At the end of worship each Sunday, we children of God are sent out into the world, forgiven, fed and commissioned to “go in peace and serve the Lord.” Social Ministry and World Outreach has long been a priority and passion of our congregation, and, throughout the year, the SM&WO committee plans and facilitates opportunities to love our neighbors near and far. Recent ongoing and one-time projects include:
Quilting for Lutheran World Relief – our quilters gather on the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month, from 9:30–11 a.m. in room 18, on the lower level of the Christian Ed wing, across from the church office. Our quilters typically make over 100 quilts a year (!) which are displayed and blessed during worship on Ingathering Sunday each October and delivered to the LWR warehouse in Maryland for distribution around the world. Donations of materials and money for batting are invited!
Advent Fill-A-Box – during the four weeks of Advent, congregation members fill boxes with needed items for a designated organization and then wrap the boxes and place them under our nave Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. Recent beneficiaries have included the Carlisle Area Family Life Center, the Cumberland/ Perry Domestic Violence Services shelter, and Safe Harbour.
Christmas cookies for the Carlisle Truck Stop Ministry – congregation members bake and pack cookies for distribution to truckers during the holidays.
Christmas in July – Christmas in July is similar to Advent FIll-A-Box, collecting needed items during what is often a slow time for donations to organizations. In 2023, members donated socks (one of the most-requested items), snacks, and personal hygiene items for Community CARES, an organization serving those experiencing homelessness in Carlisle.
My Brother’s Table – First Lutheran serves dinner at the Salvation Army soup kitchen one Sunday a quarter. Between 50-80 meals are served each evening, with food items donated by congregation members.
Salvation Army Angel Tree – during this annual event in November, members and friends of the congregation donate requested toys, clothing and other items for children served through the Salvation Army.
Divine Redeemer, El Salvador – through financial donations, First Lutheran fully subsidizes the vocational training and community feeding ministry of our sister parish’s bakery.
Missionaries – for decades, First Lutheran has supported ELCA missionaries around the world. We currently support Dr. Steven and Jodi Swanson, medical missionaries in Arusha, Tanzania.
Chili Cook-Off – during this annual fellowship/fundraiser/fierce competition, attendees enjoy a variety of chili dishes cooked by our chefs and vote for their favorite with $$$, with all money collected going to Project SHARE, Carlisle’s food pantry.
Lutheran Disaster Response and Lutheran World Relief – our congregation financially supports the ministry of these organizations following hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes and in the midst of conflicts such as the war in Ukraine. We are currently accepting donations for Hawaiian wildfire relief.