A Feast of Community

When Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Elyria received word that they’d won a $1,000 Feast of Abundance grant from United Lutheran Seminary, member Dave Sprague could hardly believe it. “I didn’t expect to get picked,” he laughed. “We were the 48th church drawn in the lottery!” Sprague sent in the application not expecting anything, but that simple step of faith sparked a joyful neighborhood celebration.

On a sunny October afternoon, Emmanuel’s parking lot was transformed into a lively block party featuring the Lorain County Community College Civic Band, nearly 200 guests, and plenty of food, fun, and laughter. The event included face painting, arts and crafts, cornhole, chalk art, bubbles, pizza, and even a Blessing of the Pets. The Frosty 5-0 ice cream truck from the Lorain County Sheriff’s Department joined in the festivities too.

For Dave and the congregation, the goal was simple: to show generosity and connect with their neighbors. “This church used to host ‘Fun Days’ when we had a preschool,” Dave explained. “But we wanted to reach more than just families with kids… we wanted to meet the adults who live right around us.”

To make that happen, the congregation not only posted it on social media or in the newspaper, but members printed 1,000 flyers and went door-to-door across the surrounding blocks, inviting everyone personally. That effort not only boosted attendance, it built relationships. “Even when people couldn’t come, we got to meet them face-to-face,” Dave said. “It helped us get to know our neighborhood again.”

For Dave, the day’s highlight came when the 50-member civic band struck its first notes. “The band really brought everyone together,” Dave said. “You could just feel the joy in the crowd.” Emmanuel Lutheran set out to show generosity and love and that’s exactly what happened. Dave reflected. “God had a hand in all of it, from the grant, to the volunteers, to the sunshine that day.”

While Emmanuel’s Feast of Abundance Block Party was made possible through a grant, it’s the kind of creative, community-centered ministry that Mission Support helps make possible across our synod. Through your congregation’s Mission Support gifts, we’re able to nurture and equip lay leaders, people like Dave, who put their faith into action and help their congregations live out the gospel in everyday ways. Thank you for investing in the people and ministries that bring Christ’s love to life in Northeastern Ohio.