Importance of Service

We learn a lot about the Christian faith by attending classes and worship and by engaging with teachers and pastors. But the realities and joys of the Christian faith come to life in a new way when we practice service to our neighbor. Jesus said, “Now that you know these things you will be blessed if you DO them,” (John 13:17).
In light of this Christian call to service, we want to encourage students to find ways of serving that fit their abilities and passions. As such, during each AMPED year students will be required to complete 12 service experiences. Note that an experience is not necessarily the same thing as an hour – some may be much longer and some may be shorter.
Below are some ideas for service, but don’t think they’re your only options. Feel free to get creative! Are you helping others with needs and shining God’s light? If so, it counts! When you’ve done an act of service, submit it here.

Service Opportunities

Good Shepherd Work Day

April 15 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Help clean and beautify our facilities and grounds! Please bring lawn care items with you. Cleanup will take place at both campuses during the listed time. Reach out to Brent Marshall with questions.

Pine Lake Camp Work Day

Saturday, April 29th, 9-2pm

The directors at Pine Lake welcome volunteers of every skill level to help prepare for summer programs, and new friends to tour camp and get to know the community. Come for any amount of time. RSVP for lunch at:  https://forms.gle/jvaGSmS457my8TFC6

Set Up After Amped

Sign up to help clean up from Amped by setting up chairs in preparation for Sunday's worship. This should be adult & Ampedster pairing up for a month (this helps it go faster when there is familiarity with the process and layout). We'd ask for your help from 8-8:20pm on Amped nights. This is a great way for folks to meet others, wrap up the night positively, and serve while getting physical movement in! Sign up here.

Supply Drives

Because we want service to be an interactive experience, we encourage youth to involve 2+ people in collecting items for donations, rather than having parents purchase items for a service experience. This means they should spend a little time learning about the need and/or organization collecting donations, and that they should ask friends, neighbors, relatives, etc. to consider donating the item(s) they plan to donate as well. Find out what Good Shepherd is collecting by clicking here.

Serve a Group Meal for UW Students

The Lutheran Campus Center on the UW campus holds Thursday night worship and their students gather afterward for dinner and conversation. Does your family or your Amped small group want to make the meal and help serve it? Email Pastor Emily at emily@lcmmadison.org.

Make a Blanket for Project Linus

Make a new, washable blanket or afghans for children ages 0-18 years. Project Linus information can be found here. For blanket donations and specifications, contact their local chapter's coordinator, Eileen K at (608)-469-5935.

Volunteer at Church

Help with church school, serve in the clothes closet or food pantry, or serve during worship as a lector (reader), greeter, projection helper, or coffee host. Sign up here!

Lasagna Love

If you like cooking or are willing to try it out with the help of a “head chef” for the sake of others, sign up for Lasagna Love and make lasagna for a neighbor in our area. The org pairs you with folks who sign up to receive a meal. You can sign up for recurring lasagna-giving or just a one-time deal.

Good Ol' Fashion Yardwork

Rake leaves, shovel snow, mow lawns, pull weeds, clean up trash in a park or help with any kind of yard work! This could be for your family, grandparents, neighbors or whomever you’re willing to offer to! (Note: these things should be above what your family’s chore expectations are and you should not be compensated by anyone for the work.)

Free Rice

Play a variety of these online trivia games while getting the World Food Program to donate grains of rice (via advertisements). For one service experience, play until you earn 180 grains, which is about 1 cup of rice, do some basic research on world or local hunger and share what you learned in your service slip.

Volunteer with Little John's

Little John's has all sorts of volunteer experiences available as they try to address food access and eliminate food insecurity. Check out the volunteer spots and sign up here.

Be a Pen Pal

Everyone loves a little surprise mail and even more, we love connection! Write a few letters back and forth to your grandparents, aunts/uncles, cousins, neighbors, godparents, your grandparent or someone else from church who could use some extra love (upon request with Becca).

Meal Train Help

There are always a variety of families who could use help with meals in the coming weeks/months, whether because of hospitalization, added health challenges, loss in the family, etc.. Email Ronda Beggs (rbeggs@gslcwi.com) to get connected with them.

Make a Blanket for a Veteran

Create a tie-blanket, knitted blanket or quilt for a terminally ill Veteran. These blankets will be given to Veterans on Badger Honor Flight day. Each blanket should be patriotic in color or pattern and should measure between 36-48 inches on each side. With questions about the blankets or where to drop them off, email Josie at medical@
badgerhonorflight.org.