Serve in the Community
Local and Global Mission and Outreach Committee
The Local and Global Mission Outreach Committee coordinates outreach, service, and advocacy in both our local community and around the world. All are welcome to join this ministry team and/or help with the important work of “Knowing Our Neighbors and Serving with Them.” Local and Global Mission and Outreach Committee meets the second Monday of each month at Vito’s restaurant. If you’d like to get involved or simply learn more, fill out the Service Interest Form (bottom of this page) to get started!
Action Sundays
The last Sunday of every month at Muhlenberg is an "Action Sunday!" Action Sundays are a way for the entire congregation to take part in a simple Thrivent Action Team project. Simply come to the Gathering Area at 9:45am on the last Sunday of the month to participate. All supplies are provided through grants from Thrivent Financial.
Recent Action Sundays have included:
Assembling "Celebration Cake Kits" for Church World Service and Foster Care families
Putting together “Welcome Baby” bags for gifting when a family in the congregation welcomes a new baby
Creating care packages for unhoused individuals in our community
Patchwork Pantry
For years, Muhlenberg has collected donations for the pantry, and we are excited to announce that collections continue on the first Sunday of each month! Bring your donations to the Gathering Area - monetary donations are also appreciated and help the pantry purchase food and perishable items as needed at a reduced price. You can make a check payable to “Muhlenberg Lutheran Church” with “Patchwork Pantry” noted, or you can give online HERE.
Donations of nutritious, non-perishable foods and personal care items are requested. Acceptable items include:
Staples (smaller sizes are best): Canned soups, stew and chili, canned fruit, canned vegetables and beans, mac and cheese box dinners, peanut butter and jelly, breakfast bars, tuna and canned meat, low-sugar cereals
Non-food items: Diapers, toilet paper, bar soap, shampoo, toothpaste
Extra Items often requested: Coffee and tea, sugar and flour (small bags – you may buy in bulk and repackage in marked gallon Ziploc bags), laundry detergent (dry – you may buy in bulk and repackage in marked gallon Ziploc bags), small bottles of liquid detergent, paper towels, feminine products, toiletry packages (example: Ziploc bag with wash cloth, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, shaving cream and deodorant)
People Helping People
Since its inception in 1992, Muhlenberg has hosted People Helping People, an ecumenical crisis ministry of churches and faith communities serving Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. People Helping People is located at the “Ott Street House” and serves over 2000 families each year with utility assistance and other basic needs such as medicine, eyeglasses, and items to maintain employment.
Volunteers are trained to trained and equipped to interview clients, assess their needs, and help them obtain the necessary assistance.
Learn more about this ministry at https://phpharrisonburg.org/.
Second Home Learning Center
In 2007, the principal of nearby Spotswood Elementary School reached out to Muhlenberg with a concern about the number of children who were staying home alone while their parents worked. In response, the pastors rallied church and community members and local businesses, and they developed Second Home, a fully licensed before and after-school daycare center for elementary children in Harrisonburg, housed in Muhlenberg’s Activities Center.
Second Home’s primary focus is to serve homes where English may not be the first language and financial resources are limited. The program is staffed by caring educators and volunteers who provide daily snacks, academic enrichment, and assistance with homework. Best of all, no family is ever turned away due to financial need.
Volunteers are needed to give students individual help with reading, math, homework, creative activities or play outside. Learn more about this ministry at https://www.secondhomelc.org/.
EV Chargers
Four Electric Vehicle chargers are installed on the side of the Muhlenberg Activities Center to serve our congregation and community. Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more popular and affordable as a way of transportation that is environmentally friendly and cost-effective. However, one of the challenges that EV drivers face is finding a place to charge their vehicles when they are away from home. Installing EV charging stations in our church parking lot helps us better serve our community and our members, and helps to live out our commitment to environmental stewardship.
Find our chargers at https://www.plugshare.com/location/581061.
