English Ringers
Marla Engbloom, director
Wednesday, 6:30 - 7:15 p.m. in the choir room
September through May

Youth Chimes
Marla Engbloom, director
Wednesday, 5:00 - 5:30 p.m. in the choir room
September through May

Youth Choir
Beth Lakmann, director
Practice time: TBD
September - May, all 4th - 8th grade students

FAITHLIFT (praise band)
Beth Lakmann, director
Faithlift consists of vocalists, piano, violin, guitar, bass guitar, flute and drums. It rehearses and accompanies worship two Sundays each month.

Christmas Services

Midweek Advent Services Wednesdays @ 6:15 p.m., November 30, December 7, 14, 21. Take a break from the holiday bustle to renew yourself each week at Midweek Advent Worship. This service is a quiet, reflective time and centers around prayer and the anticipation of our Savior’s birth.

Christmas Candlelight Worship @ 3:00 & 5:00 p.m. on December 24, 2011– Christmas carols, candles, a children’s sermon, beautiful music, Holy Communion and the wonderful news of a savior fill our Christmas Family Worship Services on December 24th. From the robust singing of Joy to the World to the quiet lighting of candles during Silent Night, Christmas worship fills our hearts with a joy and peace the world cannot give.

Christmas Morning @ 9:30 a.m. on December 25, 2011
This simple and gentle service includes the singing of many Christmas Carols, the story of the Incarnation according to the Gospel of John, and the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Pastor Pupillo will bring the message on Christmas Day.

SS Christmas Program - The Cocoa and Carols service is combined with the Sunday School Christmas program and offered on Saturday, December 17th at 5:00 p.m. Come, hear the ageless scripture verses that prophesy and proclaim the coming of Christ. Sing those marvelous carols we all love so much. Enjoy cocoa and cookies and fellowship. Please bring a wrapped gift to place in the manger - a gift of clothing, a toy or book, for someone who might not get much else. These symbolic gifts to Jesus will be distributed to children and people in need in our community.

LENTEN SERVICES
Ash Wednesday – March 9, 2011
We begin our Lenten journey with the deeply meaningful Ash Wednesday liturgy that includes Confession of Sins, the Imposition of Ashes, and Holy Communion. We will worship at both Noon and 6:15 p.m.

Lenten Services – March 16, 23, 30, April 6, &13, 2011
Please join us for midweek Lenten services this spring. During the 40 days of Lent, we will worship every Wednesday at Noon and 6:15 p.m. We gather for a soup and bread lunch after the noon service, and offer a meal in our Luther Room starting at 5:30 p.m. before the evening service.

HOLY WEEK
Maundy Thursday - April 21, 2011
Worship with the "Washing of Hands ", the Sacrament of Holy Communion and the "Stripping of the Altar". On Maundy Thursday we gather for worship both at Noon and 7:00 p.m.

Good Friday - April 22, 2011, 7:00 p.m.
On this most somber of days, we shall draw on the ancient Office of Tenebrae, which means darkness or shadows. Tenebrae is characterized by the successive extinguishing of candles reflecting the growing darkness as Christ is put to death. Yet, even on Good Friday, we remember that “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” ( John 1:5) Our Senior Choir leads worship on Good Friday with hymns and anthems interspersed with the reading of the Passion according to St. John .

The Vigil of Easter - April 23, 2011, 8:00 p.m.
This traditional service follows the baptismal journey from the darkest night to the radiance of the Resurrection of our Lord. We begin in courtyard around the bonfire. We then process into the sanctuary by candlelight where we hear the great biblical stories of deliverance. During the Easter Vigil, children and infants will be baptized. The Vigil concludes with the joyful celebration of Holy Communion.

EASTER - The Resurrection of our Lord, April 24, 2011 We gather for Sunrise worship at 6:30 a.m. on Easter. We celebrate Easter with the proclamation of the resurrection, the great hymns of faith, and the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Pastor Mark will be our preacher.

We celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord at two festival worship services at 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. Each festival service includes singing of the great Easter hymns accompanied by a brass ensemble, the Senior Choir, a Children’s sermon, Pastor Melinda’s Easter message, and the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

Our youth serve Easter breakfast from 7:30 – 10:30 a.m.

