The mission of All Saints Lutheran Church is ... Learning !

All are invited to participate in this important component of our congregation's mission! There are all kinds of opportunities at different times. Classes are about 1 hour and will meet in the southwest classroom. Start times and dates may change - please check website, newsletter or bulletin for any changes. For contact information or to register, please see our course survey/registration form.

Current Issues in Lutheranism - This is an opportunity for fellowship at a time other than Sunday morning. Articles from the Lutheran magazine will be used as a basis for discussion. Start date to be announced. (Phil Woodruff)

A study of the Gospel of Luke will begin in mid-September. (Pastor Rhinesmith)

Sep 7 - Nov 16: Augsburg Adult Bible Study: The New Testament Community –Discuss selected readings from Mark, Matthew, Ephesians, Acts, 1-2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philemon, and 2 Timothy.

Nov 23 - Dec 21: Hallelujah ... the Bible and Handel's Messiah - Advent - Explore the Scriptural texts of Handel's Messiah, including musical commentary. Registration required by Nov. 9! (Norma and Sven Allenbach-Schmidt):

• Comfort, Comfort My People
• Who shall Abide the Day of His Coming?
• For Unto Us a Child is Born
• Glory to God in the Highest

Sep 14 - Sep 28: ELCA Draft Social Statement on Human Sexuality. Join us to discuss this recently released social statement and what it might mean for our lives, both as individuals and as a church. If you would like a copy of the statement, talk to Pastor Rhinesmith or Nathan Rich or download it from www.elca.org/faithfuljourney. (Grace Tiva and Gary Beecher)

In addition, there will be two synod-wide opportunities to discuss the ELCA Draft Social Statement on Human Sexuality: Sun., Sept. 28 from 3-5:00 p.m. at St. Luke Lutheran Church, Silver Spring, MD and Mon., Sept. 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Springfield, VA.

Oct 5 - Oct 19: Church and Democracy/ Slots - This course will explore the intersection of Christian faith and our roles as citizens of a democracy. A particular focus will be the upcoming referendum to have government-sanctioned slots in Maryland. Resources include papers on slots from LOPP-MD (in ASLC Grapevine newsletter), Sojourners Vote Out Poverty campaign (www.sojo.net/ voteoutpoverty) and 2008 ELCA Voting and Civic Participation Guide (archive.elca.org/ advocacy/toolkit/). (Nathan Rich)

Nov 2 - Nov 23: Contemporary Literature and the Life of Faith - Excellent contemporary literature helps participants realize the presence of God in many places and relationships; a new approach for nurturing spiritual growth (John Laughlin):

• Flannery O'Connor, "Revelation"
• Frederick Buechner, "The Dwarfs in the Stable"
• Raymond Carver, "A Small Good Thing"
• Richard Rodriguez, "Credo"

 

2009

Jan 4 - Feb 22: Augsburg ABS: Human Commitment –Discussion of selected passages from Luke, Exodus, Joshua, Judges, 2 Kings, 2 Samual, Esther, Isaiah, and Ezekiel.

Mar 1 - Apr 5: Hallelujah ... the Bible and Handel's Messiah - Lent - Explore the Scriptural texts of Handel's Messiah, including musical commentary. Registration required by Feb. 15! (Norma and Sven Allenbach-Schmidt):

• Behold the Lamb of God
• He Trusted in God
• Who is the King of Glory?
• I Know That My Redeemer Liveth
• Who Do the Nations Rage?
• Hallelujah, Worthy Is the Lamb, Amen

Apr 19 - May 31: Augsburg ABS: New Creation in Christ –Discussion of selected passages from Ezekiel, Luke, Acts and Ephesians.

Jun 7 - Aug: Augsburg ABS: Call Sealed with Promise –Discussion of selected passages from Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Jan 4 - Jan 25: They Like Jesus but Not the Church by Dan Kimball –Encounter firsthand thoughts and feelings of those who find Jesus attractive but don't care for organized religion. The interactive sessions in this small group DVD with participant's guide will help you explore and respond engagingly to some of the most common objections and misunder-standings emerging generations have about the church and Christianity. (Liz Muller)

Feb 1 - Feb 8: Stewards of the Old Testament: Ruth, Boaz, Naomi. A Bible study presented by the Stewardship Team.

Feb 15 - Mar 8: Christians and Racial Justice - America's "original sin." Struggles around affirmative action, welfare and immigration reform, and other policies show that the racial divide in the United States wasn't healed in the civil rights era. These sessions will be designed to spark discussion, thought, and action about how to live out God's call for justice for all.

Apr 19 - May 10: Issues In Genetics - The ELCA is preparing a social statement that addresses issues in genetics and biotechnology which was authorized by the 2005 Churchwide Assembly. On November 1, 2008, a study on genetics will be published for response from throughout the church. (Gary Beecher)

Sep 6 or 27: Teacher Training Opportunity - Children's Ministry Magazine Live presents the 2008 National Workshop entitled "Plant the seeds that give kids a Faith that Grows." This one-day workshop will be held on Saturday, September 6, in Bel Air, Maryland, and Saturday, September 27, in Frederick and White Plains, Maryland. ASLC will pay your registration if you let the Learn Team know at least 1 week in advance. For more information, go to www.group.com/cmml.

Sep 19-20: Youth and Family Institute Milestone Ministry Conference at Our Shepherd Lutheran Church in Severna Park. "Milestones" are the visual means to bring the presence of God not only to children, but to adults and families. Learn how to partner home and congregation for effective faith-nurturing ministry. See www.tyfi.org or talk to Ann Greenawalt as soon as possible.

Nov 1-15: "Seminary on Saturdays" presented by The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg:

Nov 1: Rev. Dr. Maria Erling and Rev. Dr. Gerald Christianson –"Holy Time –Holy Space –Holy People"

Nov 8: Rev. Dr. Mark Oldenburg –"More Than a Countdown: The Treasures of Advent" and Rev. Dr. Richard Carlson –"Paul and the End of All Things"

Nov 15: Rev. Dr. Brooks Schramm and Rev. Dr. Kirsi Stjerna –"Luther and the Jews"

Events are from 8:30 am - noon, and cost $20 each, or $50 for the series. To register in advance, call or email Wendy Mizenko, 1-800- MLUTHER, ext. 3004 or wmizenko at ltsg.edu.

Jan 10, 2009: Together in Mission –Experience renewal and discovery at this synod-sponsored event at King of Kings in Fairfax, VA. Keynote speakers and workshops will focus on effective evangelism and discipleship in churches today. A group will be going from ASLC. Won"t you join us? Contact Nathan Rich or Pastor Rhinesmith.