Ministries

Find Your Place Here
We have 70+ ministries that are fluid and evolving, responding to member interests and community needs. Need help or want to get involved? Don’t see what you’re looking for? Contact us!

Welcoming in God’s Grace

These ministries call us to see God in all people and open our hearts to them.

Fellowship: Fellowship Committee, Sunday Fellowship Hour

Preschool: Ludwig Scholarship, Preschool

Property Management: Property Committee

Worship Welcoming: Audio-Visual Team, Bread Pick-up, Greeter, Head Usher, Seasonal Decorating, Usher, Worship Planning Team

Growing in God’s Grace

These ministries call us to nurture the faith God has given us intentionally.

Congregational Leadership: Church Council, LEAD , Personnel Committee, Policy Management, Synod Assembly, ELCA National Assembly

Stewardship: Creation Care Ministry , Frederick Road Cleanup, Stewardship Committee

Adults: Child/Youth Chaperone, Faith Formation, GIFT (Growing in Faith Together), Men’s Bible Study, Small Group Bible Studies , WELCA (Women of the ELCA), Women of the ELCA Circles

Families: Faith Finders, Vacation Bible School, Easter Egg Hunt (annual), Trunk-or-Treat (annual), and Service Projects (monthly)

Youth: Affirmation of Baptism , Payne Scholarship, , Youth Group, Annual Missions Trips

Worship Music: Children’s/Youth Choir, First Lutheran Choir, Jubilate Choir, Soloist

Worship Participation: Acolyte, Altar Guild, Assisting Minister, Children’s Storytime, Communion Assistant, Eucharistic Minister, Healing Prayers, Reader

Sharing in God’s Grace

These ministries call us to ‘Love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.’ and ‘Love our neighbors as ourselves through acts of justice, mercy, and love. 

Caring Ministries: Funeral Reception Support, Health Ministry, Prayer Ministry, Stephen Ministry

Financial Management: Audit Committee, Finance Committee, Memorial Gifts, Tellers

Senior Ministries: Augsburg Lutheran National Home, Lutheran Social Ministries of Maryland, Nursing Home Visits

Social Ministries: Prayer Shawl Ministry, Salvation Army Thrift Shop, Sewing Circle, Social Ministry Committee (Angel Tree, Christmas Baskets, Women’s and Children’s Shelter, Grassroots Day Resource Center, Baby Blankets)

SUPPORT GROUPS AND OTHERS MEETING AT FIRST

Opening the doors of God’s church to those in God’s community for fellowship and the hurting to find hope, help, and healing.

AA: Meets each Monday at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday at 8:00 p.m., both in the Social Hall.

Church of Heavenly Joy: Sunday afternoons at 1:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Center.

ATHA: (Association of Traditional Hooking Artists), www.atharugs.com, will resume meeting on the 3rd Tuesday of the month post-pandemic.

Check the calendar for the specific day(s) these groups meet.

 

 

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LEAD

(Living Everyday As Disciples): Ministering with People in the Neighborhood

LEAD (Living Everyday As Disciples) is a deep, bold and consequential initiative that directs the focus of our faith community from ‘inside’ the congregation (budgets, worship attendance, membership numbers, etc.) to the places God calls us to be – in our neighborhood, partnering with those who need assistance that we can provide. The LEAD Team is comprised of both pastors and 4 lay members of the congregation who work closely with the Congregational Council. Since its inception in 2016, the LEAD Team has followed a defined process that includes biblical study and discussion, listening to the congregation and neighborhood groups, and identifying ‘sweet spots’ where congregational energies and resources align with neighborhood needs. Currently, we are working with neighborhood elementary and middle schools, helping children and families in a wide variety of opportunities. The LEAD Team is excited about where the Holy Spirit will lead us in the future. To learn more about LEAD, contact one of the pastors at (410) 465-2977.

Creation Care Ministry: Caring for God’s Creation

The Creation Care Ministry seeks to grow in faith by recognizing that God’s creation is a precious resource that God has entrusted to us and has called us to protect the good of all the earth and its inhabitants.  We believe that it is a privilege to nurture and care for God’s earth, air, water, land, and sea creatures.  Participants in this ministry are looking to strengthen their faith by understanding that we are called to love and protect all these things created by God as Christians. 