ALL SAINTS DAY
November 6, 2011 - At these ancient festival worship services of Holy Communion we light candles in remembrance of loved ones who have died. We worship at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. on Sunday.

THANKSGIVING EVE November 23, 2011
English Lutheran Church will celebrate Thanksgiving with an evening service on November 23.

MIDDLE EAST PRAYER VIGIL
A prayer vigil for the Middle East is held on the third Thursday of every month. The 5:30 p.m. prayer vigil meets at English Lutheran Church and Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. For the location of this month’s vigil, check the calendar. For more information contact Marla Engbloom.

Communion
Church Office, 784-9335
We celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion at each worship service every weekend. Those who wish to serve communion are invited to put on a small wooden cross that is found on the stand in the narthex and meet in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit before worship for assignments.

Ushers
Al Fruechte (10:45) 784-1694
Rod Engebretson (8:30) 793-1369
Laura Glew, 608-519-1662, Usher Scheduler
We welcome anyone who wants to serve as an usher to contact one of the usher captains.

Lectors
Jennifer Jones, 784-9335
Lectors read the appointed lessons at our worship services. Please contact Jennifer if you are interested in this ministry.

MEDIA MINISTRY
Matthew Solyst , 788-4245, Media Coordinator,
Julie Johnson 404-663-3155, Technician Scheduler
The Media Ministry serves as Projection and Sound Technicians at every worship service with responsibility for insuring the highest quality worship experience for everyone who attends. The Tech Team records each service and produces CDs for our “CD Ministry for Homebound Members.” If you want to serve with the Media Ministry, please contact Jennifer Brown who schedules the Media Technicians or Matthew Solyst, our Media Coordinator.

worship coordinators
Kathy Davig (h): 399-1096 (w): 791-8355
The worship coordinators assist the Pastors in coordinating the logistics of worship at English Lutheran Church. When on duty, worship coordinators are responsible for both Sunday Services. Current worship coordinators include Duane Bell, Kathy Davig, Roger and Sue Lundsten, Jane Parsneau, and Ann Weidner. If you have questions or are interested in assisting in this ministry, please contact Kathy.

wedding coordinators
Carmen Gustafson
The wedding coordinators assist the Pastors in coordinating the logistics of weddings at English Lutheran Church. They attend both the rehearsal and wedding to reassure anxious brides and mothers with their calm and helpful presence. For more information, contact Carmen.

Altar MINISTRY
Jane Parsneau, 608-788-4212
We are a great group of mostly women (men are always welcome into our gathering as well) who meet once a month and plan the worship service for communion, baptism and take care of the altar (changing paraments, replacing candles when needed, etc.). We set out the communion table for each service, set everything out for the pastors and communion assistants, clean up and put everything away after worship. You may do this once a month, or as much as you like. We meet on the first Saturday of the month at 9:00 am in the narthex. Everyone is welcome!

Christmas  & Easter flowers
Church Office, 784-9335
Monetary gifts of any amount are accepted towards purchasing flowers for the Christmas and Easter seasons. Extra money from the Flower Fund is given to an area organization. Flowers are available to take home after the services. If you would like to give a gift during these times please look for the sign up form in the Voice, on the What's New page, or contact Jennifer at the church office for more information.

Nursery
Stephanie
The nursery is available to all families needing assistance with their children on Sundays 8:30 a.m. to noon and on Wednesday and Thursday evenings during the school year. It has a large play area with sunny windows and appropriate toys. Child-sized toilet facilities and changing area are within the nursery in addition to a quiet nursing room. The nursery is attended by consistent attendants to promote comfort and familiarity for the children.
Nursery may be available for special occasions at church - please call the church office at 784-9335.
Schedule

Sunday Coffee
Jennifer Jones, cookies, 784-8876, ext. 201
Cara Hartfield, coffee makers
Members serve coffee and juice and provide homemade treats every Sunday in the Luther Room. Each ELC household is assigned to bring cookies once every 12-15 months. You will receive a notice in the mail when it is your turn. Thanks in advance for your participation in this ministry!

Greeters
Karen Guptill, 788-5066
Every Sunday worshipers are welcomed by our greeters. If you want to be a greeter, please contact Karen.

Acolytes
Niki Pohnl
Thank you confirmation students for your service as an acolyte. The schedule for 2011 is posted here.