Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, Author at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church of Fairfax, VA

Why Go to Church? The Top Ten Things You’re Missing

March 25, 2019 by Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church

Going to church each week is the best opportunity to be with other believers in Christ. It is one of the most important activities you can do to nurture your spiritual life. Faithful attendance in weekly church services is the best way to derive the many benefits church offers and put you on a path to God for the rest of your life.

The Benefits of Attending Church Regularly

Here are ten of the top benefits you will receive from attending church regularly:

1. Develop a Sense of Community

Going to church will help you become part of the community in Christ. Through our interactions with others, God will have you reflect more on life’s true purpose. Worshiping and living alongside other Christians through the fellowship of church will grow your love for God and for others. Think of church not as just a place to go to on Sunday mornings, but a place where believers gather to celebrate their spiritual journeys together.

2. Identify and Use Your Own Spiritual Gifts to Help Others

You are endowed with spiritual gifts of your own. To identify the gifts you have, consider reading biblical passages such as 1 Corinthians:12-14, Romans:12, Ephesians:1 & 4, and Peter:4. Once you understand how you are uniquely suited to help others, look for ways to use your gifts. You can speak to Pastor Paul at Fairfax Christ Lutheran or another congregant about how to study these passages. You never know until you reach out.

3. Discover Your Purpose

God has a plan for all of us. It is often said that He knows the hairs on our heads and has ordered every one of our steps. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” “plans to give you hope and a future.” Regular church attendance can help you discover the purpose God intends for you. It may come to you suddenly as you listen to a sermon or as you pray, or it could be a still small voice that you hear during quiet contemplation. It could slowly dawn on you as you interact with the church family members.

4. Build Connections With Other Believers

You will meet new friends when you attend church regularly and be encouraged to participate in the church community. The more you become involved, the more people will miss you when you do not attend. You will become part of the church family where people really do care about each other. The Scriptures call the community of believers “brothers and sisters” for a reason.

5. Grow Spiritually Through Worship

When we feel gratitude for God’s love for us, we feel the desire to worship Him. As you come to know God, his love will conjure feelings of thankfulness in your heart. By expressing your gratitude in prayer, you can surely discover just how much you can feel His presence. This is the Spirit of God that causes believers to desire to come together with other believers to honor Christ.

6. Church Attendance Fulfills God’s Will

Hebrews 10:25 says we should “not [be] giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another…” The author of Hebrews cautions against neglecting church services. You benefit from the encouragement that church attendance affords. When life seems too hard, or you suffer a setback, you will find the encouragement you need by attending church and living a God-centered life.

7. Set a Good Example

People notice when you go to church. Your faithfulness sets an example that other your family members and friends notice. Your commitment to church attendance will lead you to living a better life, setting an example that others will want to emulate.

8. Hear the Word of God

Listening to a minister speak about the Scriptures is tremendous for your spiritual well-being. When you are hearing the word of God as you sit in close fellowship with other believers, you can understand and experience what Christ offers.

9. Do as Jesus Would Do

According to the Scripture, Jesus could often be found at the synagogue. Luke 14:6 says that when Jesus went back to Nazareth, “‘as usual’ he went to the meeting place on the Sabbath.” The phrase “as usual” can be translated as “as was His custom”. As Christians, we have committed to follow the ways of Jesus, including following the examples he set. If you are motivated to become a dedicated follower in Christ, attending church regularly will strengthen your commitment.

10. Develop the Habit of Self-Discipline

Attending church regularly will become a habit. It takes self-discipline not to give in to the temptation to sleep late on Sunday morning, or to have a leisurely breakfast instead of going to church. Once it becomes a habit, you are reaping all of the benefits church offers you, and you will look forward to the fellowship it provides every week.

Commit to Attending Weekly Church Service

Find a Bible-based church near you and commit to regular attendance. If you are unsure which congregation works best for you, we encourage you to attend Sunday service at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church. Our church family embraces all believers. To deepen your faith, live differently, and feel God’s presence and his blessings, begin by making a commitment to attend weekly Sunday church services. It may be one of the best decisions you ever make. Contact Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church today for more information.

