Zion Lutheran Church of Ann Arbor is well known for its local community involvement.

But this fall, the church took that commitment to a whole new level, engaging 34 small groups and almost 300 members in a program called "Better Together: 40 Days of Community."

According to Christine Carlsen, director of Adult Discipleship at Zion, church leaders wanted to launch a program to get more people involved in small groups and community service. They selected a video-based curriculum by author and pastor Rick Warren called "Better Together: What on earth are we here for?", focusing on fulfilling God's purposes in community with other people. They developed of list of over 60 local mission projects to choose from, trained new group leaders, and launched the program in mid-fall.

The congregation's enthusiasm for the effort, Carlsen said, "picked up steam slowly, then rolled like a freight train. People were so excited about doing practical, hands-on service together."

The small group discussions helped reinforce the principle that people in community are "God’s delivery system -- that serving others is being a vessel of God’s love.

Pastor Barry Ludwig confirmed, "the effort became not just one part of the life of the church, but took over our entire church for 40 days. Everyone was talking about 'Better Together,’” said pastor Barry Ludwig.

It reinforced the idea that people are more supportive -- and more productive -- when connected in community. Zion even changed the format of its three Sunday worship services for the six weeks, requiring some flexibility from a congregation steeped in tradition.

Ron and Linda Hilst, who recently joined Zion, thought hosting a small group would be a good way to connect with people. Linda found they developed deep relationships and "grew spiritually more than ever anticipated." They discovered the strength of ministry in connection, "like strands in a rope," Ron explained.

Their small group planned to participate in one service project, but ended up doing six, including yard cleanup at Hope Clinic in Ypsilanti, collecting socks and gloves for homeless men, helping a needy family in their congregation, and packing Thanksgiving care boxes to be sent overseas, according to the couple.

Ludwig noted how beautiful it was to see the sense of joy and collaboration in serving the community outside the church, revealing a feeling that "everybody matters, even if we don't know them." He overheard one woman, selecting a child's outfit at Salvation Army, who mused aloud, "I wonder what this little girl would like?" It was a small reminder of how community engagement helps "integrate the heart and soul of our members with the community."

It's those little things that have made the "Better Together" program so powerful, generating a renewed spirit of gratitude at Zion this Thanksgiving, Ludwig said.

Although the 40 Days of Community project is officially complete, the church plans to continue the small group and community emphasis, which developed much further than expected.

"That's that way the spirit of God works—in surprises," Ludwig said.

Ludwig circled back to a Biblical basis for the movement. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus said, "whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

During this Thanksgiving season, Ludwig said, members of Zion learned in a tangible way that "the best way to thank God is to feed, clothe, and serve your neighbor."