Community & Fellowship

Celebrate Holy Week With Us

Spend Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday at Worship with us!

Holy Week will continue with Maundy Thursday Worship at 3:10 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the Gathering Area.

We will celebrate Good Friday with a special Tenebrea Worship at 7:00 p.m. in the Worship Center.

Join us at Easter Sunday Worship at 9:15 a.m. in the Worship Center. Easter breakfast will be served by the Youth beforehand in the Youth Room from 8:00-9:00 a.m.

The Next Youth Night is Friday, April 5th!

It’s Spring Break, so spend it with the whole family at Bell’s Skating Rink!

Join Pastor Soe and other youth, grades 3rd-12th, and our friends from New Life Lutheran Church at Bell’s Skating Rink for another FREE fun-filled Friday during Spring Break!

Bring the entire family to enjoy roller skating, games, food, fun and Fellowship.

Be sure to keep checking back to find out what the Youth are up to!

SonShine Christian Academy Easter Eggstravaganza

Thanks for spending Palm Sunday at Worship and at the Easter Eggstravaganza!

We celebrated the start of Holy Week, culminating in Easter, at Worship on Palm Sunday, when the kiddos from our SonShine Christian Academy partners, along with our Sunday School youth, sang a special Holiday-themed song and paraded around our Worship waving their palm branches.

Everyone enjoyed the visit from Peter Cottontail, delicious snacks and treats as well as the indoor Easter Egg hunts for the children. Thanks so much for being a part of our SonShine Christian Academy partners’ Easter Eggstravaganza!

Euchre Night

Thank you to all who participated!

Euchre players ranging from long-time playing experts and first-time novices competed for various trophies throughout the evening. Individual prowess was be honored as partners were switched when contestants move from table to table to progress through the tournament.

Participants enjoyed card-themed refreshments between games, including home-made cupcakes, cookies, brownies, puppy chow and Chex mix along with vegetable trays and beverages.

The traveling ‘Loner’ trophy switched hands each time a player chose to ‘go it alone’ and was successful in taking the needed tricks. At the end of the evening, individual scores were tallied up and double-checked to discover the victors.

Winners this year (from L to R): the Dead Last Trophy went to Mark Sanderson, with a repeat performance of last year, Grayson Chavis was aging the champion, Mona Branning was last to hold the Traveling Loner trophy and Mike Bender took home 2nd place overall.

Ladies In Faith Together (L.I.F.T.)

We meet every 2nd & 4th Monday of the month: 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Our women’s ministry, Ladies in Faith Together (L.I.F.T.) are diving into a new Bible study: Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God’s Presence, by Michelle Diercks!

We’ll meet together in-person starting at 6:30 p.m. every 2nd & 4th Monday of the month to explore God’s Grace. You can also join us virtually on Zoom. We’ll dive into Scripture to reflect and then apply to our lives.

Many thanks to everyone that came out for our first L.I.F.T.-OFF women’s retreat over the summer at Vicki’s lake cottage.

We are praying for eyes to see the opportunities to reach out and meet the needs within our community! Please join us!

Men’s Ministry Group

We Meet Every Tuesday Morning: 8:00 a.m.

Our Men’s Ministry Group currently meets every Tuesday at 8:00 a.m. for Fellowship, learning & conversation at Southwest Lutheran Church to discuss our role of discipleship for the Church. Connect on Zoom with the group to meet virtually. Please let us know if you’d like to join us.

We’ll take a Holiday break until January 9th, then we’ll begin studying The True Story of The Whole World: Finding Your Place In The Biblical Drama by Michael W Goheen and Craig G Bartholomew.

Everyone is welcome to come, make friends, learn and enjoy. Let Pastor Joe, Carl, Mike or Tom know you’ll be attending.

Connect on Zoom.

