The Big Rock of:   Discipleship

Adult Discipleship Opportunities

At English Lutheran Church, our vision is to help you become a fully devoted disciple of Jesus who will know, worship, and obey God. We want our adults to experience healthy relationships through small groups that will release God‘s transforming power in your life.

Adult Education groups are part of God‘s strategy for personal renewal and Sprit-led outreach to the community and world. A small group is a great place to experience new friendships, prayer support, and help in discovering your spiritual gifts and call.

NEW IN JANUARY:

Pre-Easter Jesus: Uncovering the Life & Relevance of a Religious Revolution
Begins Thursday, Jan. 7 at 6:30 pm in ELC Library. Co-Lead by Kathy Hagaseth & Bob Bendiksen
"The Heart of Christianity" by Marcus Borg shows that to love God and love what God loves. A new small group in January looks at Borg’s latest book looking at Jesus’ life, his teachings and relevance then and now. All are welcome! Inex-pensive copies of the book are available online, Harpers 2006).
We’ll be meeting each Thursday until Easter. Bring your questions and doubts as we discuss a chapter each week at the big round table in the library. It’s fun!

Jesus‘ Death Understood: Insights of the Passion Narrative
Begins Thursday, Jan. 14th at 6:30 pm. Co-Lead by Pastor Johnson
As Christians, the complexity of Jesus' death and resurrection can often be overwhelming. Why was Jesus' passion described the way it was? What insights have the writings of St. Paul shed in our understanding of Jesus' death and resurrection? How did the church expand upon Paul's understanding of the Cross and the Empty Tomb? Questions like these deserve careful study and dis-cussion. This will be the direction our new adult study will take. For several Thursday evenings starting in January and continuing through Lent, we will examine relevant biblical texts that address the purpose and meaning of the cross of Jesus.

Book of Faith small group where each person agrees to read the bible every day (5 to 10 minutes). Then as a group a passage is discussed using one of the four Book of Faith methods and discussion will follow as to how the reading is informing our personal lives. This is a chance for fellowship, enrichment, and growth in your faith life. We are challenged and encouraged to read the bible everyday. This is a great way to create that habit and to see the blessings that come from being in God's word daily. We will meet on Tuesdays from January 12th to May 11th. Meeting times are 8:30 - 9:30 am at Eva Marie Restel's house. The group is limited to 12.

SUNDAYS

Adult Education
Sunday, 9:45-10:30am, Stoffel Lounge
Feb. 7th Fellowship Council
Feb. 14th People of the Bible
Guest Speaker: Vicar Lauren - Samuel
Feb. 21st People of the Bible
Guest Speaker: Eva Marie Restel
Feb. 28th TBA
This is a fantastic place for conversation! Enjoy this fellowship time for safe, open discussion through forums or Bible study. Forums are organized by the Discipleship Council.

MONDAYS

Men’s Monday Morning Bible Study
Monday, 6:30-7:30am, ELC Narthex
We will discuss Religion & Ethics during February at 6:30 am each Monday morning. A continental breakfast is provided and visitors are always welcome. Be sure to read the weekly newsletter for specific topics & presenters. Come and enjoy a good time of fellowship and conversation on vital topics!

Care Givers Support Group
Meets every fourth Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Stoffel Lounge.
This is a group program lead by Mary Fitzpatrick and co-lead by Pastor Mark Shaw. This group will begin at 6:30 and continue until 7:30. It will be located in the Stoffel Lounge. The purpose of the group is to offer a supportive environment to those who are providing care to family members and friends who are in need of care.

TUESDAYS

Marital Consultation on an Individual Basis
This is available for any couple in English Lutheran Church no matter what age or marital status. There is a program for unmarried couples planning to marry, marriages where blended family systems are the end result, second marriages without children, and marriages that have gone for the long run and just want to take the time to review their marriage. There is also a category for married couples who are over 50 years of age. The total cost is $29.95 per couple and that is all. This amount covers the cost of the computer scored assessment tool that is used in the process. The couple will be seen for three separate sessions lasting 1 to 1 ½ hours. Or the couple may opt for one session on a Saturday or Sunday morning that would last for about 3 hours. Actually, this second option works very well and is becoming my preferred option.
This is confidential. All you need do is call the church office and let the secretaries know you are interested. Or, you can call Pastor Mark Shaw at his home number which is 608-788-2078.

ELC Book Club
The book club meeting of the year is 7 PM Tuesday, January 26 at Cathy Walth's house, 207 Green Coulee Rd., Onalaska. We are meeting to discuss Dogs of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst. Below you will find directions to Cathy's home. Please let her know if you will be able to attend or not
walthcmw@charter.net or 783-7293
Next month will be at my house on the 23rd for A Mercy by Toni Morrison and it is also our planning meeting.

 

WEDNESDAYS

See Wednesday Night Programming

 

THURSDAYS

Fayze’s Bible Study
Thursday’s, 7:00-8:00am, Fayze’s Restaurant
Get your Thursday off to a great start with a good breakfast and casual Christian fellowship. A discussion of the Bible readings for the coming Sunday.

Seeker’s Bible Study
Thursday, 9:30-11am, Stoffel Lounge
We continue with our study of the Gospel of Luke. Later in the month Pastor Mark and Vicar Lauren will be our study leaders. You can join us anytime. We'd love to have you share our Spiritual Quest! If you've ever felt like an outsider, like you don't fit in somehow, and you don't get invited to join that team, or become a member of that club, this Gospel is for you. Luke is the champion of the outsider, sort of an outsider himself, the only Gentile in the stable of New Testament writers. He understand what it feel like to be on the outside looking in, and what it feels like to have that precious invitation to 'come in,' come from God through Jesus. Join us Thursday mornings at 9:30 in Bertha Stoffel Lounge.
Leader: Janet Melby

Grief Support Group
2nd and 4th Thursday of each month, from 6:00-8:00 pm in the Youth Room.
Living with Loss while beginning a new year and/or weathering through these wintry days can be challenging at times. It can be hard to initiate and live out new resolutions or plans when our days are colored with unresolved grief. If you are looking for a safe, confidential environment where you can openly share your grief, receive support, and find help in moving through the pain and challenges of grief, ELC and Gunderson Lutheran offer this ongoing Grief Support Group. Registration is not required, however if you are interested, please call Susan Moss at 608-775-8412

Prayer Vigil for Peace & Justice
3rd Thursday of the month at 5:30pm, Our Redeemer’s
This prayer vigil program was initi-ated by Bishop Emeritus H. George Anderson of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in Dec. 2000. English Lutheran began the following month and has been involved on a monthly basis since. The prayer vigil consists of praying for all involved in conflict, for education regarding the problem, and for advocacy for peace.
Contact Person: Marla Engbloom

Jesus‘ Death Understood: Insights of the Passion Narrative
Begins Thursday, Jan. 14th at 6:30 pm. Co-Lead by Pastor Johnson
See more information above.

Pre-Easter Jesus: Uncovering the Life & Relevance of a Religious Revolution
Begins Thursday, Jan. 7 at 6:30 pm in ELC Library. Co-Lead by Kathy Hagaseth & Bob Bendiksen
See more information above.

 

FRIDAYS

P.A.C.K. – (Pre-Confirmation Activities at Church for Kids)
4th-5th-6th Grade Students Welcome! January 15th 6:30-8:30pm

Women’s Circles
Naomi-Ruth Circle: TBA (Always the 3rd Monday of the month)
Contact: Ruth Anderson at 783-3422

Mary Circle: TBA (Always the 4th Tuesday of the month)
Contact: Sharon Odahl at 781-1923