Mission Statement
To love our neighbour, revealing Christ to them in word and action, together becoming unified servants who worship God through Jesus Christ.
About Us
Thank you for your interest in the Halbstadt Church. Our small, little white church was built in 1955. It is located ¼ mile North of Provincial Road #243, also known as the “Post Road”. It is in the small community of Halbstadt, Manitoba, between Emerson and Gretna. It sits on a small acreage surrounded by oak trees and lilac bushes.
Many upgrades have been done including Geothermal heating and cooling system, new windows, metal roofing and new exterior doors.
Our congregation consists of approx. 20-30 people. We have an active children’s Sunday school that runs from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. As well as an adult Sunday school class. Sunday school concludes for the year at the end of June and resumes after the Sept. long weekend, giving the teachers time to rejuvenate for the coming year.
Our morning service consists of the following:
- Either hymns with a pianist or Praise and Worship songs, singing along with a recording
- Worship leader directs service and reads announcements
- A time of prayer for shared prayer requests and praise reports from the congregation
- On occasions there is a children’s story/skit/readers theater or a reading to accompany the sermon
- Scripture reading done by volunteers
- Speaker gives the message
Over the course of the year special Sundays are prepared. The first Sunday of the year is open sharing where the congregation is given an opportunity to share what God has been doing in their lives. This is followed by a fellowship meal in the basement.
The Lent services start 6 Sundays before Easter. This is organized by the Worship Committee organizes with readings, skits, etc. to accompany the sermons. Good Friday is communion and Easter Sunday starts with a fellowship breakfast in Church instead of Sunday school and is followed by our regular service at 10:40 a.m.
Mother’s day traditionally consists of a special message and BBQ lunch after the service. Father’s day consists of a round of golf and breakfast early in the morning, followed by a special service for Father’s.
Promotion Sunday is at the end of June. During the morning service, teachers share a bit about each child that is being promoted. Children at the age of nine are presented with a Bible from the Sunday school.
Baptism classes are available as the need arises. Baptism takes the form of immersion or pouring as the individual chooses.
Summer finds the congregation a little smaller but always willing to hear the Word. At the end of July we are all invited to attend the Sunflower Festival Community Worship Service in the Altona Park.
Fall brings us to our church annual picnic and the past few years it has been held at the Altona Park. We have an outdoor service and everyone brings whatever they would like to barbecue, plus other food to share. It is a day of fellowship, visiting and food.
In November we have a service to remember and pray the Persecuted Church in many different countries.
Advent starts at the end of November and runs till Christmas. Our Sunday school has a Christmas program, which usually is the evening of the 24th.
Previously, we have done a Marriage Bible study on Friday nights with a group of 17 people, “Laughing your way to a Better Marriage”.
Communion services are held 3 – 4 times per year. First at Easter, another during the summer months, again in the fall and the last one, sometime before Christmas.
We serve at the Emerson Care home on a monthly basis by bringing a ½ hour service to the residents on Sunday afternoon. The Sunday school children go twice a year during their Sunday school time on Sunday mornings.
We have a half time Pastor who has the message twice a month, and a variety of guest speakers who fill in the other Sunday’s.
Our church council meets once a month.
Our congregation is made up of members and nonmembers. Many of whom engage in the responsibilities of the church. Approximately half of our congregation drives from Altona.
We are situated in a predominantly agricultural community. We used to have an annual picnic, a 4-H club, Horse club, and a Fall Supper. With the retired farmers consistently moving to town, these events and programs have failed to continue. Our community has a curling rink and weekly die-hard curlers, who are also hosts to the annual Halbstadt Bonspiel. The rink is also a great place to host wedding and baby showers for members of the community.
We have members that are second and third generation attendees and many of us are related or grew up with one another. We recognize each others gifts, be it in leadership, teaching and serving.
I hope this gives you some insight into our Church. You are welcome anytime. We would love to hear from you and answer any questions you may have.
Thank you and God Bless