Epiphany Lutheran Church Ministries

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. I Peter 4:10-11 NIV

 

If you’d like more information on how to get involved with the ministries at Epiphany, please contact Linda Easto in the church office at (281) 485-7833 or LindaE@epiphanypearland.org.

 

 

Worship/Music

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.  Psalms 95:6 NIV

 

Altar Guild

Setting up for the Lord’s Altar each Sunday for worship. Preparing wine and wafers for weekly communion. Meetings are several times each year in AFLC room 203.

 

Ushers

Serving on teams to support worship services – greeting and seating people, distributing worship folders, collecting offering and assisting with guiding members to communion.

 

Greeters

Greeting members and visitors at the church door; answering questions and directing to desired locations.

 

Sound Team

Operating sound systems for worship and church-wide ministry events.

 

Easy Worship

Operating computer and Easy Worship software for church worship services. Must be familiar with computers and Power Point-type software.

 

Audio Tape Ministry

Recording the worship service and coordinating with volunteers in delivering weekly to shut-ins.

 

“New Traditions” Praise Team

Leading worship with voices and instruments every week at 10:15 a.m. service.  Rehearsals on Wednesdays from 6:00-7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary.

 

Praise Band/Orchestra

Playing various instruments to enhance worship service. Rehearsals on Tuesday as announced.

 

“Voices of Praise”

Sunday morning choir in Pearland. Presenting special musical presentations throughout the year. Rehearsals on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the sanctuary.

 

“Damascus Road” Band/Singers

Leading worship every week at 10:30 a.m. service in the AFLC. Instrumentalists should be skillful in their desired instrument; singers should be able to sing on pitch. Rehearsals are Mondays from 6:00-9:00 p.m. in the AFLC gym.

 

“Damascus Road” Youth Band

  Leading worship on Sunday nights for confirmation openings.  Participants are also called to help lead worship on Sunday mornings at the 10:30 contemporary service.  Instrumentalists should be skillful in their desired instrument; singers should be able to sing on pitch.  Rehearsals are Monday nights from 6:00-9:00 p.m. in the AFLC gym.

 

Epiphany West Band/Singers

         Leading worship every week at the 10:15 a.m. service at the Hwy 6/Fresno location.

 

Hand Bell Choir – “A Joyful Noise”

Ringers participate in worship services in Pearland 2-3 times per month plus play for special events. Hands-on learning; no experience necessary. Rehearsals are Thursdays from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the sanctuary.

 

Spiritual Growth

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16 NIV

 

Women’s Mid-Week Bible Study

Meeting with other women for study, prayers and fellowship. Sessions are usually 10-12 weeks in length, 3-4 times per year. Study held on Tuesday evenings starting at 7:00 p.m. in the AFLC.  Babysitting available.

 

Moms’ Bible Study

Learning God’s Word and enjoying the fellowship of other moms with young children. Open to moms and young children of any age; both members and non-members of Epiphany are welcome. Childcare is provided. Meetings are held in AFLC room 209 every Monday from 9:30-11:00 a.m., excluding summer and holidays.

 

Men’s Bible Breakfast

On the 2nd Saturday of each month at 7:30 a.m. in the AFLC gym, men of Epiphany and their guests gather for breakfast and Bible study; members are needed to cook, clean up, and present the lesson.

 

Small Groups

An opportunity to make new friends while deepening your relationship with Jesus through Bible study. Small Groups offer Fellowship, Study and Prayer/Care-time - the 3 pillars needed in healthy Christian living. Meeting times and days are varied and are decided upon by individual groups.

 

LifeLight

An in-depth 9-week study of a selected book of the Bible, with homework at each session. Different sessions are presented on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. and Thursdays at 9:15 a.m. in AFLC room 203.

 

Sunday Morning Adult Bible Class

Meets in the AFLC gym at 9:05 a.m. each Sunday. Study is led each week by one of the pastors.

