Updates from congregations around the Church of the Lutheran Confession
What’s been happening at Luther Memorial of Fond du Lac? One of the first things that comes to mind, because it happens in early September, is Fondue Fest. Fondue Fest attracts nearly 25,000 people, and the main attraction is that the local technical college’s culinary students make and serve up cheese and chocolate fondues—yum! At the last Fondue Fest, Luther Memorial distributed “Wordless Walking Sticks.” These featured a beaded strap along with a card relating the colors of the beads to Christ our Savior, as well as some edifying verses. They were quite the hit!
Recently we held our Vacation Bible School. Twenty-one children attended in pre-K through eighth grade. The “IncrediWorld” theme showed how significant and awe-inspiring is the Creator we worship. The children had fun with music and art coinciding with their daily lesson, and of course some delicious morning snacks that would physically strengthen them for our final event of the week—Water Day! Then, on Sunday, the children sang for the congregation (beautiful young voices!) and the day finished with our annual church picnic.
2025 vacation Bible school
This summer we held a mother/daughter banquet in our fellowship hall. The theme of the event was “Created with a Purpose.” It included painting, yummy food and an edifying devotion. We were even able to welcome a couple of ladies who drove all the way from one of our sister congregations in Illinois!
Mother-daughter banquet
During the cooler months, we hold Game Night in our fellowship hall. Because of our proximity to four sister congregations, we also invite them to join us for board or card games. It’s a fun evening of fellowship for both children and adults. In January we have a bowling outing. It’s great to see both young and old having a good time. From gutter balls to strikes, there are always many smiles! We will kick off our next Game Night on a Sunday afternoon in October, including the Green Bay Packers game projected on the wall in the fellowship hall.
Church members bowling night
Earlier this year, congregation members were encouraged to submit a piece of artwork or photograph for a contest. Instead of a traditional wall calendar, these pieces of artwork were posted each month on our website calendar page. If you check out the artwork, you can also see the month’s events, or vice versa.
In December, we sing Christmas carols to our shut-ins and to the residents of a local nursing home. Picture a Norman Rockwell scene. When we are finished singing, one of our member families kindly feeds us in their home.
Lutheran Memorial members caroling
We occasionally have a mission presentation taken from the Tacoma Outreach Menu; these are held on a Saturday morning, and include a potluck style breakfast. Can’t go wrong with a presentation mixed with some good food!
Speaking of food, once a month we have our Family Fellowship Hour after church including a nice spread of not only sweet things, but tasty hot stuff too. So, if you happen to be passing through the Fond du Lac area on the first Sunday of the month, stop in and receive nourishment for your soul and for your body!
is pastor of Luther Memorial Church in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Mrs. Carla Kern contributed to this article.