We encourage you to address inquiries about Baptism and Affirmation of Baptism to the pastor. We hope for the education and preparation of the individuals for these rites, as we consider each of them to be significant transitions.

We also provide the services for Marriage and Burial of the Dead. We suggest that those wishing to be married contact the pastor at least six months in advance of the desired date. This is necessary to allow the time for marriage counseling and to ensure the availability of the church. Funerals obviously cannot be scheduled; the pastor is always available on short notice as needed. However, it can be helpful for the family to discuss with the pastor funeral arrangements in the case of a prolonged illness. It can be helpful for all of us to make plans long before the sad event. Not only will this spare your survivors some grief, it will ensure that your wishes will be known and respected. The pastor is always available for counsel in these matters.

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WORSHIP RELATED PROGRAMS
Augsburg Lutheran Church in Brampton provides many opportunities for individuals who wish to learn, grow in faith, and serve the needs of others. All are invited to serve; we make no distinctions based on sex or age. We encourage you to consider participating in one or more of these programs; contact the pastor or the appropriate leader listed in 'The Call'.

• The Altar Guild prepares and maintains all the altar linens, banners, and vessels before each service. They help to decorate the chancel for Easter, Christmas and Thanksgiving.
  
• Lay Readers are trained in their reading of the Old and New Testament readings during worship services.
  
• Assistant Ministers are trained lay members who assist, in a primary role, with the Sunday morning worship, through the leading of various parts of the liturgy, and helping with the distribution of Holy Communion. Others from the congregation also help with the distribution of Holy Communion at Sunday worship.
  
• Acolytes are some of our young members who are trained to assist the pastor during the service, light and extinguish candles and lead the processions into and out of the church.
  
  
• Cantors help the congregation's worship by singing different parts of the liturgy.
  
• Ushers provide information and service bulletins to those entering the worship space. They receive the monetary offerings of the congregation and guide the flow of the congregation during Holy Communion.
  
• Greeters provide welcome, information and direction for visitors, new members and also greet our long-time members to our worship services.

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EDUCATION & COMMUNICATION
The members of Augsburg Lutheran Church consider Christian education a vital and important ministry. You are invited to grow in faith and join a program that is suitable for you. Please contact the pastor or the appropriate leader whose title and names are listed in 'The Call'.

Sunday School - In the basement classrooms, we provide classes for children Ages 3 to grade 9. These classes are staffed by teachers and assistants. We schedule Sunday School at 10:30 a.m. each Sunday, except on the first Sunday ofthe month and during the summer.

Adult Education - Sunday mornings also sees a gathering of adults at 9: 15 a.m. We offer several opportunities each week for learning around a variety of topics. Please look to our Sunday bulletin for a listing of current topics.

Affirmation Ministry - We provide an excellent program that supports our parents in their nurturing of our children in the faith. Beginning in Grade 3 and leading up to affirmation of Baptism during the Rite of Confirmation in Grade Nine, we provide opportunities for learning, community-building and service. Participants are involved in evening and day-long learning events, week-long confirmation camps and service opportunities.

Adult Catechumenate - Instruction, on a continuing basis, is available for Inquirers (those wishing to be baptized, confirmed, received into membership or who are simply inquiring about the faith). The schedules for these opportunities are available from the pastor. Please speak to him.

The Library - The parish maintains a small stock of books for children and adults that can be borrowed.

'The Call' - The parish publishes this newsletter six times a year.. In addition, a monthly calendar of events is published, as well as parish events being published in the weekly bulletin. If you express an interest in Augsburg, the office will add your name to our mailing list and that of "The Eastern Synod Lutheran," the monthly synodical newspaper. You may also request a subscription to the "The Canada Lutheran", the national church's magazine.

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OUTREACH & COMMUNITY
The members of the parish wish that our facilities also serve those in need in the community at large. You are invited to use and support these various ministries with your time, talent and gifts.

Counseling - The pastor is available for personal and family counseling. As well, referrals can be made to community resources.

Pastoral Care Team - Members of our congregation offer a visitation ministry to those in hospital, nursing home or at home.

St. Andrews Food Bank - This food bank is opened one day a week to help in serving the needs of people in our community. There are collection boxes in the foyer where you may leave your gifts of nonperishable food items. These food items are delivered to the food bank on a regular basis.

Care and Share - Each year at Christmas, our congregation provides food and gifts to help those with finacial hardship.

Adopt - A - Park - Our congregation has adopted a portion of Archdekin Park (east of church), helping to care for its appearance.

Augsburg Commuity Fund - As the Pastor and Congregational Council become aware of the needs of people, monies are made available, through this fund, to help.

Outside Organizations - Our facilities are used by several community organizations for their activities and meetings. These groups include Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon Probus and Teen Al-Anon. These groups rent our facilities at very modest rates and provide their activities to the whole community, regardless of the religious affiliation of their membership.

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FELLOWSHIP
The community of Augsburg Lutheran Church extends beyond the immediacy of the church's worship services.

Coffee Hour - This is a noisy time for fellowship and meeting. It takes place following service, and is held in the Fellowship Hall. The rotating staff of volunteers prepare coffee and tea for the adults and juice for the children, and "goodies" for all.

The Keenagers - Our senior's group for those over 55, and young at heart. The group meets monthly for a wide variety of activities.

Youth Group - This group usually meets as schedualed. They enjoy attending our National or Synodical Youth Events in the summer (high points in the life of our Youth Group).

Social Events - The parish sponsors many other events, including the Christmas tree decorating event, a Christmas Eve Open House,, Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, Congregational Picnic, and various other suppers and activities.

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MEMBERSHIP & STEWARDSHIP
As stated above, all baptized Christians are welcome to share in the feast at the Lord's table; there are no restrictions. We do not require anyone to be a member, or even a Christian, to worship with us. Each Lutheran Church is separately incorporated and responsible for its own finances and programs and for selecting its own pastor. The constitution of the parish asks all members to attend regularly and to support the church financially. We do not receive any funds from the Synod, and other than for modest trust funds, are essentially dependent on ourselves financially. As members, we commit ourselves to a pledge for the coming year, so that the parish does not rely on casual cash or "emergency" requests. We teach that this intentional planning to return to God part of what has been given us is the primary act of support. We then carry out that commitment by placing our weekly pledge envelopes in the offering plate during each service, or donate by pre-authorized debit.

Occasionally through the year, we invite your participation in special appeals such as for Global Hunger, or our Care and Share Program or for some personal or community crisis. All pledges and other gifts are always made and kept in confidence so there is never any publicity or pressure.

We are glad that you have come to Augsburg. We hope to serve your needs, and invite you into our fellowship - a fellowship that seeks to serve the needs of others. If you are considering membership, or have more questions about our congregational family, please ask. We also appreciate the feedback that we can receive from our newcomers. How are we doing? Let us know.

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