 

 

Fellowship

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42 NIV

 

Goodtimers

Promoting Christian fellowship and outreach with an “over 50” group. Meets on the 2nd Monday of each month at 10:00 a.m. in AFLC room 203 for fellowship, games and lunch. All those “over 50” are welcome.

 

Fall Fest

Offering games, songs and crafts with a fall theme to the children of Epiphany members and the public.  The event takes place in and around the AFLC gym.  Food and fun for all!

Social Ministry

Bringing members together through special events and social activities. Participating in and assisting with such events as Lenten and Advent meals, potluck lunches, Sunday morning coffee-hour, etc.

 

July 4th Block Party

Celebrating the holiday and God’s gift of freedom with refreshments, games and music.  Held on the grounds of Epiphany-Pearland and in the AFLC gym. Open to the community and to members – adults and children.

 

Women’s Prayer Breakfast

Joining with other women to plan a spring breakfast or dinner – a time of fellowship and sharing the Lord’s message by a guest speaker. Members decorate individual tables with their own special theme.

 

Basketball

Informal basketball games on Sundays from 2:00-4:00 p.m. in the AFLC gym. Bring your game and a friend!

 

 

Children/Youth

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14 NIV

 

Sunday School

Providing opportunities in the study of God’s Word and encouraging participation of children age 2 through high school.

 

Youth Confirmation

Preparation for the 5th-8th grade youth to understand and profess their faith. Meets Sunday evenings in the AFLC from 6:25 – 8:00 p.m.  Open gym/pizza room 6:00-6:25 p.m. (optional).

 

Middle School Ministry “M&M” (grades 5 & 6)

Many activities planned throughout the year–lock-ins, Youth Nites, mission trips and service projects. 

 

Junior High Youth “CRAVE” (grades 7 & 8)

Starts the school year off with a retreat in October, followed by the Youth Quake in late February and finishes the school year with a lock-in.  Also, many other activities planned throughout the year plus a summer mission trip.

 

Senior Youth “Nfuzed”(grades 9-12)

Meeting on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the AFLC Youth Room for “Youthnites” for fun, fellowship and Bible study.  (8th graders welcome in May; Epiphatino’s in February; National Youth Gathering 2010 in New Orleans; summer mission trips)

 

Senior High Youth “Nfuzed R Groups (NRG)”

Meeting on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the AFLC Youth Room for Bible study.  “Be built up by Christian community, studying God’s Word.”

 

Vacation Bible School (VBS)

Guiding children in a week of spiritual development through Bible stories, crafts, games, skits & music.  Come join us at the Pearland location and bring a friend!

 

“Heavenly Sounds” Jr. Bell Choir

Teaching children Kindergarten thru 2nd grade to praise the Lord with the music of hand bells at worship services. Practice on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-7:15 p.m. in the AFLC.

 

“The Lord’s Little Lambs” Children’s Choir

Singing praises to the Lord periodically at the beginning of the 10:15 a.m. worship service in Pearland.  Children ages 2 thru Kindergarten practice singing during the weekly Sunday School hour.

 

Puppet Team

Presenting the Gospel message to children through puppets and acting. Puppet messages are presented periodically during the Children’s Sermon time. Practices scheduled as necessary.  This ministry is for children 3rd thru 8th grades.

 

 

Care and Outreach

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Matthew 25:35-36 NIV

 

Have-a-Heart

Visiting shut-ins and the ill - at home, in nursing homes & hospitals. Phoning members to follow-up after hospitalization to check on condition or needs. Providing a card ministry.

 

Prayer Line

Communicating prayer requests via phone and/or email upon request from members for family or friends; it is open to all members to participate.

 

Home Cooked Meals

Preparation or delivering meals upon the birth or adoption of a new baby and during times of health-related hardships.

 

Funeral Meals

Providing food items and/or serving a light meal for family and friends following a funeral.

 

Funeral Ministry

Providing a caring presence at funeral services and/or during funeral home visitation hours.

 

Christian Helping Hands

Helping to maintain the Food Pantry and minister to the needy on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Collect food from grocery stores and from the Red Barrel containers; sort food, stock shelves, fill orders of food for the needy.

