Appendix B
Sample Letters
The following are sample elder letters. The first two letters are addressed to someone who has been inactive. The others are sample letters that elders might send out every Advent and Lent.

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
—Psalm 122:1
Dear Member of (your church name),
It is with great sadness that we note that you have not been regularly worshiping with us at (your church name) for quite some time. If there is something that we have done or not done that has led you away, please let us know so that we might repent and reconcile with you. We’re not perfect at (your church name), and we know that we may have inadvertently said or done something that has lead you away from worshiping with us. If that is the case, we ask for your forgiveness.
We genuinely want you to join with us at (your church name) in receiving the grace of God in Jesus Christ every Sunday in the Divine Service. Be assured that our Lord who has promised to be wherever two or three are gathered in His name will be here to bless you with all the treasures of heaven. As an elder, I along with our pastors have no agenda except to serve you with the Gospel of Jesus Christ in both word and deed.
Please let us know if you plan to return to us, and know that it is our heartfelt prayer that you do. You can contact me by phone at (phone number) or by e-mail at (e-mail address). If I don’t hear from you soon, I will follow up with a call. We hope to see you soon!
In Christ,

Member of the Board of Elders
(your church name) 

Dear (name),
We have missed seeing you at God’s house these past weeks and are writing you this brief note to let you know. (Of course, there is always the possibility that we simply overlooked you in the crowd—and if that is the case, accept our apologies. Also remind us of it.)
When a brother or sister is absent from the services, it could be a matter of sickness, work, or vacation that has legitimately kept him away. When there is a reason for a member’s absence, we—the pastor and board of elders—like to know. It is our duty and privilege to care about, and care for, all the members of the congregation. You are precious to us, as you are to the Lord Himself.
In case there is sickness or hardship in the family, we especially want to know so that we can offer our help and our prayers. And we would urge you to contact the pastor immediately to discuss the matter with him.
Of course, it is always possible for God’s children to lose some of their zeal to hear God’s Word preached, to worship their loving God, and to fellowship with the other saints. It is so easy for the cares, the pleasures, the busy-ness of life itself to interfere with heart and soul activities. Where this is the case we can only recommend the remedial action of returning at once to the house of God to hear His Word and receive the Sacrament, which alone can make one’s faith and love burn hot again.
We hope that nothing of a serious matter—either physical or spiritual—has developed in your life to keep you from exercising your rights and privileges as a member of (your church name) congregation. We are looking forward to enjoying your fellowship in the near future.
“Blessed . . . are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Luke 11:28)
Yours in the Service of Our Savior,

Chairman of the Board of Elders        Pastor

Dear Member of (your church name),
The seasons of Advent and Christmas are upon us once again. As your elder, I thought this an especially appropriate time to write to you in order to encourage you in the faith. Unfortunately, this can be a very hectic time of year as we attempt to meet everyone’s expectations of us. Often, we end up wearing ourselves out running after the things of this world, with little energy left for our Lord and one another.
The message of Advent and Christmas is that our Lord comes to bring us together with Him and one another through His Word and Sacrament. Real life and peace are not found in the things of this world but in our Lord Jesus Christ and the life He has given us to live together. Enclosed you will find a brochure detailing all the dates and times of services through the Epiphany of our Lord. We will also be handing out more at church for you to use as invitations for others to join us at (your church name).
I am here to assist the pastors in serving you, so if I can be of help, or, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to give me a call. I look forward to receiving the Lord’s Gospel gifts with you this Advent and Christmas season.
In Christ,

Member of the Board of Elders
(your church name) 

Dear Member of (your church name),
The Lord calls His people to return. “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). These recorded words of Jesus, at the start of His public ministry, come upon His return to Galilee after forty days of fasting and His temptation in the desert. We will also hear during this upcoming Lent that we are made of dust and to dust we shall return (Genesis 3:19). These godly and loving reminders tell us that He made us, it is His work, we are His, and He wants us to be with Him. Our Lord’s words cause us to turn, repent, to return.
Some of us may be feeling as if we are wandering in the wilderness of employment, finances, family matters, health, or other serious concerns at this time. And we perhaps may not always care for the serious side of Lent. The forty days of Lent, however, do not leave us alone on the ash heap. Beginning with Ash Wednesday, they lead to a triumphant Easter Day and our own Baptism into Christ. Lent is a serious matter. It is about death and life, sin and forgiveness, grace and mercy, through the Word made flesh. “With His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).
Each Sunday in Lent is a celebration. The worship at (your church name) echoes Christ’s victory over death. Sunday, (date), is also a special day of celebration for our congregation. The (your church name) Showcase is an opportunity to rejoice and enjoy the works of the Lord through the members of (your church name). Our heavenly Father can truly do amazing things with dust. Please join us at noon that day for what promises to be a fun-filled afternoon of making known the love of Christ.
As your elder, I encourage you to take advantage of the numerous worship opportunities at (your church name) this Lententide as our Lord calls and comes to us. Enclosed please find a brochure detailing the dates and times of services from Ash Wednesday through Holy Week and Easter. More of these brochures will be available at church for you to use as invitations for others to join us at (your church name).
If you have not been to (your church name) in a while, please return as our Lord calls. It is wonderful to see many members return weekly to the celebration of Christ’s gifts. This year, also consider returning for Wednesday Lenten services (insert time[s]) and/or return to one or more of the weekly Bible studies offered at (your church name).
Elders are to assist the pastors in serving the members of (your church name). If I can be of help, or if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call. I look forward to joining you this Lenten season at (your church name), departing to make known the love of Christ, and returning often to receive all of the gifts Christ has to offer.
In Christ,

Member of Board of Elders
(your church name) 

Dear Member of (your church name),
The season of Lent is approaching once again. Lent is that time in the Church Year in which we are disciplined to deplore our sin in repentance and to look in faith to Christ Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. As your elder, I encourage you to be faithful in worship both on Sundays and also as we gather together for the midweek Lenten services on Wednesdays. Please note that following the 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. midweek Lenten services you are invited to join fellow members of (your church name) for a soup luncheon or dinner. This is a nice opportunity to enjoy the company of one another.
Enclosed is a brochure detailing all the dates and times of services through Easter Sunday. We will also be handing out more at church for you to use as invitations for others to join us at (your church name). The words of the following hymn are a fitting prayer for us as we enter another Lenten season:
On my heart imprint Your image, Blessed Jesus, king of grace,
That life’s riches, cares, and pleasures Never may Your work erase;
Let the clear inscription be: Jesus, crucified for me,
Is my life, my hope’s foundation, And my glory and salvation!”
	—“On My Heart Imprint Your Image” (LSB 422)

If I can be of any assistance to you, please feel free to call me. I look forward to seeing you in church!
In Christ,

Member of Board of Elders
(your church name)