". . . is to instruct the children of our congregation in the truths of Scripture which direct the way to heaven through faith in Jesus, our Savior."

All children of the congregation who are 3 years old through 7th grade are eligible and encouraged to attend Sunday School. Dedicated individuals of the congregation with love for their Lord and children and with a heart for Sunday School serve as teachers. Other adults and teens also serve as helpers to various teachers and the coordinator to make the Sunday School run efficiently. Sunday School classes meet in various school classrooms and follow the regular school year schedule, beginning in September and ending in May. Classes are held every Sunday between services from 9:00 - 10:00 am.

So far in 2004-5, 90 children are enrolled in Sunday School. First quarter offerings will be contributed to the Synod's Committee on Relief and designated for our churches in Florida that have been affected by recent hurricanes. Families are asked to keep this project in mind as children bring their offerings. Please continue to pray for the Sunday School, our teachers and support staff. All glory and thanks be to the Lord who graciously continues to bless St. Luke's Sunday School!

". . . meets to strengthen our young people by studying God's Word, by joining in Christian fellowship, and by encouraging them to use their many gifts and abilities."

A regular Sunday morning Bible class for the eighth graders through high-school-aged people in our congregation is being held at 9:00 am in the church meeting room. Pastor Gartner leads these discussions from God's word, to guide and encourage our young people as they deal with the many temptations of this world. They gather together for Bible study, fellowship, and recreational activities throughout the year.

Confirmation classes are held during school hours for seventh and eighth grade students attending Trinity-St. Luke's Lutheran School. For those students attending public school, the classes are generally held on a weeknight from 6:00 to 7:30 pm during the school year.

Adult Bible class is held between worship services each Sunday in the church fellowship hall and continues all year.

The breakfast Bible study group meets Friday mornings at 7:00 am at Perkins restaurant on Church Street.

This group meets in various members' homes on Thursday mornings at 9:30 am, May through September. The weekly location is posted in the church bulletin.

This class is for those who wish to become members of St. Luke's Ev. Lutheran Church. Classes are held throughout the year. Please call Pastor Gartner (261-2120) if you or someone you know may be interested!

". . . meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month for fun, activities, Bible stories, and even a snack or two!"

Youngsters from Trinity and St. Luke's congregations are invited and visitors are welcome. The moms take turns organizing events. In mild weather they meet at Clark Park, other times of the year our fellowship hall is their playground. The highlight of the year is December's "Birthday Party for Jesus" when Pastor leads the little ones to the stable in Bethlehem followed by lunch complete with birthday cake. The children enjoy Christ-centered songs and activities throughout the year.

". . . enjoy supervised and constructive recreation in the way of good citizenship, leadership, and responsibility . . . and they have fun doing it!"

The Gospel is at the heart of the Lutheran Girl Pioneers as they develop living and giving skills. Any female member of the community or member of St. Luke's congregation within grades one through eight is eligible to participate. The girls meet according to a schedule published in September of each year (available throughout the year from the church lobby counter, or click here for a pdf version), generally the first and third Tuesdays of each month during the school year--usually from 6:30 to 8:00 PM.

The Lutheran Girl Pioneers and Sunbeams experience outings, speakers, and camping. They cook and serve Easter breakfast, provide an Ash Wednesday chili fellowship supper for the congregation sell Christmas cards and other Christian items, and offer babysitting during communion worship and Sunday morning Bible class. Interested mothers, relatives, and singles are invited to join the Caravan Council (meeting four times a year) to help plan and implement activities.

". . . provide the youth of our congregation with Scripture-based teaching and application of learning good citizenship, knowledge of the outdoors, its ways, and the beauties of God's creation."

The Boy Pioneers and Buckaroos participate in first aid, camping, bike hikes, aluminum can drives (which fund some of the expenses), wood working and many other skills are also taught, along with companionship with other Lutheran youth and their fathers. Each year the Boy Pioneer / Buckaroo's hand craft wooden gifts for their parents and members who are shut-in and help with yard clean-up for members who are not able. They also make and participate in local and district- wide Pine Car events, participate in district bowling activities and district campouts. They also host fellowship activities for the congregation.

Boys in third through eighth grade are welcome in the Pioneer program. Boys in first and second grade are welcome in the Buckaroo program. They meet of the third Tuesday of the month, September through May, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. (The same time that the Lutheran Girl Pioneers meet!)

Our teenagers participate in the annual St. Luke's Youth Sunday held in the Spring. In this service, the young people serve as ushers and greeters, lead the worship with a joint choir, as well as read the Scripture lessons and prayers. All confirmed WELS teens are welcome to attend the annual WELS Youth Rally.

