Welcome Home

[Zecryphon]

After being out of the "church" for a little over a year, 14 months now, I have decided to join the LCMS church I have been attending fairly regularly. This Sunday I will start attending what is called a Welcome Home program. It's a seven-week course/class presented by the church and will cover Lutheran doctrine. This is the followed by a three-week orientation course to familiarize myself with the church. Does anyone know what I can expect in this seven-week course? Has anyone else ever taken a course like this and if so, what did you experience?

[ctay]

Hi its great to have you. I've never been through the class, maybe someone else on here has and can help you out

[ricg]

Welcome. It may be similar to the Adult Information Class Pastor Lassman of Messiah Lutheran in Seattle teaches. His is a 15 week that covers the following:

(1) "Christ and The Bible"
The importance of Jesus Christ and the Bible as God's word—what it means to me.

(2) "God and Creation"
The God of creation or evolution?

(3) "Angels and Sin"
The source of evil and a world of problems.

(4 & 5) "The Ten Commandments"
Their meaning and how their purpose is misunderstood.

(6 & 7) "Jesus Christ"
Who He is, what He's done—what He means to you.

(8) "The Holy Spirit"
Who He is and what He does.

(9) "Justification"
How do we have a good relationship with God?

(10) "Holy Baptism"
A daily source of comfort and power.

(11) "The Lord's Supper"
Bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins?

(12) "The Church"
So important—so misunderstood.

(13) "Prayer"
What is it? Does God answer?

(14) "The Last Things"
Life after death? Judgment? Hell? Heaven?

(15) Review and Discussion

At Messiah, if after the course, one decides to become a member, there's a follow-on course on evangelism and discipleship. These are in addition to other regularly scheduled Bible and Bible-related studies. I never attended the Adult Informtion Class, since I was already a member, but I did attend the follow-on course and Bible studies. If anyone's ever in Seattle, Messiah's a great place and Pastor Lassman's a great teacher. Video samples of the class are available at the website. http://homepage.mac.com/nathanjschaub/aic/AIC_Intro.html

[C.F.W. Walther]

Well wellcome back.:) :D

What brought you back?

[seajoy]

After being out of the "church" for a little over a year, 14 months now, I have decided to join the LCMS church I have been attending fairly regularly. This Sunday I will start attending what is called a Welcome Home program. It's a seven-week course/class presented by the church and will cover Lutheran doctrine. This is the followed by a three-week orientation course to familiarize myself with the church. Does anyone know what I can expect in this seven-week course? Has anyone else ever taken a course like this and if so, what did you experience?
I took the course once, along with some new people, just as a refresher for myself.

The one I went to was at an LCMS church (I'm WELS now). I thought it was wonderful, and I learned so much about my Lord.

Glad you are joining us!
seajoy

[dinkime]

i think it sounds like a good course -- our pastor does a 15 session course called "welcome to life" for interested non-members & members -- it is what one takes before joining the church and they are an adult

[Zecryphon]

Well wellcome back.:) :D

What brought you back?
Radidio: Were you talking to me when you posted this? I'm confused.

[C.F.W. Walther]

Radidio: Were you talking to me when you posted this? I'm confused.Oops sorry---thought you had a hiatus from the LCMS and was comming back.......my bad :)

[Zecryphon]

Oops sorry---thought you had a hiatus from the LCMS and was comming back.......my bad :)
I'm still around. I've been posting mostly in the non-denom folder, because I don't have a denomination yet. Working on becoming LCMS, but it would be presumptuous of me to post here as a Lutheran when I am not one, just yet. :-)

[Zecryphon]

I leave for class in about an hour. I'm kinda nervous. :pray:

[C.F.W. Walther]

God bless you :) The Holy Spirit will lead you.

[ctay]

Good luck.

[Zecryphon]

Well all minor catastrophies aside, it actually went well. :clap:

As for what constituted the minor catastrophies. Well for starters my back hurt this morning so I went to the pharmacy for some of those wrap around heat pads, with the charcoal discs in em, and those were sold out or they didn't carry them so I had to get those adhesive patches that are soaked with medicine. Well this brand was really bad, I must have a reaction to it or something. Once I finally managed to get it on reasonably well, and sorta in the right spot, it started to burn ten minutes into the class.

