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Community

Serving the Lord with Gladness

A Community Within and Without

The Christian life is one of active service to God out of gratitude for His gracious gifts. As a church, we are proud to be part of the Holmen community. As such, members of Good Shepherd are encouraged to participate together in different activities at church as a family of believers. There are also many opportunities to get out into our community!

Below are a few of the areas where we gather as Christian brothers and sisters, as well as how we stay involved in the Holmen community.

Bible Information Classes

Bible Information Classes are for anyone interested in learning more about what we teach or in joining our church. They are also a great opportunity for current church members to refresh themselves on the Bible’s teachings. The format is simple and pleasant, based on various Bible verses and Bible stories.

Bible Study

Bible study is offered at various times throughout the year, most typically on Sunday morning. Classes are open to both church members and guests. Bible study series are often 6-8 weeks long and vary from studying a book of the Bible, to studying a Bible teaching, to exploring a current topic related to our Christian life. Suggestions of topics are always appreciated.

Sunday School

Good Shepherd Lutheran offers a Sunday School program for children ages 3 years – 8th grade. This is a wonderful opportunity to keep your child in God’s Word and to connect with other kids their same age. It is held every Sunday from 10:15 am – 11 am during the school year. Children ages 3 years – 4th grade will learn songs, hear a Bible story, and do activities together. Ages 5th – 8th grade do a Bible study focusing on topics that relate to them personally. A highlight is the Christmas program in December where the children share the Christmas story through words and songs. You do not have to be a member of Good Shepherd to participate in our Sunday School program.

Confirmation Class

These classes for 6th – 8th graders run during the school year and provide comprehensive instruction in the Bible’s teachings that prepare students for receiving the Lord’s Supper and living a Christian life. Over three years, students to work their way through Martin Luther’s Small Catechism. The Catechism covers the teachings of the Bible in six parts: the Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, Holy Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Ministry of the Keys & Confession.

Choir

The Good Shepherd choir is open to members in high school and older. We prepare choral selections and help lead worship at various times during the church year. Choir is a wonderful opportunity to use God-given musical gifts in service of the Lord and enjoy Christian fellowship with other singers.

Women's Bible Study

Women of Faith is a women’s Bible study and social group. It is both a social and functional organization  promoting unity with fellowship events as well as providing opportunities for acts of service. In addition, it is an educational tool for women’s Bible study and supports the missions of LWMS (Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society).

Men's Bible Study

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Onalaska hosts a men’s Bible study on Saturday mornings at 8 am. The location is at Kwik Trip, 408 Sand Lake Road. We encourage the men of our congregation to attend this weekly event.

Ushers & Greeters

Greeters are volunteers who endeavor to reflect Christ’s love by personally welcoming members and guests to worship services.

Ushers are volunteers, made up of confirmed men of the congregation, who greet worshipers as they enter the church, distribute worship materials, assist with the offering and communion, and generally help maintain an appropriate atmosphere for worship.

Easter for Kids

Easter for Kids is a one-day program held on a Saturday morning from 8:45 am –11 am a few weeks before Easter. This event is intended for children ages 3 years – 5th grade. The children hear the wonderful message of Jesus’ resurrection, enjoy a snack and a craft, play games, participate in an Easter egg hunt, and learn Easter songs. This is a free program for the children and friends in our community.

National Night Out

The Holmen Police Department hosts this annual event on the first Tuesday in August. Good Shepherd sets up a booth where members hand out information on Good Shepherd and Little Lamb Preschool. We also provide an interactive activity for children to win prizes. This is a great way to engage and support the Holmen community.

Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School is offered every summer for children ages 3 years – 5th grade. It is held the end of July/beginning of August, Monday – Thursday, from 5:30 pm-7:30 pm. The children enjoy a daily Bible story, songs, crafts, snacks, games and more! Our last night ends with a closing program and an ice cream social. This is a free program for the children and friends in our community.

Holmen Kornfest

This annual celebration is held in August each year. The Holmen Lions Club hosts the Kornfest Parade on Saturday during the festival. Good Shepherd participates in the parade with a float traditionally decorated with that particular year’s Vacation Bible School theme. We also have volunteers walk alongside the float to hand out Good Shepherd-themed items.

Trunk or Treat

Members of the congregation are encouraged to participate in Good Shepherd’s annual Trunk or Treat event held in the church parking lot. This event takes place on a Saturday close to Halloween. Members decorate their trunks or vehicles and hand out candy and gifts to children from the community. Other activities have included pumpkin decorating and games for prizes.

Christmas for Kids

Christmas for Kids is a one-day program on a Saturday morning from 8:45 am – 11 am the early part of December. This is for children 3 years – 5th grade. The children hear the precious Christmas story of Jesus’ birth, enjoy a snack and a craft, play games, and learn Christmas songs. This is a free program for the children and friends in our community.

Jinglefest

This community event is held on a Saturday in early December in downtown Holmen. Good Shepherd participates with a booth where we hand out information on Good Shepherd and Little Lambs Preschool as well as an interactive activity to hand out prizes. The Holmen Lions Club also hosts a parade later in the day.

Adopt A Highway

Good Shepherd adopted the section of State Highway 35 between Old Highway 93 and Amsterdam Prairie Road. Members of the congregation come together to pick up trash along this portion of the highway three times a year. Signs on each end of our adopted section of the highway show our support of this project and keeping our community clean.

Ministry Teams

God has blessed each and every one of us with unique gifts, abilities, and interests. Members are encouraged to serve on various ministry teams and serve their Lord, church, and the community. Under direction of the church council, Good Shepherd is organized into the following areas of ministry (service) to carry out the work the Lord has entrusted to us as His people.

Worship Ministry Team

The Worship Ministry Team keeps our services organized and beautiful. The team works with the pastor to beatify worship with music and art, organize ushers and greeters, and run the altar guild.

Education Ministry Team

The Education Ministry Team supports the organization, coordination, and leadership of our Preschool, Sunday School and special events such as Vacation Bible School, Easter for Kids and Christmas for Kids.

Building & Grounds Ministry Team

Whenever Good Shepherd gathers together, we joyfully recognize the beautiful blessings of our worship facility, preschool, fellowship hall, grounds, and parsonage. The Building & Grounds Ministry Team focuses on maintaining and improving these blessings. The scope of the team encompasses three areas: the church building (sanctuary, education wing, fellowship hall), the grounds, and the parsonage.

Fellowship Ministry Team

The Fellowship Ministry Team encourages members to gather for fun and fellowship. This often entails organizing fun events such as cook outs, new member breakfasts, and fellowship with coffee and treats after church services conclude.

Evangelism Ministry Team

The Evangelism (or outreach) Ministry Team seeks to create opportunities to introduce the Good News to individuals with whom we do not interact with regularly. The team accomplishes this through various events (Holmen Kornfest, Trunk or Treat, etc.) and other outreach methods.

Technology Ministry Team

The Technology Ministry Team assists the congregation’s Audio/Visual needs during services, helps the church and preschool run effectively by ensuring proper technology is in place, and troubleshoots issues as needed.

Spiritual Care Ministry Team

The Spiritual Care Ministry Team aims to foster regular connection to the Means of Grace for the members of Good Shepherd, who are under its spiritual care. The team encourages members to make use of the opportunities to worship and study God’s Word. They also help identify, nurture, and express concern for members who are not attending worship on a weekly basis and attempt to contact them.

Human Resources Ministry Team

The Human Resources Ministry Team develops and implements Christ-centered policies and procedures to ensure the fair treatment of called workers and administrative staff.  The team also addresses the well-being of our congregation by developing and implementing risk management programs.

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”

I Corinthians 12:27