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
Retirement Reception
Congratulations to Virginia Eggers as she begins her retirement!
After 19 years of being Faith’s data entry secretary, July 31st will be Virginia’s last day. We thank her for her many years of service to our congregation and wish her many blessings in her new adventure! A retirement reception will be held on August 18th following worship
"Dirty" Worship
Join us for “Dirty Worship” on Sunday, August 25th at 9 a.m.! We will worship outside near the garden, weather permitting. After worship we will get “dirty” and tend to the garden that God has provided us! Don't forget your lawn chairs!
Sunday School
Sunday School begins on September 8th at 8:45 a.m.! We are looking for volunteers to help lead Sunday School throughout the year. Our congregation already does an amazing job at inter-generational mission trips, but why not help our Sunday School become more inter-generational? We have lessons available and already planned out! Do you have a special skill you would like teach the youth of Faith? Maybe a special
project you would like them to help with? See Megan Peters, Billie Jo St. Ores, or Jamie Luckritz if you are interested.
Fall Worship Time
Our fall worship time returns to 10 a.m. on September 8th!
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