St. Luke Lutheran Church

St. Luke Lutheran Church We are a congregation created by God in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit to live, to share, and to celebrate God’s grace with all people.

Vision: To be an inviting and thriving cross-generational congregation and preschool.

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CHURCH COUNCIL If St Luke Lutheran Church was a major corporation, then the Council would be the Board of Trustees. The Council has general oversight for the life and activities of the congregation and provides overall leadership and vision for the congregation. Among Council's responsibilities are maintaining supportive relationships with the pastor and staff, enabling the congregation to perform its mission and preparing an annual budget. Lately, this has also included managing the transitions between pastoral staff.

MINISTRY OF DISCIPLESHIP FORMATION FAITH GROWTH AND YOUTH DISCIPLESHIP FORMATION St. Luke has faith formation activities for members of all ages, on Sunday mornings and throughout the week. 1. Nursery—For our youngest members, we have a nursery available Sunday mornings during both worship services and during the Crossroads time. 2. Godly Play—A faith formation class for children in preschool through grade 2. The kids learn the great stories of the Bible and share a time of community together. Sundays during Crossroads (9:45 - 10:45 a.m.). 3. Holy Moly—A curriculum for kids in third through sixth grade that uses creative videos to encourage discussion with the children about the story they just learned. Sundays during Crossroads (9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.). 4. Youth—The Youth group meets periodically for fellowship and service projects, one Sunday a month for Bible Study during Crossroads (9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.).

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5. Adults ◊

Forum—A discussion of topics related to the Bible, theology, and faith. Currently, the topic is “The History of Christianity.” Sundays, during Crossroads (9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.).

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Weekday Bible Studies •

Men’s Bible Study, Tuesdays, 7 a.m., in the Church Lounge/Library. This group meets for one hour, with a breakfast at 7 a.m. for those who come early and partake.

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Weekly Prayer and Everybody Welcome Bible Study, Wednesdays, 9 a.m., in the Church Lounge/Library.

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Lamplighters: Women’s Book Study, 1st Tuesday of the month, 7 p.m., in the Church Lounge/Library.

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Women’s Monthly Bible Study, 4th Tuesday of the month, 10 a.m. to noon.

6. Volunteers help with children’s Sunday classes. Volunteering with our young ones is a great way to meet people and feel a sense of community! 7. The Faith Formation program is looking for those interested in the overall program at St. Luke. The Faith Formation program is under the Discipleship Formation Committee, which meets the first Tuesday of the month at 5 p.m. in the conference room. Contact the church office or Barbara Haschke.

Baptism. A small committee of two prepares baptismal banners for each baptism of a child. They are made of felt, featuring a rainbow and birds, with a Bible verse from Isaiah – “I have called you by name, you are mine.” Each banner is personalized with the child’s name and the date of the baptism. They are presented to the family at the baptism. 4

Vacation Bible Camp. VBC is a summer ministry that enriches the lives of our young congregation members (ages 4+) and reaches out to our community to better the lives of those around us. Each year there is a camp theme that is picked by Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp. Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp is an outreach ministry of the Rocky Mountain Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. In partnership with camp staff and congregation volunteers we provide a week of day camp fun. Each day is started with songs and activities focused around the yearly theme. During the day campers attend Bible study, play games, make arts and craft projects, eat snack, relax during lunch, take field trips and do service projects. Love working with kids? Want to help with a high-energy ministry? Come join us. We are always looking for individuals to help in everything from snack behind the scenes to leading and mentoring groups of youth. There’s a place for you! St. Luke Youth Group Grades 6 - 12. We are a group that focuses on service, learning and fun. Most months we meet 23 times a month. Our activities include a service project, Bible study and a social event. We are always looking for new members and ideas.