I also had no breakfast so I bought some of those protein drinks before class. And I spilled some down my shirt and on my pants before class. Now this is a milk based product so you can imagine how please I am with that. LOL

Anyway, I finally get to the building and am told that they have moved the class to another building, anyway I finally get there and meet the teacher and the one other student. LOL

So here is the game plan. It's a seven-week course. This week we covered a note from the pastor welcoming us to this course. We covered the mission statement for the church and made it halfway through the first lesson, which is God's Word-The Bible. Before next week I have to finish lesson one, do the quiz for that lesson, do lesson two and do the quiz for that one as well. Lesson two is The Apostle's Creed part one.

The lessons are as follows:

One: God's Word-the Bible
Two: The Apostle's Creed 1
Three: The Apostle's Creed 2
Four: Prayer and Worship
Five: Holy Baptism
Six: The Lord's Supper
Seven: The Office of the Keys

Then it's on to a three-week orientation course for the church. I'll keep you guys updated with information as I go through this and post any questions I have if you'd like. It was good today and not nearly as formal as the last membership class I attended for the non-denom church I was a member of.

One question I do have is this. After I complete this course am I a Lutheran or just a member of a Lutheran church? Will I have to take a confirmation class as well after this or am I done?

[ctay]

You'll be a Lutheran and a member. After the course usually in a Sunday morning service, they'll ask you to come up front and do a little ceremony type thing and to welcome you in the church, no confirmation class Just this class your taking

[Zecryphon]

You'll be a Lutheran and a member. After the course usually in a Sunday morning service, they'll ask you to come up front and do a little ceremony type thing and to welcome you in the church, no confirmation class Just this class your taking
"You'll be a Lutheran and a member."

::does happy dance of joy::

"After the course usually in a Sunday morning service, they'll ask you to come up front and do a little ceremony type thing and to welcome you in the church,"

Uh boy. There goes my performance anxiety again! LOL

"no confirmation class Just this class your taking"

Kewl. Thanks for the info!

[ctay]

Not yesterday but the sunday before I did the readings for the first time in my life. I was having panic attacks.. LOL I get scared doing things like that.

[Zecryphon]

Not yesterday but the sunday before I did the readings for the first time in my life. I was having panic attacks.. LOL I get scared doing things like that.
What did they have you read? I do have panic attacks from public speaking so this isn't sounding good. I'm gonna have to find out what is in store for me on this "new members Sunday" thing they have after somebody completes this class. LOL

[ctay]

I read the Epistle and Gospel readings for the service. You won't have to do this not unless the church your planning on going to has different people read. Ours does and you have to sign up for it and its not mandatory for you to do.

[DaRev]

What did they have you read? I do have panic attacks from public speaking so this isn't sounding good. I'm gonna have to find out what is in store for me on this "new members Sunday" thing they have after somebody completes this class. LOL

I don't know, but some churches have their new members stand before the congregation and recite the 119th Psalm... from memory.


;) :P JK!!

[ctay]

Our church just has new members come up before the congregration during service and shoot I done forgot, I had to do it with the new members that went through the class and I just had my membership transfered, LOL. You usually have your back to the congregation. Actually we're bringing in new members this sunday.

[Zecryphon]

I don't know, but some churches have their new members stand before the congregation and recite the 119th Psalm... from memory.


;) :P JK!!
Okay! I see how it is! Mess with the new guy. I'll remember this. In Stewie Griffin voice (from Family Guy):

When I rule the world, I will remember this!! Oh yes, I will! This will not be forgotten!!! LOL

[Zecryphon]

I read the Epistle and Gospel readings for the service. You won't have to do this not unless the church your planning on going to has different people read. Ours does and you have to sign up for it and its not mandatory for you to do.
Whew! ;-)

[Zecryphon]

Our church just has new members come up before the congregration during service and shoot I done forgot, I had to do it with the new members that went through the class and I just had my membership transfered, LOL. You usually have your back to the congregation. Actually we're bringing in new members this sunday.
Okay so the new members are up there before the congregation and.... according to your post they shoot people? I'll be stayin away from you and your church! Buncha whack jobs! ROFL :-)

[ctay]

Naw they don't shoot people. They might hug you to death.

[DaSeminarian]

Good luck.

What's this "Good Luck" stuff. :scratch:

Christians should be sending God's Blessings.:D

[Zecryphon]

What's this "Good Luck" stuff. :scratch:

Christians should be sending God's Blessings.:D
It seems to me that Christians only send God's blessings when somebody sneezes. LOL In lieu of that, a wishing of good luck is fine with me.

[Zecryphon]

Well I didn't go to class this week, I had to work this weekend. I did do the homework that was assigned. We had to read the first two chapters of the notebook and answer the review questions at the end of each chapter.