Live Well Now Exercise Class & Fitness Group

Meets Every Tuesday Evening: 5:30-6:30 p.m. (New Time)

Want to join some friendly folks for your regular athletic routine? Never done a crunch before, but looking for a place to start? Our weekly Live Well Now Exercise Class fitness group is filled with people of all ages, body types and fitness levels. Everyone is welcome to come, make friends, receive support and advance at your own pace.

The weekly Live Well Now Exercise Class meets on Tuesdays beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Southwest Lutheran Church. Join us for the free full-body workout combining strength and cardio training.

The Live Well Now Exercise Class is for all levels of fitness: beginners and beyond. We supply all the needed exercise equipment and FREE childcare. Please call the Church Office at 260-436-4474 to reserve a free childcare spot during exercise class time.

No registration is required, just show up ready to work out. Please bring friends and family. All are welcome!

Get Directions to Southwest

Dartball League

The 2023-24 Season Is Over! We’ll start up again next fall.

We’ll continue this Lutheran athletic tradition which keeps the baseball season alive over the winter next season. This fun indoor game is a mixture of darts, cornhole and baseball.

We settled into the season slowly, and our record showed it. Unfortunately, things didn’t pan out like we need it to, but we still enjoyed the competition vs. other area churches.

Everyone is welcome to come, make friends, compete and enjoy. Let us know if you’d like to join us.

Keep America Beautiful Great American Clean Up

Thank You for Joining Us!

We appreciate you helping us to Keep America Beautiful during the Fort Wayne Great American Cleanup at Southwest Lutheran Church on Saturday, May 6th.

Thanks for helping us clean up Homestead Rd and the bike path near our beloved Church and SonShine Christian Academy !

Annual Congregational Voter’s Meeting

Thank You for Joining Us.

We appreciate you being a part of the annual Congregational Voters’ Meeting on Sunday, May 21st.

Camp Lutherhaven Family Camp #1

Thank You for Joining Us!

Pastor Joe’s family, along with others, got away to Camp Lutherhaven to create some unforgettable memories together, including great family activities along with relaxing free time, at a weekend that was the highlight of the summer!

Worship in the Woods

Thank You for Joining Us at Camp Lutherhaven!

We moved Sunday Worship to Camp Lutherhaven on Sunday, June 25th, as we celebrated Worship to the woods to join up with our Congregation at Family Camp #1.

Two young ladies were baptized in the waters of Lake Muncie at the Camp Lutherhaven beachfront following our Worship in the Woods.

Vacation Bible School with SonShine Christian Academy Partners

Thank you to all that made the event possible.

We partnered with SonShine Christian Academy for Vacation Bible School (VBS) this summer from July 10th-14th. The kids enjoyed joining in on an this twisting and turning board game adventure to discover God’s glory!

All children were welcome to join us! Were were on a mission to gather needed items for InAsMuch Ministry!

What We Believe – Chapel for Adults

Thank You for spending Wednesday evenings with us throughout the summer.

This summer, we tried a new thing … What We Believe – Chapel for Adults on Wednesday evenings throughout the summer.

These short sessions were designed to introduce the basics of what we believe as Lutherans, and to invite families to get to know us and Jesus better. There was also a simple meal provided.

We extended a special invitation to all the families of our SonShine Christian Academy partners.

Thank You to All that Celebrated with Us at Pastor Soe Moe’s Ordination and Installation Worship

God Bless Pastor Soe as our Pastor for Youth & Mission.

Pastor Soe Moe was officially ordained into the Ministry of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) and installed as our Pastor of Youth and Mission at an outdoor special Worship on Saturday, July 22nd.

Thank you to all who attended and were a part of the very special Worship.

It is our understanding that Pastor Soe is the first pastor of the Karen ethnic group from the country of Burma to be ordained by the LCMS.

SonShine Christian Academy Back To School Picnic

Thank You for Joining Us.

We welcomed families our SonShine Christian Academy Back To School Family Picnic on Thursday, August 17th!

We had food, fun and refreshments for the families of our SCA partners.
Because of the rain, we moved everything inside to help celebrate back to school with some food and Fellowship.