STEWARDSHIP

ST. LUKE WOMEN OF THE ELCA Women of the ELCA (WELCA) provides fellowship at meetings for all women through a board (plans activities), Bible Study (from national Gather magazine), Lamplighters (study of various books), Sew and Sow (sewing and quilting), and Handicrafts group (knitting and crocheting). Several general meetings are held each year, including a Spring Tea and an Advent program. For more information contact Shirley Smith at 830-9106.

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WORSHIP, MUSIC, ARTS In the introduction to the 2015 edition of “Sundays and Seasons” there is a discussion of why worship matters in a digital age. The writer reminds us of the many people with different needs, expectations, hopes, and hurts. Then we are reminded of the character of worship as it moves us from entertainment to enchantment, from the individual to community, from hyper-connectivity to a balance between work and rest, from the virtual to the real, and from consumerism to mission. Worship grounds us. Worship matters. It is from that perspective that the WMA committee operates. As a part of the Discipleship Formation Ministry Team, we plan, we discuss, we evaluate. In addition to the weekly services, we plan for and evaluate seasonal services: Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week and the Three Days, Easter, as well as other feast days through the year. Worship Assistants. Volunteer opportunities for the 11 a.m. worship service, as follows: Assisting Minister Communion Assistants Lector Acolyte Crucifer Council Member of the Day Greeters Ushers Flower Delivery Sacristy Care Nursery Care Sound Engineer Bread Ministry Crossroads Fellowship Offering Counters Worship Bulletin Reviewers. Volunteers review the worship bulletins before they are presented to the pastor(s). Music. The music ministry exists to support the congregation in worship for the glory of God. Led by a Music Director and a Music Associate, the parish has several ensembles which rehearse and offer music on a regular basis: the choir, a handbell ensemble, and an instrumental group that plays specifically for the 5 p.m. Saturday service. 6

A professional orchestral ensemble, the Ensemble San Lucas, is engaged for festival days and other occasions. The people of St. Luke are proud of their Lutheran musical heritage. This is apparent in each liturgy where hymn singing is robust and a repertoire from a variety of traditions and cultures is well written and well chosen. Arts: Church Paraments. We hang paraments according to the church calendar. There are many talented people in this congregation who have created beautiful wall hangings and banners. These are in the colors of each season and are displayed in the sanctuary and behind the alter. We have a beautiful church inside and out but these "works of art" just seem to make our Sunday services more joyful. What a glorious way to praise God.

MINISTRY OF RELATIONAL COMMUNITY GRACE IN ACTION The Grace in Action Committee oversees various welcoming activities at St. Luke; hosts new member get-acquainted events and congregational social and life events, such as the Lenten Soup Suppers & Discussions, potlucks; and implements media advertising of special events such as Christmas and Easter, all with the intention and purpose of sharing God’s bountiful grace with others & developing a feeling of unity & inclusion in the life of this congregation in a variety of ways – all of which often leads to people referring to St. Luke as their “family,” which is our goal! So – welcome you to the Family of St. Luke!

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PRESCHOOL St. Luke Lutheran Church began a kindergarten class for congregation members in 1956. From that single class grew a Christian preschool and extended care program. We currently enroll children from two years of age through age six. St. Luke is well respected and its reputation in the community is long standing. We are honored when families choose to have their children learn and grow with us generation after generation. St. Luke Preschool is licensed through the State of New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department (CYFD) and is a Five Star rated school. In addition, we are accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The school is a Christian ministry of the church and is supported by the congregation in many ways: from church members who volunteer on the school’s governing committee, to financial contributions for the school’s scholarship fund, building and grounds maintenance, pastoral leadership at weekly children’s worship times, support during special events and fundraisers, and so much more.

SOCIAL MINISTRY Change Making a Change. Collections go to local, national, and international organizations. Giving Tree. St. Luke participates in the Christmas edition in December and the Back to School edition in July. Members of the church give socks and underwear to the APS Clothing Bank and gift cards to the single mothers of the Women’s Housing Coalition to help them prepare their children for school.

