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Worship Congregational
Profile
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GROUPS AND
ORGANIZATIONS OF
GIBBON, ABOUT AUGUSTANA
Augustana
is one of more than 11,000 congregations that are part of the Augustana
is a member of the Southwestern Minnesota Synod of the ELCA and the Minnesota
Valley Conference. Our partnership with 280 neighboring congregations allows
us to share resources for ministry, to participate in training events, to
support special events for youth and to reach out to new people. Through the
ELCA’s Companion Synods Program, the Southwestern Minnesota Synod is linked
with the South Easter Diocese of the ALTAR COMMITTEE This committee is responsible for setting up the altar area of the church, including changing the paraments and banners, maintaining the candles. BANNER COMMITTEE This committee has been in existence for over thirty years. It is responsible for obtaining or creating banners that decorate the interior of the church. CHRISTIAN ACTION WORK GROUPS All confirmed church members are assigned to a monthly work group or included on the Members to Remember list. These groups are responsible for serving church functions during their month. A booklet is published every year that lists the work groups. Laverna Martin and Diane Pettis are the Christian Action Coordinators. CHRISTIAN EDUCATION The Augustana Christian Education
Committee is comprised of our Sunday School Superintendent, Otto Hartman,
church council representatives and other appropriate members of the
congregation. The Education Committee encourages all members of the
congregation to be familiar with the doctrine of the church. SUNDAY SCHOOL Sunday School classes are held before worship from 8:45 to 9:45 (September through May) for all children pre-school though ninth grade. Classroom instruction teaches and shares God’s love. The children learn that they are members of God’s family and that God is within them all the time. The curriculum changes to meet the needs of our students and staff with the emphasis being on Bible Stories.
CONFIRMATION Our confirmation program prepare eighth and ninth graders for more adult responsibilities in the church’s ministry. The program includes Wednesday evening and Sunday morning classes. The confirmation team helps lead worship at various times through the church year. The students serve as acolytes and assist with communion. During the Lenten season, the confirmands meet with their mentors. Early communion preparation is offered for students in the fifth, sixth and seventh grades. EVANGELISM / SOCIAL MINISTRY This group is responsible for the regular video taping of our worship services. The Saturday night services are broadcast each Monday at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and Sunday morning services are broadcast at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on our local cable channel 8. The committee is also responsible for Outreach Ministry to the congregation and community. LUTHERAN MEN IN
MUTUAL MIISTRIES COMMITTEE The Mutual Ministry Committee is an elected body of three members that meets with the minister and other individuals or groups and as a liaison between congregational members, the minister and the church council. It can be considered as a sounding board to help resolve issues in a format that offers caring communications, cooperation and confidentiality. Members of Augustana were trained in a program on addressing moral and ethical questions on the basis of God’s Word and with consideration of each person’s traditions, culture and past experiences. By using this approach our purpose is to assure each person is comfortable in their feels as we open ourselves to the Holy Spirit. The process is called “Moral Deliberation”. This process is a way to share wisdom, experience, and affirmation in this time of social change. PRAYER NETWORK The Prayer Network is a non-denominational group within the Gibbon community. The Network entertains prayer concerns from any source, regardless of religious affiliation. No regular meetings are held; all that is required is that you offer a prayer or prayers when notified of a particular concern. Bonnie Hartmann is the contact person for prayer concerns. PROPERTY COMMITTEE The Property Committee is responsible for the maintenance of the church, parsonage and the property in general. THRIVENT Thrivent members of Augustana work together to provide matching funds for those in need and for church organization missions. Some of the events Thrivent has supported in the past are: Confirmation recognition, Just Say Thanks, Fall Bazaar, Youth Spaghetti Dinner, early Childhood Family education, quilt making projects, Habitat for Humanity projects, Sibley County Social Services and Food Shelf, Minnesota Valley Regional Library and individual family crisis support. Thrivent provides education materials on family and health topics, scholarships, and a wide range of grants to help Lutheran congregations and individuals. WOMEN OF THE ELCA All the women of Augustana are part of the Women of the ELCA. This group is concerned with opportunities for learning, for service and for fellowship. The group meets at the church on the first Thursday of each month. The monthly business and planning meetings often involve some creative or learning activity. This group provides finacial support to many causes, and conribuuutes projects to Lutheran World Relief. Augustana’s Women ELCA plan special events each year, such as the Fall Bazaar and Bake Sale and serving lunch at one of the summer band concerts. Augustana’s WELCA has a strong tradition of supporting the ministry of the church. A small group Bible study meets monthly. WORSHIP AND MUSIC COMMITTEE The Worship Committee consists of several council representatives and other members of the congregation. These members work with the pastor in planning special services and events during the year, including Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, and Thanksgiving. Choosing hymns, different liturgy services are part of the committee’s work. MUSIC MINISTRIES
Senior Choir - The Adult choir sings
at most Sunday Services; the annual Ecumenical Service, mid-week Advent and
Lenten Services, and mid-summer service at Augustana Gospel Heirs - This Men’s group sings a variety of gospel hymns for worship services and special events in the community. Star Choir - The Star choir is open to all Sunday School students in grades 1-4. Sunday School Choir - The Sunday School choir offers all children in the Sunday School the special opportunity to sing as a choir. Practices are Sunday mornings during devotions. Other - Vocal solos, duets and ensembles are included in worship services at Augustana. Instrumentalists are encouraged to share their musical talents with the congregation. YOUTH MINISTRY All youth in grades five through twelve are members of Augustana’s Youth League. The Youth League focuses on good Christian fun and community service. Monthly events are planned as a group and a calendar of events is posted for parents to sign up to assist in the planning. A Mission Youth Trip through Youth Works has been added to the ministry of our youth. |
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