Christian Education and Faith Formation

 We gather in the church Fellowship Hall TV Lounge from 10:00 to 11:00 am on Thursdays. Our procedure is to watch a half-hour video lecture with ensuing discussion. Dr. Mark Berkson of Hamline University (Methodist, St. Paul, MN) provides expert lectures and a study guide concerning “Death, Dying and the Afterlife: Lessons from World Cultures”. What might seem to be a grim topic is treated with appropriate gentle humor and wisdom. The first eight lectures assess key definitions, concepts and values while covering topics ranging from “Death’s Place in Our Lives” to “American Death Rituals.” The next 12 lectures range worldwide from Christianity to Judaism, Islam and other world religions and related cultures. It is an exciting topic dealing with a fundamental reality of life we try to ignore. Join us! Contact Phil Jordan with questions. 

Luther Forum Begins September 8th

The Luther Forum, an adult discussion class which meets each Sunday morning at 8:45am in the campus center, resumes on September 8th.  The fall focus will be The Good Book:  Reading the Bible With Mind and Heart, by Peter Gomes.  The class will meet each week, both in person and via Zoom. The zoom link and the schedule of readings may be obtained by contacting Bill King at luthercm@gmail.com.

From the beginning, Lutherans have emphasized the Bible as the norm for Christian faith and practice.  But interpreting scripture is often a challenge.  Biblical scholarship can be esoteric and seem far from the challenges of everyday life.  But the alternative, an overly emotional anti-intellectualism which refuses to ask hard questions, is no more helpful.  Gomes, long-time preacher, chaplain, and professor at Harvard Divinity School, argues that Christians should come to the Bible with both intellectual rigor and heartfelt devotion.  In The Good Book  he models this approach.

Participants can preview the book and obtain a copy on Amazon.  It is available as both a paperback and in Kindle form. 

Click here for a schedule of classes.

 The Men's Bible Study meets on Thursday mornings at 8 am to study the Gospel reading designated by the Common Lectionary for the upcoming Sunday.   Please contact Bill King if you have any questions.      

We offer classes for parents who wish to baptize their children, and for adults who wish to be baptized. Confirmation classes are offered for adolescents. 

Our Confirmands continue to earn Service Hours by serving as Acolytes and
Communion Assistants, helping to fold worship bulletins, and other tasks.  Confirmands, don’t forget to track your hours using the form in your notebook.  Please contact Pastor Monica for more information.

Parents are encouraged to grab an Activity Bag for their young children. Activity Bags are filled with coloring sheets and crayons for use during worship.   If you need to comfort your child, we provide a quiet room off the Sanctuary where you may listen to worship.    

During Sunday worship, Pastor Monica 

invites children to participate from time to time in a Children’s Sermon. 

 VBS is offered in conjunction with area ELCA churches. For more information, contact the church office at 540-951-1000.

Stay tuned to find out when we will have our next Women's Bible Study!  

The Virginia Synod offers many programs throughout the year for youth and young adults. More information about these events and registration forms can be found here.