Chapter 1 was about the Bible but the review questions were just so vague or phrased as something similiar to a trick question, so it was hard to know which answer they were looking for. Chapter 2 was worse. At least for the questions for Chapter 1 you could find two or three appropriate answers, but for chapter 2 there were questions in the review section about topics that had never been discussed in the lesson's text.

Chapter 2 is about the Apostle's Creed yet there's a question in there about what evolution teaches and states. That was never covered in the text. After I join this church, I'm gonna have to sit down with someone and go through this with them. This book may need some revision, because it doesn't make sense to ask about evolution if it hasn't been addressed in thet text. That's just one error. There's also minor things like typos. Maybe I'll get an answer next week as to why this is the way it is. I understand it's a small church with limited resources but I'd rework this book for free.

[synger]

I'm still around. I've been posting mostly in the non-denom folder, because I don't have a denomination yet. Working on becoming LCMS, but it would be presumptuous of me to post here as a Lutheran when I am not one, just yet. :-)
I'm still "officially" Presbyterian, but have been attending LCMS for the past five (almost six) years. So I took the Lutheran icon when I signed up, and make sure when I'm speaking on doctrine that people know my background. I doubt it's a problem, as long as you're not being deceptive about it.

[Zecryphon]

I'm still "officially" Presbyterian, but have been attending LCMS for the past five (almost six) years. So I took the Lutheran icon when I signed up, and make sure when I'm speaking on doctrine that people know my background. I doubt it's a problem, as long as you're not being deceptive about it.
If I may, why did you leave the Presbyterian church for the LCMS? Were you not happy with the teaching or was the church going in a direction away from the Bible and sound teaching?

[synger]

If I may, why did you leave the Presbyterian church for the LCMS? Were you not happy with the teaching or was the church going in a direction away from the Bible and sound teaching?
Well, we first visited the LCMS church primarily because my husband was unhappy in the Presbyterian church we were attending. It was too.. analytical... for him. He is Baptist, and he wasn't at all interested in theological discussions from the pulpit. He wanted the Gospel, pure and simple. The Presbyterian church preaches the Gospel, of course, but sometimes scholarship in a sermon is emphasized over clarity and simplicity of presentation. I loved it, because I get excited by Christian history, theology, doctrine, and Bible studies. He, however, felt like there was a great divide between what the Pastor said and his own life. In truth, sometimes I sensed it too, in that I was so busy studying ABOUT Christian thought and belief that it was removed from the realm of not-Sunday-morning.

Also, for me, I felt like there was something else missing. Some... mystery... that I'd encountered once or twice while visiting other churches but couldn't put my finger on.

So we visited the LCMS church when we moved. We chose it for no other reason than it was the closest church to our new home. I looked at the bulletin and thought "we won't be coming back here again!" I know the basics of liturgy, for I've sung church music most of my life. I know my husband, too, and knew that he had no interest in Catholic or pseudo-Catholic liturgy styles.

But then, Pastor began his sermon.

Down to earth. Rubber hits the road. Gospel centered. Grace proclaimed. Scholarly, and yet practical. Loving and yet strong.

Come to find out, Pastor used to be an Army chaplain. His style is JUST what my husband needed to hear. Not highfalutin'. Not dumbed down. Not fire-and-brimstone. Just Christ and Him crucified.

Hunter was impressed. I was amazed. The liturgy, which had seemed like such a hurdle in my mind, was as nothing to him. (though he did have a hard time with the use of the term "Israel" throughout the liturgy at first)

We both liked the strong conservative nature of the congregation, compared to the much more liberal PCUSA (and our particular Presbyterian church had actually been one of the most conservative in our local Presbytery -- when they had dicussions/debates about the "marriage of a man and woman or chastity in singleness" issue, our Pastor was often the one asked to debate for the marriage/chastity side).

So we started attending regularly (which at that time was about twice a month, due to his work schedule) and I joined the choir. I started looking at Lutheran doctrine and the FAQs on lcms.org to learn more about the church. I had some reservations, of course, but it sure sparked some interesting discussions!

When Gem got out of the nursery and was old enough for Sunday School, we started attending every Sunday, and began going to adult Sunday School. We went through the Book of Concord, and got a better understanding of Lutheran doctrine.

And I found that the mystery that I had been looking for... and had only encountered once or twice before...? was the real Presence of Christ in the sacraments. The more I studied it, the more I realized that the Reformed church had thrown out the baby with the bathwater on this point.

