2012 Congregation Council Officers:

 

 

Walt Eccard

Marshall Cutsforth

Phyllis Hartley

Sara Hart

Dave Igelman

Sue Conway

Jeanne Parietti

Carolyn Gnam

Patti Hardee

Eric Lindquist

Joe Setzer

OPEN

Pat Meyer

Sherry Roseman

Henry Rehder

Janette Schroeder

Christian Education Committee

The Christian Education Committee oversees several groups in the church:

Sunday School  – Sunday School (Ages 5 - 10) meets during Church Service -- after "Children's Time" (& returns for Communion).  A dedicated group of teachers teach our young people about the love of God and His Son Jesus. Bible stories from the Old and New Testament are taught.

Vacation Bible School – We partner with other local churches to provide VBS for area children during the summer.  Many members of Saint Luke volunteer to teach, provide artwork and more.

Adult Sunday School/Faith Formation – The Adult Sunday School meets on Sunday mornings at 9AM.  Pastor Rehder facilitates the classes. 

Bibles and Bagels – A Women’s Bible Study Group that meets on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month at the church.

Library – A church librarian keeps The Adult and Children’s Library in order.  The library includes books, videos and more.

Stewardship Committee

 

The Stewardship Committee has two separate statements as to its function.  First, and foremost, Stewardship reflects our response to the abundant grace of our Lord.  Second are the Constitutional Bylaw requirements for the Stewardship committee.   

 

Stewardship (Response to God’s Grace) – Everything I do after I say, “I believe.”

Once I say, “I believe,” the joy of giving, participating in my Lord’s ministry to all those around me, and taking care of God’s creation in any way I can is my response to the covenant my Lord has made through the sacrifice of His Son for my salvation and the abundance of His love for me. 

St Luke is a compassionate community of believers, committed to showing their love of Christ and understanding that all they have comes from our compassionate Lord.  Our response to these gifts is the generosity we display by giving to the needs of fellow human beings, service to humankind, and preservation of our Lord’s creation.  In essence, Stewardship ministry is facilitating the Saint Luke congregational response to God’s grace.    

 

Stewardship, the Constitutional Aspects (Bylaws B4.10)

  1. Develop a continuous stewardship program which addresses not only giving of finances but also the time and talents of individuals who are members or associate members of the church.

  2. Develop programs and recommendations regarding the stewardship of Saint Luke Lutheran Church in church-wide and synod programs which warrant participation of the congregation.

  3. Evoke and promote the expression of the Christian faith in daily living, and publicize the congregation’s local, national, and global ministries.

  4. Lead all its members to higher levels of proportionate giving for the Lord’s work.

  5. Develop an annual committee budget.

Property Committee

St Luke’s Property Committee, composed of volunteer members, conducts and/or oversees the day-to-day operations and maintenance of the Church buildings and its surrounding grounds. The committee is responsible for the purchase, maintenance, and protection of all of the congregation’s real property and equipment in addition to establishing and monitoring an annual budget for such operations. This committee provides for the regularly scheduled cleaning and upkeep of the church buildings and the maintenance of the outside landscaping, including our pre-school playground. An updated and current inventory of all congregational property and equipment is also maintained by this committee. The Property Committee has established guidelines for ensuring the readiness and use of the Church facilities as a hurricane shelter for congregational members. Anyone and everyone with any level of ability and a desire to “pitch in” is always more than welcome and certainly appreciated!

Witness Committee

The evangelism effort of the church comes from every church member, but the witness committee works on the church’s behalf to coordinate the efforts. Our main purpose is to follow our mission statement, but we also are committed to outreach. We don’t bring people to Jesus…he gathers the flock…but we do present the gospel to a hungry world that longs to hear the good news of salvation. The Witness committee always needs volunteers for many ministries.

Worship & Music Committee

Weekly worship takes a lot of coordination, focus and direction, and our committee does the work of making sure those things happen over the course of the seasons. The choirs and altar guild are parts of our service ministry, but we coordinate the schedules for lectors, lay ministers, communion assistants, ushers and greeters too. Working closely with Pastor Henry, we plan the liturgical calendar, special services and the “way we worship,” so that when we gather, we gather with good order. It takes a lot of people to serve this vital committee, and we always need volunteers, so if you are looking for a committee on which to serve, consider this one!

Nursery – The nursery provides a babysitting service for infants and children up to the age three during the church service. The nursery is equipped with a crib, toys and diaper changing necessities.

Social Ministry Committee

What would the church be without extending the gospel of Jesus to the community in real ways? If we follow the command of Jesus, we are light and salt to the world, especially serving those who live on the margins of life. Our committee covers a Christmas shoe box ministry, Habitat for Humanity, Food for the Poor, Heifer International, Brunswick Family Assistance, the Greater Shallotte Ministerial Association, Providence Home and many other social concerns that call for church, not government aid. We take the call of Jesus seriously, and this committee is very active in the social gospel. Please volunteer!

Youth Ministry Committee

Besides youth activities, our committee oversees the acolyte and crucifer ministry of the church as well as taking a lead role in Confirmation studies. Because our youth are so involved in other church ministries, the youth of Saint Luke are not just the church of tomorrow-they are the church of today! We rarely have structured meetings, but make every gathering count. We gather frequently for many activities, not just social, but mission-driven. The best way to see what’s up is to come and see for yourself!

Nurture & Fellowship Committee

It has been said that Lutherans love to gather for food and fellowship, and this committee makes sure that happens. From special social gatherings like our Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s celebrations, to Oktoberfest, an annual event that draws 500 people to our picnic shelter, we also coordinate any event that involves Christian life together. We serve countless meals to the homebound, provide special services for the bereaved, plan and serve meals during Lent and coordinate our hospitality gatherings every Sunday after Holy Communion. As one of the largest and most active church committees, we are always looking for volunteers.

Finance Committee

Much of what the finance committee does is actually a pleasure, because we see up close the generosity of Saint Luke. We guide and direct the financial management of the church with weekly accounting, but we also provide the leadership our congregation needs in investing and spending God’s money. From plate collections to bequests, the finance committee manages the money of the church, but more importantly humbly accepts the challenge God has given us to account for the gifts and talents with which we have been blessed. We are blessed with talented members on Finance, but we need more. Interested? Call the church office for more information about serving on the Finance Committee!

Pastor

Much of what the pastor does is discussed in other parts of the website, but essentially, my role is to provide Word and Sacrament ministry to the people of Saint Luke, their families and friends. That means preaching and teaching the Word of God and not only ensuring that Holy Communion and baptism are readily offered but it also means that you have pastoral care, opportunities for confession and to hear God’s forgiveness, and always in a safe space…a place where you can unload! The Church has only one Shepherd. But as your pastor, I am here for you, to serve with you in the Kingdom and to bring the gospel to you in fresh and dynamic ways.