Which Lutheran Church Services Should I Attend in Fairfax?

March 7, 2019 by Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church

As a practicing Christian who is new to Fairfax, VA, you may be wondering where you can find a Lutheran church that you can call home. Fortunately, Fairfax is populated with a host of Lutheran churches that all offer inspiring and joyful Sunday church services. If you’re looking for an uplifting message, growth in serving Christ, and a new Christian community, consider attending church services at the area’s best Lutheran churches. Here are some of the top Lutheran churches in Fairfax:

1. Lord of Life Lutheran Church ELCA

Lord of Life Lutheran Church opens their doors wide open to people of all faiths and every Christian background. They wish to create a place where God is seen, love is felt freely, and lives are changed for the better. This church loves to see new faces who are just beginning on their spiritual journey. They also welcome those who have committed their lives to being a good Christian and wish to find a home and deeper faith in their church.

The congregation also offers the convenience of having two locations in both Fairfax and Clifton. Lord of Life offers communion every week and at every service, a staffed nursery available during Sunday worship, Sunday School classes for children, and during the seasons of Advent and Lent, the church hosts midweek fellowship and worship opportunities.

2. Bethlehem Lutheran Church ELCA

Bethlehem Lutheran Church strives to create a joyful community and make stronger connections to God through worship, prayer groups, and other activities. They have social ministry groups that seek to help the less fortunate in their community as well as abroad. One of their goals is to engage children of all ages and families of all sizes. They welcome those who are exploring their faith in Jesus Christ as well as those who are lifelong followers who want to embrace the presence of God in the context of a church family.

Bethlehem is proud of the fact that they are a small church, while still having the same strong social and ministerial concerns and programs of a larger church congregation. Bethlehem offers learning hour for adults and confirmation class every Sunday at 9 AM. Following this at 10 AM, they have their weekly Sunday worship with the Holy Communion.

3. Living Savior Lutheran Church and Preschool LCMS

This LCMS church has a long history in Fairfax, VA as the first congregation to meet in individual homes in Fairfax Station. As they continued to grow, they had to seek more space and met in places like office buildings and elementary schools until in 2010 when they were able to arrive at their current location. They extend open arms to visitors at their Sunday worships, meeting at 8:30 AM and 11 AM. They also offer Sunday school that welcomes children, youth and adult Bible classes every Sunday at 9:45 AM.

4. King of Kings Lutheran Church and Preschool ELCA

King of Kings Lutheran Church is an amazing place to explore your faith. They welcome people of every age and size, color and culture, ability and gift, heterosexual or homosexual, old and young, or believer and questioner. They look past these labels to celebrate, grieve, rejoice, renew, and discover God’s given call in the community. They wish to inspire, equip, and send out faithful followers of Jesus. At the heart of King of Kings church community are the times when the congregation sings, prays, listens to God’s Word, and celebrates the sacraments.

King of Kings Lutheran Church embraces their Lutheran heritage through worship, offering two Sunday morning worship services every week. They hold a traditional service at 8 AM that uses a spoken liturgy and more traditional hymns. Following this, they have a praise service at 10 AM the projects their liturgy on a screen to follow along and incorporates a rotation of their vocal choir, bell choir, praise band, and other instrumentalists. One of the unique things about this church is that they don’t care what you wear, they’re just glad to have your presence with them.

5. Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church ELCA

Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church has all the advantages of a small, traditional church that is at the same time very open and progressive. People are deeply committed to Christ, service and outreach in Christ’s name, and to welcoming you. The congregation relates to a wide variety of people. They actively promote interfaith cooperation, reach out to culturally diverse communities, and do ministry in the context of the church’s global mission with Lutheran Churches in Mexico, Puerto Rico and Central America. Fairfax Christ Lutheran offers deep grace and support for growth in faith and trust in God’s goodness, forgiveness and grace in Christ.

