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Committees

This committee shall be custodian of the appointments of the Altar. It shall change the paraments, fill altar candles, and replenish attendance cards and envelopes. It shall prepare for special services such as baptism, Lent, Easter, Christmas, weddings, and other special occasions. It shall be custodian of memorial gifts and see that requests are honored.

This committee is responsible for the Sunday School, selection of superintendent and teachers, Vacation Bible School, Easter, Rally Day and other special programs and confirmation ministry. It shall organize and lead the youth in activities, worship, service, and recreation within the church and the community. It shall encourage all youth to be involved in all areas of the congregation. The primary goal is to see that God’s gospel is brought to all members of the congregation (of all ages). It shall regularly report to the Church Council and annually to the congregation.

This committee shall stimulate and lead all members of the congregation in continuous endeavors to reawaken those who are spiritually indifferent, to reach others who are as yet unwon and attach them to Christ’s church. This committee shall devote itself to deepening spiritual life and shall periodically study the congregation in the context of its surrounding community. It shall further have the duty to study social conditions in order to bring the cleansing and healing light of Christian truth to bear upon critical problems. It shall recommend to the Church Council appropriate action to meet specific needs. It shall report regularly to the Church Council and annually to the congregation.

This committee shall see that the agriculture acres are farmed according to modern practices to benefit the lessee, as well as the lessor. It shall see that terraces and fences are properly maintained. The committee shall advise the Church Council as to income and expenditures and make recommendations as needed. New Sweden Evangelical Lutheran Church inherited the acres surrounding the church in 1903 from widow, Mrs. Johanna Peterson. In her will she gave directions as to use of the property and income. It shall report regularly to the Church Council and annually to the congregation.

This committee shall oversee the financial affairs of the congregation to ensure that they are being conducted efficiently, giving particular attention to the prompt payment of all obligations and regular forwarding of benevolence monies. It shall, with the approval of the Church Council, be responsible for the congregation’s investments and insurance program. It shall provide annual audits of the accounts of the financial secretary, treasurer, as well as the accounts of other organizations of the congregation. It shall have the function to evoke and promote the expression of Christian faith in daily living, to teach the Christian use of money, to diffuse knowledge of the congregation’s local, national, and international ministries, and to lead members to higher levels of proportionate giving of the Lord’s work. It shall be responsible for congregation efforts to lead informed and grateful giving. It shall prepare a draft budget for the succeeding year, including the congregation’s full indicated share in support of the wide ministry being carried out on its behalf of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. It shall report regularly to the Church Council and annually to the congregation.

This committee shall assist the Church Council together with the Pastor in seeing that the services of God’s House are conducted regularly in accordance with the liturgy of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. It shall plan special services such as Lent, Easter, Pentecost, Confirmation, Reformation, All Saints, Advent, Christmas, etc. It shall be a channel for hymn suggestions and prayer petitions. It shall enlist and train acolytes, greeters, ushers, and worship and communion assistants. Through the Altar guild, it arranges for care of paraments, vestments, hymnals and other altar and devotional materials. It shall report regularly to the Church Council and annually to the congregation.

Pastor is ex-official member of all committees.

Worship Assistant Duties

Acolytes should:

Be there before church starts to light the candles. They are to wear the robes found in the cabinet in the sacristy (front room).
Always pause at the center of the altar. Light the candles during the organ prelude. Candles are lit top to bottom. Right side first and then left side.
Go extinguish the candles when we start the last hymn. Candles are extinguished bottom to top. Left side first and then right side. Before extinguishing the last candle, light the candle lighter to carry the light back out. You must blow the flame out once back in the room.
Never touch the gold part of the candle lighters.
If there are two acolytes, both go to the center of the alter and pause then each go to one side. Light from the top to the bottom. Extinguish from the bottom to the top.
If you are unable to perform the duties assigned, please notify the church office at 512-281-0056.

