Small Group Ministry
“MAKING DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST THROUGH COMMUNITY BUILDING AND CARE; BIBLICAL EQUIPPING; PRAYER AND WORSHIP; AND MISSIONAL SERVICE WITH SMALL GROUPS”
The Small Group Ministry Team wants to help everyone at Trinity Lutheran Church find and be a part of an active small group. We believe small groups are the key to connecting in a Biblical way with other members at Trinity. A small group provides a healthy fellowship in a community marked by Christian love and oneness. Small groups can help you to “grow up” as a Christian, including helping you discover and learn to use your spiritual gifts.
*Do you desire to become more Christ-like?
*Are you looking for a way to connect more deeply with others at Trinity church?
*Are you wanting to grow in prayer, Bible study, service, support, and accountability?
*Are you in a small group which is looking to grow in focus and influence?
IF SO, THEN TRINITY’S SMALL GROUPS MINISTRY IS FOR YOU!!!
It is easy to get lost in a crowd – to feel lonely even though you may be surrounded by worshipers on a given Sunday. That is why Trinity has small-group ministry. We want everyone to have the opportunity to be known and cared for and to find their niche in ministry. People grow faster spiritually in a caring, interactive group where they can feel free to ask their real questions and sense the support of the group.
There are many groups that meet in various places and at various times. Our wonderful leaders are people who love to help others feel a part of the church and to grow as disciples of Christ OUR GROUPS ARE AS DIFFERENT AS THERE ARE MANY. THERE ARE MEN’S GROUPS, WOMEN’S GROUPS, GROUPS FOR COUPLES, GROUPS FOR COUPLES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN, FOR MOMS, RECREATIONAL GROUPS AND MANY MORE!!!
PLEASE PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER JOINING ONE OF THE FOLLOWING GROUPS. ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS TO CONTACT THE PERSON LISTED UNDER THAT GROUP TITLE AND YOU WILL BE READY TO START YOUR NEW ADVENTURE!!!!
THIS IS A LISTING OF OUR EXISITING SMALL GROUPS AS OF AUGUST, 2009……
FRUIT OF THE VINE – Focuses on growing through the Word, sharing and spirits. Contact Ray and Lisa Winter at 234-5469. They will be starting up again in September.
LUTHERANS FOR LIFE – Emphasizes the importance God places upon life. This group especially focuses on educating youth to remain abstinent until marriage. By doing so, they will lead a God-pleasing “pro-life” life. Contact Laurie Born. 231-5710 or Michele Struck, 234-5521. This group is soon to begin a study entitled “Martin Luther – An Example for Christians who want to Change their Culture.”
MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT AND 3 IS BETTER THAN 2 – Focuses on making marriages stronger with the Lord’s guidance. Sharing personal experiences enables each couple to grow stronger in their relationship with their spouse and their Lord. Contact Pastor Griffin at 231-5189.
MEN WHO NEED HELP – Focuses on strengthening men both personally and spiritually through Scripture and devotions. Contact Pastor Griffin at 231-5189. They meet at Expressway in Janesville from 8-9 a.m. on the first and third Saturdays of each month. They also meet at the Pizza Ranch in Waseca on the third Thursdays of each month from noon until 1 p.m.
M.O.P.S. (mothers of pre-schoolers) – Uses the Word of God and MOPS materials to strengthen and encourage mothers of young children. Contact Shawn Schlueter at 234-6718. This group will be viewing and discussing a study called “Me to We”. This is a video series for PARENTS OF TODDLERS AND YOUNG CHILDREN. This study teaches parents how to teach their children good Christian behaviors and how to get them to focus on the “We” of the family group versus the self centered “Me” focus that is so normal for that particular age group.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON BIBLE STUDY – Focuses on using God’s Word to strengthen the daily lives of its members with an emphasis on visiting the elderly. Contact Kay Gottschalk at 231-5623. They will be doing a study called “A New Song – a Women’s Bible Study on the the Psalms”. This group is led by Vicar Grewe.
WIDOW’S GROUP – Focuses on using the Word of God to encourage widows through grief and loss. Contact Alice Schlie at 231-6389
CROWN FINANCIAL – Focuses on Biblical principles for good stewardship of financial resources.
Contact Shelli Nornes at 231-6188 or Wendy Dieker at 995-1742. These groups will be held periodically throughout the year.
WALKING WITH GRACE –. This group is for CHRISTIAN WOMEN RECOVERING FROM DIVORCE OR SEPERATION. Contact Deb Vogelsang at 231-5395.
BREWING UP CHANGES – This study will be led by Dave Dimmel and Brian Menze and will show us how we as Christians can deal with the many changes that occur in our lives…new jobs, new homes, new children, or children leaving, marriage issues, etc. Contact Dave at 234-5716 or on his cell at 382-8836.
