It’s a Winter Celebration the Next Youth Night!
Enjoy Youth activities at New Life Lutheran Church on January 17th!
Youth … join other youth, grades 3rd-12th, on Friday, January 17th at New Life Lutheran Church from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. for a Winter Celebration Youth Night!
Be sure to bring friends to enjoy games, food, Fellowship, music and devotional time.
Be sure to keep checking back to find out what the Youth are up to!
Many Thanks to All Who Donated Adult Winter Clothing to InAsMuch Ministry!
Thanks for dropping off new or gently used used winter coats, hats, gloves and clothing!
“Thanks for giving the gift of warmth!”
InAsMuch Ministry is a benevolence ministry focusing on food, clothes, household and hygiene items, bus passes, obtaining birth/death/marriage certificates, and limited financial assistance for housing and utilities.
“Helping those in need. Sharing the love and hope of Jesus. Encouraging financial and personal sustainability and growth”
Thank you so much for your generosity.
Congregational Meeting
Coming up on January 26th following Sunday Worship.
Our annual Congregational Meeting will be on Sunday, January 26th, 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.”
Ladies In Faith Together (L.I.F.T.)
We meet every 2nd & 4th Monday of each month: 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Our women’s ministry, Ladies in Faith Together (L.I.F.T.) are diving into a two new new Bible studies on the 2nd & 4th Monday of each month from 6:30-8:00 p.m.: online through ZOOM, we’ll continue our study through The Red Sea Rules while in-person at Southwest Lutheran Church, we’ll begin a new study of Great Women of the Bible.
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 for Lunch at Shigs In Pit: 11:30 a.m.
Our Men’s Ministry Group will now meet for lunch every Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. for Fellowship, learning & conversation at Shigs In Pit (8506 Illinois Rd) to discuss our role of discipleship for the Church. Please let us know if you’d like to join us.
We’ll be taking a look on the ancient polytheistic context of the New Testament. Find out more here and here!
Everyone is welcome to come, make friends, learn and enjoy. Let Pastor Joe, Carl, Mike or Tom know you’ll be attending.
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!
Fort Wayne Lutheran Dartball League
The 2024-25 Season Has Begun! Join Us To See What Dartball Is All About.
We’re continuing this Lutheran athletic tradition which keeps the baseball season alive over the winter months. This fun indoor game is a mixture of darts, cornhole and baseball.
We’re settling into the new season as we face many away series early on. We’re enjoying 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.
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.
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!
Ash Wednesday Worship
February 14th: Afternoon Worship at 3:10 p.m. / Evening Worship at 7:00 p.m.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Keep America Beautiful Great American Clean Up
Thank you to all who joined us in cleaning up the area!
The Great American Cleanup is an opportunity for Americans nationwide to show civic pride in their communities while promoting environmental awareness. Throughout the years, citizens of Fort Wayne have enthusiastically participated, proving that the volunteer spirit is alive and well in our fine city.
A clean city makes a difference. It looks better to residents and visitors and improves the overall quality of life. Litter, graffiti, unkempt parks and trails, and scattered debris create unsightly areas that could give visitors the wrong impression.
For the past several years, members of the Southwest Lutheran Church Congregation have come together to clean up along Homestead Road between Aboite Center Road and Liberty Mills Road. With your help, we’ve added the Jenn Ridge Drive neighborhood as part of that clean up area.
Many thanks to all that helped to clean up our area!
Thanks For Attending Our Mental Health Workshop On Anxiety
Dr David Reinhard, MD, Discussed the Effects of Anxiety.
In partnership with The Lutheran Foundation, we hosted a Mental Health Workshop on anxiety in our Worship Area on Thursday, May 9th, as part of our ongoing ministry pertaining to mental wellness.
Dr. David Reinhard, MD, a Family Medicine Primary Care specialist with Parkview Health in Churubusco and member of Suburban Bethlehem Lutheran Church, shared his knowledge, wisdom and experience on how anxiety affects the body, mind and spirit, from a science- and research-based point of view.
