2010 Life @ St. Martin's

@ St. Martin’s

3 Epiphany

8-10 Conspirare Concerts

16 Godly Play Training Series

15 Sr High Lock In 17 Annual Church

Meeting 17 Symphonic Winds

22 Women’s Retreat

23 Godly Play Training Series

27 Jr High Fellowship Night

31 C&FM/Y&FM Volunteer

Meeting

7 Council Installation

7 Boy Scout Sunday 7 Souper Bowl of Car-

ing 17 Ash Wednesday

20 WELCA Heritage Luncheon

21 Youth Dinner Theater, Silent Auc-

tion & Variety Show

24 Lenten Meals & Vespers Begin

28 Balcones Orchestra

Concert

3 Lenten Meals & Vespers each

Wednesday 5-6 JAM Lenten

Retreat 7 Girl Scout

Sunday 7 Symphonic Winds

10 Jr High Service Pro-ject Night

14 Daylight Savings 15-19 Spring Break

Camp 25 Conspirare

Concert 28 Palm Sunday

28 Parents & Promises Class

1 Maundy Thursday

2 Good Friday 3 Easter Vigil

4 Easter Sunday 11 C&F/Y&F

Volunteer Meeting & Lunch

11 Book Sale for Honduras

17 Godly Play Training:

Introduction 18 Symphonic Winds

18 JAM Hike 25 Earth Day Sunday

25 Youth Sunday

1 Women’s Spring Luncheon


14-15 Conspirare Youth Concerts

16 Graduate Recognition

16 JAM Bowling 22 Confirmation

Banquet 23 Pentecost Sunday

23 Confirmand Reception

23 Rite of Confirmation

23 Symphonic Winds

6 Blood Drive 13-17 Vacation

Bible School 20-25 Confirmation

Camp 29 JAM/Junior High

Schlitterbahn Trip

8-10 Godly Play Core Training

9-11 Austin Lyric Opera

Performances 17-23 Senior High

Mission Trip

22 Blessing of the Backpacks

29 C&F/Y&F Volunteer

Training

7 Directory Photos Begin

8 St. Martin’s Choir & Ringers Begin

9 Reformation Band Begin

11 St. Martin’s Choir Retreat

12 Jubilee Sunday 19 JAM Outing

25 WELCA General Meeting


3 Blessing of the Ani-mals

29 JAM Freaky Fall Feast & Mini

Lock-in 31 Reformation

Sunday

7 All Saints Sunday

7 Daylight Savings

14 Veterans Reception

21 Thanksgiving Sunday

28 Advent Begins

3-4 JAM Retreat 4 WELCA Brunch

7 Annual Christmas Luncheon*

10-11 Conspirare Youth Concerts

12 TLU Vespers 19 German

Christmas Worship*

24 Children’s Christmas Eve

Eucharist 24 Candlelight

Christmas Eve Eucharist

* Tentative Dates

http://www.saintmartins.org

Welcome to St. Martin’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, a

congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in

America. For 125 years, St. Martin’s has been dedicated

to being the body of Christ in downtown Austin.

We’re a group of caring, loving and spirit-filled people

who gather for worship. We value our inclusivity at St.

Martin’s, where our members are young, old, gay,

straight, single, married, partnered, and from different

backgrounds and cultures. We welcome you no matter

who you are or where you find yourself on your faith

journey.

As a community that celebrates the love of God, we

try to emulate the compassion, open-mindedness and

forgiveness of Christ in all that we do.

— Rev. June Wilkins

Life @ St. martin’s/2010 1 PLEASE Take & Share This magazine

Events in the life of the

community this year

Be a part of the worship

life of our community

Save the dates for these

upcoming special events

Share the message of

God’s love through song

Grow together in faith and

knowledge as a family

Enrich your life through

learning in community

Reach out to others and

reach out toward God

Serve the world through

volunteering and giving

Connect with others in the

community of St. Martin’s

Our care for creation

through our community

Learn and grow as God’s

children at our preschool

Celebrate the milestones

of lives together in faith

Weddings and memorial

services at St. Martin’s

Share your gifts at church

Learn St. Martin’s story

Contacts and connections

Times, maps and more

@ St. Martin’s

St. Martin's is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran

Church in America (www.elca.org). We use a variety of

worship and music resources, including our hymnal,

Evangelical Lutheran Worship. Our worship offers a variety

of liturgically-based music. We strive to be inclusive in our

use of language and in our understanding of God.

