Activities at Mt. Carmel include a variety of choices for fun, ministry and service both within the congregation and in the community.
For specific dates and times see the Calendar.
Regularly Scheduled Activities:
Music Program: Our music program is
an important part of our worship life at Mt. Carmel. Everyone is welcome to
participate regardless of skill level. Our music director, Lisa Frenz (email),
oversees the choir, special music, helps with hymn selection and worship preparation.
She is a trained singer, litergist and sometime composer.
Choir usually meets on Thursday evenings 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. September through
May and sings about twice a month at Sunday services. They also present a Christmas
Concert in December, and provide the music for the Passion Story on Passion Sunday.
Everyone who has a desire to sing to the glory of God is welcome.
Instrumentalists: While there is no formal group of instrumentalists,
anyone who plays an instrument is welcome to provide special music for worship
services or with the choir.
Men's Prayer Breakfast: The
men usually meet for breakfast the first Saturday of the month at a local restaurant for a dutch-treat get together.
Women's Prayer Partners: Once
a year we meet for tea and draw the names of our prayer partners. Prayer Partners
support each other with prayer and care. Prayer Partners are chosen at random by drawing one of a pair of necklaces. Matching necklaces
then become Prayer Partners for a year, supporting each other in prayer.
New partners are determined at our annual High Tea. If you would like to be
a Prayer Partner please contact us at office@mtcarmellutheran.com or
call the office at 503-244-5143.
Youth Activities: The youth generally
plan an outing about once a month for bowling, skating, etc. or one of their
favorites, an "overnight" at the church.
Committees: All the activities of Mt.
Carmel obviously need planning, and the following standing committees handle
much of that work. While the council members are elected visitors to their meetings
are welcome. Anyone may join one of the committees:
Council: This group of elected officers oversees the life of the
congregation and provides leadership for the future. They meet on the second
Tuesday of the month.
Growth: This is the group of folks who plan and implement worship,
education and fellowship activities of the congregation. They meet monthly on
the last Tuesday and welcome anyone interested in helping with this aspect
of community life as do the Outreach and Resource committees.
Outreach: These folks plan and implement Mt. Carmel's outreach
in service and evangelism to the community. They also meet on the second Sunday
of the month.
Resource: To this group falls the task of the community's finances,
maintenance of the property and any physical plant improvements. They meet on
the second Tuesday of the month.
Service to the Congregation: You can volunteer to clean the church, mow the grass, weed the flower beds, etc. as well as be an assisting minister for worship, reader, acolyte, usher, greeter, and childcare giver.
Burnside Meals: Mt. Carmel supports Transition Projects by making a meal for their Glisan Street Shelter once a month and their Women's Shelter, Jean's House, twice a month.
PACK Outreach (Personal Acts of Christian Kindness): Special simple projects, such as providing snacks for Operation Night Watch's Sunday evening worship, free gift wrapping at a local store for Christmas. These activities provide an opportunity to serve others and be a visible part of our community. For upcoming PACKs see the Calendar.
SW Portland Chapter of Thrivent Financial
Services for Lutherans: This fraternal organization's members do special
service projects such as help with providing funds and labor for redecorating
the downstairs bathrooms to such ongoing efforts as the Music at the Mount benefit
concerts. Our members participate in the Chapter board.
For more chances to be of service check this out.
Special Events:
Potlucks: We find any excuse for one of these...
Strawberry Festival: In June we make sure that we indulge in one of Oregon's
greatest assets: the strawberry crop. This is an evening of ice cream, cake,
shortbread, cream and of course, berries (you notice a theme here?)
Music at the Mount: Concerts and other musical events presented by both outside groups and our own musicians. (check the calendar for exact dates). Entertainment
in the past has been provided by Corral Creek Connections a gospel bluegrass group, Beltaine a Celtic music group, SacredFlight harp ensemble,
25th Hour,
Blue Reign, our own talented musicians, and much,
much more. Admission is free although a free will offering is often solicited to benefit
various charitable organizations. Music at the Mount has raised over $8,000 each year
for a wide variety of local, national and international agencies and school
and charitable organizations, as well as individuals. With matching funds from Thrivent Financial for
Lutherans this amount is often doubled.
Annual Women's Retreat: In the fall the women of the congregation get away for a weekend of community, prayer, and worship at Menucha in the Gorge.
Annual Christmas Family and Toy Drive: Every year we gather Christmas presents and food and deliver it to our Christmas Family provided by Lutheran Community Services Northwest. We also deliver toys to Friends of Seasonal & Service Workers.
Outside Groups:
Several outside groups
meet at Mt. Carmel. They are:
River City Pipe Band a
highland pipe and drum group which rehearses at Mt. Carmel on Wednesday evenings.
Mt. Carmel Pre-school & Day Care an infant and toddler day care.
503-244-5153
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