Cars & Caring Car Show with Health & Wellness Fair

Thanks to everyone that was a part of the event this year!

Southwest Lutheran Church hosted Cars & Caring, a Car Show with Mental Health & Wellness Fair on Saturday, September 9th. Proceeds from the event benefited Cross Connections Counseling.

It was a great day of outdoor fun and indoor engagement. Outside, over 70 classic cars, along with some not-so-classic cars, filled the front lawn. Over twenty People’s Choice awards were given away to proud owners.

Inside, at the Mental Health & Wellness Fair, attendees discovered local resources from Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana, Cross Connections Counseling, Healthier Your Way, LookUp Indiana, The Lutheran Foundation, Made Strong, Maple Heights Behavioral Health, Mom of an Addict, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Fort Wayne, Oak Street Health, Remedy Live, Urban Body Yoga and the YMCA! An amazing package from Shipshewana Blue Gate Restaurant and Theatre was given away as our Grand Door Prize.

New this year was a silent auction which raised nearly $1,000. Many thanks to the following contributors: A1 Nails, Don Hall’s Restaurants, Fast Track Racing, Fingerle Farms, Hempton Coffee, Sky Zone, Tequila Mexican Restaurant & Cantina, Trader Joe’s and the YMCA. There are also items from Dirt Devil, Hemi, Holley, Lego and Mopar, among others.

Many thanks to Jack’s Rolling Food Shack, Sno Balls Hawaiian Shaved Ice, Old World Fudge, Tom Didier, Larry Bower, Brad Beauchamp and our sponsors: Advance Auto Parts, Auto Zone, Glenbrook Dodge Ram Jeep, Griot’s Garage, Hire’s Auto Center, Interstate Batteries, Mike Bir, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Ridge NAPA Auto Parts, RNR Tire Express, Speedway Motors, Summit Racing Equipment and Sweetcars.

Children’s activities, like a bounce house along with face painting and hair braiding by Mystic Brush were enjoyed by families throughout the day. Thank you to the Homestead High School Key Club for volunteering.

Nearly $2,000 was raised for Cross Connections Counseling, which provides professional Biblical counseling and guidance to help individuals and families in need. Counseling areas include addictions, grief & loss, depression, anxiety, marital and coping skills, just to name a few. Counselors are able to meet with clients in-person, as well as online. They are also available for speaking engagements and leading topical groups. Find out more about Cross Connections Counseling at www.CrossConnectionsCounseling.com .

Thanks for Attending Our Mental Health Workshop with Barbecue Dinner

Local Mother and Son Shared Family’s 20-Year Journey Through Addiction

We hosted another Mental Health Workshop in our Gymnasium on Thursday, September 21st, as part of our ongoing ministry pertaining to mental health and wellness.

If for some reason, you were unable to make it to our Mental Health workshop, we livestreamed the event on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAaNXEFtrQk

We enjoyed a delicious barbecue meal with all the fixings catered by Shigs in Pit.

Brandon Graft (son) and Vicki Graft (mother) are members of Southwest Lutheran Church. Brandon is celebrating over two years of sobriety from his addictions. He is a father of one, works for Graft Milk Transport and currently serves as an Elder of our Congregation.

Vicki is a retired counselor and educator, who served women, children and families at Huntington County Community Schools and at Cross Connections. She loves to spend time with her children and grandchildren.

Together, Brandon and Vicki shared their story shedding some insight into how to recognize substance abuse, where to seek help and how the process affects each member of the family differently.

We learned how to understand more about how addiction affects both individuals and families, and how the route to sobriety will be different and unique for each person.

The event is supported in part by The Lutheran Foundation.

Jorgensen Family YMCA and SonShine Christian Academy Trunk or Treats

Thanks to all who helped us bring the SonShine Christian Academy ‘haunted bus’ and to all those that attended!

