Who we are

Our History

In the early 1970s, our country was at war overseas in Vietnam and at war internally with the issues of Watergate.  It was a restless time.  It was a moving time.  It was a painful time.  During that time, when the people of our nation were searching for truth, a group of people in our community had a vision.  Their vision was that the truth of the Gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ, be proclaimed in a grace-filled Lutheran way in their community.  Their vision became what we now know as Peace Lutheran Church.

“Peace” in a time of war.  “Peace” in a time of great national turmoil.  “Peace”, the kind that comes from God and passes all human understanding, became the way of life for families that formed this faith community.  What began in a bank basement, grew to a small sanctuary, expanded to a larger sanctuary, grew to include an educational wing and a fireside room, and an office wing with space for staff, a sacristy for Worship, and music space for voices and bells and bands and great joy-filled sounds.

A more detailed history of our church is also available.

Our Mission
Peace Lutheran Church is a congregation that shares the gift of Christ’s love with all creation through worship, education, fellowship, and stewardship.

Worship is an opportunity to gather and grow in God’s grace. In addition to traditional worship settings from the Lutheran Book of Worship, we also rotate liturgies weekly which include more contemporary styles such as Marty Haugen’s “Now the Feast and Celebration”. During the summer, we gather for worship at 5:00 Saturday evening or 8:00 a.m. or 9:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings. After Labor Day, we gather for worship at 5:00 Saturday evenings or 8:00 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings. An educational time occurs between services from 9:15 – 10:15 a.m.

Education is for people of all ages. A variety of opportunities exist for learning and growing in God’s grace including a midweek program for preschoolers and a parent, Sunday School for children age 3 through grade 6, SoulTinder Confirmation for students in grades 7 – 9, and Teens In Ministry (T.I.M. teams) for post-confirmation high school students. In addition there are a number of adult and intergenerational opportunities for further exploring faith and life throughout the year.

Fellowship is foundational to our connectedness in Christ. We gather for fun, for food, for conversation in a variety of ways throughout the year. If you are interested in a book club, or a fun loving group that gathers for coffee, or simply an opportunity to chat on Sunday mornings over donut holes and a cup of coffee, you are invited. Opportunities for youth and families to gather for fellowship, faith, and fun occur regularly.

Stewardship is essential for caring for the gift’s of God’s creation. We need to care for each other, for our families, for the people of God in this place. We need to protect resources and use them wisely. We need to share Christ’s love in ways that fill the world with hope and peace.

What Lutherans Believe

In the 16th century, Martin Luther, a German monk, became aware of differences between the Bible and church practices of the day. His writings, lectures and sermons inspired others to protest church practices and call for reform.

By the late 1500s the Reformation had spread throughout Europe. Followers of Martin Luther’s teachings were labeled “Lutherans” by their enemies and adopted the name themselves. Lutheran beliefs became widespread, especially in Germany and the Scandinavian countries (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and Finland), later spreading throughout the world as early explorers took their faith with them on their voyages.

What is the ELCA
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America resulted from a union of three North American Lutheran church bodies: The American Lutheran Church, the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches and the Lutheran Church in America.

The three churches agreed to unite in 1982. They formed a 70-member Commission for a New Lutheran Church, which planned the merger. The plan was approved by church conventions in 1986, and the ELCA constituting convention was held April 30-May 3, 1987, with the church actually beginning operations on January 1, 1988.

More information on the ELCA’s history, organization, and demographics are at the ELCA.org website.


Today is Wednesday February 22, 2012