Ushers distribute the

worship bulletins, greet

visitors, and assist

worshipers as needed.

They coordinate the

offering and guide people

during Communion.

Children and adults serve

as readers of the Old and

New Testament lessons

during our Saturday and

Sunday worship. Lectors

also serve as readers at

special worship events.

On Christmas Eve and on

one Sunday each month,

the children of the

community bring the

wine and bread of

Communion to the altar

as we gather for worship.

Members design the

floral arrangements

displayed during our

worship and coordinate

holiday decorations for

the Sanctuary and church

grounds.

St. Martin’s responds to God’s love through

contemporary and traditional styles of worship. We

share the Eucharist each week when we gather as a

community of faith. All people — no matter the age — are

invited to the table and the baptismal font. Dozens of St.

Martin’s members prepare for our time together by

serving in roles that make worship here a rich and

welcoming experience for the soul.

Eucharistic Ministers help

share Communion with

the community. Assisting

Ministers help the pastor

at the table and lead the

intercessory prayers.

Acolytes carry the cross,

torches and banners in

procession, and they help

our ushers with the

offerings. Acolytes often

are Confirmation

candidates, but all are

welcome to serve.

Members prepare the

altar linens, vessels and

the weekly Eucharist.

They maintain and polish

the chalices and plates

for worship.

2 life @ St. martin’s/2010 Visit us online AT Saintmartins.org

@ St. Martin’s

We remember the Babe of

Bethlehem as St. Martin’s

celebrates the Nativity of

Jesus Christ. Join us at 4

pm for our Children’s

Christmas Eve Eucharist.

Later that night, come

for our traditional

Candlelight Christmas Eve

Eucharist services at 7

and 10 pm.

Inspired by God’s love of

all creation, we open our

doors to the pets of the

community during our

Blessing of the Animals.

Pets ranging from turtles

to terriers fill the sanctu-

ary as we give thanks to

God for our fellowship

with all living things.

We honor our Lutheran

heritage and remember

the contributions of

Martin Luther. Join us for

a celebration on the Mall

as we post messages on a

re-creation of the Castle

Church door, where

Luther nailed his 95

Theses that sparked the

Protestant Reformation.

Advent is filled with our

anticipation of the Christ

Child. Join us for inspiring

worship and music,

special concerts and our

traditional German

Christmas Festival

Worship, which honors

St. Martin’s roots as

Austin’s first German

Lutheran church.

We celebrate the arrival

of the Holy Spirit and the

birth of the church on

Pentecost, which takes

place 50 days after Easter

Sunday. St. Martin’s has

traditionally marked this

day with the Rite of

Confirmation for youth

who are affirming their

baptism.

The somber season of

Lent starts with Ash

Wednesday as we begin

the journey to Easter. We

remember Jesus’ time in

the wilderness through

contemplation and

prayer. On Wednesday

nights throughout Lent,

St. Martin’s hosts meals

and Vespers.

Beginning on Palm

Sunday, we remember

the events leading to

Jesus’ death on the cross.

Join us for our Agape

Meal, St. Martin’s special

Maundy Thursday

worship, Good Friday

worship and Stations of

the Cross, and our

Saturday Easter Vigil.

With triumphant shouts

of “Alleluia,” St. Martin’s

celebrates the resurrec-

tion of Jesus and the

promise of life eternal

through Christ. This

festival day of worship is

a pinnacle event in the

life of the church, and a

day of joy and gladness

for all of God’s people.


@ St. Martin’s

Music at St. Martin’s plays an integral part of the worship

life and member fellowship at our active downtown

parish. The most significant musical instrument at St.

Martin’s is the acoustical worship environment, which

enhances everything from the voices in the pews to the

large choruses and orchestras that perform in this

soaring space on a regular basis.

Two pipe organs, both in the west gallery of the nave,

serve the full spectrum of organ and choral literature,

from early Baroque to late Romantic. More than 100

committed musicians minister to the worshipping

congregation through their gifts of time and talent.

St. Martin’s offers the gift

of music through the

voices of 35 adult

choristers, including five

professional soloists. The

group sings a classical

choral and solo repertory,

and leads the church in

robust hymn singing and

Psalm chanting.

