The Association of Downtown Lutheran Churches

Downtown
A Quarterly Publication of The Association of Downtown Lutheran Churches
c/o Historic First Lutheran Church, 808 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena, CA 91104
DowntownChurches@aol.com
Issue #5 – February, 2009

IN THIS ISSUE:

1. A PLANNED GATHERING
2. SPOTLIGHT ON HOUSTON, TX
3. SPOTLIGHT ON MOLINE, IL
4. SPOTLIGHT ON MILWAUKEE, WI
5. CLOSING

A PLANNED GATHERING

As part of its 170th Anniversary during 2009, Historic Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Louis (Rev. David Marth, Senior Pastor) has extended a gracious invitation to host a gathering of downtown ministries in October, 2009. This will be our first gathering since the Spring of 1999 at Trinity Downtown in Orlando.

Before dates are officially announced, a question needs to be answered. That question is whether it is preferable to have a mid-week gathering or a gathering that extends over a weekend. The mid-week gathering might enable more pastors to attend without having to arrange pulpit coverage. The weekend gathering allows us all to see a powerful downtown church in action through worship. Would you please email your preference for a mid-week or weekend gathering to DowntownChurches@aol.com ? We will announce dates for this gathering by 15 April.

SPOTLIGHT ON HOUSTON, TX

Trinity Lutheran Church and School in Houston (founded 1879) uses a variety of creative outreaches to minister to the unsaved of Houston. Those outreaches include:

• “Family Fun Night” – free pizza and free movie in the School Gym.
• “NineThirtyOne” – a worshiping community and the first multi-site of Trinity; an outgrowth of a Bible Study based upon Matthew chapter 9.
• “Car Care” – A ministry of listening to concerns about automobiles with recommendations offered from trustworthy sources. Car maintenance and car cleaning is offered the second Saturday every month.

A member of the LCMS, more information about Trinity Lutheran’s outreach to Houston can be found at www.trinitydt,org .

SPOTLIGHT ON MOLINE, IL

Proving the fact that “downtowns” and “downtown ministries” are not only located in major metropolitan areas, First Lutheran Church in Moline, Illinois was founded in 1850. 159 years after its founding, First Lutheran proclaims its “mission is to worship God, to serve others, to support one another and to invite all people to share in this Christian ministry.” Fulfilling that mission, First Lutheran provides a nursery for the children of students who are in Black Hawk College’s English as a Second Language program, sending reading assistants weekly to Lincoln-Irving School and participating in Trinity Medical Center’s Parish Nurse Program. First Lutheran regularly supports local hunger ministries such as collecting food for the Churches United Food Pantry. It annually supports the Churches United Crop Walk for Hunger and the Churches United Souper Bowl of Caring and Habitat for Humanity.

A member of the ELCA, more information about First Lutheran’s outreach to Moline can be found at firstlutheranmoline.org .

SPOTLIGHT ON MILWAUKEE, WI

Founded in 1849, Grace Lutheran Church in Milwaukee loves to proclaim that “God’s grace welcomes you, no matter who you are or where you have come from,” a theme commonly proclaimed by downtown churches.

Grace Lutheran’s blend of progressive and classic, contemporary and traditional, along with a professional excellence in everything from worship to its website, has attracted hundreds of visitors and new members to Grace Church in recent years, leading to a planned facility expansion that will include larger gathering areas and offices, community outreach programs and parking. Facing the standard challenge of funding any kind of building and ministry expansion, Grace plans to intentionally “under-furnish” certain rooms and features of the new “Grace Center.” The new center will immediately function in many ways, with the intent that, as soon as they can afford to install new equipment, additionally improved ministry and mission to more people will be provided. To that end, a wish list is posted on their web site, with ideas presented about how individuals and groups might provide that funding.

In addition at Grace, through a program called “Boundaries with Kids,” parents are provided needed help for raising children to take responsibility for their actions, attitudes and emotions. The class teaches instilling in children the kind of Christ-like character that helps them lead balanced, productive and fulfilling adult lives.

A member of the WELS, more information about Grace Lutheran’s outreach to Milwaukee can be found at www.gracedowntown.org .

CLOSING

In closing, my sisters and brothers in Christ, my wish for each of you is simple: KEEP PREACHING THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST IN SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON FOR HE IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE.

As you preach Jesus, may He bless you in all ways, enabling you to continue to bless those around you!

Joined with you serving Christ and His people,

The Reverend Christopher Schaar
Editor
Senior Pastor, Historic First Lutheran, Pasadena, CA