Meal Ministry. The Meal Ministry at St. Luke’s is designed to assist members on a temporary basis for one or two weeks following a surgery or hospitalization if they are temporarily unable to prepare meals for themselves, or have no other meal resources. Plus, it helps the patient to have the food delivered along with a smile, a hug, & some friendly 8

conversation! If you need such assistance, or want to volunteer to help with this ministry, just call the church office.

WELLNESS COMMITTEE The Wellness Committee is part of the Relational Ministry Team. We are current or past care providers or members interested in health related activities and pastoral care for our members. We are always open to new membership on the Committee and to ideas. Some of our activities include providing blood pressures for members on the first Sunday of each month, sending grief books to members who have lost loved ones for the first 11 months after their loss, writing a monthly health-related article for the Horizon, and contacting shut-in members for pastoral care needs in conjunction with the pastor. Pastoral needs can include rides to services or a grocery store, home communion, just visiting someone who desires it. Not every member of the Committee does all these things and we are assisted by about 18 people from the congregation who are not members of our Committee. In the future we will work closely with trained BeFrienders of the congregation. We are excited to answer any questions you may have and hope you will consider joining us! This ministry is a low-impact Joy in Movement (JIM). aerobics class that uses a mixture of secular, sacred, and contemporary Christian music to get you moving and soothe your soul. The class is structured so that participants can either step it up a notch or adapt movements to their particular needs. The class includes stretching and strengthening. It Meets Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Fellowship Hall. Questions? Call Anne Miller at 463-0462 or Spencer Gerwin at 266-5202. This ministry is a part of the Prayer Shawl Ministry. Wellness Ministry. Crafters make prayer shawls and lap robes which are then blessed in Worship. The prayer items are then packaged with a prayer card and kept in tubs in the narthex so that any congregation member may take them to someone going through a difficult physical, emotional, or spiritual time. 9

PRAYER CHAIN MINISTRY Prayer requests and concerns are shared through the goldenrod sheet, calling the church or contacting the prayer chain coordinator. These requests are passed along via emails or phone calls to all who wish to be part of the prayer chain. Once a month our prayer warriors receive a prayer list via email or mail. Every week they receive an update of those added or deleted from the list. All shared information is confidential. Prayer Chain is a quiet behind the scenes ministry where our prayers are uplifted by the Holy Spirit.

MINISTRY OF RESOURCE MANAGEMENT FINANCE

PERSONNEL COMMITTEE The Personnel Committee looks after full and part-time personnel. We maintain the Staff Handbook, provide performance reviews of staff and make salary recommendations for Council consideration.

PROPERTY COMMITTEE As the name implies, we are responsible for the upkeep, maintenance and improvements to the Church grounds and buildings. Given the age of our buildings, 1954 – 1999, it is a continual task. Replacing light bulbs, fixing broken toilets, fabricating restroom shelves, updating the alarm system, changing the Menaul sign lettering weekly, and replacing exit lights are just some of our tasks. Recent major upgrades, working with contractors, include the replacement of the main electrical panel, re-lighting all the buildings, minus the sanctuary, with energy efficient lighting, and replacement of 4 HVAC units from the 1980s on the administration building. Most of our members are retired, so we are always seeking 10

new, younger, members. If you have some handyman skills and would like to help out, please consider joining our committee.

TRUST FUND

CHURCH OFFICE Horizon & Weekly Bulletin Volunteers. These volunteers collate the church bulletins each week, usually on Friday mornings, prepare the Horizon newsletter for mailing and take them to the post office for mailing once a month. Church Office Volunteers. These volunteers help at the church office in various ways, such as: help with bulk mailing, enter worship attendance in the database, prepare bulletins for collating, and more. Kitchen Steward. These volunteers help keep the kitchen clean and organized. This is a once a month, once a year ministry. Volunteers keep the grounds groomed Yard Steward. and flowers blooming.

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St. Luke Lutheran Church 9100 Menaul Blvd. NE Albuquerque, NM 87112 (505) 299-2621 E-mail: [email protected]

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