Our church’s musical gifts

include the talents of 14

experienced ringers who

play English and Dutch

handbells and chimes

monthly during worship.

The group appears at

special events around the

city as they share the

music of St. Martin’s.

Organized by Founding

Conductor Dale

Elmshaeuser, St. Martin’s

Symphonic Winds are

formed throughout the

year from a roster of

more than 50 musicians

who gather to play

standard arrangements

during our worship.

With a core of keyboards,

guitars, percussion and

lead vocals, St. Martin’s

Reformation Band runs

the gamut of Jazz,

Contemporary, Blues,

Rock, Hispanic and

improvisational styles.

Solo instrumentalists

often enhance the band.


@ St. Martin’s

@ St. Martin’s

Ringing out in procession

on festival days, our Bell

Banner teams carry 12

hand-crafted banners

comprised of various

timbres and pitches of

bells and chimes. More

than 100 members serve

as bell banner carriers

each year.

In addition to the works

of our Composer-in-

Residence Thomas

Pavlechko, several

musicians at St. Martin’s

share their talents by

composing and arranging

music for the choir, band,

Symphonic Winds and

handbells.

St. Martin’s has two pipe

organs: a 21-rank

Romantic-style choir

organ by Kilgen, and a

36-rank mechanical-

action Baroque-style

organ by Visser-Rowland.

The instruments lead the

congregational song and

support the choir.

St. Martin’s is a popular

performance venue in

downtown Austin for

visiting choirs, orchestras

and other musical groups.

Our featured guests this

year range from Grammy

-nominated Conspirare to

the Inside-Out Steel Drum

Band.

“Grounded in classical

repertoire and traditional

liturgy, St. Martin’s is

continually led by the

Spirit, recreating itself

through many

different alternative

music genres and forms

of artistic expression.”

Thomas

Pavlechko,

Cantor and

Composer-in-Residence


The nursery is a safe and

joyful place for the

youngest children at St.

Martin’s. Infants through

children age five are

welcomed to enjoy the

nursery which is staffed

by two professional

caregivers in Room 207

from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm.

Our approach to faith

formation is called Godly

Play. In our Upper Level

classrooms, children ages

2 through Fifth Grade

become aware of their

part in God’s kingdom

through stories, liturgy,

and joy, and come to

recognize God’s presence.

Join us June 13-17 from 5

to 8:30 pm for our all-ages

Vacation Bible School.

This year’s theme is

“Egypt: Joseph’s Journey

from Prison to Palace.” VBS

is a fun-filled adventure in

faith that includes nightly

dinners, music, crafts,

stories, games and more.

This global movement

brings the stories of God

and the Christian people

to children through tactile,

beautiful materials and

stories heartfully told by

caring adults. St Martin’s

is a leader in training

teachers in Godly Play in

the Central Texas area.

At St. Martin's, we believe that faith formation is home-

centered and church-supported. That’s why we provide

supportive education for parents, training for adult

leaders working with children, opportunities for youth

involvement in worship and service, and full inclusivity

for the children of our congregation.

“Ministry with children is intentional to meet their

growing needs, but by no means is faith passed

along only from adult to the child,” says Sharolyn

Browning, St. Martin’s Child & Family Minister.

“When we truly welcome children, we open our hearts to

better understand what we are all intended to be — a

people that rejoices in the presence of God.”


&

@ St. Martin’s

&

@ St. Martin’s

Senior High Youth engage

the community through

their annual mission trip,

Dinner Theater pro-

duction, and volunteer

work with Austin’s

Mobile Loaves & Fishes.

Junior High Youth also

take on service and

outreach projects.

Junior High Youth gather

at 10 am in Room 148 to

build richer and deeper

relationships with God

and others. They study

the Bible together, pray,

and discuss important

issues of faith for today’s

youth.

Senior High Youth meet at

10 am in Room 150 for

fellowship and study as

they delve into issues of

faith. The group also

enjoys “Freestyle Sunday

School” mornings, which

feature youth-led

activities and music.

Youth are at an important juncture in their faith

formation. They’re exploring ways to live authentic,

Christ-centered lives filled with meaning and purpose,

and they’re brimming with questions that stem from

their deep desire to know God.

