Story posted Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Church Takes Kindness To Streets
Cancels Regular Sunday Services To Lend A Hand In Community
Redeemer Church's "Random Acts of Kindness" day included a free car wash for local residents at Nelson Funeral Home in Park Ridge.
Redeemer Lutheran Church at 1006 Gillick St. in Park Ridge held a "Faith in Action Sunday", May 31, by cancelling its worship services and instead scheduling outside ministry projects.
On that day, church members held a pizza party for children at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, ran a free car wash at Nelson Funeral Home, and did outdoor environmental work at Wildwood Nature Center at Maine Park and Kloempken Prairie Forest Preserve.
They also served breakfast for the homeless at the Inspiration Café in Chicago, distributed bibles to prisoners at Stateville Correctional Center, led worship services at St. Matthew Center for Health in Park Ridge, and played table games with nursing home residents at Bethany Terrace in Morton Grove. Some members also prepared meals for delivery to homeless shelters.
The church called the day "Don't-Go-to-Church-Be-the-Church-Sunday" giving its members chance to reach out beyond the walls of the building. The event planned to impact people's lives, help members grow closer to each other by doing ministry together, and that some of the projects become ongoing, hands-on service and evangelism ministries for years to come.
On Sunday, June 7, Redeemer Lutheran plans a combined worship service to hear testimonies from members about their experiences and where they saw God at work. A small party and meal will follow.
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