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Zecryphon

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After being out of the "church" for a little over a year, 14 months now, I have decided to join the LCMS church I have been attending fairly regularly. This Sunday I will start attending what is called a Welcome Home program. It's a seven-week course/class presented by the church and will cover Lutheran doctrine. This is the followed by a three-week orientation course to familiarize myself with the church. Does anyone know what I can expect in this seven-week course? Has anyone else ever taken a course like this and if so, what did you experience?
 

ricg

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Welcome. It may be similar to the Adult Information Class Pastor Lassman of Messiah Lutheran in Seattle teaches. His is a 15 week that covers the following:

(1) "Christ and The Bible"
The importance of Jesus Christ and the Bible as God's word—what it means to me.

(2) "God and Creation"
The God of creation or evolution?

(3) "Angels and Sin"
The source of evil and a world of problems.

(4 & 5) "The Ten Commandments"
Their meaning and how their purpose is misunderstood.

(6 & 7) "Jesus Christ"
Who He is, what He's done—what He means to you.

(8) "The Holy Spirit"
Who He is and what He does.

(9) "Justification"
How do we have a good relationship with God?

(10) "Holy Baptism"
A daily source of comfort and power.

(11) "The Lord's Supper"
Bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins?

(12) "The Church"
So important—so misunderstood.

(13) "Prayer"
What is it? Does God answer?

(14) "The Last Things"
Life after death? Judgment? Hell? Heaven?

(15) Review and Discussion

At Messiah, if after the course, one decides to become a member, there's a follow-on course on evangelism and discipleship. These are in addition to other regularly scheduled Bible and Bible-related studies. I never attended the Adult Informtion Class, since I was already a member, but I did attend the follow-on course and Bible studies. If anyone's ever in Seattle, Messiah's a great place and Pastor Lassman's a great teacher. Video samples of the class are available at the website. http://homepage.mac.com/nathanjschaub/aic/AIC_Intro.html
 
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seajoy

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After being out of the "church" for a little over a year, 14 months now, I have decided to join the LCMS church I have been attending fairly regularly. This Sunday I will start attending what is called a Welcome Home program. It's a seven-week course/class presented by the church and will cover Lutheran doctrine. This is the followed by a three-week orientation course to familiarize myself with the church. Does anyone know what I can expect in this seven-week course? Has anyone else ever taken a course like this and if so, what did you experience?
I took the course once, along with some new people, just as a refresher for myself.

The one I went to was at an LCMS church (I'm WELS now). I thought it was wonderful, and I learned so much about my Lord.

Glad you are joining us!
seajoy
 
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dinkime

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i think it sounds like a good course -- our pastor does a 15 session course called "welcome to life" for interested non-members & members -- it is what one takes before joining the church and they are an adult
 
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Zecryphon

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Oops sorry---thought you had a hiatus from the LCMS and was comming back.......my bad :)
I'm still around. I've been posting mostly in the non-denom folder, because I don't have a denomination yet. Working on becoming LCMS, but it would be presumptuous of me to post here as a Lutheran when I am not one, just yet. :)
 
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Zecryphon

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Well all minor catastrophies aside, it actually went well. :clap:

As for what constituted the minor catastrophies. Well for starters my back hurt this morning so I went to the pharmacy for some of those wrap around heat pads, with the charcoal discs in em, and those were sold out or they didn't carry them so I had to get those adhesive patches that are soaked with medicine. Well this brand was really bad, I must have a reaction to it or something. Once I finally managed to get it on reasonably well, and sorta in the right spot, it started to burn ten minutes into the class.

I also had no breakfast so I bought some of those protein drinks before class. And I spilled some down my shirt and on my pants before class. Now this is a milk based product so you can imagine how please I am with that. LOL

Anyway, I finally get to the building and am told that they have moved the class to another building, anyway I finally get there and meet the teacher and the one other student. LOL

So here is the game plan. It's a seven-week course. This week we covered a note from the pastor welcoming us to this course. We covered the mission statement for the church and made it halfway through the first lesson, which is God's Word-The Bible. Before next week I have to finish lesson one, do the quiz for that lesson, do lesson two and do the quiz for that one as well. Lesson two is The Apostle's Creed part one.

The lessons are as follows:

One: God's Word-the Bible
Two: The Apostle's Creed 1
Three: The Apostle's Creed 2
Four: Prayer and Worship
Five: Holy Baptism
Six: The Lord's Supper
Seven: The Office of the Keys

Then it's on to a three-week orientation course for the church. I'll keep you guys updated with information as I go through this and post any questions I have if you'd like. It was good today and not nearly as formal as the last membership class I attended for the non-denom church I was a member of.

One question I do have is this. After I complete this course am I a Lutheran or just a member of a Lutheran church? Will I have to take a confirmation class as well after this or am I done?
 
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ctay

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You'll be a Lutheran and a member. After the course usually in a Sunday morning service, they'll ask you to come up front and do a little ceremony type thing and to welcome you in the church, no confirmation class Just this class your taking
 
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Zecryphon

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You'll be a Lutheran and a member. After the course usually in a Sunday morning service, they'll ask you to come up front and do a little ceremony type thing and to welcome you in the church, no confirmation class Just this class your taking
"You'll be a Lutheran and a member."

::does happy dance of joy::

"After the course usually in a Sunday morning service, they'll ask you to come up front and do a little ceremony type thing and to welcome you in the church,"

Uh boy. There goes my performance anxiety again! LOL

"no confirmation class Just this class your taking"

Kewl. Thanks for the info!
 
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Zecryphon

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Not yesterday but the sunday before I did the readings for the first time in my life. I was having panic attacks.. LOL I get scared doing things like that.
What did they have you read? I do have panic attacks from public speaking so this isn't sounding good. I'm gonna have to find out what is in store for me on this "new members Sunday" thing they have after somebody completes this class. LOL
 
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ctay

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I read the Epistle and Gospel readings for the service. You won't have to do this not unless the church your planning on going to has different people read. Ours does and you have to sign up for it and its not mandatory for you to do.
 
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DaRev

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What did they have you read? I do have panic attacks from public speaking so this isn't sounding good. I'm gonna have to find out what is in store for me on this "new members Sunday" thing they have after somebody completes this class. LOL

I don't know, but some churches have their new members stand before the congregation and recite the 119th Psalm... from memory.


;) :p JK!!
 
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ctay

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Our church just has new members come up before the congregration during service and shoot I done forgot, I had to do it with the new members that went through the class and I just had my membership transfered, LOL. You usually have your back to the congregation. Actually we're bringing in new members this sunday.
 
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