Serve

Advent is a time of waiting, but we don’t wait idly. We’re preparing for Jesus’ birth. Join in the preparations!


Spread Cheer

 

Make someone else’s holiday brighter – see below for ways to help bring joy and hope to our church neighborhood and the Alexandria community.



  • A Festive Neighborhood

    Make an ornament to hang on our newly planted tree of hope on the corner of W. Braddock and Hancock. Bring the ornament any time and put it on the tree. The tree will fill with color and joy as we move toward Christmas.

  • Tidings of Joy Stones

    Pick up a blank river stone and decorate it with a message of hope. Then bring it back to Good Shepherd to place by our outdoor manger display as a message of hope for the community.

  • Angel Tree

    Contribute to holiday gift cards for our Angel Tree families:

    • Two sons and a daughter, Alfredo, Elizabet and Jason, ranging in age from one to 10 years old
    • Two sons and a daughter, from four months to 12 years old, Dylan, Deonta and Damira
    • A son and two daughters, Gabriel, Arielle and Aziah, from six to 10 years old

    Select the Holiday Gift Card Donation option on our online giving form or note it on your check made out and mailed to Good Shepherd. Deadline to donate: Sunday, Dec. 6, 1 PM

  • ALIVE! Preschool Toy Drive

    Help bring the joy of learning to children in need. The wish list is available on ALIVE!’s Amazon Wish List and the ALIVE! website. Deadline to donate: Friday, Dec. 11

  • Community Organizations’ Wish Lists

    Get deadline details and sign-up online


    Guest House: 2021 planners, hats, gloves, scarves, socks, pajamas, robes, slippers, backpacks


    Carpenters Shelter: List coming


    Grace Pantry: Food and household goods

Opportunities & Ideas to Serve During COVID-19

Buy Kamryn & Friends Bracelets for Unity & Justice online


Give blood if you can as supplies are low.


Assist at community food banks as many of the typical volunteers are older and unable to assist right now.


Prison letter-writing ministry

All visits and related activities are suspended in prisons across the country. In response, the Community of Saint Dysmas, a Lutheran congregation in the Maryland state correctional system, has started a letter writing ministry. Would you write a note to an inmate especially isolated from family and friends during this time?

  • General expressions that you’re thinking and praying for them or encouraging Bible verses are great.
  • Sign with first name only or your sibling in Christ.
  • Mail to: CSD, 905 Frederick Rd, Catonsville, MD 21228

Serve with Us

We believe we’re called to be God’s hands in this world.


We’re sure “church” is as much in our community as it is in our building.


We seek to serve those in need and all in our community, not by working for them but with them.


We know we can serve through financial support and donations of things like school supplies, personal hygiene items, Angel Tree gifts and the like and we rejoice in doing so.


We also know as important as giving is, listening, accompanying and partnering with people in need and our community broadly, in our neighborhood and beyond, are critical.


Whether you’re our neighbor (regardless of religious or other affiliation) or a GSLC member, we welcome you to serve with us.


Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’


The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Matthew 25: 37-40