Not only does attending services at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church offer many opportunities for faith and service, but they also have numerous programs you can join that include: Christ Peace Garden, Men’s Bible Study, Women of the ELCA, the Fairfax Interfaith Friendship Walk, English for Speakers of other Languages, FACETS, Britepaths and other opportunities for community outreach. Fairfax Christ Lutheran offers three hours of community on Sunday that include Sunday School and Adult Forum at 8:45 AM (Sept-May), Worship with Holy Communion at 10 AM, and a generous Fellowship Time after worship.

Make sure you don’t miss out on the wonderful opportunity to worship with a loving Lutheran congregation during Sunday church services at Fairfax Christ Lutheran.

Child’s Brain Development During Preschool Years

January 22, 2019 by Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church

Babies are born with approximately 100 billion neurons in the brain. However, the majority are not yet connected. As the child grows and learns, the brain begins to make essential connections. The rational part of the brain, the prefrontal cortex which adults use to think, is not fully developed until age 25. The brain is most receptive to learning during the first five years of life. Preschool brain development has a major impact on child development. By the age of 3, the brain is about 80 percent of an adult size brain. By age 5, the brain is 90 percent or nearly full grown.

Early Brain Development

A baby is born with all of the brain cells that they will have for the rest of their lives. However, it is the connection between these cells that enable us to think, communicate, move, and perform other essential tasks. The building of massive neuron connections is most prevalent during the first few years of life. During this time, children are able to adapt to their environment and strengthen their ability to learn through regular stimulation and communication in their home and in outside educational settings.

Different areas of the brain are responsible for different functions. For example, the cerebrum, which accounts for 80 percent of the brain, is used to interpret sensations such as hearing, vision, smell, and touch. It also controls our emotions and feelings. The cerebellum, which accounts for 11 percent of the brain, controls learning, balance, and “automate” movements, such as the ability to type quickly on a keyboard. The brain stem, which runs from the spinal cord to right under the cerebrum, is essential for maintaining life. It controls breathing, blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, digestion, and the reticular activating system (RAS).

A child’s daily experiences early in life help determine which brain connections develop. One of the most important influences is a child’s relationship with the adults in her or her life. By creating loving relationships with responsive adults, children are able to develop healthy development in a stable, safe, and nurturing environment. These relationships start at home with parents and siblings. Different parenting styles can also affect child brain development. Once a child reaches school age, healthy outside relationships can develop with teachers, childcare providers, and other members of the community.

Nurturing Child Preschool Brain Development

It is important for parents to encourage stimulating activities that enhance mental and physical development early in life. Preschool brain development primarily focuses on hands-on learning and direct interactions. Young children are able to develop concrete skills through regular practice of abstract thinking, memory, concentration, and decision-making abilities. Simple board games that help develop problem solving skills, age-appropriate puzzles that provide fun challenges, and categorization activities help grow essential skills like memory and concentration. At preschool age, children can also learn through make-believe and imaginative play which grows their creative thinking skills.

It is important to remember that preschool children are sensory learners who enjoy smelling, tasting, and touching in an attempt to explore their surroundings. Help your child learn and grow by letting them feel new textures, sing songs, and look at pictures. Encourage motor development through physical activities, such as dressing and undressing on their own, kicking a ball, or using a pencil to draw basic shapes. Remember that every child grows and develop skills at their own pace. It is completely normal for a child to be behind in one area, such as language, while being ahead in another area, such as motor development.

Attending Christ Lutheran Church Preschool

Preschool provides young children with a head start to learning and development. Although kindergarten is typically seen as the real “first” grade, more and more parents are starting to realize the importance of preschool for brain development. Attending a Christian play-based preschool can help children form strong values based on the principles found in the Bible. Play-based learning incorporates various forms of sensory learning, and may include activities relating to nature, arts, and music. Educators in these settings often encourage play-based learning through imaginative, stimulating games and exploration. Christian classrooms are strategically structured with the unique needs of preschool children in mind.

