Ministries

Children's Ministries

"Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
-- Matthew 19:14

Children’s Ministry Mission Statement

"Bringing Children to Christ and Christ to Children"

Sunday School

Our Christian Education program provides an opportunity for spiritual growth and development. Fairborn St. Luke UMC offers Sunday School classes for all ages, infants through adults.
Fairborn St. Luke UMC provides Nursery care for those under the age of two. Children preschool and above are provided with classes based on age or grade level.
Teams of teachers lead the children’s Sunday School classes. Bible lessons, music, and crafts may all be a part of the morning’s program. Sunday School meets every Sunday morning from 9:45 to 10:45

Children's Church

Children’s Church prepares our children for a meaningful worship experience as they grow older. We provide Children’s Church during both Worship Services. Children from age 4 through third grades may attend Children’s Church.
The children begin by attending the adult Worship service until they are excused for Children’s Church.
Children Church may include a story, singing, and praying. Then the children might enjoy crafts, snacks, play time.

Children's Sermon

The Children’s Sermon gives the children a message during the worship service. It usually deals with the same topic as the minister’s sermon.

Vacation Bible School

Our VBS Program features Music, Games, Crafts, Snacks, and Bible Stories!

Christmas Pageant and Birthday Party for Jesus

Our Christmas Eve services at 7 PM is a children’s and family service that will include songs from the children, a Youth drama presentation, songs by our youth handbell choir, and much more. Following this service we will be having a birthday party for Jesus with cake and ice cream!!

Kidz Club

Every Tuesday at 3:45 - 5:30
Faithweaver Friends, kids in 1st-5th grade, connect God’s Word to the real world and move into a growing relationship with Jesus that transforms lives. Students learn to understand that Jesus isn’t someone who lived years ago, but is alive today and wants to be a part of their lives.
Faithweaver Buddies, kids ages 3-Kindergarten join the FUN too. Little ones explore the weekly Bible story in a lively, memorable way.

Movie Night

One Friday a month is Movie night at Fairborn St. Luke UMC. A film geared to preschool children is shown at 6:00 pm. After the first movie a PG movie is shown around 8:00 pm. There are free hot dogs and popcorn along with door prizes. All ages are welcome.

Airplane Ministry

Here is a chance to have fun as well as gain a new experience building and flying rubber-band powered model airplanes inside Fairborn St Luke United Methodist Church’s Multipurpose Room. No experience is required. The class meets every Thursday 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.

Child Care

Fairborn St. Luke UMC provides childcare for our younger children during both Worship Services. In our Nursery we care for infants and toddlers under the age of three. During the Worship service time, these children have plenty of opportunities for playtime. Paid attendants staff the Nursery.

Fairborn Preschool and Daycare

A Community Outreach of Fairborn St. Luke UMC for 37 Years

Youth Ministries

Youth Sunday School

United Methodist Youth Fellowship

UMYF Mission Statement:
Bringing Youth to Christ and Christ to the Youth.

Fairborn St. Luke United Methodist Church is dedicated toward having an active youth fellowship program for Junior and High School students. UMYF members are involved in a variety of service, mission, study, fundraising and fellowship activities.

Our recent addition of a multi-purpose room provides our youth with a place to do a variety of activities ranging from basketball, volleyball type activities to dramas and plays. Also, we are very proud of our new youth room in which the youth can play quieter games, watch TV, or just hang out.

Members are involved in a variety of fellowship programs such as "movie night" and theme parties in member’s homes. In addition to these activities an on-going Youth Bible Study meets weekly. Service projects and youth trips round out a very active year for UMYF members. For more information contact Tom Baugh, Children/Youth Director, at (937) 878-5042.

