Jane Greenwood, secretary at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, North Easton, Mass., rocks out with her new granddaughter, born on Christmas Eve.Ed Jeppson, who rocked for a total of five hours, set aside time for helping in the kitchen.Holy Trinity, North Easton, Mass., and Prince of Peace, Brockton,, Mass., partner to support LSS programs -- and have lots of fun 

On a crisp, sunny Saturday in January, the Fellowship Hall at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, North Easton, Mass., was rockin' as 34 adults and children settled into rocking chairs or mounted rocking horses to celebrate the 140th anniversary of Lutheran Social Services (LSS). More than $3,700 was raised during the eight-hour rockathon and the Wii bowling in the children's chapel, which will directly support the ministry of LSS in southeastern Massachusetts.
Kitchen volunteers were kept busy as people lined up for an assortment of sandwiches and baked goods provided by the women of Holy Trinity and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in nearby Brockton, Mass.

The event also celebrated the commitment of the two congregations to serve as God's hands, doing God's work by helping LSS serve and care for people in need. The children from both congregations presented a skit about the history of LSS.

The money raised will help pay for meals for unemployed dads, household supplies for teen moms transitioning to independence, vocational training for teenagers in care, and many other immediate needs at LSS programs in Brockton, including the Ruth House, a transitional residence for teen mothers and their children who are homeless; the mothers and fathers in the Young Parent Support program; the youth at Greentree Home for Boys; and the vulnerable children in Intensive Foster Care. The rockathon committee has applied for matching funds through Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

"LSS is grateful for this generous response and for seeing how much fun Lutherans had while helping LSS "rock out" for people in need," said Julie Bourgoin, LSS regional foundation officer.

Watch promotional video These Chairs Are Made for Rockin' by Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.