CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
Our Congregational Care Ministry exists because we all need encouragement from time to time. God has created us to help one another. We have support groups that can help us face hurdles and at the same time help us grow spiritually.
Our Mission is to serve our congregation and community, to the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of members of Bella Vista Lutheran Church and of our surrounding community. This is accomplished through many different people and their efforts.
Our Mission is to serve our congregation and community, to the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of members of Bella Vista Lutheran Church and of our surrounding community. This is accomplished through many different people and their efforts.
Team Leader: Rev. Chris Gorshe Associate Pastor
If you have any questions please contact us through this email address: pastorgorshe@bvlutheran.com
If you have any questions please contact us through this email address: pastorgorshe@bvlutheran.com
WHAT IS CONGREGATIONAL CARE?
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In various places in the Old Testament Hebrew the word “care” comes from the Hebrew idiom to be “placed in the hands of” someone. Congregational Care puts brothers and sisters in Christ in YOUR hands. Members of BVLC intentionally seek to care for one another in a variety of ways... |
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PASTORAL CARE ASSISTANTS
This is a team of about 20 members who assist our pastors in serving our members. This team provides pastoral care for members of Bella Vista Lutheran Church and friends/family of members, making visits in hospitals, nursing/rehab homes, hospice centers, and homes, ministering to the spiritual needs of people who are facing physical and emotional difficulties in life, and following up on those who have been hospitalized or who are home-bound, or receiving treatments as outpatients from different treatment facilities. Follow-up care will be provided to families who have lost a family member and who are grieving.
W.A.Y. MINISTRIES
This is the BVLC version of Stephen Ministry. This team is made up of congregational members who have been specifically trained in the art of offering Christian care to people who are in the middle of a particularly difficult issue. When people are faced with job loss, illness, or the loss of a loved one they may need extra support from their church family. W.A.Y. Ministers are trained to actively listen and point those individuals to the cross of Jesus Christ for healing and wellness as they walk alongside that individual. These relationships are strictly confidential due to the serious nature of many issues care receivers face.
COMMUNION ASSISTANTS
FIRST TUESDAY COMMUNION & LUNCH
Every first Tuesday of the month at 11:30am we offer a "shut-in" service for our members who struggle to make it to worship during our regular morning times. This service is later in the day for those who struggle with early mornings. We offer rides for those who cannot drive themselves. And worshipers sit in every other row so that the Pastor and Assistants can easily bring Communion directly to them in the pews. Following the service, worshipers are invited to the Fellowship Hall to enjoy a meal (which is always delightful!) and some much needed companionship with others from the Body of Christ.
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This meal was made by these loving hands!
THIS FOOD IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL!
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SMALL GROUPS
WHAT ARE LIFE GROUPS?
LIFE Groups are small group gatherings of between 8-10 people from Bella Vista Lutheran Church, who intentionally meet on a regular schedule, to Connect to the Word of God, Grow in the Christian Faith. And Serve in God’s Kingdom.
LIFE Groups at Bella Vista Lutheran Church are in session from September through May. Registration for a LIFE Group begins in August and ends in September.
THE “OPEN” CHAIR
This term refers to the concept of always leaving room for a visitor, who will be welcomed and encouraged with the rest of the group. The purpose of LIFE Groups is not just inward spiritual growth, but outward evangelistic growth. The purpose the church is to make disciples.
For more information on LIFE Groups, contact Micki Sandell at 214-415-6367 or email at ellie7469@gmail.com.
LADIES’ BIBLE STUDY Meets 1st and 3rd Monday at 6:00 p.m. at 6 Hallock Dr., Bella Vista, AR. Facilitator is Camilla Hass (479-685-2580).
MEN’S BIBLE STUDY Meets 3rd Monday, 6:00-7:30 p.m. at church. Facilitator is Rev. Dr. Pastor Paul Hass, (479-685-2416).
LIFE Groups are small group gatherings of between 8-10 people from Bella Vista Lutheran Church, who intentionally meet on a regular schedule, to Connect to the Word of God, Grow in the Christian Faith. And Serve in God’s Kingdom.
LIFE Groups at Bella Vista Lutheran Church are in session from September through May. Registration for a LIFE Group begins in August and ends in September.
THE “OPEN” CHAIR
This term refers to the concept of always leaving room for a visitor, who will be welcomed and encouraged with the rest of the group. The purpose of LIFE Groups is not just inward spiritual growth, but outward evangelistic growth. The purpose the church is to make disciples.
For more information on LIFE Groups, contact Micki Sandell at 214-415-6367 or email at ellie7469@gmail.com.
LADIES’ BIBLE STUDY Meets 1st and 3rd Monday at 6:00 p.m. at 6 Hallock Dr., Bella Vista, AR. Facilitator is Camilla Hass (479-685-2580).
MEN’S BIBLE STUDY Meets 3rd Monday, 6:00-7:30 p.m. at church. Facilitator is Rev. Dr. Pastor Paul Hass, (479-685-2416).
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You may also enjoy one of these small groups that meet at BVLC:
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Small Group project - Shoe Box Ministry!
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CARE GIVERS MINISTRY
Care Givers Ministry is a support group for individuals who have become full-time care givers for loved ones. This may include married spouses of individuals with alzheimers, dementia, parkinsons, etc. It may include parents who provide long-term support for adult children. It may include children who have become full time caretakers of their aged parents. Engaging in this kind of care all day every day can become quite challenging and even exhausting. Learning to take care of oneself so that you can continue to provide care for others is vitally important. Care Givers Ministry provides support and helpful resources for those in need.
GOOD SAMARITANS
Good Samaritan’s Ministry is a small group of men led by Tim Verble which assists members and friends of our congregation doing small jobs in the home. Elderly members who should not be climbing ladders may find themselves calling the Good Samaritans to clean gutters or change lightbulbs.
GRIEF SHARE SUPPORT GROUP
GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life's most difficult experiences. Built around a 13-week video curriculum, GriefShare support groups meet weekly to help you face the challenges of grief and move from mourning to joy.
CARD MINISTRY
Dedicated member, Lynn Tolzmann, gets word from our church secretary when people are sick or hospitalized and she sends out cards to help cheer them up and let them know that their church family cares about them.
S.A.L.T. (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together)
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S.A.L.T. is a committee in Benton County made up of law enforcement officers, retired law enforcement, and concerned citizens who work together to educate senior citizens in our county about issues directly related to them. S.A.L.T. regularly hosts "Coffee With A Cop" in different communities in the county, bringing law enforcement (And even the Mayor) into contact with citizens who can ask important questions and voice concerns about the safety of their community.
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