About Faith
About Us
The beginning of Faith Lutheran Church started in 1946, when adults and teenagers participated in Sunday School. Due to the absence of a church building, Sunday School was held at the old depot, old city hall fire station, dance hall and a home. Faith Lutheran Church grew out of the prayers and concerns of devoted people who believed a church was a necessary part of the community. On December 20, 1949, 13 people representing nine families, met at a home to consider organization. This home was renovated and became a place of fellowship and living quarters for the minister.
In April 1951, ground was broken to build the church structure on 3 1/2 acres of land on the edge of town. The dedication of the new church was held on September 14, 1952. Through the years, many improvements and changes to the building have been made possible because of the committment and generosity of the disciples of Faith.
“Praise and thanks be to God for His grace and His presence in all our past, present, and future endeavors.”
Our Beliefs
At Faith Lutheran Church, we believe that we are freed by God’s unconditional love in Jesus Christ that is freely given to all of creation. You are unconditionally loved by God, so am I, and so is everyone else, and in this amazing love there is freedom! All of our other beliefs and values as a Church body comes from this understanding of God and the world God has made.
Upcoming Events
God's Work, Our Hands
Members of Faith will join Zion Lutheran in Clinton for God’s Work, Our Hands on Sunday, September 22nd.
Various projects include:
-Tying fleece blankets for LSI
-Fall clean up at the Arboretum
-Clean up at Riverfront Drive
-Cleaning tables, chairs, and toys at Zion Childcare Center
-Writing notes to your church’s homebound
-Folding and sorting clothes at the Benevolent Society
Youth Led Worship
Our first YLD worship is September 29th at 10am! Students will be practicing for this service during the month. If you have a child in Sunday School or Confirmation, please plan to attend this service. Invite relatives and friends to come and worship with us!
Pumpkin Pickin'
This years Pumpkin Pickin’ will be October 6th, following worship. Everyone is invited to pick some pumpkins and enjoy fellowship with hot dogs, chips, bars, and s’mores! Rain date will be October 13th
Crop Walk
Help us fight hunger by joining us on the CROP Walk, Sunday, October 6th, at the new walking trail in Preston. Sign-up in the entryway if you would like to participate.
Bakeless Bake Sale
Each year, FLCW shares our “Bakeless Bake Sale” monies with area agencies. This year the emphasis has been “Hunger and Homelessness” and other area agencies. FLCW would like to continue to support these worthy causes. One way YOU can help is by contributing to the Bakeless Bake Sale. Please consider giving generously. Donations can be mailed to the church or placed in the offering plate marked for the Bakeless Bake Sale. Thank you for your generosity!
Ministries
Youth
Sunday School is held on Sunday mornings at 8:45am for children 3 years old through 6th grade. Beginning after Labor Day through May.
S.T.U.F.F (Sunday Teens Under Faith Formation) meet on Sunday mornings at 8:45am for Confirmation and High School students. Beginning Labor Day through May.
Confirmation is held on Wednesdays for youth in 7th through 9th grade during the school year.
F.L.Y. (Faith Lutheran Youth) is for our High School students.
Vacation Bible School is held annually during summer.
Faith Lutheran Church Women (FLCW)
Women of the church who meet monthly for Sharing/Caring Circle, participate in many community service projects, and sew quilts September though April.
Mission Trips
Inter-generational mission trips are held each year. Every other year,our group travels to an area of the country that is in need. The opposite years, a mini-mission trip is held at Camp EWALU.
Summer of 2019, Faith Works will travel to the Camp EWALU!
Fall Supper
Held every second Sunday of November. We serve ham and Kalmes' Chicken, carrots, mashed potatoes, salads and desserts.
Fun Times as Faith
Synod & Outreach Information
Area Food Pantries
We collect non-perishable food items and distribute them to Elvira and Preston food pantries a few times a year.
Community Garden
The Stewardship Committee plants and tends our garden. Produce is available for the community and also taken to the home bound and The Victory Center.
Our Staff
Pastor Eric Hanson
Pastor Eric is called to lead the people of Faith Lutheran Church to participate the good news of Jesus Christ in everything that we do as a congregation. He is passionate about sharing God’s grace with people and working for God’s vision of peace and wholeness for all of God’s creation.
Pastor Eric was born and grew up in Rockford, Illinois. He attended Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting and Religion. He then attended Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa where he received a Master of Divinity degree. He previously served as the Pastoral Intern at Grace Lutheran Church in Cambridge, Wisconsin. Pastor Eric also authored the publication The Hope of Grace: an essay exploring the new atheism, the church, and the gospel (Currents in Theology and Mission 44:2, 2017). Pastor Eric married Carina Schiltz in 2015 and the two of them live in Preston, Iowa.
Office Secretary
Jamie Luckritz
Worship and Music Coordinator/Organist
Deana Jacobs
Organist
Julie Peters
Janitor
Erin Tietjens