Now we do still have some difficulties, doctrinally. My husband still has mild Baptist ideas about "making a decision" for Jesus, although he's slowly coming around to a more Reformed/Lutheran view on that. And I still have serious troubles giving up the LIP of the Reformed TULIP.I believe both Lutherans and Reformed pretty much agree on Total Depravity and Unconditional Election, but there are strong differences on Limited Atonement, Irresistable Grace, and the Perseverance of the Saints. In addition, I was ordained an elder in the PCUSA, and while I am willing to give up that authority, and I accept the reasons, it does still sting at times.

But the Gospel is central, as it should be. Christ is celebrated. We are taught the Word. THe means of Grace are offered regularly.

Strangely, it's been... like coming home.

[Zecryphon]

"Strangely, it's been... like coming home."

Yeah that's how I felt too, when I started attending the LCMS church I go to. I started out in an Evangelical Free church, got "saved" and attended there for a few years before moving to AZ. When I got to AZ I looked around for a church but it wasn't the all-out intense church search it should have been. I stayed in the second church I had visited... for 5 years! LOL It was a mini-mega non-denom, half caffe with whipped cream type church LOL.

I really got involved in the non-denom church. I took the membership class, became a member, and went back two more times to be a table leader in that class. I would help new members with the material and the beliefs of the church. Then I went on to being a volunteer in the youth program. It was during that time that our senior pastor retired. Well everything went downhill from there. The church took on a direction of going nowhere. I started seeing things and hearing things that I didn't agree with as a Christian. I'd ask questions and get a variety of answers depending on who I'd ask.

I remember one question I had about the creeds. I asked if the church confessed the creeds and if so, where I could go to learn more about them. I mean they had a class for everything else, like how to stay pure while dating and build a marriage that will last, yet the also offered a course on how to know that God will now bless your second marriage and still loves you. How does that work? I'm sure in the engaged and newlyweds class they tell you that God abhors divorce except for adultery. I wonder what they teach in the Divorced and Remarried class. LOL

Anyway, back to the creeds the answer I got was and I quote "well sorta". Well sorta? What am I supposed to do with that one? They said we confess parts of the creeds but we teach the scriptures not the creeds. Now, I'm thinking 'but the Apostle's Creed is a short summation of basic Christian belief, if this church doesn't at least hold to what's written in there, this church can not be where God wants me to be anymore'. I thought it obvious from their response that they didn't hold fully to the creed and I wasn't going to nitpick over which parts they agreed with. It was then that I started thinking about finding another church.

I also ran into another issue when I did finally visit a WELS church. As part of my youth volunteering I also wrote articles for the youth ministry for the church bulletin. Well I wrote one about my visit to a WELS church and about using a hymnal again and how refreshing it was! I hadn't picked up one of those things in well over 20 years! I'm 34 now. I think the last time I used one was at my grandfather's church, God rest his soul. The youth leader loved the article and it ran. However soon after this, he came to me and asked me where I was attending church, he knew I had not been attending THAT church in months. I told him I was now looking for a new church home. It was then that he told me that I could not serve in the youth program if I didn't attend the church.

I immediately fired this question off to one of the top people at the church and I was told this was not true. You did not have to attend that church to serve in it. So what was going on? I actually didn't care. I just wanted the contradiction explained. It never really was, but the youth minister did suggest I attend service downstairs on Sunday morning and leave when the kids were dismissed, that would be fine. Well, no it wouldn't be fine, because all I'd get to do is sing some songs and listen to announcements about the church. I would never hear the sermon, which actually was fine with me, because their sermons were all focused on me anyways and I hate that. LOL I told him I wouldn't feel comfortable with that, because one I'd never hear a sermon and I'd be attending church only in order to get something. I'd be there with false motives. I wouldn't be there to worship and praise God. So soon after, I left.

I have now been attending an LCMS church that I love except for one thing. This was the second church I visited in my new search and I loved it so much I never wanted to go anywhere else. When I would visit other churches I'd feel guilty that I was cheating on the LCMS church! LOL Stupid church. Really screwed up my new search. LOL And when I finish the new member class, I'm really gonna let them have it for being so nice to me and making me feel so at home and delivering sound Bible-based Christ-centered and cross-focused sermons! How dare they! LOL

[DaRev]

Yeah! Make sure that you give it to 'em good by telling everyone you know about the love and grace of God through Jesus Christ! That'll show 'em!! ;)

:thumbsup: :amen: :clap:

[synger]

... It was a mini-mega non-denom, half caffe with whipped cream type church LOL.