Junior Choir is a volunteer group of singers from TSL, grades seven and eight. This group performs more difficult music and participates more frequently in church services throughout the school year.

"To grow in faith, practice Christian fellowship, and work in the interest of the congregation."

The Ladies Aid meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 1:30 pm in the dining hall of the church. Membership is open to any adult woman who is a member of our congregation.

They organize a collection drive for the Watertown Food Pantry and donate birthday cakes to Bethesda Lutheran Home. Members volunteer at both Bethesda Lutheran Home main campus and at the Bethesda Thrift Store, help make Meals-on-Wheels deliveries to shut-in members of the Watertown community, and, when requested, serve meals following funerals of St. Luke's members.

"To grow in faith, practice Christian fellowship, and work in the interest of the congregation."

The Women of St. Luke's started in June of 2001 in response to the desire for an evening Bible study/fellowship time for the women of our congregation. They meet on the second Monday of the month, usually in the school commons area. They enjoy fellowship time from 6:30 to 7:00 pm, with a meeting and Bible study from 7:00 pm until about 8:30 pm. With the Lord's blessings, this groups hopes to continue to grow and serve the Lord with their time and talents.

" . . . works to increase awareness and encourage interest in support of mission outreach at home and around the world."

LWMS encourages all women of the congregation to participate in the program as we are "United to Serve Jesus." Meetings are currently held jointly with the Ladies Aid.

Mission Connection is the official publication of WELS home and world missions. Published quarterly, it includes information and stories regarding activities and events from home and world mission fields. It is available free to all members of the congregation. Watch for it!

Mission monies support non-budgetary projects. LWMS continues to provide taped church services and Meditation booklets for shut-in members who would like to have them. The "Befriend a Missionary" program encourages and keeps in touch with all home and world missionaries.

Samuel's Club makes phone calls to members on a regular basis to keep them informed of the various opportunities for fellowship at church and encourage members to be involved.

Please feel free to call Paula Guse for more information regarding this group. (262-9791).

"Sing to the Lord a new song! Praise His Holy Name!"

The adult choir exists to praise God through song and to edify the worship services at St. Luke's. It sings for a variety of festival and regular services throughout the year, and rehearses Tuesday (or Wednesday) evenings September through May. All interested singers, high school age on up, are encouraged to join the choir in the balcony from 7:00 to 8:00 pm for part or all of the choir season.

" . . . serves the Lord by caring for the sanctuary."

Our Altar Guild takes care of setting up for communion, working in teams, with each team serving one month during the year. They are also responsible for making sure the appropriate altar linens are in place for the seasons of the church year. Twice a year, they clean and polish all the altar and communionware. Any adult member of the congregation is welcome to join.

"The entire congregation is actually the fellowship committee, as all members are encouraged to reach out to the unchurched."

This committee meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 8:00 pm. Ongoing projects begun by the Outreach and Fellowship Committee are: greeting at services, audio and video taping services for shut-in members, providing rides to church to those that need them, visiting new members, organizing fellowship dinners and giving Cradle Roll information packets to newborns and their parents.

Other projects include: New Member dinner, welcome meals and activities for Pastors and called workers, providing information about the local WELS churches to area motels for travelers, telephone canvassing to other communities encouraging church membership, and church advertisements in the local newspaper.

If you would like to be included on the worship service greeter list, please contact the church office.

" Thank you for the many hours for Jesus . . . "

. . . opening thank offering envelopes each week and keeping records.

"Service to God by serving His Church."

The purpose of this group is to help St. Luke's members realize all their opportunities to serve. Responsibilities include the mailing committee that assembles the St. Luke's monthly newsletter, providing regular "Stewardship Focus" messages in our newsletters, keeping the congregation aware of God's continual blessings and God-given opportunities to grow in grace and giving, gathering and compiling member "Time and Talent" information, and helping with the organization and gathering of thank offerings for special projects and needs.

All parents of students enrolled at TSL are members of this organization which meets four times a year. Meetings are held to discuss Christian education in the home and school and ways in which parents and teachers can work together to enrich and improve home/school relationships for the benefit of God's lambs in the school. Christian fellowship with one another contributes to reaching these goals.

A brief business meeting is held at each gathering as well as a program relating to some phase of education or parenting. Officers are elected yearly. By attending, parents will become better acquainted with the Christian education that is offered in our school.

The Home-School Society also sponsors and assists with a number of school activities throughout the school year.

Members of the school board are elected from the two churches, St. Luke's and Trinity.