Adult Sunday School

Work Areas

Membership Care Task Force

The mission is to support the congregation by publishing a new pictorial directory every 3 years, running the annual commitment campaign, providing the annual “Every Member in Ministry” commitment brochure, visiting families with new babies, supporting small groups’ ministry, and the casserole ministry. It meets as needed. Contact person:

Worship Committee

Committee members help plan and organize worship services, music, and activities through the Liturgical seasons of the year, such as Advent, Epiphany, Lent and Pentecost. Some opportunities are Ushers, Acolytes, and Liturgists. This committee meets the first Tuesday of each month.

Outreach and Missions Committee

This committee meets on the first Tuesday of each month. Its ministries include: collecting and delivery of food items for FISH, serving meals at St. Paul’s once a year, assisting with the Festival of Sharing each year, participating in “Mission Team” trips and supporting local outreach ministries including Interfaith Hospitality Network, helping Fairborn Primary School, FISH and link church to OASIS House (A Ministry of Affecting Community Transformation). National and worldwide support of Church World Service (Tools of Hope and Blanket Program), UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) and Operation Christmas Child are additional focuses.

Sonset Cafe

Sonset Cafe serves a meal once a month in Fairborn at St. Mark's Lutheran Church and links the church to Parkside Ministries.

Social Concerns Committee Member

This committee organizes and sponsors such community events as the Fairborn CROP Walk which raises approximately $8,000.00 annually for Church World Service. One-fourth of the money raised is returned to Fairborn FISH, while the remaining three-fourths goes around the world to support education, fight hunger, and provide resources for communities. Using Love Trees, we collect toiletries, clothing, and other items requested for the Family Violence Prevention Center of Greene County. In 2007, the focus of this collection was bedding to refurbish the rooms at the center. We also collect “career clothing” for the “Clothes That Work – Greene County” organization. This helps people who are going on a job interview to have appropriate clothing. The committee supports the community family night movies by purchasing the annual license to show Disney/Pixar movies, and members help chaperone at the movie nights. We also sponsor the church Christmas card for the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund. The Social Concerns Committee welcomes any input on a new area of concern or an action that anyone in the congregation wishes to pursue. They meet the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00.

Outreach Ministries

Doing for Others

Meeting in Wesley Hall, the participants in this group make things for others according to needs. Among their projects are: quilted lap robes for shut-ins, those in nursing homes, and the domestic violence shelter, bibs for nursery school, burp cloths for new babies, covers for changing tables, school bags for UMCOR and making and repairing banners for the church as well as non-sewing project. This group meets the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month from noon until 2:00PM. (Bring your own sack lunch.)

CoverMe

CoverMe has Team Leader who agrees to pray daily and contact on a regular basis each of his/her seven team members. Each CoverMe Team Leader is “covered” by a Leadership Support Team member, who prays for them daily and contacts them on a regular basis. Also, a team leader is expected to attend the team leader training sessions held once every 3 months, and attend the CoverMe Sunday evening dinner and celebration time.

Interfaith Hospitality Network

This program is supported by nine churches in Greene County who take turns offering overnight lodging as well as morning and evening meals. Guests average 8 to 10 people with generally more children than adults. Volunteeers are needed to set-up beds at the beginning of the week and dismantle them at the end of the week. Meals need to be cooked, hosts are needed for dinner until 8 PM and then volunteers are needed to spend the night. We have separate rooms for hosts and guests. We try to make a difference in people's lives.

Flowers

Flower Steward: This person is responsible for taking altar flowers to people identified by the office as home bound, recovering , ill, or in a nursing home.

Helping Others --- Odd jobs around the house

Helping Others are a group of volunteers who help from time to time with small things around the homes of our church members. This could include changing light bulbs that are located up high, grocery shopping, transportation to the doctor, basic yard work, etc. The idea would be a temporary or a one-time help. If you volunteer to help in this area, please specify what things you would be willing to do. You would be called for each situation and given the opportunity to decide on that situation. With an aging congregation, there are many small areas of help that can mean a great deal to those who receive the help.

