Service Day
Service Day
"We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister." 1 John 4:19-21
Each spring, Messiah University hosts a "Day of Service." Classes are canceled and individuals are invited to serve together as an expression of our faith commitment. Service Day is designed to help fulfill the University's mission to prepare students for "lives of service, leadership, and reconciliation in church and society."

Service Day 2026
The 26th annual Service Day will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2026. Motivated by our love of God, we seek to put our faith into action through meeting the physical and spiritual needs of our neighbor. We are excited to offer more than 35 projects – led by fellow students and employees. Projects will take place on campus and within the surrounding community. Some projects require a commitment of just two hours; whereas others may involve the full day. There is something for everyone and our Project Leaders are working behind the scenes to provide diverse and impactful experiences. You simply need to sign up and show up! All “open” projects are listed below.
- Operation Warm Hearts (9AM-12PM)
- Greenlight Operations (9AM-12PM)
- Midwest Food Bank (9:30AM-12:30PM)
- MCC Material Resource Center (10AM-12PM)
- Rise Against Hunger (10AM-12PM)
Full Projects:
- Midwest Food Bank (1PM-4PM)
- Caring by Cards (1:30PM-3PM)
- Junior Achievement of South Central PA (7AM-3PM)
- AROMA - Thomas W. Holtzman Jr. Elementary School (8AM-2PM)
- AROMA - East Pennsboro Middle School (8AM-3PM)
- Latino Hispanic American Community Center (9AM-2PM)
- Messiah Lifeways (9AM-3PM)
- Grantham Community Garden/Office of Sustainability (9AM-3PM)
- Mechanicsburg Brethren in Christ Church (9:30AM-2:30PM)
- Wildheart Ministries (10AM-2PM)