At First English Lutheran we invite you to become more than just another mere statistic in a dusty old church book. Membership is far more than "having your name on the books". To be a member is to become actively involved in the many different opportunities that we offer for Christian worship, growth and service. So the first thing we invite everyone to do who is interested in "membership" is to come and get involved! See which of our worship services best fits you and your schedule. Come and worship with us! Check out the different opportunities for your on-going Christian education: Bible Study groups & Adult Sunday School classes. Come Grow with Us! Become involved in one or more of our many different opportunities for Christian service through special work groups, mission groups, committee work and special Task Forces. Come Serve with Us!

Usually once per year, a special "New Members Class" is offered for all those desiring to learn more about the Christian faith and what we as Lutheran Christians believe and teach. All those desiring to become members of First English Lutheran (either through transferring their membership from another Lutheran congregation or through Affirmation of Faith or Holy Baptism) are invited to participate in this class. The class is always great fun with wonderful discussions and opportunities to meet and get to know one another. Often present members will participate as well, just for the fun and a chance to "get back to the basics." Classes normally last for a period of 10 weeks. You may contact the pastors of church office if you have further questions. Class discussions focus on the "Seven Marks of Discipleship" and the Sacraments of Holy Baptism and The Lord's Supper.

We believe that God loves you so much that He has given His very life for you. In Jesus Christ, God Himself has come in the flesh to die for all your sins. We exist to proclaim the saving love of Jesus Christ in this His church, community and world.

We of First English invite you into a life-long journey with Jesus, which we know leads to a changed life and a new community. We have experienced this new life in Christ most powerfully in the blessings of small group ministries through Christian fellowship, Bible studies, and service projects. As Christians, we are not a group of perfect people. We are sinners who have experienced the saving power of Jesus' love. Daily, He is at work in our lives to change, transform, forgive and renew us. We invite you to "Come Grow With Us", and join one of our Small Group Ministry programs!

Our Members Care Ministry (MCM) committee was created as a direct result of the Vision 2000 program, which identified six key goals critical to the future of First English Lutheran Church. One of the goals identified by the congregation was to take an intentional and compassionate approach to addressing member concerns, questions and needs. It was felt that the church must develop a "real-time" understanding of the issues that effect individual members, families and the congregation as a whole.

It was acknowledged that sometimes members need to express concerns that impact their personal life and worship experience, but are not sure how, or who to approach to get resolution. Members Care has the responsibility to reach out, when appropriate, and to act as a channel of communication so that we might more effectively meet the many and diverse needs of our members, and to reach out to those who are looking for a church home. MCM will be working with our Evangelism Committee in developing new and more effective ways to communicate the message of FELC and to receive ongoing feedback from our members. Have a question about what is happening at FELC? Need help with a particular problem or personal concern? Contact our MCM staff for help or assistance by using this email link. member.care@felc-mansfield.org

The pastoral staff and members of First English Lutheran have made a clear commitment to a strong and vibrant prayer ministry. This is evidenced by establishing a "Prayer Ministry" as one of the six Vision 2000 goals. The mission statement of this goal is to develop a Pastor's Prayer Partner Ministry, prayer ministry teams, prayer meetings and prayer seminars to harness and channel the powerful force that God releases through intentional prayer. To this end, FELC has a number of active programs related to our Prayer Ministry. In addition to the four program goals identified above, First English also has an active Prayer Chain group. A prayer request form is available below for making specific requests to our Prayer Chain.

The Prayer Chain provides prayer support to those with special needs or concerns. Prayer requests for members or non-members may be called in to Marilyn Dinges, 419-522-4033. Join our prayer chain ministry and become a member of the Prayer Chain! There are no meetings to attend; just make one or two phone calls and pray! Questions about this ministry? Call Marilyn Dinges at the number above. If you have a special prayer request that you would like to have mentioned during our worship service, and be listed in the worship bulletin, you can use the prayer request forms that are located at the end of each pew in the main sanctuary of the church and also outside the Chapel in Luther Hall. You are welcome to fill one out and place it in the offering plate or in the prayer request boxes in the Narthex or by the Chapel.

There is also a prayer board located in the Chapel in Luther Hall. Anyone is welcome to post a photo on the board of the person they wish to pray for, then either sit in a pew or kneel at the alter rail to pray for that person. You are invited to leave the photo of your friend or family member on the prayer board so that others might be visually reminded to pray for them. Finally, you can also submit a special prayer request by using the electronic prayer request form that can be linked to from this section (PDF form can be printed and submitted), or through the Prayer Chain email link that is also provided on this webpage. prayer.chain@felc-mansfield.org

For members of our congregation, there is a permanent memorial location at your church, offering reverence, serenity and dignity for cremated remains. Our Columbarium is located on the west side of the rear sanctuary. Niches for cremains are immediately available but may also be reserved by signed agreement for later use.

A formal agreement with detailed information regarding conditions and restrictions for Columbarium use is available to interested members of the congregation. If you wish a copy of the agreement or have further questions after examining it, call the church office at 419-522-0662 and you will be put in touch with someone who can answer your questions.