^_^

:P

^_^

:P

Oh, my! That's the best description I've seen for one of "those" churches!! Thank you. YOu made my whole afternoon brighter!

:thumbsup:

[Zecryphon]

^_^

:P

^_^

:P

Oh, my! That's the best description I've seen for one of "those" churches!! Thank you. YOu made my whole afternoon brighter!

:thumbsup:
I do what I can.

[Zecryphon]

We are on a break now until January. I will be back with updates as to how it's all going then. Merry Christmas everybody! Yeah that's right I said MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! LOL

[Zecryphon]

We are on a break now until January. I will be back with updates as to how it's all going then. Merry Christmas everybody! Yeah that's right I said MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! LOL
Wow, the last post I made in this thread was around Christmas time? I gotta keep up on these things! LOL Anyway, it is indeed time for an update. It's official, I'm now an official Lutheran. My church had a new members ceremony, which was nothing mroe than going to the Communion Rail and standing and facing the church, affirming the Apostle's Creed and agreeing with the statement of faith for my church. After all was said and done we (23 other new members) were presented to the congregation as members. This ceremony was followed by a luncheon that I did not attend, so I don't know what happened there. I had heard that it was going to be lunch and fellowship. It's official, I'm one of you now! LOL Does this mean I have to start wearing "You Might Be A Lutheran If..." t-shirts? LOL

[dinkime]

welcome welcome welcome!!!

i am glad you feel at home with a Lutheran church -- and i am VERY happy that there were 23 new members! wow!

[LilLamb219]

Awesome! :)

[QuiltAngel]

Welcome!!

[Zecryphon]

welcome welcome welcome!!!

i am glad you feel at home with a Lutheran church -- and i am VERY happy that there were 23 new members! wow!
Yeah I was surprised by that too. Because there were only seven people in the new member class. The orientation classes after that, saw like eight more people in there. I don't know where the rest came from! LOL

Yeah this church really screwed up my church search and I let the pastor know that when he met with us during orientation. I told him that I didn't want to go to any other church after visiting St. Mark, and when I did go to another church I felt like I was cheating on this one! LOL Two churches into my search I found my new home and I'm really happy. :-)

[BigNorsk]

That's really great to hear. I am happy for you.

Missing that new member luncheon though might be important down the road, they probably explained the different colors of jello and how to properly use them. Times of year, which go best with fruit cocktail, which can be mixed with Kool Whip, and which you can't get out of the carpet.

You'll probably take years now to get that all down properly.

Marv

[porterross]

Does this mean I have to start wearing "You Might Be A Lutheran If..." t-shirts? LOL



Dude, we'd be happy if you'd just put some pants on.




Congrats and welcome home, indeed.

[Zecryphon]

"That's really great to hear. I am happy for you."

Thank you.

"Missing that new member luncheon though might be important down the road, they probably explained the different colors of jello and how to properly use them."

Actually, it may not have been a true Lutheran luncheon as I saw no Jello there. There was however two trays of lasagna. I had had my fill of Italian food two nights before. Also, I may be a bad Lutheran already as I have this "thing" about eating food other people have prepared. I won't do it, unless I know the person and have been to their house to see how clean they are. I'm funny that way, but my wife is the same way. LOL

"Times of year, which go best with fruit cocktail, which can be mixed with Kool Whip, and which you can't get out of the carpet."

I thought this stuff was covered in The Lutheran Handbook. My copy was stolen when my bacpack was stolen out of my Jeep late last year. I haven't replaced it yet.

"You'll probably take years now to get that all down properly."

Yes, forget the doctrine or the theology, it's all about the Jello man! LOL

[Zecryphon]

I will NOT put some pants on! LOL I can't afford them! Actually, I told somebody else in this thread I believe, that I was working up the courage to be a nudist! LOL At least I have shaved legs in the picture! LOL

[DaSeminarian]

[quote=Zecryphon;32046291I have this "thing" about eating food other people have prepared. I won't do it, unless I know the person and have been to their house to see how clean they are. I'm funny that way, but my wife is the same way. LOL
[/quote]

Interesting. What if they only clean up because you are coming over and are not normally this clean. Wouldn't that be a bit deceiving?

Oh well that would mean more for me. ;)

[Zecryphon]

Interesting. What if they only clean up because you are coming over and are not normally this clean. Wouldn't that be a bit deceiving?

Oh well that would mean more for me. ;)
You're right. I am never eating at a Lutheran Pot Luck! LOL One thing I do try and find out though is if either the kids or the grandkids helped make it. If they did, I'm brown baggin' it! LOL