A child is more likely to excel if they are in a loving and nurturing environment that is fun and accepting of differences. At the Christ Lutheran Church Preschool, there is a strong emphasis on social development which helps young children learn love and consideration for others. The curriculum also recognizes learning in many areas with activities such as group sharing, arts and crafts, outdoor play, fine and gross motor development, stories and puppets, family activities, and bible-based weekly chapel. For more information about preschool brain development or how to enroll your child in a Christian play-based preschool, contact the Christ Lutheran Church Preschool today.

Improving Mental Health Through Sunday Worship

January 14, 2019 by Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church

God’s love, healing and grace are available for us each day in Jesus Christ! One of the most overlooked benefits of going to worship is the positive effect on your mental and physical health. Religion and spirituality shape so much of life. They shape our outlook, beliefs, behavior, sense of meaning and purpose, and how we deal with stressors. All of these have monumental impacts on our health. Luther wrote that “god is the term for that to which we are to look for all good and in which we are to find refuge in all need. To have a god is nothing else than to trust and believe in that one with your whole heart. (Large Catechism)

While some might be skeptical, there is truly a connection between attending services each Sunday and having good health. There are a number of surprising ways that going to church can improve your mental health to include reducing the risk of depression and suicide, getting better sleep, living longer, having lower blood pressure, and having a happier marriage. Reach out to Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church and Pastor Paul for more information and to attend one of their worship services each Sunday.

Sunday Worship Can Lower Your Risk of Depression and Suicide

When discussing mental health, part of that is acknowledging and dealing with mental illnesses. It has been found that spirituality, religion, and faith can help people who struggle with mental illnesses like anxiety or depression live well with their conditions. Not only can Sunday worship help you in times of crisis, but it can also help you manage your spiritual health. There are a number of ways in which attending church services can lower the chances of depression and suicide. The first is by great a strong support system. When you attend church regularly it’s natural that you’re going to start recognizing people and eventually forming lasting relationships. You’ll become part of the community and enjoy all of the support and benefits that come along with adding good people and faith into your life. This is a community that you can depend on when times get tough and you know without a doubt that they support you.

Sunday Services Can Reduce Stress

Another way is that attending church services helps to reduce stress and gain inner strength. The church’s teachings play a big role in this as you learn to trust in God’s love and goodness in Christ in your everyday life. The church can help you deal with stress in a healthy manner so that it doesn’t become overwhelming. You can also look forward to going to church every Sunday because you know you’ll be surrounded by a community that supports you and is in an environment that facilitates peace. Self-reflection plays a key role in constantly growing and becoming a better person, and church is the perfect, safe place for you to do this. The church can also help you recognize the many blessings that are present in your life and help you to appreciate them in ways you might not have before. All of these things will help to improve your mental health and lower your risk of having to deal with depression and suicide.

Church Attendance Promotes Better Sleep

Some studies have shown that there is an association between better sleep and church attendance. Better sleep is associated with churchgoers because they tend to be less stressed. Going to church every Sunday helps you have a healthy mindset and gives you time to “re-group” every week and put things into perspective. These things help you deal with the stressors that are present in your life in a healthy manner. Less stress, or at least dealing with stress in a healthy way, will lead to better sleep, which will help to improve your mental health.

Attend Sunday Worship Services to Live Longer and Healthier

There have been studies done that show a strong correlation between attending church services regularly and living a long and healthy life. Both having a low risk for depression and suicide and getting good sleep can contribute to a longer life, but there are also other contributing factors. As you get older, attending church services is a way to stay active and get out and be apart of a community. The positive energy, strong community, and faith can help lead to a longer life. People who attend church regularly are also more likely to make good choices that prolong their life.

Lower Your Blood Pressure By Attending Church

Regular church-goers tend to have lower blood pressure because they are able to handle stressors in a healthy way and because they are less likely to smoke and make other unhealthy choices.

Happier Marriages Through Shared Faith

Couples who practice their faith through regular church attendance tend to report that they have a significantly higher relationship quality as compared to couples who do not attend services together. Not only is doing things together on a regular basis a good idea but going to church together promotes a healthy relationship by giving each person a chance to reflect and appreciate one and other.

