MINISTRIES | makingfaithmatter

Worship
This is our weekly time where we connect with each other and our God together.

Communion Setup

– The ministry prepares the bread, wine and grape juice for Holy Communion and cleans up afterward. Time Commitment: 45 minutes on communion Sundays.

Music Team

– These are the folks that provide our worship music. People who are interested in sharing and developing their musical talents (vocal and instrumental) are invited to participate. Rehearsals are at least 45 minutes per Sunday.

Tech Team

– This ministry allows people present in person and online to participate in our Sunday morning worship by managing the sound, slide projection, and livestreaming video. People with a good ear, some comfortability with computers and a desire to help provide a quality worship experience are needed. Time requirement: 1.5-2 hours per Sunday in the booth.

Worship Leadership

– Our worship experience includes music, prayers, readings, and messages. Our worship is enhanced with more people participating in these roles. People interested in developing their public speaking and prayer life are invited to work with the pastor in the leading of worship. Time commitment: 1.5 hours per worship service.

Worship Arts/Planning

– Out of our commitment to be uplifting and dynamic, our worship often includes creative visuals and other elements. People who would like to help with this creativity in art, drama or dance are welcome to work with Pastor Phil in this enhancement to our worship experience.

Quiet Room

– We have added a window in the back of the sanctuary to visually connect our Quiet Room with the sanctuary to provide a place for parents to be with children. People who enjoy being with little children are needed to organize, maintain and even be available to support parents in the Quiet Room. Time Commitment: Primarily before, during and after worship.

Inreach
These are all the activities and ministries that seek to connect, lift up, and support the members and friends of First Lutheran Church:

Prayer Chain

– People who agree to pray each week for people who have asked us to pray for them. The list of prayer concerns is emailed each week. Time commitment: 30-60 minutes per week at home.

Seniors Ministry

– This ministry provides connection and support (such as transportation) to those who are more elderly in our community. Time commitment: 1-2 hours per month (by phone, visiting, or driving).

Congregational Care

– This ministry seeks to provide care and comfort to members of the church going through trying circumstances.

Sunday Morning Hospitality

– This ministry provides a welcoming environment for regulars and visitors who attend worship on Sunday morning. This includes preparing refreshments (coffee, tea, water, punch, goodies), greeting, and clean up. Time commitment: 1-2 hours one Sunday a month

Monthly Potlucks

– We currently have monthly potlucks to provide an opportunity for attendees to fellowship over food. These potlucks require table and chair set up before worship, management of food prior to and during worship, setting out the food, and clean up. Time commitment: 1-2 hours one Sunday a month

Ladies Connect

– This is a monthly gathering of women for conversation and devotion. Preparation includes refreshments and devotional material. Time Commitment: 2 hours per month

Men’s Lunch

– This a monthly lunch at a downtown restaurant to give people who work downtown a chance to gather for fellowship. Coordination involves texting participants for RSVP’s and then reserving the needed table at a restaurant. Time Commitment: 1 hour per month.

Soup Social Lunch

– Once a month we provide a home-cooked soup and desserts in our sanctuary space, creating a mid-week opportunity to gather for food and fellowship. Preparation involves making a soup and/or desserts, as well as putting up and setting the tables. It may also include phoning reminders to those who have RSVP'd Time Commitment: 1-6 hours per month.

Special Events

– There are speakers and workshops that can enhance the life of our members and the community. One such event in the past was a luncheon after worship to have a constable come and speak about “situational awareness.” Preparation includes identifying appropriate speakers/workshops, scheduling them, preparing food & drink (if necessary), set-up, and clean up. Time commitment: varies.

Outreach
We are called to reach out to our neighbours with our connecting, uplifting, inviting and dynamic Spirit in love. This outreach has different emphases: partnering, serving, and working toward a just and healthier world.

Community Partnering

– There are many organizations that are committed to creating a healthier neighbourhood and community. Organizations such as Aspen Hill Montessori and Suzuki Talent Association utilize our facilities as for their education and development. People interested in supporting and deepening our relationships with the participants and their families can help the effectiveness and health of all of our organizations.

Intercultural and Interfaith Ministries

– We live in a society where people gather with “their own” and often ostracize people who are different. Organizations such as the Intercultural Dialogue Institute (Hizmet) and the Hua Lu Education Institute (Table Tennis and Chinese Dancing) seek to break down these barriers and create a world where differences don’t need to lead to fear. People who are interested in this “bridge building” for the sake of all of God’s children are needed.

Serving People in Need

– One of Jesus clearest mandates is to help those who are suffering: hungry, thirsty, poor, homeless. Ministries such as Inn From the Cold provide the opportunity for direct service to people in these circumstances. Partnering with other congregations in more impoverished neighbourhoods or working with the Calgary Alliance for the Common Good (CACG) are opportunities available to us to serve others across Calgary.

Faith Formation
Learning the biblical stories, discussing Scripture, and applying our faith to our lives are all part of our faith development. Faith Formation are the activities and ministries that we provide for people of all ages to help them deepen their faith.

FLiCker

– This is our Sunday Morning children’s ministry. It begins with a Bible story, message, prayer and song in worship. It continues with age-appropriate activities in a classroom/gym to reinforce the message. We usually have a staff member who creates the “activity plan” for the Sunday but volunteers are needed to read the Bible Story, lead conversations and activities, and provide support during the FLiCker time. Time Commitment: 1 hour for one Sunday a month.

Confirmation

- This an overview of the Christian faith for young people (typically 12-14 years old). Pastor Phil prepares the instruction material but adults are needed to provide food, clean-up, and supervision. Time commitment: 1-4 hours/month.

Youth Sponsor

– This ministry is for youth ages 12-18 to gather, build community, learn, and serve as they grow into their faith. The intent is to have monthly activities and to develop on-going relationships with our teens. Time Commitment: 3-4 hours per month.

Adult Studies

– Bible studies and other topical studies support the faith development of our members. We currently have a Tuesday Morning study (led by Pastor Phil) but other small group studies (led by members) will create more opportunity for growth and fellowship. Time Commitment: 2-3 hours/week (if weekly).

Way of Christ Retreat

– This is a three-day retreat developed by Pastor Laura that introduces Christians to the wholeness of the Christian life and reinvigorates believers. A team of people is needed to prepare, train, and attend this retreat.

Administration
There are some ministries that provide the foundation for all of the other ministries to function: general oversight, management of finances, maintenance of the property, and helping people identify their role in ministry.
These are key volunteer roles.

Council

– The Congregation Council is entrusted with congregational decision-making throughout the year. They focus on the “big picture” of our life together in Christ and provide connection and support to all of the ministries at FLC.

Property

– We have a large facility that is used all year long. Making sure the heat, air conditioning, roofing, plumbing, electrical and general cleanliness are maintained provides a healthy and safe environment for all of our activities. Though much of this maintenance requires professionals, there are many opportunities where willing, able people can make a big contribution.

Financial Stewardship

– We are called to be good stewards of the money and resources of the congregation. People are needed who wish to inspire a spirit of generosity, who can help us manage our finances with integrity, and who can help us discern where God is calling us to invest our resources in service of the Kingdom of God.

Volunteer Coordination

– A key part of a healthy community is to have members invest their time, talent and energy to the work of the community. This kind of volunteer work is one of the best ways to experience the joy of the body of Christ. As a church, our intention is to have people participate in ministries that are a good match for their interest, ability and giftedness. People who enjoy meeting people and recognizing their passions are needed to help us with this “gift-matching.”