Their creative spirits respond to the love of Jesus and the

spirit of God in ways that invigorate and inspire the

congregation at St. Martin’s. “Youth fill our community

with energy, enthusiasm and talent through worship and

service,” says Erika Rorer, St. Martin’s Youth & Family

Minister. “They encourage us to reach out and serve our

broader community and to be true stewards of our God-

given gifts.”

Confirmation is a 3-year

program, typically for

youth in Grades 6

through 8, that explores

Christian faith through

Wednesday night classes,

mentoring with adults, a

summer trip to Camp

Chrysalis, and service

projects.


Our community is continually thinking,

talking and learning about God. We

believe that the Word of God is a living

Word — a Word that is vital and

alive. While it is steadfast and never-

changing, the Word of God also is

constantly growing as we understand

more about our world and as we deepen

our relationship with Jesus.

We believe that Christian education is

not just for young people. It is not a task

that stops when we enter our teens or

become confirmed. Christian education

is a life-long practice. Whether we are

new to our faith or we know the Bible by

heart, we always engage ourselves in

learning and discussion about God to

keep our life in Christ blossoming.

Think that VBS is only for

kids? At St. Martin’s, we

host adult classes during

VBS week. Make plans to

join us June 13-17 from 5

to 8:30 pm as we explore

the theme of “Egypt:

Joseph’s Journey from

Prison to Palace.” Dinner

and activities for children

are included.

Come to the Fellowship

Hall Sundays at 10 am for

topics that engage the

mind and spirit. Guest

scholars and experts lead

conversations about the

Bible, current events, the-

ology and more. Our 2010

topics include “Christian

Imagery in Harry Potter”

lead by Prof. Ed Shirley.

Join us in the Chapel

Sundays at 9:30 am for a

traditional Sunday School

class. Participants begin

the class with a hymn,

they share their week’s

highs and lows, and join

in prayer together. The

class focuses each week

on an ongoing study of

Scripture.

You’re invited to the

Parlor Sundays at 10 am

for a time of sharing

about current events,

faith and the Bible.

Infants and children are

welcome in the class,

which is located right

across from our nursery.

The group is studying the

Book of Genesis this year.


@ St. Martin’s

Caring and praying for our neighbors is a hallmark of the

Christian life. At St. Martin's, these spiritual practices are

woven into the fabric of our community.

We are proud to be one of the first congregations in our

area to have a Stephen Ministry program, which has

trained and organized lay people within our church since

1979 to care for others. Over 100 members of St. Martin’s

now are either active or inactive Stephen Ministers.

St. Martin’s also acknowledges the deep need for prayer

and healing within our community and world. Our

members serve as Healing Ministers during our worship

services and at other special occasions. Also, our Prayer

Team comes together to lift up to God the concerns of the

community and individuals.

For more than 30 years,

Stephen Ministers at St.

Martin’s have reflected

the love of Christ by

providing confidential

one-on-one care to

members during times of

need. They receive special

training and take part in

continuing education

programs at St. Martin’s.

Members help support

our church’s mobile

volunteer ministry that

brings the bread and

wine of Communion to

those who are unable to

attend worship. These

visits extend the

compassionate love of

Jesus to all.

St. Martin’s volunteers

pay visits to hospitalized

members and their

families in caring,

thoughtful and prayerful

ways. Volunteers extend

the love of Christ and the

care of our community,

and they check on the

progress of members

following their release.


Prayer Team members

meet weekly to pray for

peoples' needs and

concerns. Our Healing

Ministers extend to the

community prayers for

healing at our Saturday

night worship and during

other occasions in the

church year.

&

@ St. Martin’s

St. Martin’s is a congregation that serves

the Austin community and beyond

through our giving and volunteering.

Church members enthusiastically assist a

variety of charities each year with our

monthly donations and support.

St. Martin’s takes on a variety of hands-

on service projects, too. At Thanksgiving

last year, our members hosted and served

a Community Feast for all. The church

opened its doors on freezing winter

nights to shelter the city’s homeless. Also,

St. Martin’s members donate and deliver

each year Christmas gifts and school

supplies to low-income children and

seniors who live along the Texas/Mexico

border. Additionally, our children, youth

and preschool students collect coats and

jackets to share warmth with others.

Agua Viva is our partner

congregation in El

Cenizo, which is located

on the Texas/Mexico

border. St. Martin’s helps

the congregation with

facility maintenance of

the church, teacher

training and donations

that assist children and

senior citizens.

