Our Mission & Ministry
Why are we here?Grace Lutheran Church is based on two core principles...
1. Scripture 2. Lutheran Confessions What is the Mission of Grace Lutheran Church?-“To Reach and Keep People in the Grace of Christ” based on Ephesians 2:8
-Save the un-saved, John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall no parish, but have eternal life. -Inform and renew members new and old of their responsibilities to Gods kingdom and their rights & privileges at Grace Lutheran Church. |
What is our unified goal?As a child of God’s Kingdom...
We are all here to teach and preach God’s word and promise: -Matthew 28:18-20 (The Great Commission) “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nation, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” -Mark 16:16 “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” -Acts 1:8 “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witness in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” |
As a member
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Our Beginnings...
how our church has grown.
“To Reach and Keep People in the Grace of Christ”
Updated 5/1/12
Throughout 1996 & 1997 Pastor Monte Meyer from Lord of Glory Lutheran Church in Elk River, Minnesota discussed and prayed with members of his church about starting a mission church in Becker, Minnesota. Lord of Glory had several members that lived in Becker and saw a lot of growth and opportunity in the Becker area. And the intent of starting a mission church was to have Gospel, word and Sacrament presence in the Becker area. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not parish, but have eternal life.” Matthew 4:19 “Come follow me” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men”
Pastor David Johnson was called by the Minnesota North District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod as a Mission Developer in June 1997. He began splitting his time helping at Lord of Glory and making mission calls to the Becker area.
On March 1st 1998 Grace Lutheran Church held its first worship service in Becker at the Becker Community Center (122 people in attendance.)
Ephesians 2:8 was used as the basis for naming the new congregation,
Grace Lutheran Church: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and not from yourselves, it is the gift of God”
Milestones:
March 1998 First Worship Service
April 1998 First Communion Service
September 1998 Sunday School Classes Began
April 1999 Confirmed First Two Students
August 1999 First Annual Hog Roast and Kid’s Carnival
October 1999 First Church Council Officers installed
December 1999 First Children’s Christmas Program
May 2000 Youth Ministry Formed
August 2000 57 Children in First VBS Program
August 2000 Purchased 10 Acres of Land With a House
September 2000 Moved Church Services to Becker High School
July 2001 3 Youth to National Youth Convention – New Orleans, LA
July 2002 First Pictorial Directory
July 2002 First Annual Servant Event – TeenServe in Nakoosa, WI
October 20, 2002 Official Ground-Breaking – Phase (1) of Building Project
February 9, 2003 First Worship Service and Baptism in New Building
Spring 2003 Pastor Johnson Discussed the Opportunities of a Mission Church in the Big Lake/Monticello Area
September 2003 Witness IN God’s Service (WINGS) Youth Program Started
April 2004 Became Faith In Action Coalition Member
December 2004 Sponsored First Benefit/Silent Auction (For Greg Kubu Family)
April 2005 Voted in Favor of Moving Forward with Shepherd of Grace Senior Ministry in Conjunction w/Good Shepherd
April 2005 Met with MN North and South Districts to Call Vicar for Big Lake-Monticello Area Mission Church
August 1, 2005 Vicar Greg Koepsell Starts as Mission Builder for Monticello Mission
August 2006 VBS Witnesses to Over 100 Children
August 27, 2006 Installed Pastor Greg Koepsell as Mission Developer for Monticello Mission
September 2006 Dedicated a Baptismal Font Donated in Honor of Wes Nelson.
May 2007 New Education Wing/Community Center Built
May 2007 Shepherd of Grace Grand Opening Celebration
August 2007 Partnership Formed with Faith in Action Providing Office Space on Campus
June 2009 Members Served at Union Gospel Mission- St. Paul, MN
August 2009 Held Annual Hog Roast as a Free Event to Reach Families in Need.
As a member of Grace Lutheran Church...
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Unite in Worship:
Hebrews 10:24-25 “Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds. Let us not give up meetings together, as some are in the habit of dong, but let us encourage one another.” Practice Fellowship: Acts 2:42 “They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship of the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Grow in the Word: Ephesians 4:11-14 “It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. Until we all reach unity in the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God.” Maintain Decency and Order: 1 Corinthians 14:40 “But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.” |
Serve People:
Ephesians 4:7-16 “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men." (What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Mark 10:42-44 “Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.” John 13:5 “After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” Galatians 6:10 “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” |
Office of the Keys:
John 20:12-23, “and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?" "They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. "Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.' "Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things to her. On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."” Matthew 18:15-20 “"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. "I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." |