“ESTHER: IT IS TOUGH BEING A WOMAN” – The Old Testament story of Esther is a profile of courage and contains many modern day parallels for today’s overloaded and stressed out women. This group will be held during the Sunday morning Bible hour from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. at Trinity School first grade room. It will be led by Ingrid Huelsnitz and will begin sometime in October. Please contact Ingrid at 835-3337.
YOUNG MARRIED COUPLES WITH SMALL CHILDREN – This group is presently doing a DVD discussion series entitled “Love Dare” which challenges couples to look at love and marriage as a LIFETIME COMMITMENT. They meet on the 1
st Friday of the Month. This group is led by Dawn and Richard Androlli. Please contact Dawn at
rdandroli@frontiernet.net or Heather Dimmel at
hdimmel@trinityjanesville.com Childcare is provided in this group.
MILITARY FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP - A support group for families with loved ones serving in the military . This group is a community wide small group and is currently being led by Chuck and Jane Wilmes of St. Ann’s . Please contact them for more information at 234-5415.
MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT GROUP – For married couples focusing on making their marriages stronger with the Lord’s guidance. This group meets on the first Sunday of the month at 6:30 and rotates in the homes of the participants. They will also be studying the “Love Dare” DVD series as described above. Contact the leader, Rich Winter, at 234-5694. Their first meeting will be on Sept. 20th at the home of Rich and Judy Winter at 6:30.
.MOTHER/DAUGHTER GROUP…
Moms and daughters will be meeting together and reading a series of books
by Nancy Rue. Some of the topics of the books are values and virtues, friendships, self esteem, and learning how to “walk the walk”. This group is targeted for moms with daughters ages 8-12. Contact Michele Struck at 234-5521 or at
dmstruck5@gmail.com for information.
FAITHBOOKING…
Each month a topic will be chosen with an accompanying Bible reading to help focus on the theme. Using that topic or theme, faithbookers will create one or more scrapbook pages designed to help them reflect on a way they have seen that theme “played out” in their own lives. I AM PRESENTLY LOOKING FOR A WILLING LEADER FOR THIS GROUP!!! CONTACT MARCIA SCHULTZ AT
jmschult@frontiernet.net or 234-5632 if you love to scrapbook and would be willing to lead this small group.
“CELEBRATE LIFE BABY SHOWERS”
Periodically throughout the year we will be having these “baby showers” where we will collect baby and mom items to be taken to the City of Life Center in the Minneapolis inner city area. City Life Center operates the Carriage House, a women’s care center which offers assistance and resources to women who are distressed over an unplanned pregnancy. In conjunction with this project this year, we also will be planning on periodically bringing various groups up to the Center for a “day of service” that is so much needed there. Day workshops are also offered and it is our intent to send some of our youth and ladies groups to attend.
24 HOUR PRAYER VIGILS….
Again, periodically throughout the year we will be holding these 24 hour vigils where members would commit to 1 hour of coming into the church sanctuary to spend time in prayer and personal devotional time. It would last for a 24 hour time period divided into 1 hour time segments. BE WATCHING FOR THESE IN THE NEAR FUTURE……….
LOOKING FOR LEADERS FOR THESE 3 GROUPS!!
· FAITHBOOKING….. see above for description of this group.
· BREAKING FREE BY BETH MOORE…….this study leads you through the Bible to discover the personal changing power of Christian freedom. We have offered this groups two times in the past and the participants have all raved at how much they gained from the study. All we need now is a willing leader and participants for this awesome bible study.
· BOOK CLUB/STUDY GROUP…… This would be a group that would come together to first choose a book that the group would read independently. They then would come together for discussion and study of that particular read. I have a list of many wonderful books that would be suitable for this group along with some discussion guides on those books.
Please contact Marcia Schultz if interested in either participating or leading these groups at
jmschult@frontiernet.net or 234-5632.
IMPORTANT UP-COMING STUDIES/EVENTS!!!
· “THE TREASURE PRINCIPAL”…This bible study will begin on Sept. 20th during the Sunday morning Bible hour from 9:15 to 10:15 in the Church basement. It will be led by Pastor Rosenau and will be held for a 6 week period. This study teaches the joy of giving. Most people can significantly give to the Kingdom of God, but they do not know how or have not been taught the awesome eternal benefits of sowing into God’s work on Earth. Author Randy Alcorn calls it a hidden treasure and we all must learn this life-changing principal to find that hidden treasure.
· LOVE AND RESPECT MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT WEEKEND RETREAT……. This event will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Mankato on the weekend of Nov. 20-21. Pastor Griffin will be leading this weekend…..watch for further details on this awesome opportunity for all married couples at Trinity!!
· MEN’S RETREAT…… This day long retreat will be held on Jan. 9th at Camp Omega. Our study will be on “Barnabas” and will be led by Curt Stoltenow. The day will include bible study and personal growth, a service project at the camp, and recreation (ice fishing/tubing/cross country skiing) along with great Christian fellowship!!! Men…please plan to join us!!