Community Outreach
The Community Services Board was formed to provide the public a Christian image which will reflect favorably upon the work of Christ and of the congregation as His instrument, the publicizing of the work of the congregation through various channels, and the general integration of the congregation's work into the community in support of institutions and agencies established by the church and society in response to special human needs.
Jesus, remind me that when I give to others, I am really giving to You. Help me to share all that You have given me – my money, my possessions, my time, my talents, my love- with those who are in need. Amen.
Christian Assistance Program
In keeping with the duties of the board, First Lutheran Evangelical Church is very active in helping the community. One of the largest programs we support is the Christian Assistance Program (CAP), which has a major impact on the lives of those in our local community. The local churches that make up CAP are:
- Ark & Dove Presbyterian Church
- Emmanuel Baptist Church
- Epiphany Episcopal Church
- First Evangelical Lutheran Church
- Gambrills Church of God
- Macedonia United Methodist Church
- Nichols Bethel United Methodist Church
- Severn Run Church
- Severn United Methodist Church
- St. Joseph Catholic Church
- Trinity United Methodist Church
Food Pantry & Clothes Closet
CAP has a Food Pantry and a Clothes Closet which assists the poor on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. First Evangelical Lutheran hosts the Food Pantry while Nichols Bethel has the Clothes Closet. St. Joseph’s Church offers a storage room. Each church helps as they are able. Food, money and clothes are donated by the member churches. 100% of what is collected goes to help those in need. At each Thanksgiving and Christmas, we give baskets with a full holiday meal including a turkey. In 2006 we provided 175 baskets for each holiday.
Jean McHenry is the CAP representative for First Evangelical Lutheran and can be reached at 410-674-5353 or mchenrysnorth40@verizon.net.
The Christian Assistance Program’s (CAP’s) Food Pantry has moved to Severn United Methodist Church, 1215 Old Camp Meade Rd. in Severn in order to be out of the way when First Lutheran begins its construction. Contributors to the Food Pantry from our church will continue to put their donations in the basket in the narthex. If you have questions, please contact Jean McHenry, 410-674-5353 or mchenrysnorth40@verizon.net. We look forward to moving back into the new building when it is finished.
Red Cross Blood Drives
CAP-member churches work with the American Red Cross to host blood drives at regularly scheduled intervals. Working within the community, the local churches band together to host blood drives at an interval of 56 days or greater to comply with Red Cross regulations. One donation can save up to 3 lives. These drives are open to the public, so even if you are unable to donate, please tell your friends and family. There is always a need for blood donations. First Evangelical Lutheran’s Blood Drive Coordinator is Debbie Starke and can be reached at deborah.starke@verizon.net.
Working in conjunction with the CAP churches in the area, the blood drives are scheduled approximately every 56 days to provide donors a consistent schedule that complies with the waiting period eligibility. The schedule for the remainder of the year is as follows:
Monday, February 1, 2010 – Nichols Bethel United Methodist Church from 2-8 pm in the Socail Hall. Please call Hillen Grason at 301-498-3237 to schedule you life-saving donation
More information will be provided as each date approaches. Thank you for your continued support! Please share this information with your friends and neighbors as well. The blood drives are not limited to church members only. For further information, please contact the American Red Cross directly at 800-272-2048 or at http://www.redcross.org/.
General guidelines for donating:
Donors must be at least 17 years of age, 16 years of age in Maryland with parental consent, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. For further information, please contact the American Red Cross directly at 800.272.2048.
We also provide facilities for various outreach groups including, Alcoholics Anonymous and Adoptions Together through Anne Arundel County. Additionally, we provide facilities for many local scout troops.
Self-Help Meetings/Alcoholics Anonymous
Self-help discussions are held on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. For more information contact:
Wednesday evening sessions: 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Lloyd (410) 768-1491 or lloydehome@msn.com
Odenton Discussion Group
Thursday evening sessions: 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Ron Sinclair (410) 674-5757 or mlron1@comcast.net
Warm Your Heart, Volunteer at Augsburg
Volunteers are needed at Augsburg Lutheran Home (located near Liberty Rd. & the Beltway) for ongoing programs.
Friendly visitors, meal servers, escort residents to church services and activities, assistance with mailings are among the needs to be met by volunteers. Clerical experienced volunteers are needed for filing, gathering and assembling information. We have a special need for anyone with musical instrument or the piano or keyboard, especially for Sunday Church services. Flexible hours are available for weekdays, early evenings and weekends. For more information contact Betty Ireland in the Volunteer Office (410) 486-4573x147.
Find the joy of volunteering at Augsburg.
Address: Augsburg Lutheran Home and Village
6811 Campfield Road
Baltimore, MD 21207-4657
UPDATE: CHRISTIAN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOOD PANTRY
By Jean McHenry
This is to inform you of the work that CAP is doing through you. In 2008 we served 1,989 families and 5,806 individuals in those families. During 2009 we served 2043 families and 5,723 individuals.
At this time there are 36 volunteers regularly scheduled working with CAP from the following churches:
Arundel Baptist Church
Emmanuel Baptist
First Lutheran
Nichols Bethel United Methodist
St. Joseph Catholic Church
Severn United Methodist
The Church at Severn Run
February is our souper bowl month. We will be collecting cans, packages and cartons of soup during that time. Thank you for participating.