When questioned during a Mental Health survey provided by The Lutheran Foundation over the summer of 2023, over half of our Congregation expressed concern about anxiety in their lives. This Mental Health Workshop helped us to understand more about how anxiety affects both individuals and families, and what can be done to combat the effects of anxiety.
A delicious Chipotle taco bar was provided at the beginning of the workshop for attendees to enjoy. Thank you to Dr. Reinhard and to all those that attended.
Annual Congregational Voter’s Meeting
Thank you for attending.
The annual Voters Meeting allows Southwest Lutheran Church members to make decisions that affect our common life together grows out of the Reformation idea of the “priesthood of all believers.”
The purpose of the annual Voters’ Meeting is to confirm the official Church business for the year.
Confirmation Celebration at Bi-Lingual Worship & Church Potluck
Thanks to all who brought food and enjoyed our Confirmation Celebration!
Thanks for joining the entire Congregation in welcoming and celebrating the Confirmation of three of our Youth on Sunday, June 30th, during our bi-lingual Worship! We hope that everyone enjoyed our Church Potluck to help the Youth Celebrate their Confirmation.
Thank so much for bringing you favorite dish to pass. Everything was delicious!
Camp Lutherhaven Family Camp
Thanks to Everyone that Joined Us at Family Camp!
We appreciate everyone that joined Pastor Joe’s family to get away to Camp Lutherhaven and created some unforgettable memories together. We hope that this weekend was the highlight of the summer!
Worship in the Woods
Thanks to All Who Joined Us at Camp Lutherhaven!
We moved Sunday Worship to Camp Lutherhaven and we celebrated Worship to the woods when we joined up with our Congregation members at Family Camp.
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 One Year Ago
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, 2023.
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.
Vacation Bible School with SonShine Christian Academy Partners
Many Thanks to All Those Who Attended or Helped Out With VBS!.
We partnered with SonShine Christian Academy for Camp Firelight Vacation Bible School (VBS) this summer! The kids enjoyed joining in on an awesome ‘trip’ to Camp Firelight full of adventure and discovery as they learned about God’s glory in the ‘outdoors’!
All the children were quick to learn the Camp Callout: “Whenever I’m afraid, I put my trust in You.” (Psalm 56:3)!
SonShine Christian Academy Back To School Picnic
Thanks to All Who Joined Us!
The threat of rain kept us inside, but we still welcomed the SonShine Christian Academy families Back to School! Thank you for joining us at our Family Picnic! We hope that you enjoyed the grilled hot dogs, all the fixings, sides and beverages along with a bounce house for the kids. We’re glad that you had dinner on us!
Best of luck as the kids go back to school. We’re happy to celebrate with some food and Fellowship.
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.
Cars & Caring Car Show with Health & Wellness Fair
Thanks to Everyone Who Joined Us to Enjoy a Beautiful, Sunny Saturday Afternoon!
Our Congregation thanks the community for enjoying a day of outdoor fun and indoor engagement at our Cars & Caring, a Car Show with Mental Health & Wellness Fair, including the Creation Marketplace and Family Fun Zone with Touch-A-Truck area.
Thank you to Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker who made an appearance and read our proclamation.
Outside, at the Car Show, over 70 classic cars filled the front lawn. Twenty People’s Choice awards were awarded. Trophies for Best Paint, Best Engine and Best of Show were also taken home. Matt’s Hitchen’ Kitchen food truck and Fairfax Coffee & Records’ trailer served wonderful food and beverages to the attendees. Adam Strack kept everyone entertained on the outdoor stage. Families enjoyed the Family Fun Zone where children bounced around the bounce house, had their face painted and experienced the Touch-A-Truck with vehicles from Irving Materials, Inc. (IMI), Republic Services, SonShine Christian Academy, Allen County Sheriff SWAT team and Indiana National Guard.
Inside, at the Mental Health & Wellness Fair, attendees discovered local resources from Cross Connections, Hope Alive, Humana, Jared the Comfort Dog, Living Free Recovery, LookUp Indiana, The Lutheran Foundation, Maple Heights Behavioral Health, NAMI Fort Wayne, RemedyLIVE, New Mercies Ministries, Safe Haven Freedom Ministries, Step House, Stop Suicide Coalition of NE Indiana, Unboxed Grace Counseling and many more! One lucky winner walked away with a Grand Prize from the Blue Gate Theatre.
