News

The Apologetics Debate Team meets Wednesdays at 4:45pm.

A new adult Bible study on Apologetics, led by Pastor Mark, began during the Christian Education hour in the sanctuary.

The men of Concordia prepare and serve breakfast to the congregation between the two services on Easter Sunday in the Outreach Center (typically 9:00-10:45 am), with pancakes, eggs, sausage, and hash browns. An annual tradition.

The men of the church host a German Dinner for Reformation Sunday featuring bratwurst, sauerkraut, German potato salad, and Black Forest cake/torte. An annual tradition (Oct 29 in 2023, Oct 27 at noon in 2024).

Pastor Mark launched a new Sunday-morning adult Bible study covering the book Christianity and Wokeness by Owen Strachan.

Pastor Mark began a new adult Bible study on Apologetics during the Christian Education hour in the sanctuary.

The Concordia library launched the Read it and Reap Book Challenge, inviting members to set reading goals across categories for 2024.

The Concordia Choir welcomed four new members during the first two weeks of the fall 2023 season.

The Prayer and Song group was invited to perform at Porchfest 2023 in Hagerstown on September 23, 2023, playing 3-4 pm at St. John's Episcopal Church on Prospect Street.

Acolyte training was held after the 11:00 service for new and newer acolytes, covering service procedures and the new candle snuffers.

Bob Keane completed the online Stephen Leader Training Course and took on administrative duties promoting Stephen Ministry.

Stephen Ministry announced a new lay caregiver training class beginning in January 2024 to expand its team and meet growing needs, sharing testimony of caregiving and inviting laypeople to train as Christian caregivers. Jean and Fred Tichnell, Bob Keane, and the Pastor were available for information.

Concordia celebrated its Stephen Ministry, recognizing trained Christian caregivers who walk alongside hurting people, members and non-members alike.

Concordia's Micah's Backpack provides weekend food to 25 students at Lincolnshire school. Each weekend it sends 350+ food items (two-day bags) and 485+ (three-day bags); some reporting cites 650+/975+. HARC grants and Maryland Food Bank allotments cover about half the year's food cost, with congregational donations covering the rest. Per-bag cost is at least $10, of which HARC funds about $3.75 and Concordia covers the $6.26 balance per child per week.

Concordia observes the Blessing of the Backpacks, a Micah's Backpack tradition in which all 45 sponsor congregations are encouraged to participate at the start of the school year. In 2023 it coincided with a team appreciation lunch for the 16-member team (Sep 17); in 2024 it was held Sunday, Sep 29, supporting 25 Lincolnshire students with first bags sent home Sep 20.