Sunday Service
8:00 AM Traditional
10:30 AM Contemporary
9:15 Education Hour
Communion on 2nd and 4th Sundays
Thank you for visiting us!
What To Expect at First Lutheran
We like to brag; this is a perfect church. Perfect for those who are hurting, desperate, lost, and sinful. This is a perfect church for those who struggle with shame, guilt, grief, and remorse. This is a perfect church for those seeking a community and family that will walk beside and support them as they live out their lives in this chaotic world. This is a perfect church for you because you will find that everyone else here struggles daily and has needs only God can meet. We believe this is a perfect church because this is where God’s perfect love in Christ has touched the completely imperfect lives of His children for over 100 years and continues to do just that every day.
Church can be about a lot of things in today’s day and age. It can be a collection of politically likeminded individuals, a group of social activists, an elite clique that passes judgment on others, or an organization that really does not stand for anything. We strive to be different. We strive to be defined as a people who intentionally share the love of Jesus. We do this by looking at each other and those in our community as our “neighbors” and treat them as such as we are directed by our Lord in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:26-37). Here we want to reclaim the word “neighbor” to mean much more than the stranger that lives next to you. We want the word “neighbor” to be one associated with community members demonstrating empathy, compassion, mercy, love and service to others. In short, a place where strangers become neighbors as they share in the love of Christ.
You will hear a lot about how we reach out as neighbors, unite as neighbors, and thrive as neighbors. In fact, the whole ministry of First Lutheran is seen through the lenses of “reaching,” “uniting,” and “thriving.” Reaching out as neighbors is seen in our various ministries aimed at connecting with the community of Grand Rapids, the State of Minnesota, and the world. Uniting as neighbors is seen in how we come together and enjoy the company of the body of believers found here. Simply put, it is seen in how we share in each other’s burdens and at other times have fun together. Thriving as neighbors is seen in how we grow as Christ disciples together, living out our faith. We thrive as neighbors when we experience our faith transforming our lives.
So welcome! Welcome to the perfect place where you can be you, perfectly broken and perfectly healed in Christ. Glance through this packet and explore the many opportunities to serve the Kingdom as fellow neighbors of the faith. Feel free at any time to offer suggestions on how we can improve showing the perfect love of Christ. Let me know if you have any questions and always feel free to swing in and say hi to me, your neighbor and servant in Christ.
church directory
Church Directory Pictures coming in August
Help for uvalde, texas
A Message from MN North District President
"...that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all." Ephesians 1:20-23
Grace and peace to all of your dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
The Buffalo and Uvalde shootings have brought me to my knees. Driving my kids to school yesterday was eerie. Each school in Sartell intentionally placed one of our police officers at the front of the parking lot to assure families that they were ready to serve and protect. This was a comfort in one sense, but a painful reminder of what has occurred. It seems as if evil has a foothold on our world. We grieve and lament like David, "How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? (Psalm 13:1)." I confess the truth as Paul did, "(Christ) has ALL rule and authority and power and dominion." Yet, when our children ask, "Dad, why is the police car in a different place today?" one cannot help but feel the frailty of this life.
We will hear many solutions from the community and in our churches. The solutions leave us all realizing that we have no good answers. These acts were evil, and no amount of evaluation will ever help us understand or justify these kinds of actions. "She weeps bitterly in the night, with tears on her cheeks (Lamentations 1:2)." We have the promises of our LORD taking evil upon Himself, the power of the empty tomb, and the comfort knowing that He continues to have everything under his feet. We do not grieve as those without hope, but we sure do grieve.
In this grief, we pray and then we pray again. I request your prayers be brought to the LORD for all children, teachers, parents, and administrators as they begin a new school day. We bring the people of the Buffalo and Uvalde communities to the feet of Christ and seek His mercy (Mark 10:47). Finally, we pray for the family members of the shooters as they struggle with trying to figure out why their loved one would do such an act. "Let Your holy angel be with me that the evil foe may have no power over me. Lord have mercy. Amen"
We have received information from Texas District President, Rev. Michael Newman, concerning an opportunity to extend mercy to the Uvalde community. The Texas District is joining Trinity Lutheran Church Uvalde, TX to serve others in His mercy. Click the picture to find out more about supporting this vital mercy work.
Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Rev. Brady Finnern
District President
ruby's pantry
Coming Soon to Grand Rapids!
Starting in June the third Monday of the month from 4-6, we will distribute food bundles from Ruby's Pantry. The cost for a share is $25 and you will walk away with almost $200 worth of groceries.
Distribution will be at the Armory 930 Northeast 1st Avenue.