Last weekend, September 6 and 7, the congregation of Abiding Presence Lutheran Church came together for the annual “God’s Work Our Hands” service weekend. This special time brings the community together to serve others and make a positive difference in our neighborhoods.
From building accessibility ramps to baking cookies for those experiencing homelessness, volunteers showed that when working together, the community can accomplish amazing things.
A big shoutout to the Evangelism Ministry Action Team for planning these outstanding service projects for everyone to participate in this year. Your dedication and hard work made this weekend a tremendous success.
Be sure to view the photo gallery from the weekend to see all the wonderful moments captured during the service projects.
Saturday: Building Accessibility and Providing Care
Saturday morning brought an incredible display of teamwork and determination. A wonderful group of 24 volunteers, including six enthusiastic high schoolers from APLC, came together with a shared mission: to build a 49-foot accessibility ramp in just four hours.
The project presented some unique challenges as the team worked with new decking materials provided by the Texas Ramp Project. However, the dedicated volunteers remained focused and committed to the task. Their perseverance paid off, and they completed the entire ramp for our client, creating safer and easier access to their home.
What made this project especially meaningful was that many volunteers were participating in their first ramp build experience. The excitement was apparent as team members expressed their eagerness to join future projects. These accessibility ramps make a real difference in people’s daily lives, helping individuals and families navigate their homes safely and independently.
If you have questions about the ramp building process or are interested in being part of the next APLC Texas Ramp Project build on October 18, please reach out to Spike Hubenak at spikehube@sbcglobal.net.
Supporting Families During Difficult Times
Also on Saturday, another dedicated group of volunteers spent their morning at the Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas. This small but mighty team focused on cleaning rooms to help prepare the facility for its essential work.
The Children’s Bereavement Center provides crucial support to families during some of their most challenging times. Throughout the year, this organization offers meals and emotional support to families dealing with loss. By helping maintain their facility, our volunteers ensured that the center could continue serving families in the community.
Would you like to help with the next dinner service on October 14? Contact Donna Weidemann at dewsatx@sbcglobal.net for more information about this meaningful ministry.
Serving the community together
On Sunday, volunteers of all ages and backgrounds came together to fill gallon-sized bags with dry cat and dog food for AniMeals, the pet-focused program of Meals on Wheels. Additionally, other volunteers assembled personal hygiene kits for APLC’s food pantry, ensuring that everyone has access to essential items. This collaborative effort highlights the importance of compassion and support for all members of our community—both human and animal alike.
Sweet Treats
Sunday brought the sweet aroma of fresh-baked cookies to the church kitchen. Volunteers gathered to bake and carefully bag 144 delicious cookies, each one made with care and purpose. These treats will be served at Haven for Hope on September 21, accompanied by lemonade, milk, and coffee for individuals and families in need.
Haven for Hope serves as this month’s Mission Partner of the Month, reflecting our ongoing commitment to supporting organizations that make a difference in our community. The organization is currently collecting 19-oz lemonade drink mixes for their monthly visits, which occur on the third Sunday of each month.
If you’re interested in learning more about this ministry and how you can contribute, get in touch with Nancy at nfroelichcpa@gmail.com.
Creative Christmas Cards for a Cause
The creativity and enthusiasm of many volunteers, including some middle schoolers, were on display as they crafted 48 beautiful Mission Partner Christmas cards. These handmade cards will be available for sale later this year, with all proceeds supporting designated Mission Partners.
This project perfectly demonstrated how people of all ages can contribute to our service efforts. The middle schoolers brought fresh energy to the card-making process, while working alongside adults to create something meaningful for our community.
If you’d like to join the fun and help create more Christmas cards, please email Polly Hansen at pbhansen@runbox.com for further details.
School Kits: Investing in Education
Education opens doors and creates opportunities. With this in mind, many Sunday volunteers assembled 126 school kits for Lutheran World Relief. Each kit included essential learning materials: notebooks, pencils, crayons, erasers, pencil sharpeners, scissors, rulers, and pens.
These carefully prepared kits will reach students who might not otherwise have access to basic school supplies. By providing these tools, we’re helping young people focus on learning and reaching their full potential.
Health Kits: Caring for Basic Needs
Before the “God’s Work Our Hands” weekend officially began, the quilting ministry volunteers had already been hard at work. They packed 106 health kits to support individuals and families facing difficult circumstances. These kits provide essential hygiene items and basic healthcare supplies to those who need them most.
Interested in learning more about Lutheran World Relief and the quilting ministry? Contact Teresa Reynolds at reynoldsima@aol.com.
Upcoming October Service Project
There was no Habitat for Humanity service project during last weekend’s God’s Work Our Hands event; however, volunteers had the opportunity to sign a piece of lumber for an upcoming build.
On October 25, APLC will participate in a construction build in Von Ormy as part of the Lutheran cluster. Click here to register for the upcoming build. For more information about the build or the organization, please contact Angel Titus at ahsa03@gmail.com.
Making a Difference Together
This weekend perfectly captured the spirit of “God’s Work Our Hands.” Through building accessibility ramps, supporting bereaved families, baking for those experiencing homelessness, creating cards for future fundraising, and preparing educational supplies for students worldwide, our congregation demonstrated the power of community service.
Every volunteer who participated—from enthusiastic young children to experienced adults—played a vital role in making this weekend successful. The diversity of projects ensured that people with different skills, interests, and availability could all find ways to contribute meaningfully.
