Central Lutheran Church
Central Lutheran Church: Called to Share God's Love.
Grow
True faith does not grow by being passive. When we are engaged in study of scripture, prayer and fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, our personal faith life actively grows us into caring, concerned and celebrating Christians. Central has many opportunities in which to gather and grow.
Vacation Bible School
Central Lutheran and Lutheran Church of Hope often partner in offering Vacation Bible School, however, no VBS was held 2020 - 2022 due to public health needs.
In past years, we've clowned around at the circus, attended camp with Davey and Goliath, lived as a tribe in Galilee, traveled the rails, and swung through the rain forest in our search for connection with God and each other. VBS week is always chock full of games, stories, crafts, snacks, fun, new and old friends, songs, acting, and devotion.
Youth
Middle School, 6th - 8th grades:
First and third Sundays 4:30 - 6 pm Middle school youth attend confirmation class with Pastor Jeff of Central, and lay leaders from Gloria Dei Lutheran and Table of Grace in Bethel. The class meets twice monthly during the school year here at Central in our Community Room to share a meal, learn, and get to know each other better. This three-year program of study, service, questioning, fellowship, and fun prepares the youth for high school youth group and adult membership in the church. Confirmation youth (mostly middle-school age) attended a multi-congregation retreat at Birchwood Camp October 28-29.
High School:
Youth in 8th - 12th grades are invited to travel with our youth group each summer. 2019 was a road trip to visit multiple ELCA congregations in Mat-Su, Trapper Creek, Fairbanks and North Pole, Delta Junction, and Valdez, and our synod looks forward to replicating that trip in the future. In 2022, a synod camping trip gave youth the opportunity to hike and camp outside the Seward, AK, area for three days as a group, and that opportunity will be offered again in future summers. The ELCA Western States Youth Gathering will be held in Thousand Oaks, CA, July 4 - 9, 2023. The ELCA Youth Gathering will be in New Orleans, LA, July 16-20, 2024.
We're planning regular gatherings for indoor activities (meals, Lent worship, games, movies) and outdoor fun (skiing, sledding, ice skating, broomball and hikes).
College & Seminary Scholarships
Learn more about our scholarships to Pacific Lutheran University, ELCA Colleges and Universities, and ELCA Seminary programs on our scholarship page.
Bible Studies
Sunday Bible Studies:
Sundays 10:45 am Pastor Jeff is leading a study on St. Paul, beginning September 11
Kids Sunday School Sunday School continues with fourth Sunday gatherings at 10:45 am. The nursery will stay open through the Sunday School hour for younger siblings. All ages will start in the Sanctuary with Pastor Jeff for the opening story and music, and will continue with kids splitting into an older group and a younger group for arts & craft time and games / activities.
Sundays 4:30 pm: Confirmation Class for 6th – 8th grade youth (during the school year) meets on 1st and 3rd Sundays
Tuesday Morning Bible Study:
Early Bird Bible Study: Tuesdays at 7 am with Pastor Jeff is meeting via Zoom
Wednesday Afternoon Bible Study:
Noon-1 pm Text Study: This class meets weekly in our Cordova Room to discuss the texts appointed for the upcoming Sunday worship service
Women's Groups
Women's Bible Study Schedule
Women's Monthly Gather Study - 2nd Mondays at 2 pm, both in person at Central Lutheran and via zoom
Sarah Fellowship Circle - 1st Tuesdays at 10 am at Bell’s Nursery on Specking Road
Central Lutheran Church Women (CLCW)
Central women fill Easter Baskets and sew and fill Christmas stockings for Lutheran Social Services of Alaska each year. They attend retreats and large events at the state (Alaska Synodical Women's Organization) and national Lutheran (Women of the ELCA) gatherings, and hold occasional gatherings to bless expectant mothers or simply for fellowship. Many of these ladies also provide goodies and serve as hostesses for special events including weddings, funerals, and potlucks.
Men's Groups
The Men's breakfast and Bible study meets 1st Saturdays of the month at 9 am
Independent Study Resources:
We can all use a little help in our spiritual walk. Pastor Jeff suggests the links/resources below as a way to inspire new thought, find comfort, be challenged, or simply take a moment during the day to focus on God during the new year.
The Upperroom will send a free daily devotional to your email : http://devotional.upperroom.org/
Sojourners daily blogs, news, and devotions. http://sojo.net/
Devotional that takes you through the Bible in a year. http://www.backtothebible.org/devotions
Journey through the Psalms each day of the year. http://www.backtothebible.org/authors/warren-wiersbe
On-line passage look-up, multiple versions/translations, concordance search. https://www.biblegateway.com/
Free Bible on your phone, tablet, and computer, includes reading plans https://www.bible.com/
www.daveramsey.com Financial Peace university offers Christian money management