Posted on 05/22/2011 5:48:17 AM PDT by rhema
MENOMONIE - Each Sunday, the cafeteria at River Heights School is transformed into New Life Lutheran Church.
Folding chairs are set up and lunch tables are pulled down to provide seating for the congregation and space for coffee, cookies and other goodies for post-service fellowship.
Another table is set up in front of the folding chairs to serve as an altar, complete with a wooden cross made by parishioner and woodworker Art Alf, a banner with the church name is hung on the wall, and a piano is wheeled in to accompany songs during Sunday services.
The church - a new mission church of the North American Lutheran Church - held its first service Feb. 27. More than 100 people - a mix of young and old - attended the weekly service Sunday, led by the Rev. Paul Cross, a supply pastor.
Many of those in attendance, including Charlie Krueger and Dave Schiotz, used to attend Our Savior's Lutheran Church, an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America congregation in Menomonie.
Unhappy with the direction of the ELCA, both men and others in the congregation wanted to study different synods as other churches were doing. But the majority at Our Savior's Lutheran didn't agree, so a few began looking at forming a new church after researching synods on their own.
"We knew (the ELCA) was drifting in a direction we didn't like, so we thought we'd find something that was a better fit," said Schiotz, of Menomonie.
The North American Lutheran Church formed last August in Grove City, Ohio, largely over disagreements with the ELCA over an ongoing movement away from the authority and teaching of the Bible. Schiotz described the NALC as Christ-centered and Bible-based.
Krueger, of Menomonie, president of the church council, got involved with the new church after the planning was done, and he admitted he didn't know if that first Sunday service would draw more than 15 people. To his surprise, about 70 people came, and Sunday attendance since then has averaged 84 people.
"I like the people, I like the philosophy, and I like how the services are run," said Krueger on Sunday after the service, as most of the congregation stayed to help themselves to treats and conversation. "I think building something from the ground up is exciting."
Schiotz, a member of the church council, couldn't agree more. "There is a lot of cohesiveness between the people, and that's exciting," he said.
Looking forward, both men want to see New Life Lutheran Church - named because it represents new life - thrive.
Despite its youth, New Life Lutheran has started reaching out to the community.
Last week, the congregation filled a pickup truck with food during a drive to benefit a local food pantry, and church officials gave a $550 check to Stepping Stones, which assists with hunger, homelessness and isolation in Dunn County.
"We want to do mission work locally," Krueger said.
About four weeks ago, the new church launched its Sunday school program, and church leadership is planning to offer a confirmation program in the fall.
The council also is in the beginning stages of calling a pastor, and church officials have started looking at sites for a permanent location. "We welcome everyone," Schiotz said. "We want to grow."
O'Brien can be reached at 715-830-5838, 800-236-7077 or christena.obrien@ecpc.com.
If You Go
New Life Lutheran Church hosts a 9 a.m. Sunday worship service at River Heights School, 615 24th Ave. W.
For more information about the church, a new mission church of the North American Lutheran Church, write to P.O. Box 833, Menomonie, WI 54751.
The NALC website is thenalc.org.
This church was founded by ELCA emigrants whose churches haven’t voted on leaving the ELCA.
What’s the difference between the two churches? I was Missouri Synod growing up. I now go to a Pentecostal church.
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