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@ 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
7-9 Conspirare Concerts
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
2-3 Conspirare Concerts
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
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.
Life @ St. martin’s/2010 3 PLEASE Take & Share This magazine
@ 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.
4 life @ St. martin’s/2010 Visit us online AT Saintmartins.org
@ 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
Life @ St. martin’s/2010 5 PLEASE Take & Share This magazine
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.”
6 life @ St. martin’s/2010 Visit us online AT Saintmartins.org
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@ 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.
Life @ St. martin’s/2010 7 PLEASE Take & Share This magazine
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.
8 life @ St. martin’s/2010 Visit us online AT Saintmartins.org
@ 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.
Life @ St. martin’s/2010 9 PLEASE Take & Share This magazine
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.
10 life @ St. martin’s/2010 Visit us online AT Saintmartins.org
@ 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.
Life @ St. martin’s/2010 11 PLEASE Take & Share This magazine
@ 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.
12 life @ St. martin’s/2010 Visit us online AT Saintmartins.org
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!
Life @ St. martin’s/2010 13 PLEASE Take & Share This magazine
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.
14 life @ St. martin’s/2010 Visit us online AT Saintmartins.org
@ 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.
Life @ St. martin’s/2010 15 PLEASE Take & Share This magazine
@ 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.
16 life @ St. martin’s/2010 Visit us online AT Saintmartins.org
@ 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.
Life @ St. martin’s/2010 17 PLEASE Take & Share This magazine
@ 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.
18 life @ St. martin’s/2010 Visit us online AT Saintmartins.org
@ 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.
Life @ St. martin’s/2010 19 PLEASE Take & Share This magazine
@ 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:
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
Rev. June Wilkins
Associate Pastor
476-6757 ext. 241
Chris Baker, Business Manager
476-6757 ext. 222
Yolanda Alvarez, Secretary
476-6757 ext. 221
Sharolyn Browning
Child & Family Minister
476-6757 ext. 234
Erika Rorer
Youth & Family Minister
476-6757 ext. 233
Thomas Pavlechko
Cantor & Composer-in-Residence
476-6757 ext. 344
Benjamin Sullivan
Superintendent
476-6757 ext. 269
Linda Easterwood
Preschool Director
476-4037 ext. 211
Diana Dworin
Publicity Coordinator
476-6757 ext. 265
20 life @ St. martin’s/2010 Visit us online AT Saintmartins.org
@ St. Martin’s
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