 

Adult Reading Center

Helping adults learn to read or improve reading, writing and speaking skills by presenting lessons that follow the method by which the volunteer is trained.

 

Bible Markers

Providing God’s Word through the use of marked Bibles to individuals in Houston jails and also to ministries in Mexico, Panama, Honduras, Haiti and other countries. Meetings held 1st and 3rd Mondays from 10:00-11:30 a.m. in AFLC.

 

Meals on Wheels

Delivering meals (provided by Southeast Memorial Hospital) to the elderly and shut-ins in the Pearland area once every 8 weeks. Time involved for volunteers is approximately 3 hours from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the day the meals are delivered.

 

Stephen Ministry

A ministry of caring for hurting people by offering support, attentive listening, sharing of God’s Word, and prayer. Volunteers must attend 50 hours of training  prior to being commissioned as a Stephen Minister.

 

Blood Drive

Held 3 times each year on a Sunday morning on the church property in Pearland.

 

Prayer Shawl

Creating beautiful prayer shawls or lap robes for those who are in need of prayer, comfort and healing (church members, family members, friends of the congregation). Meetings are held on the 1st Monday of  each month at 7:00 p.m. in the AFLC.

 

Military Buddies

Showing support for our troops currently serving our country; gathering items to be shipped to those in uniform, acquiring names of military personnel currently serving, helping with the packaging of items to be sent, sending cards and well-wishes.

 

Health Ministry

Providing a ministry of holistic health support of body, mind and spirit. Blood pressure checks are offered on a regular basis. Healthcare professionals and non-professionals are welcome. Meetings are held once each month on Mondays at 7:00 p.m.

 

Grief Share

A ministry to help those grieving the loss of someone close.  Includes video, workbook and small group discussion time.  Meetings on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. in the AFLC.

 

Giving Tree

Collecting Christmas gifts for various organizations in the community.  Gifts are collected and distributed in early December.

 

Women of Epiphany (LWML)

Promoting Christian fellowship and outreach through Bible study, Lutheran World Relief projects and other programs. Meetings are the 4th Saturday of each month at 9:30 a.m. in AFLC room 203.  Babysitting provided.

 

Quilting

Making serviceable quilts for Lutheran World Relief. No experience necessary. Meetings are held on the 3rd Monday and 4th Wednesday of each month from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in AFLC room 205.

 

Marquee

Communicating with members and the community by providing information via the marquee and the bulletin board.

 

Publicity-External

Providing information in local newspapers about worship and events.

 

Publicity-Internal

        Providing information to the congregation about upcoming and current events at Epiphany.

 

Church Extension Fund (CEF)

Raising congregational awareness of CEF savings opportunities and benefits. Also, a program to raise awareness among children/parents of the K.I.D.S. Stamp program. Volunteers are needed to sell stamps and represent Epiphany in promoting this ministry.

 

Welcome Center

Operating the Welcome Center booth distributing information and a friendly “thank you for visiting” gift to first-time guests who attend worship and extending an invitation to visit again. A welcome bag is also delivered to 1st-time students of Mothers’ Day Out (MDO).

 

New Member Classes

A 16-week study of what it means to be a Lutheran; held 3 times per year. In order to become a member of Epiphany, attendance of this class is required.

 

Epiphany Website

Assisting with the communication of the church website - www.epiphanypearland.org.

 

C.A.L.M. (Congregational Assimilation/Lay Mobilization)

Helping to keep and involve Epiphany’s members with:

 

New Member Dinners – welcoming new members with dinner and fellowship 3 times per year.

 

Interviewers – Meeting one-on-one with new members and others wanting to discover how their God-given gifts can be expressed through service. Training provided for interviewers.

 

Facilities

Physical Plant Maintenance – Overseeing the care and maintenance of the systems of the church.

 

Grounds Care/Flower Beds – Providing assistance for workdays planned throughout the year and care for the landscaping at church; scheduled as needed.

 

Office Help

Assisting the office staff with any of the following: answer phones, mailings, run errands, etc.