Raking & Relationship
Grab a rake, bring the kids, and help a neighbor get ready for winter.
Raking & Relationship is a free family service project in Joplin for every age, from preschoolers to grandparents. Families from Immanuel Lutheran Church and Martin Luther School team up and rake leaves for church members and school families who could use a hand this fall. Kids work right alongside their parents. Nobody needs to be an expert, and a pile of leaves is the best kind of mess.
The raking is the easy part. The real point is the relationship: a kid meets an older member who remembers their name next Sunday, and a family who needed help finds out they are not alone.
Save the Date
Saturday, November 14, 2026 · 10:00 AM · Meet at Immanuel Lutheran Church
Free. All ages. Stay as long as you can, then pizza at CiCi’s.
How Our Family Service Project in Joplin Works
10:00 AM · Meet at church
2616 S Connecticut Ave. A short prayer, then teams of a few families head out together.
Late morning · Rake and visit
Rake leaves to the curb and get to know the neighbor you’re helping. Come late or leave early; every pair of hands helps.
Lunch · CiCi’s Pizza
Everyone meets at CiCi’s, 1602 S Rangeline Rd. Lunch is on us.
What to Bring
A rake
Put your name on the handle. A spare one helps too.
Work gloves
Kid-sized ones too, if you have them. Dress in layers.
The kids
Every age can help. Little ones stay with their own grown-up.
Lunch Is on Us
After raking, everyone heads to CiCi’s Pizza, 1602 S Rangeline Rd, an all-you-can-eat buffet of pizza, pasta, salad and dessert. Lunch at CiCi’s is on us for every family who rakes. If you’d rather pay your own way, that’s welcome too. Either way, we eat together.
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.
1 Peter 4:10 (ESV)
Count Your Family In
Tell us how many are coming so we can match teams to yards and save enough seats at CiCi’s. In the count box, include everyone in your group, kids too. It takes 30 seconds. Rather call? The church office is at (417) 624-0333.
Need Your Leaves Raked?
If you are an Immanuel member or a Martin Luther School family and the leaves have gotten ahead of you, ask us. You can also ask for someone you know. It’s free. Please ask by Sunday, November 8. We have a limited number of teams, so we can’t promise to reach every yard. We’ll call to let you know whether a team can come.
Rather talk to a person? Call the church office at (417) 624-0333.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can come to this family service project?
Anyone who wants to help: Immanuel members, Martin Luther School families, grandparents, neighbors and friends. No church background needed. If you’re new to us, here’s what to expect at Immanuel.
How young is too young?
Nobody. Toddlers can carry sticks and jump in the pile. Kids work with their own parent or grandparent, side by side, the whole morning.
Does it cost anything?
No. The raking is free for the families we help, and lunch at CiCi’s is on us for everyone who rakes. If your family would rather pay your own way at lunch, you’re welcome to.
Do we have to stay the whole time?
No. Come for an hour or the whole morning. Meet at the church at 10:00 so we can put you on a team, or call the office and we’ll tell you where your team is.
Who can ask for their yard to be raked?
Immanuel members and Martin Luther School families, for their own yard or for someone they know. Send a request with the form above or call (417) 624-0333 by Sunday, November 8. Teams are limited, so a request isn’t a guarantee. We’ll call to let you know whether a team can come.
See You Saturday, November 14
10:00 AM at Immanuel. Bring the kids, bring a rake, and bring a friend who likes to help.
More at Immanuel Lutheran
- Kids & Families at Immanuel
- Youth Ministry
- Martin Luther School
- Faith in Action Celebration, Sunday, November 15
- Sunday Worship Services
- What We Believe
- What to Expect at Immanuel
- All Upcoming Events
Raking & Relationship is a Youth & Family Ministry service day of Immanuel Lutheran Church and Martin Luther School. Immanuel Lutheran Church is a congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). 2616 S Connecticut Ave, Joplin, MO 64804 | (417) 624-0333