House of Prayer has been collaborating with three other ELCA Lutheran Churches in Richfield: Woodlake Lutheran Church (7525 Oliver Avenue S) Tapestry (which meets at Oak Grove) and Oak Grove Lutheran Church (7054 Lyndale Avenue S). Together we have hosted joint programming like our outdoor worship services at Veteran's Park, combined senior events, and an annual family mission trip. Beyond simple programming, we've come together to explore an important centering question: How can we embody Jesus in and with our community?
Our Purpose
As Lutheran Churches in Richfield, we are feeling called by God and each other to be a stronger, more vibrant, more relevant presence in our community. By working together, we hope to energize our members to more deeply know God and each other, find new and different ways to grow, and share our faith. We also seek to meet people in our community in the places and ways that are most needed and desired.
If you'd like to know more about the Collaboration or participate, please contact Cara Wright at cwright@hoplc.org.
Collaborative Worship at Veteran’s Park - August 2022
First Communion - House of Prayer and Woodlake combined - April 6, 2023
We believe it is more important than ever to continue to love our neighbors. Below is a non-exhaustive list of ways you can care for the people in your neighborhood and community and our churches will highlight stories like this in the coming weeks. Keep an eye out for the “Love Your Neighbors Spotlight” in the announcements! If you have ideas to add or a story you think is worth sharing, please contact Cara Wright at cwright@hoplc.org.
Ways to love your neighbors right now:
Write a handwritten note to one or several neighbors. Even if you don’t know their name, you can write to “My Neighbor at (address)” to introduce yourself and share your contact info.
Call up a friend or neighbor to check in and say hello. You can even invite them to call another person and start a chain of friendly calls.
Go to the drive through for a meal or snack and pay for the person behind you as well.
Count how many neighbors you can wave to in a week while out walking/biking.
Call up a neighbor and offer to do their spring yard cleanup, mow the lawn, or some other outdoor task.
Drop off your favorite baked goods or a whole meal on a neighbors’ doorstep.
Use sidewalk chalk to leave encouraging messages or beautiful artwork on your street or a nearby walking path.
Similar to a little free library, create a free pantry in your front yard for people to take as they walk by. The photos show elaborate constructions but a waterproof plastic bin with a sign on it works just as well!
Instead of or in addition to the free pantry, leave a bin with free puzzles, coloring books, or other activities in your front yard to share with whoever wants them.
Pick up litter around a local park or walking path.
Drop off a care package, May Day basket, or small pot of flowers on someone’s front step.
Volunteer at VEAP or Loaves & Fishes – they are doing great work to help neighbors in need.
Donate money to one or multiple organizations serving people in these challenging times.
Invite your block to a concert or dance party from your driveway, using speakers or your own instrument and voice.
The Love Your Neighbors Team: Neal Cannon, Anne Schauer, Laurel Johnson, Winston Cahill, Tom Zarth, & Cara Wright,