Our Silent Auction helped to raise funds for Now Mercies Ministries. Many thanks to The Fort Wayne Country Club, Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, Peg Perego, Purdue football, Komets hockey, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, the YMCA, Conner Prairie, Holiday World, Kilwin’s, Fort Wayne Outfitters, Sky Zone, Whispering Creek Golf Club, Crazy Pinz and that pro football team that wears green & gold for providing items!
Many people shopped in the Creation Marketplace for handmade crochet & jewelry, homemade home decor, art and clothing plus much more!
Proceeds from the event benefit New Mercies Ministries, which is a gospel-centered organization providing supportive connections, safe housing, and restorative services for women and families, empowering them to gain stability and ultimately live independently. Find out more at www.new-mercies.org .
Thank you to our Silver sponsor: Kidane Sarko with Thrivent and our in-kind sponsors: Advance Auto Parts, American Collector Insurance, Arby’s, Mike Bir, C&P Machine, Dioscount Tire, Hire’s Automotive Center, Indy Cylinder Head, Glenbrook Dodge, Griot’s Garage, Old Fort Customz, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Ridge NAPA Auto Parts, Russ Moore Transmission and SweetCars. Thank you to the Homestead High School Key Club for volunteering.
Thanks to Everyone Who Attended for our Mental Health Workshop!
Voice of Care Shared on Spiritual Respite Companion Care!
We hosted a workshop as part of our ongoing ministry pertaining to mental health & wellness, in partnership with Voice of Care : Ministry by and with People with Disabilities and The Lutheran Foundation
The Spiritual Respite Companion Care workshop was designed to provide training to volunteers to give spiritual support and care for families caring for those living with special needs or disability.
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 26th, at 7:00 p.m.
Join us in-person or virtually, via Zoom, for our Thanksgiving Eve Worship on Wednesday, November 27th. Worship will begin at 7:00 p.m.
SonShine Christian Academy Jolly Jamboree
Thanks for Joining us at Worship and the Jolly Jamboree.
We celebrated Advent and looking forward to Christmas at Worship when the kiddos from SonShine Christian Academy, along with our Sunday School and Confirmation Youth performed special Holiday-themed songs. A Nativity Mystery Tour took us on a delightful travel through time with the angels Michael & Gabriel as they showed us the events of the first Christmas with laughter, fun and carols.
After Worship, we moved on over to the Community Room for the Jolly Jamboree with plenty of snacks, Christmas cookie decoration and a Holiday tree ornament making craft.
Jolly Ole Saint Nick made an appearance at the Jolly Jamboree. All enjoyed chatting with Santa. He knew if the kids were naughty or nice, but was still kind enough to pose for a photo!
Mid-Week Advent Supper & Worship
Wednesdays during Advent: afternoon Worship @1:00 p.m., Supper at 6:30 p.m., evening Worship @ 7:00 p.m.
Join us in-person or virtually, via Zoom, for mid-week Advent light supper and Worship one final Wednesday in Advent: December 18th. Afternoon Worship will begin at 1:00 p.m. Evening 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 new Church year begins at Southwest Lutheran Church!
Our Congregational Christmas Party had a Mexican Twist!
Thanks for celebrating Christmas a bit early with your Church Family!
The Gathering Area was the site of our Congregational Christmas party featuring a taco bar catered from
Tequila Mexican Restaurant & Cantina. Guests enjoyed the Mexican food along with Fellowship and Holiday fun plus some Christmas hot chocolate cheer!
We enjoyed Holiday-themed games, all directed by Laura Burger, including emoji carols, yuletide charades and Christmas trivia.
The evening concluded with a White Elephant gift exchange. Luckily, Carol got her white elephant back!
Thank you for enjoying the evening with your Congregation members!
Christmas Eve Worship
Tuesday, December 24th, at 6:00 p.m.
Join us in-person or virtually, via Zoom, for our Christmas Eve Worship on Tuesday, December 24th. Worship will begin at 6:00 p.m.