Do Something Summer of Service Message and Video | August 23, 2026

Grace to you and peace from God our Creator and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

Most of the message this morning is a video presentation from this summer’s service projects, but before we get there, I want to take a moment to note what a wonderful thing it is to be together for worship across different church congregations and denominations.

We might have some different traditions, our worship services might look a little different, maybe even some different theological emphases, but we’re on the same team. We are all members of the body of Christ.

And as we’ve been talking about all summer, God calls us as Christ’s body to “do something.” All the readings we just heard talk about the connection between faith and action, what we believe and what we do.

Micah looks at the tendency of religious folks to get caught up in tradition and ritual and theological nit-picking and maybe some of that’s important, but he says what God cares about more than any religious ritual is how you live. What does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?

James says, “Faith is great, but authentic, living faith comes to life in how you live, how you treat your neighbor.” There’s no such thing as faith without action, because faith in Jesus transforms you to care about your neighbor. It’s not that if we do enough good things, if we work hard enough, God will love us more or anything like that; it’s that when you know God loves you, you can’t help but love your neighbors.

When Jesus was asked what commandment is most important, he said, “Love God with everything that you are, and love your neighbor as yourself.” That’s a call for every single one of us. We love God by loving our neighbor, by seeking justice, by doing something.

As you’ll see in the video, well over 100 people have put in over 700 organized hours of community service this summer. And that’s just the people and activities that I know of and could count.

You’ve also visited people in the hospital, delivered meals on wheels, volunteered at the humane society, served at the food pantry, given to UMCOR, LWR, Disaster Response, cared for family, listened, prayed, and so much more we can’t possibly count.

God’s light shines through you. Thank you for being the Body of Christ in action, together. Thank you for making a difference in our community and across the world, in the name of Jesus.

Here’s a glimpse of some of the ways the Holy Spirit has been at work in our communities this summer.

Closing Commissioning Prayer

Please join me in a prayer of commissioning. I’ll end each charge with the words, “Together we say” and invite you to respond together, “We will, and we ask God to help and guide us.”

Let us pray…Beloved of God, Jesus calls his followers to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. None of can do everything, but we are each called to do something in Jesus’ name, to love God by loving and serving our neighbors.

Will you live out your faith by loving your neighbor in your work, in your play, and in your rest, as the Holy Spirit gives you opportunity?
Together we say, We will, and we ask God to help and guide us.

As people created and claimed by God, will you look for God’s image in every person you encounter, treating neighbors near and far as fellow children of God?
Together we say, We will, and we ask God to help and guide us.

Will you seek opportunities to care for your neighbors, seeking justice and the well-being of all, not for your glory, but for God, so that all may flourish?
Together we say, We will, and we ask God to help and guide us.

Almighty God, who has given you the will to do these things, graciously give you the strength and compassion to perform them. Amen

Video Description & Music Credits

As Christians, we live out our love for God by serving our neighbors. No one can do everything, but everyone can “Do Something!” Here’s a glimpse of the ways our churches in Port Washington and Saukville lived out God’s call for us to love our neighbors in our 2026 “Summer of Service.” At “Do Something Superheroes” Vacation Bible School, kids learned that even though they might not have actual superpowers, they can be heroes when they “do something” to love their neighbors. A Lighthouse Youth service team traveled on a service trip to Nashville with Serve Boldly to love our neighbors there. Congregation members served at various service projects for Mr. Bob’s Under the Bridge, the Ozaukee Food Alliance, The Food Pantry in Port Washington, and more. And in August, members of five area congregations traveled on a three-day mission trip to Chicago, all with this same focus. But our call to “do something” to love your neighbors doesn’t require traveling to another city or state; there are plenty of opportunities to serve right here in our own community. In Matthew 10, Jesus says even giving a cup of cold water to a child is a way of serving him. The actions you take—large or small—make a difference. How will you love and serve your neighbors? How will you bless the people you encounter? This video was shown at the ecumenical community worship service at Grand Avenue United Methodist Church organized by Lighthouse Youth Ministry on August 23, 2026. The video was produced by Pastor Daniel Flucke and Lighthouse Director Christin Flucke. All music is used with permission via Pixabay. “Tornado (Action, Cinematic, Teaser)” by raspberrymusic, “We Need a Superhero” by geoffharvey, “Country Earth Full” by catch22music, “Love Always Wins” by SergePavkinMusic, “Heaven’s Strings” by AnnanRandyFuchs, and “Upbeat Acoustic Guitar” by Tunetank.