Water to Thrive is a faith-

based organization in

Austin that brings clean

well water to villages in

rural Ethiopia. St.

Martin’s members —

including the children

and youth of the

congregation — have

helped build wells

through their support.

Austin’s Habitat for

Humanity is a volunteer

organization that builds

affordable houses in

partnership with God and

families in need. A three-

month building project

involving St. Martin’s

members and other area

Lutheran congregations

typically begins each fall.

Volunteers from the

congregation open St.

Martin’s doors on

freezing nights to give

shelter to the city’s

homeless. On these

occasions, St. Martin’s

provides meals, clothing,

and a safe, warm place

for people to find rest and

hospitality.


@ St. Martin’s

St. Martin’s has built a 10-year relationship with the

residents of Juticulpa, Honduras. Volunteers from our

congregation travel on mission trips to the area to build

homes, maintain a school, train teachers and support

students. We’ve helped initiate an array of community

projects that have improved the lives of hundreds of

people who live in the Colonia Solidaridad neighborhood.

Each year, St. Martin’s members decide which

service agencies to highlight as Benevolence

Focus recipients. The congregation collects gifts

for these programs, which are individually

selected for doing worthy jobs of sharing God's

love with others. If you’d like to donate to one of

our Benevolence Focus groups, please write a

check to the church and put the name of the

organization in the memo line.

LSSS annually serves 25,000 people and runs the

New Life Treatment Center for children

LWR works with partners in 50 countries to

combat hunger, improve health and end conflict

Habitat builds simple, decent, affordable houses

in partnership with God and families in need

Gifts are collected to provide financial assistance

to ministry work within the Synod

Cross Trails provides spiritual renewal through

its camp and retreat programs in Central Texas

This mobile outreach ministry provides food,

clothing and dignity to the homeless and poor

The group cooks meals for more than 1,800

people daily and oversees various services

To be determined

The Jean Coburn Scholarship Fund gives tuition

assistance to single parents and families in need

Austin-based Water to Thrive brings clean well

water to parched communities in rural Ethiopia

CAFB distributes food to more than 340 human

and social service agencies across Central Texas

Mobile Loaves & Fishes is a social outreach

ministry to the city’s homeless and indigent working

poor. St. Martin’s volunteers, including our Senior High

Youth, prepare sandwiches and drive in groups of six

around Austin as they give food to those in need.


@ St. Martin’s

Our active seniors

gather in the

Parlor for lunch

and a speaker on

the second

Tuesday of each

month. The group

also hosts movies

and out-of-town

excursions.

St. Martin’s is committed to being a Christ-led

community where each individual is known, cared for

and encouraged to grow in faith. Our groups help you

form relationships within the church and explore your

shared interests — whether it is discussing the Bible,

enjoying the outdoors, sewing a quilt, tackling fix-it

projects or simply sharing your stories in fellowship with

others who also call St. Martin’s their church home.

JAM gives our third through fifth graders opportunities

to share in the fun of service projects, overnight retreats

and more. Children form deeper friendships that help

them transition into our youth programs.

Our Small

Groups meet in

homes across

Austin for study,

meals and more.

Newcomers are

always welcome.

Senior High

Youth take

their faith

journey to the

next level

with outreach

projects,

out-of-state

mission trips,

volunteer

opportunities

and Bible

studies.


Junior High Youth

build deeper

relationships with

God and others as

they hang out,

pray, and find

ways to claim a

faith of their own.

@ St. Martin’s

@ St. Martin’s

Women at many stages on the motherhood journey enjoy

each other’s companionship. This group helps women

support one another as they participate in service

projects at St. Martin’s. They provide meals for new

mothers, assemble baby welcome kits, and pack lunch

bags for the hungry. The Mothers of Young Children

gather on the first and third Wednesdays each month at

6 pm for dinner, Bible study and conversation in the

Parlor. Babies are always welcomed!


St. Martin’s men lend a

hand by fixing up the

church twice a month.

Their work includes

general repairs, painting,

carpentry, welding and

more.

Church Committee

volunteers help shape the

life of the community at

St. Martin’s. Our groups

include the Church

Council, Preschool Board,

Community & World

Service, Worship Arts,

and more.

Children have fun

together as they learn

new songs of praise and

discover songs of faith

passed down over

generations. They

periodically offer music

during worship and on

festival days, including

Reformation Sunday and

Christmas Eve.