Several hundred children braved the ‘haunted bus’ at the Jorgensen Family YMCA Trunk or Treat this past year to enjoy candy and spooky fun.

Other Congregation members created ‘trunks’ and joined the ”haunted bus’ on the beautiful afternoon to hand out candy to the children from the community.

The ‘haunted bus’ was also be a part of SonShine Christian Academy’s Trunk or Treat on Friday, October 27th.

Congregation members also served up a hot dog dinner for those attending the event.

Thank you to all those who have given candy for the events.

We continue to strive to reach out to the community as a Congregation of caring, sharing God’s love and the Good News whenever we can.

Thanksgiving Eve Worship

Wednesday, November 27th, at 7:00 p.m.

Join us in-person or virtually, via Zoom, for our Thanksgiving Eve light supper and Worship on Wednesday, November 27th. Worship will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Our Congregational Christmas Party!

Thanks to all those that Celebrated Christmas a bit early with your Church Family!

Thanks for joining us in the Gathering Area for Holiday food, Fellowship and fun along with some Christmas cheer!

The Holiday-themed games and White Elephant gift exchange were the most fun parts of our Congregational Christmas Party this year.

We hope that you enjoyed the evening as much as we did!

SonShine Christian Academy Jolly Jamboree

Thanks for Joining us at Worship and the Jolly Jamboree.

Thank you for celebrating Advent and looking forward to Christmas while at Worship when the kiddos from SonShine Christian Academy, along with our Sunday School and Confirmation Youth sang special Holiday-themed songs and presented the ‘A New Star’ Christmas pageant.

After Worship, we moved to the Community Room for the Jolly Jamboree with plenty of snacks, Christmas cookie decoration and a Holiday tree making craft.

Jolly Ole Saint Nick was also present at the Jolly Jamboree. Many children enjoyed chatting with Santa, seeing if they were naughty or nice and taking a photo!

Mid-Week Advent Supper & Worship

Wednesdays during Advent: Supper at 6:30 p.m. – Worship at 7:00 p.m.

Join us in-person or virtually, via Zoom, for Mid-Week Advent light supper and Worship on the Wednesdays in Advent: December 4th, 11th and 18th. Worship will begin at 7:00 p.m. following a light supper which will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Join us in celebrating Advent, and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ, as the Church year begins at Southwest Lutheran Church!

Congregational Meeting

Thank You for Joining Us.

Our annual Congregational Meeting was on Sunday, January 28th, following Worship, starting at 10:45 a.m.

The annual Congregational Meeting allows Southwest Lutheran Church Congregation members to make decisions that affect our common life together. It grows out of the Reformation idea of the “priesthood of all believers.”

Mental Health Workshop: It’s Different for Girls!

Thank you to those that came out to the Jorgensen Family YMCA for our presentation.

Over a dozen people attended our Mental Health Workshop: It’s Different of Girls – Preventing Female Bullying at the Jorgensen Family on Thursday, January 25th. It was part of our ongoing ministry pertaining to mental wellness in partnership with Cross Connections and The Lutheran Foundation.

The data shows girls are twice as likely to become victims of traditional bullying and three times as likely to become victims of cyberbullying compared to boys!  Among 7th to 12th grade girls in Indiana, 47% experienced depression in 2022 and nearly 1 in 4 girls seriously considered suicide. (Girl Coalition of Indiana 2023 Indiana Girl Report: https://girlcoalitionindiana.org/report/ )

We learned many things from Mary Keller, MS, a licensed school counselor at Cross Connections Professional Christ-Centered Counseling and Training as she facilitated the discussion on how bullying disproportionally affects females and provided insight on how to prevent and combat the problem. Mary brought over 40 years of extensive experience working with children and adolescents with behavior issues to the table. Her diverse educational work and intricate understanding of working with youth who are in crisis helped to deliver solid tactics and strategies on how to deal with bullying.

Attendees learned more about bullying and why it affects females more than males as well as useful ways to combat and prevent female bullying. Local organizations and resources to assist with mental health and wellness were also discovered.

