First United Lutheran Church

Thank you for your interest in First United Lutheran Church (FULC) and the possibility of membership! FULC has many ministries and opportunities for all ages and yet maintains a friendly, family-like atmosphere of support and encouragement for all. We hope you will visit and please do consider joining us for one of our upcoming interest meetings. Below is our 2011 schedule for upcoming meetings. If you are interested in attending either an interest meeting or membership class please contact the church office @ 770.427.0325. Also, please know that if these times do not work with your schedule please contact us to make other arrangements. We hope you can join us!

In Christ,
Pastor Tony and Nikki McFarland, Equipping Ministry

2011 Interest Meetings and New Member Classes Schedule
Sunday, January 9: New Member Sunday for our Fall 2010 Class
Saturday, March 26: Spring Interest Meeting (9am-2pm)
Saturday, April 30: New Members Class (9am-2pm)
Sunday, May 22: New Member Sunday for our Spring 2011 Class
Saturday, October 1: Fall Interest Meeting (9am-2pm)
Saturday, November 5: New Member Class (9am-2pm)
Sunday, December 4: New Member Sunday for our Fall 2011 Class

Interest Meetings
Twice a year we offer interest meetings for those that want to find out more about First United Lutheran Church. Interest meetings are about meeting people and making connections. We will also work together in developing a sense of the gifts God has given each of us and develop a sense of identity as ELCA Lutherans today. These meetings are held in early fall and late winter. This meeting lets people get acquainted with other new faces at First United as well as current members. It also gives a brief overview of the different ministries and programs that we offer. Our pastor leads an interactive Bible study. Plus each person who attends gets to find out their personality strengths and finds out more about their individual Spiritual Gifts. Lunch will be provided and childcare if needed. The session wraps up with some information on being a Lutheran at in the ELCA today. Those who express interest in becoming members of First United are then welcome to attend a class on membership that will be held on a later date, soon after the interest meeting.

Membership Classes
In the fall and spring we offer membership classes. Membership classes are about meeting more people and making deeper connections. These classes focus around the seven faith practices of discipleship. It also provides a time for potential new members to get to know other members and ministry leaders in the church. The leaders will show how they are using their gifts by giving more details about the ministries and programs they oversee. We provide lunch, and childcare will be available if needed. The day wraps up with Pastor providing more information about the ministries of the ELCA and Synod and asking those who are interested to fill out membership forms for First United Lutheran Church.

New Member Sundays
On New Member Sundays we formally welcome new members into the congregation as a part of our worship services. We invite new members to attend either our contemporary or traditional service, their preference. At each service we invite our new members forward and induct them with our prayers and blessings as brothers and sisters in Christ in our faith community here at First United Lutheran Church. Also, we have a potluck brunch between worship services where our new members are our special guests and have the opportunity to meet our other members and be welcomed.

One on One Meetings
After our new members are formally welcomed into the church, Nikki McFarland our equipping minister will contact them to make an appointment for a one on one meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to further discuss spiritual gifts and everyday interests of the individual with the goal of discerning how each person might serve in the ministry of the church and connect with those who have similar gifts and interests. We are also open to new ministry ventures if it is a ministry area that we have yet to enter.