St. Martin’s

Outdoor Recreation

Enthusiasts travel to

Big Bend National

Park each fall for a

multi-day camping

excursion with plenty

of time for hikes,

cookouts, fellowship

and fun in God’s

amazing creation.

St. Martin’s Women

of the Church gather

for monthly Circle

meetings and special

quarterly events.

They also coordinate

a variety of activities

ranging from service

projects and retreats

to our annual

ThankOffering

Weekend in

November.

The congregation of St. Martin's is taking

a leadership role in helping all of us grow

as good environmental stewards — by

recycling paper and cans, watching our

heating and air conditioning use, turning

off lights, using more efficient bulbs and

much more. To help make sure we

maintain these efforts, we have an active

Environmental Stewardship Committee

that provides leadership and direction to

the congregation in our shared goal of

becoming more conscientious caretakers

of the world God has created.

This year, St. Martin’s is proud to break

ground on our property for a Community

Garden to serve downtown. Church

volunteers have come together to build

raised beds and garden paths, and to

plant seeds for our first vegetable crops.

St. Martin’s vigilantly

tends to our church and

grounds in Earth-friendly

ways. We use native

plants in our landscaping

and biodegradable plates

for fellowship events. We

also have extensive

in-house programs for

recycling, energy and

water conservation.

Our Environmental

Stewardship Committee

has worked with

neighborhood residents

to come up with a plan

for using a portion of our

property as a Community

Garden. Our vegetable

plots will serve as a

vibrant downtown

resource for fresh food.

St. Martin’s continually

educates its members

about our Christian roles

as environmental

stewards of God’s

creation. We advocate for

water conservation,

planting trees, recycling,

xeriscaping, and using

public or self‐powered

transportation.

Our members celebrate

Earth Day each spring as

a reminder that God

entrusts us to care for

our planet. Come join us

for worship on April 25

and help us dedicate our

innovative new play-

ground for the children

and preschoolers at St.

Martin’s to enjoy.


@ St. Martin’s

St. Martin's Lutheran Preschool, established in 1962,

provides a nurturing Christian environment for families

as a ministry of St. Martin's Evangelical Lutheran

Church. It is the school's goal for the children to grow

spiritually, morally, academically, culturally, socially,

and physically as they mature in Christ.

Our school offers well-balanced, integrated

educational programs for children from 18 months

through Pre-Kindergarten. In addition to the standard

curriculum, we provide hot lunches and snacks,

developmentally appropriate playgrounds and summer

programs.

St. Martin's Lutheran Preschool admits children without

regard to race, color, ethnic origin or religion.

Children love our

delicious and nutritious

lunches and snacks

provided by Patricia’s

Lunchbox. Our hot

cafeteria lunches are tasty

for even the pickiest

eaters, and our healthful

snacks give parents peace

of mind that their

children are eating well.

Our staff and teachers

help children grow in

their faith through

weekly chapel and Godly

Play, which brings the

stories of God and the

Christian people

to children through

tactile materials and

stories heartfully told by

caring adults.

Reading readiness is a

priority at our preschool.

Our children learn the

academic skills they need

to succeed in their

Kindergarten classrooms

and beyond. Our

curriculum also includes

thematic unit studies,

music, art, Spanish,

computers and more.

Children at St. Martin’s

enjoy lots of room to play

and develop their motor

skills. We have an indoor

gymnasium, an outdoor

playground and a new

outdoor play area that

will open in 2010.

Enrichment classes are

also offered in dance and

gymnastics.


@ St. Martin’s

So many important faith milestones, including Baptism

and Communion, have their beginnings in childhood.

Parents, caregivers and the congregation that surround

the children and youth of St. Martin’s have a wonderful

and serious responsibility. Living in the baptismal

covenant means proclaiming to children the Good News

of God's abundant love. This love is manifested in

Baptism and Communion, and revealed in the Word, the

Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, the Creed and,

ultimately, in our daily lives.

Parents are equipped to share this Good News with their

children in the Parents & Promises class that St. Martin’s

offers quarterly on Sunday mornings. This class is

designed for parents who are preparing for their child’s

Baptism or Communion, and it is open to anyone

interested in learning more about these sacraments.

Children have unique

events that shape their

faith. We recognize in

our worship a few of

these that are shared by

many: Bible presenta-

tions at Age 2 and First

Grade; Blessing of the

Backpacks in the fall, and

the “God & Me” and “God

& Family” medals.

