Ministries & Service
MINISTRIES & SERVICE
Grace Lutheran Church has core ministries to serve our community and neighbors, including LifeWise Academy, Backpack Ministry, Adopt a Highway, and Community Vacation Bible School. Grace Lutheran also serves our village and surrounding area through meals, fellowship circles, visitations, and mission work.
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Our mission work supports internationally placed missionaries, regional missional congregations, and the NALC's mission driven activities in the wider denomination to support making disciples in our congregations, communities, and nations around the world.
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LifeWise Academy
Weekly during school year
LifeWise Academy is a pan-denominational Christian "release time" organization that provides public school students with the option to receive religious instruction during school hours. These Bible lessons are devoted especially to the development of character. LifeWise operates in many school districts around Ohio and in other states. As a wider community effort, Grace Lutheran Church hosts the students from Thornville Elementary School across the street. For more information, visit their website at www.lifewise.org.
Backpack Ministry
Weekly during
school year
Grace Lutheran Church provides weekend food for students in our local community who may need assistance throughout the school year. We are always looking for donations and support to serve our local school district and students!
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Donated food items need to be non-perishable and should not include peanut/peanut butter items. The most needed items for the meals include:
juice pouches, individual mac & cheese, individual cereals, individual fruit/vegetable cups, and snacks.
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Donation bins are located in the church in the atrium and gathering space.
Community VBS
June 10-14, 2024
Grace Lutheran Church, Thornville United Methodist Church, Trinity United Church of Christ, and Southshore Ministries host a Community Vacation Bible School open to our community every summer. Any child from the community and beyond is invited to join us for a fun and joyful week!
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Preschool - 6th graders welcome
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Adopt a Highway
Four times a year
Grace Lutheran Church participates in the Ohio Department of Transportation Adopt a Highway program. Youth and adults meet four times a year to clean the roadsides of a two-mile stretch of highway north of Somerset.
Blessing Box
Always available
In partnership with Perry County, Ohio, Grace Lutheran Church hosts a "Blessing Box" at the front of the church, by the church sign. There are basic food items available for anyone in need, and the box is restocked periodically.