Social Ministry at Immanuel is focused on outreach to the community through projects, special events, and fundraising.
It is in serving one another and reaching out to the greater community that we fulfill our mission and follow Christ’s example.
Immanuel Lutheran Church is set up as a Benevity Charity and donations to certain projects or initiatives may be eligible for employer matching funds. For more information contact Immanuel's church office at info@ilclosaltos.com.
Our current main social ministry activities/plans include:
Developing a Community Garden on Immanuel's Property – During 2018 Immanuel will be building a community garden. This will allow the local community (especially area seniors) to work together to grow healthy food for people in need in our county. A significant portion of the property will be dedicated to the project, which will include attractive raised beds and irrigation. Drought tolerant food plants will be prioritized.
Annual Summer Mexico Home Building Mission Project – Each summer the youth from Immanuel together with some accompanying adults travel to Tijuana and spend a week building homes for needy families. We regularly take as many as two dozen youth on the Mexico Mission Trip. Our trips are always inspiring, eye-opening, and a lot of fun!
Empty Bowls – Immanuel is one of the key churches participating to this Community Service Agency (CSA, serving the communities of Mountain View, Los Altos, and Los Altos Hills) fundraiser for the Alpha Omega Homeless program. Each year this event is a huge success. Money is raised by selling ceramic bowls and other ceramic items donated by local artisans and tickets to a soup supper where the donated bowls are used.
Heifer International – Donations to Heifer made by members through Immanuel and some members made contributions to Heifer directly. Gift cards are available on the Heifer table in the fellowship hall.
Alpha Omega Homeless Services Program at CSA – Immanuel members donated 34 “health kits” for homeless men, women, and children served by CSA.
Asante Network – Immanuel has frequently sponsored an Asante Network “African Bazaar” open to the community and congregation. Asante Network is a nonprofit organization committed to helping women in Tanzania and Uganda. Asante connects women's groups with markets in the U.S., helping to develop their traditional arts into viable home-based businesses.
Back-to-School Backpack Drive – Each year in late summer members donate backpacks filled with school and backpack supplies to the Family Giving Tree for local children in need. A recent drive brought in 37 backpacks.
Habitat for Humanity – Immanuel is participant in Habitat’s “All Faiths House” projects in local cities. Immanuel not only donates to Habitat, but many Immanuel members have participated in Habitat build days.
Community Services Agency (CSA) and Sunnyvale Community Services (SCS) – Groceries are collected from members throughout the year in the bookcase at the entrance to Luther Hall. Volunteers deliver this donated food to CSA and SCS. Food is also donated to people who walk on the property seeking assistance.
Salvation Army “Giving Tree” – Members and friends of Immanuel take tags with Christmas gift suggestions and purchase gifts for distribution by the Salvation Army to needy children and senior adults.
Other benevolence gifts – Donations have been made to local charities such as Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County (for Kinship Resource Center and Justice Empowerment Services), Sunnyvale Community Services, Rwanda School Project and Bright Stars of Bethlehem (for Christmas Lutheran Church, Bethlehem), South Bay Sanctuary Covenant (for El Salvador), Korean Community Center of the East Bay (for Domestic Violence program), Correctional Institutions Chaplaincy of Santa Clara County, Asian Women’s Home, Sacred Heart Community Services, and Second Harvest Food Bank.
Environmental Stewardship – We continue to promote energy conservation and recycling in our facilities and community.
We welcome your participation with us as we share our time, goods, money, and faith with those within our congregation, within our local communities, and throughout the world. Contact the church office for more information on our social ministry programs, to get involved, or to suggest a new opportunity for outreach.