The Affirmation of

Baptism is a turning point

that celebrates God’s love

and grace manifested in

Baptism. Although St.

Martin’s typically

celebrates this milestone

among 8th Graders in the

church community, adults

may choose to mark this

occasion, as well.

Baptism marks a person’s

entry into the community

of God's people. It begins

a lifelong journey that

shapes every aspect of

our lives and gives

meaning to each moment.

We welcome people of all

ages to the baptismal

font. Call the church at

476-6757 for information.

Through Communion,

we’re strengthened for

service by God's abiding

love and we share in the

abundance of living in

community. We welcome

all people to join in the

feast of the Lord's Supper.

If a child reaches out to

share in this great meal,

we welcome them.


@ St. Martin’s

Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega — the beginning and

the end. As Christians, we believe that God is a part of

each of our lives and all the places in it. That is why, as a

community, we celebrate and mourn with our members

at each of their passages of life. From birth and baptism

to marriage, starting a family and through death, each

passage in our lives is infused with God’s blessing, love,

compassion and forgiveness.

At St. Martin’s, we believe that these passages of life

should not be made alone. Each of these moments, both

joys and pains from the beginning of life to the end, are

remembered and shared with the community of faith.

Each of us will experience

grief at some point in our

lives. While it is a univer-

sal experience, it is also a

unique one. St. Martin’s

offers bereavement

support for those who are

in the midst of a loss.

We’re here to help people

work through their grief

move toward healing.

We welcome those who

wish to be married at St.

Martin’s, which offers a

soaring sanctuary space

or a more intimate chapel

for wedding ceremonies.

Contact the church office

at 476-6757 to learn more

about how St. Martin’s

can be a part of this

blessed beginning.

St. Martin’s memorial

services are times of

blessing for the deceased

and of thanksgiving to

God for that person's life.

As Christians, we believe

that death marks not the

end of life, but a new

beginning as we move

from earthly life to a

greater life with God.

St. Martin’s provides a

final place for loved ones

as a continuing witness to

the risen life we have in

Christ. The Columbarium

at St. Martin’s is located

within our Chapel as a

place of remembrance for

those who are now at rest

within the communion of

saints.


@ St. Martin’s

St. Martin’s Endowment

Fund is a perpetual trust

established to maintain

and expand the church’s

ministries and facilities.

Although many members

give to the Fund in their

final bequests, others

make donations to honor

loved ones or to mark

important milestones.

Our most popular form of

giving is placing an

offering in the plate

during worship. We give

thanks to God through

our financial support of

the church and its

ministries. It’s not as

important how much we

give as it is that we give

regularly.

You’re invited to give

regularly by making

secure automatic

payments to St. Martin’s.

“Simply Giving” is a funds

transfer system available

for members at

thrivent.com. We also

accept gifts 24/7 through

the “Giving” section of

saintmartins.org.

We believe that joyful generosity is an important

component of a balanced spiritual life. Returning to God

from that which God has given us is a tangible way to

express our faith. When each of us gives as we are able,

together we fund the ministries within our church — and

we share our gifts with the Austin community and the

world beyond, as well.

As Christians, we are called to actively respond in

gratitude to God. Our grateful response to God includes

offering ourselves in service to Christ and our neighbors

through the gifts of our time, talent, and treasure.

Giving at St. Martin’s isn’t

just about dollars and

cents. It’s also about

sharing our time and

talent — from performing

to praying — with the

congregation on a regular

basis. Volunteers are

always needed to assist

with a wide variety of

needs at the church.


@ St. Martin’s

On June 3, 1883, twenty German Lutheran families

organized the “Deutsche Evangelische Lutherisch St.

Martin’s Kirche” in Austin. The mission congregation met

in other church buildings until members could secure

land to build a church of their own. In Dec. 1884, three

months before the cornerstone was laid at the present

Texas Capitol, the congregation of 50 members with more

than 70 children laid the cornerstone for St. Martin’s.

Now, more than 125 years later, St. Martin’s continues to

share God’s love with others as we gather around the

Word and Sacraments. At St. Martin's, you will meet

people who embrace many different viewpoints but who

find their center in the love of God.

Another expansion of the

Capitol Complex forced

St. Martin’s to move.