Ash Wednesday Worship

February 14th: Afternoon Worship at 3:10 p.m. / Evening Worship at 7:00 p.m.

Click on the image above to join Ash Wednesday Worship virtually via Zoom.

Saint Valentine’s Day is a unique day to begin the solemn observance of Lent, as it doubles as Ash Wednesday this year. Join us for special Ash Wednesday Worships in our Gathering Area as we mark the first day of Lent. New this year is an earlier afternoon Worship beginning at 3:10 p.m. to help accommodate not only the Teachers and families of our SonShine Christian Academy partners, but also those not as comfortable venturing out after dark. The usual evening Worship will start at 7:00 p.m. These smaller, contemporary Worships will include special music and feature Messages concerning the Chief parts of Luther’s Catechism.

Join us in-person or virtually, via Zoom, for Ash Wednesday Worship on February 14th.

Chili Cook-Off & Cornbread Bake-Off

Thank You to All That Participated and Voted!

We hosted our 12th annual Chili Cook-Off and Cornbread Bake-Off in our Community Room on Sunday, February 4th, after Worship.

We had sixteen community, Congregational or special guest from our SonShine Christian Academy childcare ministry partners chefs create crockpots full of delicious chili for members to sample, and then select as their favorite. Eight area bakers are also entered different selections of scrumptious cornbread for the hungry attendees to taste and vote on, as well.

Our hungry, yet discerning, self-proclaimed chili and cornbread ‘experts’ tasted their way through the field of culinary entrants to vote on their favorites. Ballots were tallied by the organizers following the event for public announcement during Worship on Sunday, February 11th.

Congratulations to 2024’s winners for the Chili Cook-Off and Cornbread Bake-Off!

Chili Cook-Off:

3rd: Deb Evans tied with Mike Bender

2nd: Marilyn Reinking tied with the Youth Group

1st: Tom & Laurie Brodahl

Cornbread Bake-Off:

3rd: Jen Robb

2nd: Gina Books

1st: Ben Ferry

Thank you to everyone that participated. We look forward to seeing you this year!

Local Author & Speaker Gloria Doty helped L.I.F.T. create a Spring Renewal!

Thank you to all who joined us to find ‘Elusive Peace’!

Lent is a time we set aside each year to remember the love of God that is poured out through Christ Jesus on the cross. Jesus died and rose again to defeat death forever. We too, shall rise again – and what great peace this can bring us.

Dozens of women joined us for a time of Lenten reflection and Spring Renewal. A light lunch was served. There was no cost to attend.

Mid-Week Lenten Supper & Worship

Wednesdays: Afternoon Worship at 3:10 p.m., Light Supper at 6:30 p.m. and Evening Worship at 7:00 p.m.

Click on the image above to join Mid-Week Lenten Worship via Zoom.

Our weekly mid-week Lenten Worships will return 3:10 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. every Wednesday from Ash Wednesday through the beginning of Holy Week. Palm Sunday will bring Sunday Worship at 9:15 a.m. followed by our SonShine Christian Academy Childcare Ministry partners’ Easter Eggstravaganza at 10:45 a.m. Holy Week will continue with Maundy Thursday Worship at 3:10 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., Good Friday Worship at 7:00 p.m. and Easter Sunday Worship at 9:15 a.m.

Join us in-person or virtually, via Zoom, for special mid-week Lenten Wednesday Worships in our Gathering Area as we mark the season of Lent. New this year is an earlier afternoon Worship beginning at 3:10 p.m. to help accommodate not only the Teachers and families of our SonShine Christian Academy partners, but also those not as comfortable venturing out after dark. The usual evening Worship will start at 7:00 p.m. following a simple meal lovingly prepared by our Elders. These smaller, contemporary Worships will include special music and feature Messages concerning the Chief parts of Luther’s Catechism. The light supper will be served beforehand at 6:30 p.m.