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.

SUNDAYS

Sunday School
April 4 – NO CLASS, Easter Sunday
April 11 – Regularly scheduled class
April 18 – Regularly scheduled class
April 25 – Regularly scheduled class

Adult Education
Sunday, 9:45-10:30am, Stoffel Lounge
April 4 No Education Hour – Easter
April 11 People of the Bible—Rachel Guest Speaker: Pastor Pupillo
April 18 Text Study – Pastor Solyst
April 25 People of the Bible — Paul Guest Speaker: Pastor Solyst

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
(MMMBS) celebrates 15 years of meetings that began when former Pastor Jim Barsch responded to an inquiry, How about a Men’s Bible Study at ELC? The planners decided that only this time – 6:30 to 7:30 am on Monday - was always open in the busy lives of professional men in today’s world. And we still meet and pray and study and talk of faith, ethics, church, and personal journeys.

Pastor Solyst and Bob Bendiksen are now co-leaders of MMMBS. The freedom to speak and share one’s faith, doubts, opinions, and questions get us up early on Mondays. We are a bit ecumenical in members and growing in our faith journeys. During April, MMMBS will discuss LIVING THE FAITH: DreamThinkBeDo at 6:30 am each Monday morning. Short video clips (from Lutheran Campus Ministry) of leading-edge theologians will focus us on Incarnation; Compassion; Politics; Passion; Resurrection.

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
Our next meeting is Tuesday, March 23 at 7:00 pm at Marilyn Webster’s house (3100 Elm Drive, 787-6398). The book we are discussing Anybody Any Minute by Julie Mars. come with ideas to share or e-mail them if you are unable to attend. Please let Marilyn know if you will be able to attend or not 787-6398 or mlwbeets@charter.net

April's book is Catcher in the Rye and we'll meet at Janet's.

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 to mine the richness of Luke's Gospel. Bob Bendiksen will be with us April 22 for a thoughtful meditation on the Lord's Prayer. It is found at the beginning of Chapter 11 in Luke. Come, study, learn and share with us on 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 may be difficult to initiate and live out new resolutions or plans when our days are colored with unresolved grief. ELC and Gundersen Lutheran offer 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. Registration is not required, however, you are attending for the first time, 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 initiated 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!
April 16 from 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