Worship was held at

Austin High during

construction of our

current Romanesque-

style church at 606 W.

15th St. In 2001, St.

Martin's re-dedicated its

renovated facilities.

Founded by German

immigrants, St. Martin's

Evangelical Lutheran

Church began in 1883

with bi-monthly German

Lutheran worship

services. Rev. Henry

Merz, a missionary from

Switzerland, conducted

the first Sunday worship

services.

Our first home on East

Peach Street, now 13th

Street, was built three

months prior to the

laying of the cornerstone

of the Texas Capitol. The

frugal congregation used

bricks salvaged from the

original Texas Capitol

building, which was

destroyed by a fire.

Our second location on

14th Street was chosen

due to an impending

expansion of the Texas

Capitol. The white stone

Gothic structure was

dedicated on April 1929.

Our beautiful oak altar

and reredos, carved by

Wisconsin artisans, was

installed in the sanctuary.


@ St. Martin’s

St. Martin’s website serves as our

online hub for information.

St. Martin’s sends email updates

twice each week. Send a request to

join our list: [email protected].

St. Martin’s News arrives by email at

the start of each month. Send a

request to be a online subscriber:

[email protected].

Our members use this social

networking site to keep in touch.

Send a friend request to St. Martin’s

Lutheran Church and join in the fun.

www.facebook.com/saintmartins

Follow our Tweets on Twitter:

http://twitter.com/stmartinsaustin

Watch videos about our congregation

at St. Martin’s channel on YouTube:

youtube.com/user/SaintMartinsLutheran.

Enjoy images of our church events at:

www.flickr.com/photos/saintmartin125/.

606 W. 15th St., Austin, 78701

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (512) 476-6757

Terry Jordahl

2010 Church Council President

[email protected]

Rev. June Wilkins

Associate Pastor

[email protected]

476-6757 ext. 241

Chris Baker, Business Manager

[email protected]

476-6757 ext. 222

Yolanda Alvarez, Secretary

[email protected]

476-6757 ext. 221

Sharolyn Browning

Child & Family Minister

[email protected]

476-6757 ext. 234

Erika Rorer

Youth & Family Minister

[email protected]

476-6757 ext. 233

Thomas Pavlechko

Cantor & Composer-in-Residence

[email protected]

476-6757 ext. 344

Benjamin Sullivan

Superintendent

[email protected]

476-6757 ext. 269

Linda Easterwood

Preschool Director

[email protected]

476-4037 ext. 211

Diana Dworin

Publicity Coordinator

[email protected]

476-6757 ext. 265


@ St. Martin’s

http://www.saintmartins.org

mailto:[email protected]



http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58779140038

http://twitter.com/stmartinsaustin

http://www.youtube.com/user/SaintMartinsLutheran

http://www.flickr.com/photos/saintmartin125/












8:45 am Eucharist with music led by the Reformation Band

11 am Eucharist with music led by St. Martin’s Choir

9:30 am Foundations Adult Class: Chapel

10 am Sunday School for all ages

Children, Ages 2 to Grade 5: Upper Level

Youth, Grades 6 to 12: Basement

Adult Forum Class: Fellowship Hall

Faith & Fellowship Adult Class: Parlor

5 pm Eucharist and Prayers for Healing

6 pm Mothers of Young Children meet the first and third

Wednesdays each month in Room 230

6:30 pm Classes and Fellowship

Confirmation for Youth (Grades 6-8): Chapel

Parents of Teens & Tweens: Room 230

Centering Prayer for Adults: Room 329

7 pm St. Martin’s Choir: Room 340

8:30 pm St. Martin’s Ringers: Nave

St. Martin’s Ev. Lutheran Church, a congregation of the Evangelical

Lutheran Church in America, is located in downtown Austin at 606

W.15th Street (78701) at the corner of 15th and Rio Grande streets.

From Interstate 35 Exit on 15th Street and go west on 15th

Street. Turn right onto Rio Grande Street.

From Mopac (Loop 1) Exit on Enfield and go east. Turn left

onto Rio Grande Street.

Parking Spaces are available in our two church lots and on the

street. Designated visitor parking is located in the lot next to the

church on 16th Street.

@ St. Martin’s

Special thanks to all of our photographers, particularly Jim Woodard & Bob Daemmrich, for their contributions to this edition of Life @ St. Martin’s

Documents

2010 Life @ St. Martin's