CONNECTIONS: Our New Member Class

Welcome!

Thanks to a global pandemic, so many things have changed with how we carry out the work that God has given us to do! That includes the process by which people learn about the Christian faith and become members at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. This online course is one example; where we would have conducted this as an in-person class before, now we’re putting the sessions online and allowing people the opportunity to work through the material at their own pace.

The Connections class is primarily intended for people who are new to Christianity or to Lutheran teachings, although it can also serve as a refresher of the basics for current members.

Through a series of video lessons and Q&A forms, we’ll work through the basics of the Christian faith and explain a bit more about what it is that we believe, teach, and confess at Holy Trinity. The course is designed for you to work through at your own pace.

Below you will find links to the course materials and videos. As of August, 2020, these are being posted as each session is completed. We’ll circle back later and reorganize a bit to make it easier once all of the sessions are online. For now, download the materials, print them off, grab a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, and click through to watch the videos. After you’ve finished all of them, you’ll have an opportunity to meet with Pastor Longman to ask any questions that may have come up through the course (keep notes!) and to explore membership more fully if you wish. Enjoy!

SESSION 1: Who is God?

• Click here to download the Q&A sheet. (This is a small PDF file, about 1MB in size). NOTE: An updated version of this sheet was posted on 8/11/2020; if you downloaded it earlier, you may want to pick up this new version.

• Click here to view the video for Session 1. (YouTube video, about 50 minutes in length.)

SESSION 2: GOD’S PLAN OF SALVATION

• Click here to download the Q&A sheet. (This is a small PDF file, about 1MB in size).

• Click here to view the video for Session 2. (YouTube video, about 27 minutes in length.)

SESSION 3: BECOMING PART OF GOD’S STORY

• Click here to download the Q&A sheet. (This is a small PDF file, about 950KB in size).

• Click here to view the video for Session 3. (YouTube video, about 26 minutes in length).

SESSION 4: MEANS OF GRACE: THE WORD AND HOLY BAPTISM

• Click here to download the Q&A sheet. (This is a small PDF file, about 800KB in size).

• Click here to view the video for Session 4. (YouTube video, about 31 minutes in length).

SESSION 5: MEANS OF GRACE: THE LORD’S SUPPER, REAL PRESENCE, THE CHURCH

• Click here to download the Q&A sheet. (This is a small PDF file, about 680KB in size). NOTE: Link was pointing to last week’s sheet; it was updated on 9/23/2020. Sorry!

• Click here to view the video for Session 5. (YouTube video, about 34 minutes in length).

SESSION 6: History of Holy Trinity; How to become a member

• There are TWO forms mentioned in the video:

  • Family Information Form - Fill out one of these for the whole family (This is a small PDF file, about 12KB in size)

  • Application For Communicant Membership - Fill out one of these for each adult (18 or older) who is becoming a member (This is a small PDF file, about 13KB in size).

• Click here to view the video for Session 6. (YouTube video, about 12 minutes in length).