 |
|
|
| |
| Bible Study |
| Outside of Sunday Worship, the most important congregational activity is Bible study. As Christians we believe the Bible is God’s Book and accept it unquestioningly. The Bible came through men but not from men. It is the last word and the final authority. It is an extraordinary privilege to be able to read God’s very words for ourselves and not just hear what other people have to say about Him. |
 |
| |
|
| Here is our weekly schedule, everyone welcome: |
• Sundays, 11:00-12:00, Adult Bible Study (English) in the parish hall next to church, led by layman Rick Orozco and Rev. Herman Glienke. Sometimes the study is by book, other times by topic. For instance, the entire Book of Acts was recently studied, followed by a topical study of the role of the Christian in politics.
• Tuesdays, 6:00-7:00 pm, Study Group (English) in the parish hall, led by Pastor Wessling. This is a study of various books in the light of the Bible. We recently studied Martin Luther’s famous and controversial book, The Bondage of the Will. That was followed by How a Jew Celebrates, a book outlining Jewish beliefs and traditions. Then it was a study of the Catholic Cathecism, again comparing it to the Bible.
• Wednesdays, 7:00-800 pm, Adult Bible Study (Spanish) in the home of Enrique and Sonia Orozco, led by Vicar (pastor intern) Enrique Orozco. (ask for directions) ph. (305) 556-9260. The study is straight out of the Bible, one book at a time.
• Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 pm, Adult Bible Study (Spanish) in the home of Maria Serrano, led by Pastor Wessling and lay minister Arti Mesones. (ask for directions) ph. (305) 885-7109. Book by book, right out of the Bible.
|
| Voters |
| Officially known as the Voters Assembly, this is a monthly meeting to discuss church business. “Voters” takes place the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00 pm. It usually ends by 7:30. The meeting is open to everyone, including non-members, but in order to actually vote, a person must be a confirmed member of the church, must be at least 18 years old, and must read and sign the church constitution (so he or she is familiar with the rules). |
 |
|
| A typical meeting would include a devotional beginning, role call, and the reading of the Minutes from the last month. Then there are reports from the Treasurer, the Elders, the Pastor, the Trustees, Stewardship & Finance, Missions & Evangelism, and the Board of Education. Unfinished business is discussed and new business is brought up. The meeting closes with prayer. |
| This is a healthy way to manage a church. Instead concentrating the power in the hands of a few, it is shared. Elections are held once a year in December. Most term for most offices is one year. We believe in “the priesthood of all believers,” meaning that every Christian is a child of God and has something special to contribute. The Pastor and the Principal are respected but they are not above the congregation. |
| The Elders |
<
| The Board of Elders is a group of five men, elected by the Voters, who oversee the spiritual life of the congregation. The Pastor meets with them once a month, usually on the second Monday of the month. The Elders are supposed to exhort members who are becoming inactive, get new members more involved, oversee the organist and music for all Services, supervise the ushers and readers, oversee the care of the altar area, assist in giving Holy Communion, help visit the sick and needy, watch over the teaching and practice of the congregation and the pastor, and make sure there is peace and harmony in the church. |
 |
| |
|
| The Trustees |
| The Trustees are responsible for anything related to the physical property of the congregation. They transact business on the congregation’s behalf. They inspect and personally repair wherever possible, and if not, they oversee the repairs done by outside parties. The Trustees can call “work parties,” enlisting help for special projects from volunteers of the congregation. They bring suggestions for property improvements to the Voters. They oversee the work of the custodians. The Trustees report to the Voters each month. |
 |
| |
|
| Ladies of Faith |
| Because of the language barrier, there are two ladies’ groups here, though there work and goals are the same: the Ladies of Faith and the Damas Hispanas. It is our prayer that eventually they will be able to combine. Both groups meet once a month to make plans. (It is not necessary to be a member of Faith to attend.) The Ladies care for the altar area, the cleaning of the church, church decorations |
 |
| such as the banners, Christmas poinsettias, and Easter lilies. They host congregational meals. They run the Prayer Chain. They attend a half-day ladies retreat (“rally”) twice a year that keeps them involved in the mission work of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML). They sponsor annually a Christmas Craft Bazaar of home-made items in order to raise funds for their charitable work. In short, they serve the Lord with gladness and help make the congregation a family. |
|
| The Youth Group |
| The Youth Group is composed of young people of junior high and high school. Their weekly Bible Study and Planning Meeting is held right after English Worship each Sunday, 11:00-12:00. They participate in the life of the congregation in different ways: special worship services, fundraisers, volunteer work, and social events. They are guided by parent volunteers. |
 |
| Every three years they attend the National Youth Gathering, which is sponsored by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. It is a coming together of 30,000 Lutheran youth. It is a mountaintop experience which also takes several years of steady fundraising. The main goal of our Youth Ministry is that in everything they do, our young people may grow closer to God and have a greater desire to serve their fellow man. |
|
| Sunday School |
| Jesus said, “Let the little children come unto Me.” Our Sunday School program is designed to do just that. There are four levels: Early Childhood (ages 3-6), Lower Grades (ages 5-8), Middle Grades (8-10), and Upper Grades (10-12). Sunday School takes place right after English Worship, 11:00-1200. Those who come to Spanish Worship (also 11:00-12:00) |
| are welcome to drop their children off in Sunday School. The children learn Bible stories from both the Old and New Testaments and do crafts that reinforce the lesson. Every lesson redirects them to Jesus as their Good Shepherd and Best Friend. |
|
| Contemporary Choir |
| Generations of Praise is the name of our contemporary choir. Volunteer singers and musicians from our congregation gather together to bring a more upbeat contemporary tone to the music played in our services. Although we usually sing with traditional hymns, G.O.P helps lead contemporary praise music every forth Sunday of month. We currently have a pianist, electric guitarist, electric acoustic guitarist, and drummer. All and any musical talent is welcomed of any age or background and we are always looking for new singers to add to our group. Practice is held once a week and Generation of Praise may lead for special services and/or programs. |
|
*note: Generations of Praise is currently on scheduled break as we are looking for a new Leader/Music Director |
| |
| |
|
