Volunteers from Royal Redeemer Lutheran Church gathered on October 4 for a biannual event known as Servant Saturday, a day dedicated to serving neighbors and spreading goodwill throughout the community. The event takes place on the first Saturday of May and October each year, bringing together church members and local residents for a morning of service and fellowship.
“Servant Saturday is an event where we just want to love our neighbors and bless them,” said Rev. Mark Rein, assistant pastor at Royal Redeemer. “We gather here on a Saturday morning, have breakfast together, get some instructions, pray and then go out.”
Volunteers take on a variety of projects, including yard work, like raking leaves and cleaning gutters for elderly residents. They also have teams who work on delivering cookies to first responders, libraries and post offices. The choir also participates, performing for residents at senior living facilities. Some volunteers also serve institutional organizations such as the Cleveland Pregnancy Center, Habitat for Humanity and local pet shelters.
The program began approximately 15 years ago under the leadership of former pastor, Jeff Shanks, and has remained largely the same over the years. “It’s always the first Saturday in October and the first Saturday in May,” said Pastor Mark. “The form of it has stayed the same. We’ve been doing it ever since.”
Volunteers come away from the experience with more than just a sense of accomplishment. “We want people to know they are part of a family here, in North Royalton and beyond, that does good for people,” said Pastor Mark. “God’s hand is in this. [We want people to know] he’s a God of love, and he loves us, and that we are called to love others.”
The church primarily identifies residents in need through referrals from North Royalton’s Human Services Department. The impact of Servant Saturday extends beyond the work itself, leaving a lasting impression on those who receive help. Pastor Mark shared the story of one grateful resident who baked baklava for the volunteer team. “We encourage [volunteers] to spend time with [the people they are serving]. Talk to them, pray with them and encourage them,” he said. “As much as we are serving their yard, we’re also serving them with a friendly smile and a warm hug to let them know they are loved.”
Participation varies with each event. While some Servant Saturdays have drawn as many as 300 volunteers, the most recent event had around 110 participants. Nearly 90% of volunteers are church members, but the church welcomes anyone interested in joining. Interested volunteers may contact Royal Redeemer through its website or email Pastor Mark directly to get involved.
Looking to the future, Pastor Mark hopes Servant Saturday will continue to expand and make a positive impact in the community. “We want [people] to know this is a church that loves the community,” he said. “And that we’re a place that they could come, too.”
By LISA GALEK
Contributing Writer
