How can I participate in Holy Week in the midst of COVID-19?

Posted on April 4, 2020 by

Worship Services and Bible Studies are available on our website and church’s Facebook page. More services will be available soon. We also have added the One Call Now opportunity for those who do not have a computer to listen live to the service.

One Call Now

Due to coronavirus with the Federal and Statewide regulations many people have begun to feel isolated. Especially those who do not have a computer. We at Union have come up with a solution The solution is called One Call Now.

All you have to do is call this number 978-990-5236 and plug in this code 293473# and you can hear the service(s) during the times scheduled.

If you have any questions or would like more information please contact the church office at 704-636-5092, Pastor Heidi, or a Council Member.

Palm Sunday

As Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday we are drawn into the dramatic turn of events of the last days of Jesus’ life. On Sunday he is welcomed into Jerusalem with shouts of joy and roaring “hosannas.” By the end of the week he will be betrayed, arrested, and abandoned by Passover pilgrims and his closest friends. Things turn quickly from a parade to a death sentence which is carried out on a cross between two thieves.

Journey with us through Holy Week at Union Lutheran Church. We will begin with having palms available to drive by the church and place at the cross outside on Palm Sunday. The service will be available through One Call Now, online, and on Facebook.

Stations of the Cross

This year beginning on Monday afternoon, we will have the opportunity to drive to each Station of the Cross for meditation and prayer. Every station resembles the journey Christ took from Gethesemane to Golgatha. This can be a moving experience for individuals and families. Please plan to prayerfully participate in this very personal walk with Jesus. A booklet will be available before the first station to guide you.

Maundy Thursday, April 9, 2020

Maundy Thursday recalls Jesus’ last supper with his disciples where he institutes what the church knows as the Sacrament of Holy Communion. As a sign of his servant-love, Jesus washed his disciples’ feet and gave them a new commandment, that they should love one another as he has loved them. We see ourselves in the disciples, who will abandon their Lord in various ways as Jesus makes his way to the cross.

The service at 6:30 p.m. will be available through One Call Now, online and on Facebook.

Good Friday

This holy day recalls the last hours of Jesus’ life as the suffering servant is nailed to the cross, fulfilling his mission as the sacrificial Lamb of God. The sinless One takes on humanity’s sin as he is betrayed by his closest companions, arrested and sentenced to a shameful death, even as Pontius Pilate finds no fault in him. We see ourselves in the angry crowd and lament our own denial of our Lord.

The service at 6:30 p.m. will be available through One Call Now, online and on Facebook.

Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020

The resurrection of our Lord ushers in a new reality for those who believe: a new life in Christ. God, who shows no partiality, offers salvation and forgiveness to all who believe. Our confession of faith in the resurrection of Christ is a commitment to a deeper walk with God: one characterized by worship, prayer, and an intentional living out of Jesus’ kingdom principles. This Good News is something we have no choice but to respond to.

The service at 10:30 a.m. will be available through One Call Now, online and on Facebook.

How You Can Continue to Participate
at Union Lutheran Church during the Coronavirus?

Worship Services and Bible Studies are available on our website and church’s Facebook page. More services will be available soon.

We also have added the One Call Now opportunity for those who do not have a computer to listen live to the service.

PASTOR HEIDI WANTS TO MEET YOU: Due to the COVID-19 we have not been able to gather at Worship and other ministry events. Would you please email a picture of you; your family; tell a little about yourself; and email Pastor Heidi (pastor@ulcsalisbury.org)?

Every Tuesday and Thursday, Pastor Heidi is offering a Bible Study on Encouragement: The Key to Caring. You can follow along on the church’s website or Facebook.

Prayer Vigils will continue be held each Friday with Tara Davis (704) 637-9334, Coordinating . You can schedule a time between 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. to come and pray at Union online or contact Tara to schedule. A change has been made that there will be only one person at a time at the church. This individual will pray at the cross in the parking lot.

DROP OFF FOOD (canned goods) to help those in need. We have a shopping cart set up outside the church office.

How to financially give? Online (https://ulcsalisbury.org/give-online/) or mail are ways to continue to give to the ministry of Union.

In lieu of the spread of the virus in our community on Tuesday, March 24, the Church Council decided to suspend all activities until further notice.If you need assistance during this challenging time, please do not hesitate to contact Rev. Heidi Punt or the Church Council.