Current Projects (2020)

Recycling for House Of Ruth MD (Suspended indefinitely due to COVID-19)

Collecting used clothing and textiles (in plastic bags) in the blue bin located at the church’s lower parking lot. These donations are used to provide clothing or in processing for other uses across the world. Proceeds from the donations benefit House Of Ruth MD. Refer to the bin or click here for a list of acceptable and non-acceptable items.

Wands for Wildlife

Collecting used (cleaned) mascara wand for Wands for Wildlife.

Guardians of Eden’s Rain Gardens

Building and maintaining a Butterfly garden and multiple Rain Gardens to reduce pollution running off the church property and reduce the potential for flooding in the neighborhood.  These gardens are also intended to help us learn to respect and care for God’s Creation.  Just like life, gardens and wildlife can be messy, unpredictable, and amazing!  The sign-up to help support this project is coming soon.

If you are interested, have questions or project ideas for the Creation Care Ministry, please visit the church’s Information Board in the narthex/lobby for details, or contact Cathy Rice (cprpenpal@gmail.com) or Susan Garde (susangarde09@comcast.net).

Small Group Bible Studies

Enriching God’s word and relationships in small groups and community.

Tuesday Bible Study – 1:00 p.m. (First Lutheran Parlor)

Contact: Sue Davis (eshdavis@verizon.net) 

Men’s Fellowship & Bible Study meets on the third Friday of each month at 7:30 a.m.

Contact: Jay Zumbrun (443) 745-0737

If interested in joining any of these groups, please email the contact(s) listed, call, or email the church office (flcoffice@firstlutheranec.org).

WOMEN OF THE ELCA (WELCA) CIRCLE MEETINGS

Enriching God’s word and relationships in small groups and community.

WELCA Martha Circle
Monthly on the 2nd Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. Contact: Valerie Roth at (410) 456-6733.

WELCA Rebecca Circle
Monthly on the fourth Thursday at 1:00 p.m. Contact: Sue Davis (410) 418-4535 or eshdavis@verizon.net.

WELCA Lydia Circle
Monthly on the first Saturday at 9:30a.m. Contact: Amy Isler at (443) 840-6570

WELCA Circle programs are typically run September – June, breaking during the summer months.  The start of a new program year will be announced in advance and once determined. Regular meetings are held in the Youth Room.  Occasionally programs/luncheons are held off-site.  All women of the church and friends are invited.  Hostesses for the meetings vary.

Affirmation of Baptism

 

Affirmation of Baptism (formerly known as Confirmation) is a three-year faith-forming journey for anyone in the 6th grade or higher, their parents/guardians, and mentors and facilitators who accompany them on this journey.

Affirmation of Baptism (AOB) 2021-2022 kicks off on September 12, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. We will be meeting on ZOOM and spending time walking through the upcoming year’s plans. All those who participated in Affirmation of Baptism this past year and who will begin the AOB journey (current 6th graders or older that haven’t participated in Affirmation of Baptism before) and their parent(s)/guardians are invited to this orientation session.  All participants should review the AOB overview, then complete and return the AOB registration forms by email to First Lutheran at flcoffice@firstlutheranec.org. Questions? Contact Pastor Mike Louia at prmike@firstlutheranec.org.

Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministry: Care for Hurting People

Bear one another burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)

Stephen Ministry is the one-to-one lay caring ministry. Stephen Ministers are congregation members trained by Stephen Leaders to offer high-quality, one-to-one Christian care to people going through difficult times (grief, loneliness, divorce, hospitalization, disability, job loss, and many other issues). A Stephen Minister usually meets with a person once a week for about an hour. Stephen Ministers listen, care, encourage, support, and provide emotional and spiritual support to hurting people. The care you receive is confidential, free, and very helpful. Stephen Ministers gather with their Stephen Leaders for supervision and continuing education.

Stephen Ministry in Action – Testimonials

To learn more about Stephen Ministry, contact Colleen Fowler at (stephenminister@firstlutheranec.org) or (410) 465-2977.