By Al Benson
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Aurora celebrated Mission Trip Weekend Saturday and Sunday, July 30-31.
Returning from a weeklong mission trip to Minneapolis, teen and adult volunteers offered reflections during services.
From July 24 to July 29, 22 St. Mark’s teens and five adults helped with house repairs, fed the hungry, visited elderly, and worked with children on service days.
Volunteers’ daily schedule included morning devotions and an evening worship service.
Adult volunteer Anna Themanson coordinated partners for students.
Paired with students, St. Mark’s congregants were invited to write an encouraging letter daily to their partners.
Students were invited to share messages from partners during evening devotions.
Additionally, students met their devotional partners at a gathering after the Sunday, July 31, service.
The outreach project, themed “First Love,” opened with a group blessing and sendoff in the church parking lot after the July 24 service.
St. Mark’s students represented Aurora, North Aurora, Kaneland, Montgomery, Oswego, and Yorkville communities.