WOMEN’S OPPORTUNITIES

• Women of the Evangelical Lutheran in America (W.ELCA) - All women who are members of the ALC are a part of this organization.  The women meet the first Thursday of the month for a variety of programming.  Check the monthly newsletter or bulletin for information on the upcoming meeting.  The current president of this organization is Karen Skarphol.

• Circle Bible Studies are held the third Thursday of the month at various times of the day to enable most people to attend if they so choose.  GATHER is used for the study.
• Sewing Days – The women make quilts, layettes and other projects for distribution to third world countries by Lutheran World Relief.  The ladies sew twice a month during January, February, March and April.
• Altar Guild cares for all of the altar furnishings and prepares for Holy Communion and Baptisms.

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WORK UNITS

• Everyone in the congregation is put into one of the 16 Work Groups that are called upon to work, provide food or money to help with putting on funeral lunches or certain congregational events.

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Prayer Chain

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LIBRARY

• American Lutheran has a new Library on the second floor with lots of current books for adults and children.  Come and spend time in this cozy little library and relax with a good book or check out a book to take home and read.

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FAMILY ROOM

• Our Family Room is available on Sunday mornings for your young children. 

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CHURCH FIRE:

• On January 4, 2006, the church Sanctuary was completely destroyed by an electrical fire.  The remaining church was smoke and soot filled and water damaged.  The church was completely rebuilt and updated to suit current and future needs.  The church offices were all moved to the north parking lot side; accessible inside the north parking lot door. The church now has a sprinkler system throughout.  After one year and one month (February 4, 2007) the first service was held in the Sanctuary with an Open House to the public on March 4, 2007.   Professionals were hired to rebuild the church along with many hours of volunteer labor by our parishioners.

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COME WORSHIP AT AMERICAN LUTHERAN

SUNDAYS:       2nd Sunday in September – 3rd Sunday in May:      8:30 am and 11:00 am
                        Memorial Day Weekend --- Labor Day Weekend:     9:00 am

Sunday Service is broadcast on KDOM Radio FM 94.3 or AM 1580 At 10:30 am
Sunday Service is on video and aired Thursdays at 10:00 am and 6:30 pm on Cable TV Channel 3
SATURDAY: 5:30 pm every Saturday Worship in the Chapel

OTHER:  

• Family Room is available for young children
• The church is air-conditioned and handicap accessible
• Four individual amplification units are available

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MEALS ON WHEELS

• American Lutheran is on the rotation list for delivering a noon meal to those who need to receive a good nutritious meal in their home.  If you are able to help with delivery one or two weeks out of the year, please call the church office.

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MEN’S OPPORTUNITIES

• ALC men and other men of the community meet weekly at the Happy Chef for Bible Study and Prayer on Tuesdays for breakfast at 6:45 am.  All men are welcome to come and join them!

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STRUCTURE OF THE CHURCH

The American Lutheran Church of Windom is a part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) located in Chicago.  From the larger church (ELCA) geographical the country is broken down into smaller areas called synods.  ALC is part of the Southwest Minnesota Synod of the ELCA with headquarters in Redwood Falls, MN.  From the Synod, churches are broken down further into Conferences and ALC is in the Shetek Conference. 

American Lutheran was organized in 1882 and had its roots in the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church.  With the different mergers over the years, we have stayed a part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. 

Membership is 1763 baptized and 1368confirmed members.  Households in membership are 791.  The average worship attendance in 2011 was 330. ALC has a budget for 2012 of $446,529.  The benevolence part of our budget helps support the SW MN Synod,  Shetek Bible Camp, World Hunger, Sharing Center and Campus Crusade for Christ.

The lay leadership consists of president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and nine governing boards.

The Church Council is made up of the four executive members plus one representative from each of the boards plus a representative from the women’s organization and the pastors.

EXECUTIVE BOARD:  
President –David Rupp
Vice President – Dustin Stevens
Secretary – Sandi Bartosh
Treasurer – Al Peterson

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BOARDS & THEIR DUTIES

• BUDGET & FINANCE BOARD monitors the fiscal conditions of the congregation and makes
  recommendations regarding fiscal operations of the church and plans and develops budgets.
   

• CHRISTIAN EDUCATION BOARD plans and administers the Christian Education programs of the   congregation including Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Confirmation, Bible classes and other educational opportunities.
   

• CHURCH IN SOCIETY BOARD directs and stimulates the service ministries of the church in social education, social services and social action.
   

• EVANGELISM & WITNESS BOARD plans and leads the congregation in the work of the church by spreading the Gospel within and beyond the church.
   

• PROPERTIES BOARD is in charge of the maintenance, repair and care of church properties.
   

• SPIRITUAL LIFE & FELLOWSHIP BOARD is responsible for deepening and strengthening of the faith and activity of members by promoting and encouraging social and spiritual fellowship among members.
   

• STEWARDSHIP BOARD leads the congregation to be Biblical stewards through the proportionate giving of their time, abilities and money as they have been given.
   

• WORSHIP & MUSIC BOARD provides for an active and meaningful worship life for every member of the congregation, giving attention to the liturgical year.
   

• YOUTH & FAMILY BOARD will provide meaningful activities and events to promote Christ-Centered Youth

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TRUST FUND   

• ALC’s Trust Fund  provides for perpetual needs of the congregation.  It manages endowments, bequests and estates.

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SCHOLARSHIP FUND

• This Scholarship Fund is set up to help aid ALC youth to attend an ELCA College.

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MUSIC MINISTRY
Music is a vital part of our worship services and ministry.  Instrumental and vocal selections are encouraged at our worship services.  Other opportunities are:

• HANDBELL CHOIR – This ten member choir is directed by Jane Cartwright and they rehearse on Monday evenings and play at both Sunday worship services on the second Sunday of the month.
   
•  KIDS' PRAISE & WORSHIP CHOIR - this choir consists of First through Sixth grade boys and girls who like to sing.  They rehearse at 5:15 pm on Wednesday evenings and sing periodically at worship.
   
• SENIOR CHOIR ­– This adult choir puts on Cantata’s and sings once a month at worship.  They are directed by David Rupp.  They usually sing the 3rd Sunday of the month at 8:30 am and rehearse at 7 pm the Wednesday before.
   
• CONTEMPORARY GROUP – This group leads the 11:00 a.m. worship music and welcomes anyone to join them.
   
• INSTRUMENTS – ALC is blessed with new equipment --- keyboard, grand piano and organ in the Sanctuary.  Plus other pianos and keyboards in other locations. 
   

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