Lay Pastoral Shut-in Care

Many people in our church family are unable to attend church due to illness or disabilities. God’s servants are needed to visit our shut-ins, contact them by phone or send cards. We remember their birthdays, coordinate with our pastor for special needs, and do things to help brighten their days. Training will be provided.

Lay Pastoral Hospital Care

When a member of our church family is in the hospital, we want them to feel the support of their church family. We need servants to be in contact with the family before, during and after the hospital stay. We pray with the family before going to the hospital, sometimes stay with the family during procedures, visit the hospital, coordinate with our pastor, and make follow-up visits or phone calls, as needed, to ensure the patient and family feel supported by their church family. Training will be provided.

Lay Pastoral Bereavement Care

When a member of our church family is nearing death or has died, we want them and their families to feel the love and support of Our Lord and their church friends. We need servants who will pray with families before, during and after the passing of their loved ones. We provide comfort and support and work closely with our pastor during this time. Training will be provided.

Casserole Ministry

This ministry delivers dinner to individuals and families when someone has just returned home from the hospital, is seriously ill, has just had a new baby, or is in need of tender loving care. If you would like to participate and support this ministry, or know someone needing support from the casserole ministry, call the church.

Music

Chancel Choir

Our Chancel Choir is a high school-to-adult age group that enhances the traditional worship services by praising God through singing for one or both services on Sunday mornings.

Memorial Hand Bell Choir

Our Handbell Choir is a high school-to-adult age group that performs once a month at alternating services and other special occasions.

Bells 4 Christ

The Bells 4 Christ are our youth handbell choir.

Hospitality Ministries

Greeters

Greeters provide a welcoming presence at each outside entrance to the church building. They serve at only one of the worship services each Sunday morning, once a month on a regular basis.

Coffee Hour

Coffee Hour provides a relaxed atmsophere between services in which members and visitors alike can meet and greet each other while enjoying a flavorful cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or tea.

Name Tags

Name recognition is a key component of getting to know visitors and fellow church visitors. Name tags are issued to members on request, and members are urged to wear them while attending Sunday School and Worship services.

Prayer Ministries

Prayer Partners

Prayer Partners is a part of our prayer ministry involving being paired up with another person to pray daily for each other. Also, when specific prayer requests arise, you may call your prayer partner to pray for you.

Prayer Chain

Prayer Chain participants are involved in a weekly, or as required, prayer chain to pray for special requests within the congregation. Notification is accomplished by e-mail or telephone.

Women's Ministries

United Methodist Women

The United Methodist Women's (UMW) Group is alive and well at Fairborn St Luke United Methodist Church, with a membership of approximately 90 women ó a membership that continues to grow!

We are a group of women in our congregation organized for Mission. Our mission focus is on ministries with women, children and youth. Because the United Methodist Church is a connectional church, our UMW relates directly to the Dayton South District; the West Ohio Conference and then on to the Women's Division of the General Board of Global Ministries.

What does it mean to be a member of UMW? A member of United Methodist Women is one who commits herself to our Purpose and chooses to participate in meetings, prayer, giving, study, action, and/or service.

United Methodist Women Purpose:

The organized unit of United Methodist Women shall be a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church.

We celebrate an inclusive membership and welcome all women who want to be members. Membership in UMW has helped women grow personally and professionally, gaining leadership skills.

We meet as a Unit several times throughout the year. Members can also attend one of three Unit sub-groups called Guilds that meet every month.

Guild Info:
Rebekah - 3rd Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. - meet in different members' homes.
Martha - 3rd Tuesday , 7:00 p.m. - meet in different members' homes.
Ruth - 3rd Thursday, 11:30 a.m. - meet at church.

Retreats: Our retreats offer something for everyone -- a time of getting to know our other sisters in Christ; a time of fun; a time of relaxation; a time of sharing and a time of spiritual renewal.

Spring Retreat - usually the 1st Friday and Saturday of March and is held at church.

Fall Retreat - the 3rd weekend in September and is traditionally held at an off-site location.

