When one congregation or a group of congregations gather for service in their local communities, they are the church in that place, taking care of that part of God’s vineyard.

But this is all work that we do together. When one congregation works to feed people who are hungry, that is also the entire church coming together,” says ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton.

“‘God’s work. Our hands.’ Sunday reminds us that we are church together for the sake of the world. Our lives have been changed by our relationship with God through Jesus Christ, and it’s that encounter with Jesus that frees us to make a difference. As you participate in the dedicated day of service, may you witness the love of God, who knows and loves each one of us.”

The first “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday, held in 2013, gave members of all ages at St. James an opportunity to live out their faith in service to others. As a church that believes God is calling us into the world together, we shared Jesus’ love with our neighbors through a multitude of service projects — from preparing meals for people, to cleaning up parks, from visiting with the elderly to writing letters to nursing home residents, from donating blood to preparing school and dental kits for orphans in Kenya.