Give

Green button. White text reads: Give Online - serve, worship and learn with us. Help us build a #biggerTable

Secure Online Giving


Living generously is one of our guiding principles! Click the green button above to access our giving portal to make donations toward our operating fund, special appeals, flowers and more.


GIVE NOW


How Much Should I Give?


Expecting an answer with clear instructions – or formula to use? No, though it would be nice if there were a simple answer to this important question. But the decision of how much and how frequently to donate is a private one. One that’s rooted in our own relationship with God and Christian understanding that all that we have, indeed, comes from God. Read more (pdf)

Lutheran Social Services


Since 1917, Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA), a human services, immigration relief and refugee welcome agency, has accompanied families throughout the DMV to foster resiliency, self-sufficiency, and access to opportunities.


Two GSLC families are giving challenge gifts of $5000 each to encourage further generosity. These funds help address the large funding gap LSSNCA (and the nation-wide organization, Global Refuge) faces, created by recent actions of the federal government.


Mission Moment video: Diane Batchik, Global Refuge (starts at approx. 18:03)


GIVE NOW
White text on a dark teal background that reads: Additional Giving Options, Employer Matching

Employer Matching


Does your employer have a matching fund program for charitable donations? Two of our members take advantage of such programs to triple and double respectively their giving to Good Shepherd.

If you have questions on the use of these programs contact Wendell Anderson, our financial secretary.

White text on a dark teal background that reads: Additional Giving Options, Stock and Planned Giving

Stock & Planned Giving

Good Shepherd can receive donations of stocks, which may be a tax-advantaged way to give. For more information, contact Wendell Anderson, our financial secretary.


Yvonne Jones Lembo, regional gift planner with the ELCA Foundation facilitated a planned giving workshop. If you couldn’t attend or want a refresher (all PDFs):

Presentation slides (1.6 mb)


Asset inventory worksheet


Article 1: Introducing Yvonne and How to Grow Your Money Tree


Article 2: The Three-Legged Stool


Article 3: Leg Two of the Three-Legged Stool


Article 4: Leg Three of the Three-Legged Stool


Article 5: Planned Giving Starts with the Heart

Help Us Build a #BiggerTable

Join us to offer your time, talent and treasure to be God's hands in this world by giving back to our local community, responding to needs across the globe, and supporting each other at and through Good Shepherd. 2025 Annual Report (pdf)

Engaging Our World

We share our gifts with the needs of our community and our world. Specifically, we:

  • Contribute to the food and related services of ALIVE!, Casa Chirilagua and similar organizations.
  • Support women rebuilding their lives after incarceration through Guest House.
  • Help Carpenter's Shelter care for those who are unhoused.
  • Support Lutheran camps and campus ministries, new mission starts, ELCA World Hunger, ELCA Disaster Response, Lutheran World Relief, advocacy for justice work, seminarians, and sister synods in Namibia, El Salvador and Slovakia through our support of the ELCA Metro DC Synod.
A woman and 5 men of various races/ethnicities stand in front a box truck that says ALIVE! Neighbors helping neighbors, responding to need every day in Alexandria, VA
Pastor Kate and Jon lead a group gathered for sunrise Easter worship overlooking the Potomac River. Most sit in lawn chairs, a few stand behind them

Inspiring Worship

Sunday worship, with the gifts of word and sacrament, is where faith is nurtured and discipleship is practiced. Though in-person and online worship, we:

  • Preach and celebrate weekly worship throughout the year.
  • Celebrate baptisms, first communions, confirmations, weddings and funerals.
  • Turn our hearts to God through song and prayer with organ, piano, choir and other musical gifts.
  • Explore additional worship styles and activities to engage online and outdoors.

Growing Deeper in Faith

Education and discipleship ministries offer vital resources to enable people of all ages to grow in faith. Gathering in-person and online we:

  • Connect with each other and with God through Morning Prayer and other devotional gatherings. 
  • Provide quality Christian education including Sunday School, first communion and confirmation classes, Bible studies, book discussions, summer camp/Vacation Bible School (VBS), and small groups.
  • Encourage deepening of faith amid life in a diverse society through opportunities offered by our anti-racism team and interfaith activitiesonversations.
Girls, boys and GSLC youth shepherds stand on their tip toes, reaching above their heads, following kids and the words 'blast off like a rocket, set our praises... on a big screen
A group of GSLC members dressed in love-is-love type tees stand smiling in front of our table at the Alexandria Pride Festival on a sunny June day

Connecting with New People

In pursuit of communicating the gospel to a hurting world we:

  • Engage our community online via social media and our website.
  • Publicize events using multiple communication tools.
  • Work to ensure that our welcome is genuine to all through the work of all members as a Reconciling in Christ congregation.
  • Provide opportunities for the community to take part in social events (block party, Easter egg hunt, etc.), learning (summer camp/Vacation Bible School, guest speakers, etc.) and service projects (God’s Work Our Hands, ALIVE! walkathon, etc.).
  • Work with our congregation council and committees and teams to strategize and implement tools for growth.

Caring for Our People & Space

Toward fellowship activities and care for our building and property we:

  • Provide opportunities for building relationships through online fellowship activities like game nights, hymn sings and blessings of the animals.
  • Check in with members and friends through the changes, joys and challenges of life.
  • Care for our building, including investing in proactive long-term maintenance, to ensure safety for our members, guests and groups we share our space with, including Guest House, the Alexandria Choral Society and community groups.
Top left photo marked Before: A view of a GSLC circa 1950s basement window. Background photo marked After: A newly installed energy-efficient window
Streaming controls and a computer screen that reads On Air and shows a live video. In the distance over the screen a guest pastor preaches at Sunday worship

Administrative Support for Ministries

Ministries require administrative support including:

  • Provide bulletins and materials for worship and Christian education.
  • Support technology for church operations and sharing the good news of the Gospel.
  • Maintain database of pastoral acts and membership.
  • Create weekly e-newsletters and other communications.

Learn more about the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy's Living Wage Certification program


© 2025 Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Alexandria, VA. All rights reserved.