Worship at Work in the World! 
Four times each year, there is a fifth Sunday of the month. In 2016, we tried something new. Such a resounding success it was, that we will continue our Fifth Sunday “Worship at Work” events. (We call it that because we worship while we work in the service of God to make our world a better place.)
On each 5th Sunday, worship will be brief (20-30 minutes), joyfully led by our Gospel Choir or the African Fellowship Choir. At the end of worship, the entire congregation will be sent out to be in service for the remainder of the morning. Over the year, there will be a number of opportunities for service for every age and ability.
Don’t miss this exciting way of worshiping God with the work of our hands.
Scroll below to review previous 5th Sunday projects we’ve worked on.
There are tasks of all kinds for all capabilities. ALL are invited to join in!
The next Worship at Work event will be November 25th, 2018
On November 25th, Campbell UMC will make up for missing a September 30th (5th Sunday) Worship at Work event.
Campbell UMC will once again partner with Rise Against Hunger (formerly Stop Hunger Now) to package meals as a Worship at Work event.
Immediately after our abbreviated worship, the entire congregation will move to the Fellowship Hall, where tables and raw materials will be set up for the packaging of meals for those in need around the world. In an hour or so we will pack literally thousands of meals in a whirlwind of movement and music.
As usual, we will complete the tasks by 11:30-12:00pm, and then share lunch!
This is another hands-on service project with tasks for people of ALL ages and abilities (no training required).
The next Fifth Sunday event was April 29th, 2018
On April 29th, Campbell UMC once again partnered with Rise Against Hunger (formerly Stop Hunger Now) to package meals as a 5th Sunday Worship at Work event.
Immediately after our abbreviated worship, the entire congregation moved to the Fellowship Hall, where tables and raw materials will be set up for the packaging of meals for those in need around the world. In a little over an hour or so we packed literally thousands of meals in a whirlwind of movement and music.
We completed the tasks before noon, and then shared lunch!
This was a hands-on service project with tasks for people of ALL ages and abilities (no training required).
The last Fifth Sunday event of 2017 was July 30th
We had planned to create solar energy packs for those lacking electricity in other countries. Unfortunately, the company we were working with had a major illness in their leadership team, and could not do it at this time. We’ll try to do this at our next Fifth Sunday/Worship at Work event.
On July 30th, we had the normal one-hour worship service, and had the work projects in the Fireside Room during Fellowship Time. See the photos here.
We met to work in the Fireside Room following worship, and stitched blankets and cut out rain ponchos for our homeless neighbors in Campbell.
A number of folks brought their own sewing machines, helped by taking out quilt pins, cutting the ponchos, etc.
We completed the tasks by 12-12:30pm, and then shared lunch!
This was another hands-on service project with tasks for people of every age and ability.
The Second Fifth Sunday of 2017 was April 30th
We utilized our second 2017 Worship at Work creating hygiene kits for neighbors in need. After a brief worship in the Sanctuary, at 10:30, all of us–adults, children, everyone—received instructions and went to the Fellowship Hall to create the kits.
We completed the kits well before noon and then shared lunch!
This was a hands-on service project with tasks for people of every age and ability.
The First Fifth Sunday of 2017 was January 29th
We launched our 2017 Worship at Work with a Stop Hunger Now event in Fellowship Hall. After a brief worship in the Sanctuary, at 10:30, all of us–adults, children, everyone— received instructions and went to the Fellowship Hall to pack 20,000+ meals to be sent overseas through Stop Hunger Now.
And we completed filling, measuring, weighing, sealing, and packing over 20,000 meals before noon!
See photos of the project activities.
Afterward, we shared lunch.
The last Fifth Sunday of 2016 – October 30th – Build a Bike!
On Sunday, October 30th, we brought our pledges, worshiped for 25 minutes in the Sanctuary and then continued to worship with our hands and hearts as we worked together…
We assembled 60 bicycles and helmets!
We sewed 40 blankets & rain ponchos for homeless neighbors!
We made chili and had lunch together!
Every person, of every capacity contributed in some way on this day.
Adults AND Youth alike:
-Built bikes or worked alongside an expert bicycle-builder in Fellowship Hall, and
-Cut and sewed fabric in the Fireside Room or Library, and
-Helped prepare and serve lunch, and some
-Remained in the Sanctuary and supported this project with continued worship and prayer,
led by Pastor Larry LaPierre
On Monday, October 31st, all bicycles were given to children who need them – in the church’s neighborhood and community.
See photos from the event here. Read the article from the San Jose Mercury News.
Thanks to everyone who participated in this event!
Fifth Sunday – July 31st – Complete Little Library boxes
During our third 5th Sunday – Worship at Work day, the whole congregation completed and decorated the “Little Library” boxes, making them ready to install around our surrounding neighborhoods.
Come at 10am in casual clothes for a 30 minute worship in the sanctuary, an hour of worship with our hands, and lunch together. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided; please bring a side dish,
salad or dessert to share.
See photos of all our Little Library activities on May 29th.
Fifth Sunday – May 29th – Little Libraries
During our second 5th Sunday this year, the whole congregation constructed/painted and made ready the books and accompanying items for “Little Library” boxes to install around our surrounding neighborhoods.
See photos of all our Little Library activities on May 29th.
Afterward, we all shared lunch and fellowship.
This was a hands-on service project for people of every age and ability.
As we complete/install the Little Libraries, we need to re/stock them!
We had many donations of books, which we sorted and labeled on May 29th with the Campbell UMC Little Library logo. Since this will be an ongoing project, please look through your book shelves & closets to see if you have any books to donate – for all ages – children, teens, adults (Spanish would be great). Picture books, reading books for elementary age children, & we can especially use books for teens.
Books may be brought at any time to the church’s Library, in the Education Building,
or to the Fellowship Hall on Sundays.
See more examples of completed Little Library boxes from the slides at service on Sunday May 22nd.
This ongoing Little Library Project will require maintenance – checking out the library boxes, stocking with new/more books, doing small repairs as necessary…
If you would like to be part of this ministry, please send a message to info@campbellunited.org
or see/contact either Brook Hendershot or Sue Foyle.
The first Fifth Sunday of 2016 was January 31st
We launched this effort on the first 5th Sunday of the year, January 31, with a Stop Hunger Now event in Fellowship Hall. At 10:30, all of us–adults, children, everyone—received instructions and went to the Fellowship Hall to pack 20,000 meals to be sent overseas through
Stop Hunger Now.
And we completed filling, measuring, weighing, sealing, and packing over 20,000 meals by 11:58am!
See photos of the project activities on January 31st.
Afterward, we shared lunch and a time of reflection.
This was a hands-on service project for people of every age and ability.