Altar Guild should:

Change the paraments according to the calendar (on the door of the sacristy) and return paraments to the cabinet in the sacristy.
Refill oil in the altar candles, (usually every other week). Fill the Christ candle and the candle lighter as needed.
Only fill the candles about a half inch from the top. Put down the plastic liner to place the wooden candle holder on while filling the candles.
Replace the eternal candle weekly. Eternal candles are stored in the alter cabinet.
Replenish attendance cards and envelopes in the pews and sharpen or replace the pencils as needed (at least once a month but it would be good to check every other week.). These are kept in a box on the right side of the back altar. This is also where the oil and candle holder are located.
When there is a baptism, you will need to put warm water in the Baptismal Font and remove the lid. After the baptism, throw out the water, dry the pan, and replace the lid.
The first week of Advent, the Advent wreath must be put out with the four blue Advent candles and the white Christ candle in the middle. You must remove the Christ candle and the holder and then put on the Advent wreath. This is stored under the front altar on the left side in a cardboard box. Leave the Christ candle holder in this box to be replaced on Christmas Day. After Christmas Eve service, the Advent wreath and the blue candles need to be removed. Replace the holder for the Christ candle and the candle. If you need help, ask Sharon Robbins.
Check pews for old bulletins, trash, etc. and straighten up books.

Communion Assistants should:

Arrive early and prepare communion for serving.
The communion trays are stored in red cloths under the left side of the back altar.
The wine, grape juice and wafers are stored in the small refrigerator in the sacristy.
The cups are on top of the refrigerator. Extras are with the communion trays.
Use the funnel to fill the cups. Do not fill to the top to prevent spilling.
Fill ten or so cups with grape juice and place them around the center of the tray. Fill remaining tray with cups of wine.
When communion begins, go to the front to assist. Get an empty tray and follow to pick up empty communion cups.
Stand still while the Pastor gives the blessing.
Count the number of cups that were used and report to the ushers the number of people who took communion.
Be aware of people at the bottom of the steps to receive communion so they are not forgotten.
After service, clean up. Pour any unused wine back into the bottles.
Clean and properly store communion ware and cloths back in the cabinet to the left of the altar.
Let the church secretary know when getting low on wine, communion wafers, or grape juice.
If you are unable to perform the duties assigned, please notify the church office at 512-281-0056.

Greeters should:

Arrive 15 minutes early.
Greet and welcome all worshippers before and after service.
Have visitors sign the guest book (try to get a complete address).
Hand out pen and large welcome bulletin to visitors.
Give assistance and guidance to those who are unfamiliar with New Sweden or needs any assistance.
Hand out the Daily Bread books when available.
If you are unable to perform the duties assigned, please notify the church office at 512-281-0056.

Lectors should:

Read proper lessons for the day from the Celebrate.
Adjust the microphone so that your voice comes through the system clearly.
The first lesson is announced, “The first lesson is from the ___ chapter of ___”.
After the lesson, the reader will say “Here ends the first reading”.
When reading the Psalm, announce to “read responsively”.
The second lesson is announced, “The second lesson is from the ___ chapter of __”.
If you are unable to perform the duties assigned, please notify the church office at 512-281-0056.

Ushers should:

Arrive 30 minutes early to: -turn on lights, -check temperature (heat/air), -get bulletins from the office in the parish hall, -post hymn numbers (from bulletin), -set clock (see below), -as people arrive, greet, open the door, & hand out bulletins, -if there are monthly duty letters for next month, hand out.
During service: -see that late comers have a bulletin, -take up offering and attendance cards, -if communion Sunday, one usher will usher people out of the pews and one will remain up front to help the people up the steps, -count & record number present, -at the end of the service, open door, and usher congregation out.
After service: -tidy pews, -check bathrooms (water & commodes), -turn off lights, -be sure that all doors are locked and the church is secured, -place several bulletins in the holder by porch bulletin board, -check parish hall that lights & AC/heat units are off, - check bathrooms for running water, -check all doors are locked.
Please attend to anything not listed that you notice needs attention. Notify the proper committee if you notice something that needs attention or any suggestions.
If there are other activities/services scheduled Sunday evening or during the week, it would be most helpful if you would be available for ushering.
Clock Instructions: -only turn the hands clockwise to set, -once the time is set, use the key to wind the clock. Only turn it two times, -move the pendulum to the left and let go. Do Not Overwind.
If you are unable to perform the duties assigned, please notify the church office at 512-281-0056.

Thank you for serving.

Organizations

Women of the ELCA

All women of the New Sweden Lutheran Congregation are considered members of the Women of the ELCA. This organization contributes to the workings of the church by helping with functions and fund raisers to help maintain the facilities, as well as spiritual ministries to members and the community and the world.

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Men in Mission

All men of the church are considered members of Men in Mission (Brotherhood). This group helps with activities and fund-raising events and sponsors workdays to help with the maintenance of the church property.