Transformed To Serve

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:2

Our synod’s theme for this year is “Transformed to Serve,” drawn from Romans 12:2. We are lifting up your stories of how our congregations and ministry partners are discerning the will of God and adapting to the many ways the church and the world we live in are changing.

“Church, God is doing something new in each one of us,” Bishop Davenport said told the 2023 Synod Assembly. “I genuinely believe we must be open to change, because in the renewing of our minds, we realize that the church is changing, and as followers of Jesus, we must adapt.”

Do you have a story to share? You can share videos, pictures and text that describe transformation in your congregation. Send your information to Pastor Bob Fisher at . If you have video, please send us a link where we can download the video.

Transformed to Serve Video Playlist

Click images below to learn more.

"You Know...How Deeply We are Hurting" After torrential rains caused severe flash flooding that claimed seven lives, including two children, in Washington Crossing on July 15, the community came together to grieve and honor those lost and to support their loved ones and the police and firefighters who responded that day and during many days of searching afterwards. Pastor Mukesh Cheedie of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Penndel, was invited to offer a prayer at the community gathering on July 23.
Cars, Coffee, and Christ It's a chance to share stories and share your ride – or just come for the coffee. It’s a form of outreach ministry to bring together people car enthusiasts who love the Lord. Enthusiasts can show off their vehicles, enjoy coffee and snacks, talk about faith, and share prayer concerns.
Loving the Community You're Part Of Trinity Lutheran Church, Lansdale's Christian Care Hub reached out to the North Penn School District and learned that due to an extended Easter break, food-insecure children would go nine days without free breakfast and lunch. The team dreamed up the Bunny Box project: packages with staple foods and Easter decorations, candy, or egg-dyeing supplies. Hub leader Linda Scheckenback says 48 boxes were promised, and 111 were delivered to five schools. There are also nine volunteers giving 100 hours a month reading and assisting in classrooms at Englewood Elementary.
Meet Our First Call Candidates Get to know our newly approved and assigned first call candidates. Tom Natalini (St. Andrew, Audubon) and the Rev. Amy Smith (Trinity, Lansdale) were accompanied through our synods candidacy process. Kayla Hopgood and Vicar Rodger Randolph III have been assigned for first calls on our territory.
Garden of Hope at New Hanover Lutheran Church When the pandemic struck, New Hanover Lutheran Church started a food ministry to aid members of the community, and soon began sharing meals with local recovery houses. Soon after, members started a garden to provide fresh vegetables for these meals.
Spiritual Pharmacy at Nueva Creación Kensington sees some of the worst of the effects of the opioid crisis in our region. Iglesia Luterana Nueva Creación (New Creation) started a Spiritual Pharmacy program to accompany neighbors affected by addiction and its side-effects. This program was the recipient of a Forward Together in Faith campaign grant.
Meleny's House at Emmanuel, Souderton The former parsonage at Emmanuel had been vacant for nearly two decades. Worthwhile Wear, a local non-profit that helps women transition from being trafficked, needed space to house women who had completed its leadership program. With congregation and community support and hundreds of hours of volunteer labor, Meleny's House was born.
A Culture of Generosity at Reformation Reformation, Media, was founded as a mission congregation in 1950. The congregation soon paid off its mortgage and amassed an endowment that was long used to balance the budget. When leadership decided to share most of the earnings of the endowment for mission outreach and new programs, a culture of generosity was born. In 2022, Reformation gave $217,000 to support refugees in Ukraine, support the Wellness Center at Grace, Broomall along with Welcome Church and The Well, and many other causes.
SEPA Congregations Transformed to Serve Images from around the Synod show SEPA churches and members doing God's work.
Katie's Cupboard @ Tabor Katie’s Cupboard @ Tabor opened in August, 2019 and grew rapidly during the pandemic. In 2022 Katie’s Cupboard provided food for more than 500 unique households representing more than 2,000 individuals. Currently they serve 100-120 households each week. Hear their story and take a look behind the scenes in this video.
LAMPa Honors Rev. Matt Staniz The Rev. Matt Staniz, lead pastor of St. Luke, Devon, was one of the 2023 Advocacy Honorees acknowledged by Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania at its annual Lutheran Day at the Capitol April 27. Over the past 14 years, he has become a leading faith-based voice for the ONE Campaign, a grassroots campaign to end extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa. Congratulations, Pastor Staniz! Learn more
Music Festival Aids Quakertown Food Pantries On Saturday, June 17, 2023, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Applebachsville will host the 9th Joyful Noise Music Festival to raise funds for four Quakertown-area food pantries. The festival features diverse, spirit-lifting music. All proceeds will be donated to four Quakertown-area food pantries, which fed more than 6000 families last year. Festival attendees are encouraged to bring a food donation. Joyful Noise 8 donated $15,000 to the pantries and through the years, the event has raised nearly $80,000. Learn more

 

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