Their contact information is as follows:

Rev. Heidi Punt – 815-883-4883
Phil Cauble – 704-636-2247
Lynn Coughenour – 704-637-6041
Jennifer Curlee – 704-202-6906
Don Davis – 704-637-9334
Lucinda Fraley – 704-433-9446
Brad Huffman – 704-637-9743
Gladys Morgan – 704-636-1977
Kay Morgan – 704-633-5773
Sonya Mulkey – 704-431-6514
Pete Nguyen – 704-213-2794
Cathy Painther – 704-636-3208
Ronald Vellines – 704-603-8086

Posted in Worship Notes | Tagged ,

Weekly Friday Prayer Vigil

Posted on March 18, 2020 by

Thank you for joining us for this call to prayer for our church, community and our world during these trying times. We have provided a suggested guide for prayer, but we would like for you to be open for how the Spirit may lead you during the time. We ask that you commit to staying at least 30 minutes.

We would like to begin this Friday, March 20, but realize the short notice. If you can’t commit to this Friday, please consider signing up for times next Friday.

BEGINNING TIME AND DATE

The keepers of the vigil may sign up for half-hour or one hour time segments. You may go into the sanctuary or drive up to the cross under the breezeway and park enabling you to remain in your car.

Please call Tara Davis at 704-754-7357 in order to sign up. An updated sign-up sheet will be posted as people sign up.


TIME / NAME
9:00-9:30 ___________________
9:30-10:00 ___________________
10:00-10:30 ___________________
10:30-11:00 ___________________
11:00-11:30 ___________________
11:30-12:00 ___________________
12:00-12:30 ___________________
12:30-1:00 ___________________
1:00-1:30 ___________________
1:30-2:00 ___________________
2:00-2:30 ___________________
2:30-3:00 ___________________
3:00-3:30 ___________________
3:30-4:00 ___________________

Posted in Congregation News | Tagged ,

New Sunday School Offerings

Posted on March 13, 2020 by

Two new Sunday School Classes are being launched on Sunday, March 22, 2020 at 9:30am. One focuses on our Junior and High Schoolers and the other class on Parenting!

Junior and High Schoolers

Attention all Junior and Senior High Schoolers this announcement is for you! It’s ok
to be different—come and see why. Join us at 9:30 a.m. on March 22 for a 4 week
series, in a new gathering space. Jan and Vicki, the JV Team can’t wait to see you, next Sunday, March 22!

Parents

In the midst of folding laundry, coordinating carpool schedules, and breaking up
fights, fulfilling job obligations, many PARENTS get lost. Feeling pressure to do
everything “right” and raise up “good” children is a real thing. Join Pastor Heidi at
9:30 a.m., in her study, for a 4 week series that will help us rediscover the big-picture view of God’s plan for us as parents. Freed from the burden of trying to manufacture life-change in our children’s hearts, we can embrace a grand perspective of parenting overflowing with vision, purpose, and joy. Please join Pastor Heidi, in her study, next Sunday, March 22, at 9:30 a.m.!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , ,

Easter Flowers

Posted on March 8, 2020 by
Gerber Daisy collage

The Worship & Music Committee invites you to help us bring spring in the Sanctuary this Easter. As we make our way through Lent to the glory of Easter morning we look forward to a bright and colorful display of Gerbers.

The cost per 1.5 gallon planter flower is $10.
Please make checks payable to Union Lutheran Church and at the memo line mark Flowers.

Please return you form to the church office, drop off in the mail or offering plate, by Wednesday, April 1.

Flower Order Form
Posted in Congregation News | Tagged ,

Welcome Pastor Heidi Punt!

Posted on February 25, 2020 by
Photo of Pastor Heidi Punt

Pastor Heidi Punt is a native of South Africa. She attended the University of South Africa where she earned a Bachelor of Theology majoring in New Testament Studies and Missiology. She attended the Lutheran House of Studies in Pietermartizburg (RSA) where she earned an MDIV equivalent. She has additional studies at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa.

Pastor Punt has served:

  • Intern Chaplain at Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Flanagan, IL,
  • Vicar at St. Andrews, East London, Eastern Cape, Republic of South Africa
  • Interim Pastor, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Roberts, IL and St. Peter Lutheran, Melvin, IL
  • Pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Flanagan, IL
  • Pastor of St. Peter’s, Dwight, IL
  • Contractual Pastor of First Lutheran, Pontiac, IL
  • Pastor of Christ United Lutheran, Granite Falls, NC

She has served on the following boards and committees:

  • Volunteer Chaplain and Board Member, Good Samaritan Nursing Home, Flanagan, IL
  • Assistant to the Dean of Central Southern IL Synod
  • Candidacy Committee of Tri-Synod Conference, IL
  • Mission Committee, Illinois Synod
  • Mission Developer, ELCA
  • Volunteer Chaplain, Dwight Correctional Center
  • Stephen’s Ministry Trainer
  • Carolinas Mission District Ex. Board
  • Global Confessional and Missional Lutheran Forum, NALC Representative
  • Carolina’s Youth Board
  • NALC Vetting Panel
  • Luther League Catawba Valley

She is married to Pastor Dieter Punt and they have three children. Angelique is living in Botswana, Nadia is a student at Appalachian State University, and Michael is currently enrolled at Mitchel Community College working toward transfer to NC State University.

