|
Mission Statement
| History
| Staff |
Facilities |
New Members
Councils & Committees
| ELCA |
ELCA-related Ministries
MISSION STATEMENT
"In response to the Lord's
calling, we will live our lives as ministers of the Christian faith.
We will put Christ first, welcome and care for people, and grow
together in faith."
HISTORY
Grace Lutheran in Tomahawk has
always been a church on a mission and an expanding mission. Formed
in 1893 with the name First Scandinavian
Evangelical Lutheran
Church, for its first forty years evangelism was the primary
mission as part of a larger area ministry to the Norwegians, Danes,
Swedes and Finns who were settling in the area. The church building
was a wood frame building that was entered from
2nd Street. During this
time Grace was served by pastors from other communities, primarily
from Rhinelander
In 1934 the congregation changed its
name to Grace Lutheran
Church intentionally reaching beyond Scandinavians. With a new brick sanctuary
(built in 1932), a new name, and having switched to English
worship was given increased emphasis. During this time
from the 1930 until the mid-1960s Grace was a two-point ministry in
the Tomahawk with another congregation at Prairie Rapids in the
Nokomis area.
1966 marked another change. The two
congregations merged; the facilities were expanded by turning the
worship area around, adding the educational-fellowship wing, and
was added, and making Washington Avenue the main entrance; and a
second pastor was added to the staff. Christian education
was the added emphasis in this period.
All the previous ministries continue
evangelism with an outdoor service on Lake
Nokomis throughout the summer, worship with traditional and contemporary
music and worship, and education with excellent children and
youth programs and adult studies, but more was needed. In 2005 Grace
added a new sanctuary, gathering space and offices and again
expanded its ministry fellowship and service are
the additional ministries. Relationships are important and cared for
at Grace. Some examples of this are the Gathering area filled with
conversations before and after worship, Dinner for Six, many meals,
small groups, a Mens Breakfast, Older Wiser Lutherans (OWLs), youth
groups, a joint trip of senior citizens and youth. Grace is a leader
in many community ministries (food pantry, Salvation Army service
unit, AA groups, Tomahawk Area Interfaith Volunteers), active
relationship with its sister congregation in South Africa (Lekubu
Lutheran Parish) and with an inner city church in Milwaukee (Greater
Galilee Baptist Church), and hosting Augsburg College Choir and the
Swedish Gospel Choir (July 2, 2007) in its new facilities.
Check out the following timelines:
Timeline of Pastors at Grace and
Timeline of Church History.
STAFF
Rev. Mark Ziemer, Pastor
Debbie Hetzel, Secretary
Nona Arthur, Secretary Support
Margie Welke, Youth Coordinator (temp. position through Sept. '08)
Pam Kopp, Treasurer
Dar Anderson, Custodian
FACILITIES
Under construction
NEW
MEMBERS
Are you interested in
joining Grace Lutheran? Twice a year Grace hold meetings for
new members to meet the staff and council, and to learn about
discipleship and ministry. People desiring to become members
(or associate members) of Grace may contact Pastor or the church
office for more information. We welcome you to the family!
COUNCILS
& COMMITTEES
Click here to
learn more about councils and committees.
ELCA
ELCA.org
East Central Synod of Wisconsin
ELCA-RELATED
MINISTRIES
Lutheran
Social Services
Crossways Camps
Homme Home
Lekubu Lutheran Parish in South Africa
Synod Resource Center
Augsburg Fortress
Publishing
ELCA Colleges
Lutheran Campus
Ministry
Wisconsin Council of Churches
Lutheran Human Relations Association
Global Mission
Disaster Response
The Lutheran
downloadable sermons
Women's Ministry
Men's Ministry
Youth Adult Ministry
Youth & Family
Ministry
Volunteer Opportunities
More Volunteer
Opportunities
Even More
Volunteer Opportunities
|