Our challenge is to attract young women in our church. We need you who fall in this categroy to let us know your needs and how UMW can be an organization you want to be a part of vs just an organization that your Mother or Grandmother happened to belong to.

Contact Information: Since our UMW officers could potentially change each year, we ask that you contact the church office at 878-5042 if you are interested in finding out more about the UMW. They in turn will put you in contact with the current UMW President and/or Membership Chairperson.

Prepare Food for Funerals

When we have someone die in our church, volunteers provide food for funeral meals.

Sanctuary Worship Ministries

Ushers

Ushers assist in welcoming all who come to worship services. They count the worship attendance, and serve at one of the morning services for one month out of every three.

Altar Guild

The Alter Guild is responsible for setting up the altar for each service and keeping the paraments current.

Communion Stewards

The Communion Stewards set-up and clean-up the communion elements and table on the first Sunday of each month.

Poinsettia Care during December

Volunteers water and care for the poinsettias that decorate the church during December.

Media Ministries

Multimedia Operations

Multimedia Operators build the worship service program using Song Show Plus software to display hymn and praise song lyrics and other content needed for congregational participation. In addition, they set and control microphones and audio speakers and operate the associated sound mixing control board and recording equipment. The third task of multimedia is the operation of lighting controls for services or any event as needed. None of these positions are difficult to master, and they provide a great sense of involvement in the day-to-day events of our congregation.

Videographer

A Videographer operates a four-camera video set-up during worship services or other performances. Tapes are produced for congregational visitation and public access broadcasting across the Greater Dayton Area. It is fun and a chance to get experience in audio and video production.

Web Team

The Web Team develops and maintains the church web site. Team members gather information from committees and other groups within the church and incorporate that information into web pages. The team is also further developing the web site in ways that will best serve the mission of the church. Technical skills are not required!

Network Administrator

The Network Administrator maintain the church file server and workstations. Tasks include maintaining the user database, running system backups, installing software and software updates as needed, completing hardware maintenance and repairs as needed, and budgeting for new purchases of hardware and software.

Facilities Ministries

Opening/Closing the Church

It is necessary to be at the church by 7:30 a.m. to unlock all of the outside doors. To lock-up after worship it is important that all of the outside doors be locked and the lights turned off.

Facility Set-up and Take-down

A volunteer coordinator and volunteer workers are needed to be available to set-up and take-down chairs and/or tables for functions within the facility.

Inside Facility Maintenance:

Volunteers are needed for miscellaneous painting projects, floor maintenance such as removing wax, putting down wax, buffing floors, and carpet cleaning.

Outside Facility Maintenance

Volunteers are needed to police the church grounds, cut grass, and put mulch around trees and shrubs.

Preschool/ Day Care Repairs and Maintenance

Preschool/ Day Care has on-going needs for small repairs to be made on their equipment and furniture. Volunteers can work on their own schedule on these repairs.

Other Ministries

Bible Study Groups

A Bible Study group meets on Thursday evenings and follows the Promise Keepers Bible Study materials provided in the Men of Integrity booklets.

Also, there is a Bible Study group that meets on Wednesday morning 9:00 am – 10:00 am.

Promise Keeper

Promise Keepers’ mission is to ignite and unite men to become passionate followers of Jesus Christ through the effective communication of seven promises to God, their fellow men, family, church and the world. Promise Keepers’ vision is simply put in three words: “Men Transformed Worldwide.”

Alpha

At an Alpha course people explore the Christian faith in a relaxed setting over ten thought-provoking weekly sessions, with a day or weekend away. It is low-key, friendly and fun – and is supported by all the main Christian denominations. There will almost certainly be a course running near you. Why not take this opportunity to explore the meaning of life?

Camping

Fairborn St Luke United Methodist Church offers a variety of camping experiences through the district.

Volleyball

Recreation volleyball is played every Sunday evening from 6:30 pm until 7:30 pm. Come join the fun!