Abiding Savior, Cameron's theme for Advent midweek services this year was "Wait, Pray, and Live by Faith: Waiting with the Old Testament Church."  Each week looked at how we wait with prayer, with comfort, and with joy.  (121911)

      Bethlehem, Elgin celebrated Santa Lucia on Dec. 13.  This traditional Swedish celebration is sponsored jointly by Bethlehem; New Sweden, Manor; and Yegua Creek churches and is presented on a rotating basis. (121911)

      Bethlehem, Quihi held its annual sausage supper on Oct. 8.  Proceeds totaled $6,000, with $1,300 being donated to the Hondo Ministerial Alliance to assist those in need in the community, and the remaining funds supporting congregational ministries.  In addition, Women of the ELCA at Bethlehem donated $500 for Christmas gifts at the Laredo missions. (121411)

      Christ, Georgetown offers a service for healing on a quarterly basis. The service includes the laying on of hands and prayers for healing. (012312)

      Faith, Austin had a work day on Dec. 10 for the Austin Habitat Faith Build.  With matching funds, 20 area congregations built two houses in 2011 instead of the normal one Faith Build.  The homes were dedicated on Dec. 17. (012312)

      Faith, Taft is served by Diane Kiddy, a synodically authorized minister, as the congregation’s interim minister.  The Rev. George Munroe, a retired pastor, concluded his service to the congregation in September. (120411)

      First, Gonzales received notes of thanks for their financial gifts as well as gifts of soap, quilts, jeans, and other items that were sent to Good, Bastrop to distribute to families in the congregation who lost their homes and possessions in the fires in September. (121411)

      First English, Austin provides volunteers on Sunday afternoons to staff the new Micah 6 Street Youth Drop In Center located at University Baptist Church.  The center offers a safe place to meet, with food, restroom facilities and computers.  In the future, the center hopes to add educational opportunities to aid the youth in obtaining stability and self sufficiency. (012312)

      Galilean and St. Mark’s, Corpus Christi members raised funds and walked in the Annual Crop Walk. (123111)

      Grace, Gidding’s pastor the Rev. Al Hoerig has been elected president of the Lost Pines Texas Master Naturalist chapter for 2012.  Master Naturalist volunteers help mange local natural resources.  The Lost Pines Chapter serves primarily Bastrop and Caldwell counties. (123111)

      Martin Luther, Coletoville youth participated in a Fall Blast Retreat. They also rode on the congregation's float in the downtown Victoria Christmas parade. (011812)

      Our Savior Lutheran Community, Boerne is now a congregation under development and is holding worship services at the Boerne Hill Country Family YMCA. The new location allows the congregation to also offer a time of study and learning on Sundays. (012312)

      Palm Valley, Round Rock will offer the Alpha course in February.  Alpha is an opportunity to explore the meaning of life in a relaxed, friendly setting.  No question about life or God is seen as too simple or too hostile. (012312)

      Peace, Woodsboro youth are making a difference by saving their change and giving it through a "Noisy Offering” on fourth Sundays.  When sufficient funds are gathered, they are given to community organizations. (121711)

      Prince of Peace, San Antonio’s new pastor – the Rev. Laura Holck – will be installed at 1 p.m. on Feb. 26.  A reception will be held prior to the service, beginning at 11:45 a.m.. (020212)

      St. James, Llano voted at its annual congregational meeting on Jan. 15 to sponsor Sue Irvin in the Theological Education for Emerging Ministries program. (020212)

      St. Luke's, Schroeder and St. Peter’s, Ander held a joint healing service on Jan. 11 at St. Peter’s. The offering received at the service was designated for a medical ministry through ELCA Global Mission. (011812)

      St. Mark's, Cuero joined with the Cuero faith community to provide a burger/hot dog cookout and praise music for oilfield workers on Nov. 1 at Shaggy's RV Park. The congregation also sponsored an outreach booth at the Cuero Community Hospital Health Fair Oct. 18. (120411)    

St. Peter’s, Ander’s annual Oktoberfest was held Oct. 30, raising $5,607 to benefit the Victoria Affiliate of Habitat for Humanity for a proposed home build in Goliad County.  Included in the amount raised is a $1,000 matching grant from the Greater Victoria Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Pictured are Cynthia Staley, executive director of the Victoria Affiliate of Habitat; Jessica and Adam Griffith; and St. Peter's congregational president Debbie Foster.  Adam Griffith served as the 2011 Oktoberfest chair. (121711)

      Shepherd of the Hills, Austin will have men and women’s spring retreats.  The women's retreat will be April 13-14 at T bar M in New Braunfels, with the men's retreat March 30-31, also at T Bar M. (012312)

      Trinity, Victoria provided a colorful birds’ panel quilt for the annual quilt auction at Lutheran Sunset Ministries in Clifton, which brought $75.  A total of $43,075 was raised for resident and patient projects. (121411)

      Triumphant Love, Austin member Ed Scharlau’s work and ministry with Water to Thrive is profiled in the Wartburg College magazine beginning on p. 14.  Water to Thrive is a faith-based non-profit that transforms lives through the gift of clean water. Scharlau is a 1961 graduate of Wartburg, one of the 26 ELCA colleges and universities. (121411)

      United Dr. Martin Luther, Shiner Women of the ELCA sent a monetary gift to Shiner Nursing and Rehab Home for Christmas and mailed care packages to college students. The congregation will host a congregational birthday party on Feb. 12 for all members.  There will be a table decorated for each month of the year, and members sit at the table which represents the month of their birth. (011812)

      Zion, Moulton members participated in the St. Nicholas Ministry, which provides needed items such as blankets, non-perishable food, new toys and gifts for families in need in Lavaca County. (011812)