis include:

• Good Neighbor Emergency Assistance—money for Healthy Food Vouchers
• CROP Walk for Hunger (October)—walking in it, and gathering money pledges
• MICA Foodshelves—non-perishable food items
• “Shop with a Cop”—Christmas gifts that needy kids can purchase for their family

Habitat for Humanity: Lord of Life is participating with other area Lutheran churches, in conjunction with Thrivent, in building a Habitat home in Ames.

CROP Walk: Each year, Lord of Life makes a strong showing (if we do say so ourselves) among other churches in the community that participate in Church World Services' CROP Walk, which raises funds to feed hungry people throughout the world.

Church council: Seven members and the pastor provide leadership for the church by serving on the church's council. They meet the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m.

Transformational ministry team: This group, which is made up of three members and the pastor, began when Lord of Life was the recipient of a tranformational ministry grant from the ELCA. The grant has ended, but the transformation continues! The team meets regularly to come up with creative ideas to invigorate Lord of Life.

Worship team: Each month, a different group of LOL members takes on different tasks in helping with worship, including providing special music, reading the lessons, greeting worshippers at the door, serving as acolyte and deacon, serving as ushers, leading the children's sermon, or providing food for fellowship after the service.

Other community boards: Lord of Life is represented on a variety of community boards, including ACCESS, Emergency Residence Project, and Good Neighbor.

Just helping out: When a member of the Lord of Life family needs a little help, whether in the form of hauling moving boxes or providing a listening ear, other members jump up to do whatever they can. New members can get that support and give it, too--come to church and find out more!