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Becoming a Member of East Side Lutheran Church
East Side Lutheran Church welcomes all people to services of worship or any church function, with no expectation of further commitment. Guests may, at their requests, be placed on a mailing list, and be given offering envelopes. They have access to and may participate in any or all services of the congregation, except holding office and voting at congregational meetings.
All questions regarding membership at East Side Lutheran Church can be addressed to our membership coordinator, Kay Dammer. She can be reached at 334-3339 or e-mail to kdammer@sio.midco.net
East Side invites you to become a member of our congregation. This can be done in a number of ways:
* Those currently members of a Lutheran Church can transfer their membership to East Side.
* Those desiring to join East Side from non-Lutheran Churches are asked to attend a new
member class.
* Those with no previous church membership attend a new member class and/or meet with one
of the pastors.
Expectations of Members (from our congregation's constitution)
These persons have expressed a desire to join the convenant of service and agree to regular attendance at worship and communion, to contribute a personally chosen percentage of income to the mission of the church, to annually be a part of a continuing education class and to select an area of service either within or outside the walls of the congregation. Members will provide for Christian training for their children at home and through the Church. Youth will be expected to complete a prescribed pastoral confirmation program. Thereupon, acknowledging that "I need my church and my church needs me" these persons are welcomed by this statement into membership at a worship service.
Members are classified as follows:
a. Baptized members are those persons who have been received by the Sacrament of Holy
Baptism in this congregation, or, having been previously baptized in the name of the Triune
God, have been received by certificate of transfer from other Lutheran congregations or by
affirmation of faith.
b. Confirmed members are baptized persons who have been confirmed in this congregation,
those who have been received by adult baptism or by transfer as confirmed members from
other Lutheran congregations, or baptized persons received by affirmation of faith.
c. Voting members are confirmed members. Such confirmed members, during the current or
preceding calendar year, shall have communed in this congregation and shall have made a
contribution of record to this congregation.
d. Associate members are persons holding membership in other Christian congregations who
wish to retain such membership but desire to participate in the life and mission of this
congregation, or persons who wish to retain a relationship with this congregation while being
members of other congregations. They have all the privileges and duties of membership
except voting rights and eligibility for elected offices or membership on the Congregation
Council of this congregation.
Participation in Holy Communion
East Side Lutheran Church invites all Baptized Christians who believe in the real presence of Jesus
Christ to participate regularly in Holy Communion with no age restrictions. Participation in the Lord's
Supper is the reception of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ given with bread and wine, 'given and shed for you for the remission of sins' instituted by Christ himself for us to eat and drink."
(Luther's Small Catechism) Preparation for Holy Communion will be provided for persons as young
as ten years of age or in the fifth grade. Record of participation in Holy Communion will be maintained. If a member of another congregation communes, notice will be sent to his/her home congregation.
New Member Classes
There are several new member classes offered throughout the year, which consist of three two hour sessions taught by one of the Pastors. Often the topics are organized according to the needs of the participants but include:
* Lutheran Doctrine and Practice
* Discipleship in the World
* Stewardship of God's gifts
* Questions from participants
New Member Orientation
All those who join East Side are asked to attend a new-member orientation, hosted by Kay Dammer, Membership Coordinator. It is an opportunity to meet fellow new members, meet some of the staff, hear specifics about programs and service opportunities at East Side, as well as to tour the facilities.