She was granted citizenship in summer 2019.

Posted in News

Mary Hutchens to Travel to Slovakia to Minister to Children

Posted on February 23, 2020 by

Dear Friends and Family,

I hope this finds you well and as excited about 2020 as I am. A new year lets us anticipate a fresh start and hope for the future. One for me is a new grandson expected in March. The other is an exciting opportunity I want to share with you and hope you will partner with me in some way.

I will be involved with the East European Missions Network (EEMN.org) traveling to Slovakia for several weeks in July (1-20th).

A visiting member of this group gave a presentation at our church late last year and it just struck me that I could possibly fulfill a childhood dream of going to the mission field. I did not jump into this lightly. I prayed about it, asked some close friends to do the same and investigated the organization and their programs. My prayer was, “Lord, if this is not Your will, please close the door”. Not only have no doors closed, but my limited location and date window was willingly received. I begin team training in just a few weeks.

The EEMN works in former communist countries faced with the challenge of rebuilding the spiritual foundation of Christianity, left almost void by several generations who have been influenced by governmental control and atheism. Established almost 30 years ago, this group has worked to build support teams by equipping all age groups with resources and personal contact from fellow Christians.

My focus will be working with the children leading a day camp with crafts, games and music, much like our VBS programs. Most of you know that is right down my alley! I would like to ask you to partner with me financially, if possible, to make this journey. The total cost is almost $3000 per team member.

I would ask you to prayerfully consider helping me reach this call of serving several hundred children in the 2 locations we will visit. If you feel this is an opportunity you can be a part of, please respond by returning this form and any contribution you feel led to include to me by March 15th if possible.

Support Mission of Mary HutchensDownload

Please respond as the Lord leads you by using the form below and sending to me at:

Mary Hutchens, 503 Hadley Dr, Lexington, NC 27295

Thank you and God Bless as we work together sharing the Great Commission, Matt. 28:19-20.

Posted in Mission & Outreach

Jill Miller to use her Nursing Skills in Helping to Establish a Medical Clinic in Mozambique

Posted on February 3, 2020 by

In March, our team will travel to Mozambique to establish a medical clinic. We will medically assess 250 children who attend school at the mission and are blessed to participate in a feeding program where they receive a hot meal every day. For most of these children, this may be the only meal they have during the day. Part of our team will also host a Woman’s Conference and attend several churches to minister.

The purpose of our trip is two-fold: to encourage and reach the people of Mozambique with the good news of Jesus Christ and to bring a renewed awareness and excitement for evangelistic to our local church and community. We will simply be doing what Jesus commanded us in the Great Commission of Matthew 28: 18-20.

Jill must raise $1,715 in order to be a part of this Medical Team. If you would like to support her please write a check to Union Lutheran and on the Memo line write Jill Miller.

We will then write one check to her sponsoring church:
Sunset Avenue Church of God

Posted in Mission & Outreach

Dedication of Narthex Expansion

Posted on January 15, 2020 by
Narthex Expansion Dedication Bulletin



What a beautiful and blessed day we had on Sunday, January 12, 2020!

It was wonderful to see so many present for the dedication of the narthex expansion.

Union Lutheran Church will now be an even more open and welcoming congregation to those young and old, and of different abilities.

The meal following with delicious – such delicious food and fellowship. Praise be to God!

Photos from Dedication
Posted in Congregation News

Baptism of Wyatt James Thompson

Posted on October 20, 2019 by
  • Pastor Corbell baptises Wyatt James
  • Pictured L-R are Derrick, Dalton, and Miranda Thompson, Tom Corbell holding Wyatt James Thompson, and Karen and Larry Basinger.

We rejoice in the baptism of Wyatt James Thompson, son of Derrick and Miranda Thompson, and younger brother of Dalton Thompson!

Posted in Worship Notes

SUICIDE: What does the Bible teach about this reality in our fallen world?

Posted on June 20, 2019 by

As of this writing I am not sure how many weeks we will be dealing with this difficult topic as I am in the process of developing it for you.

I have been in active pastoral ministry for over 46 years. One of the most difficult areas of pastoral care is dealing with suicide. I have had to minister to people and families whose lives have been torn asunder because a loved one or friend took their own lives.

A few years ago I taught a session on suicide and over 70 people came. The great majority had experienced the pain of suicide either in their family, or had been touched by a tragic death by someone they knew. Many times people believe things about suicide that have no biblical basis.

My presenting these modules on suicide help to address these issues as well as to give practical advice when one’s life is turned upside down by the aftermath of suicide.

– Pastor Tom Corbell

Suicide – Module 1
Posted in Uncategorized