Attending Church Services at Fairfax Christ Lutheran

If you are seeking alternative ways to improve your mental health, making the simple choice to opt for Sunday worship can be the best decision you may ever make. Contact Pastor Paul for more information on how Sunday worship services at Fairfax Christ Lutheran can help you improve your mental health, your relationships and your quality of life.

How Do I Prepare My Toddler for Preschool?

December 28, 2018 by Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church

You may already have done more to prepare your toddler for preschool than you think. The best preparation may require a few tweaks to your child’s routine and a little parental homework. What you want to avoid is overwhelming your little one with anticipation of the experience. Starting preschool is an exciting step, but your overhyping it can build unnecessary anxiety.

What You Can Do Before Preschool Begins

Here are some things that child psychologists and teachers recommend doing as ways to help your toddler get the most out of a preschool program.

Establish a Schedule and Stick to It

You probably already have a schedule that everyone in your household follows. Your toddler has a time to wake up and get dressed, a time for meals, nap time, time for play, time for bed, and so forth. This helps give your child a sense of structure, order, and what to expect each day.

Establishing a schedule means setting a routine with tasks to help your child understand self-reliance and the importance of rules. For example, breakfast at a set time each day could mean the child should wake up by a certain time, be dressed, make the bed, and brush teeth. If you have not already set a daily schedule and routines for your little one, it is time to start. If you already have one, make sure you stick to it. Getting your toddler acclimated to the idea of a schedule with rules to follow is one of the best ways to help your child adjust to a preschool program. The sense of security fostered by schedules and routines will stay with your child for life.

Give Responsibility for Completing Small Tasks

A toddler should be able to learn to do simple tasks without much supervision. Examples include putting away toys, putting on a coat and boots, and bringing dirty tableware to the sink. Make a game out of it by giving them a treat the first time they complete the task.

Story Time

Include time in the schedule for reading stories to your toddler out loud. Reading out loud to your child stimulates the imagination and helps them learn vocabulary and verbal skills. To prepare them for a Christian preschool experience, you can include bible stories in your story reading.

You can incorporate story time into your schedule any time of day. Your toddler will look forward to this special time every day. By the time preschool starts, reading will be a fun and familiar activity. Christ Lutheran Preschool incorporates story time into every day activities.

Visit the Preschool Before School Starts

Selecting the preschool for your toddler probably included a personal visit to the facility. You met some of the school staff and teachers, toured the facility, and learned about the program’s teaching philosophy. Arrange to bring your child for a preview as well. Let the child see the environment, meet the teacher, walk around the facility, and even play on the playground. This would be a good time to describe to your child what his or her school day will be like when school starts. Let them know how much fun it will be meeting new friends, learning about new things with them, playing on the playground, making arts and crafts, and so forth. Christ Lutheran Preschool is always open to visits if your child wishes to visit the school early.

Listen to What Your Child Says about Starting Preschool

Casually encourage your little one to talk about starting preschool. You are likely to hear a mix of worry and excitement. You can reassure him or her that these feelings are normal but preschool will be lots of fun and is a part of “growing up”, then describe what you remember about your first day of school and how you were a little scared but then you had a lot of fun. Let your child know that even though they will be away from you for a few hours each school day, you will be there at the end of the school day to bring them home.

Get Organized

Think about what you will and your child will need for the first week of school. Go shopping for clothing, backpacks, and any supplies your toddler may need. Submit any paperwork the school requires before the first day of school. Have food for snacks or mid-day meals ready to go. Having it all ready before the first day will reduce the level of stress on everyone. On the first day, plan to stay with your child for 15 or 20 minutes to help meet a few classmates, find a place to sit, and so forth. Then give your child a hug good-bye, tell the child you know they will have fun today, and you’ll be back to pick them up and hear all about it.

Contact Christ Lutheran Preschool for More Information

For a wonderful Christian preschool experience, contact Christ Lutheran Preschool for more information about their program. The staff would be happy to meet with you and help you prepare your toddler for a Christian preschool program that will provide your little one with a solid foundation for an academic education. Contact Christ Lutheran Preschool soon to enroll your child in a Christian preschool program.