WHY WE EXIST
We exist for a ton of many different reasons. We would like to share a few with you below. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us. Thank you so much for visiting!
We believe that God has a very specific plan for us. God will bless us beyond our imaginations as we follow the Lord's plan. In fact, God already has!
To worship our Lord. God looks out for us 24/7/365. It is right to give God thanks and praise.
To spread the good news of God's love to all.
To serve in our local communities. We exist for the community.
To bring hope and love to the people in our area. We want them to know that they are not alone, and there is someone on earth and in heaven who wants to help as they desire.
To reach the unchurched. We believe we are a part of a larger body, the Body of Christ. We want to do our part to grow the kindgom of God. We also acknowledge church has been a place of hurt. At Good Shepherd, all are welcome to worship God and we value all people and the lives experienced.
MISSION & VISION
FOCUS ON THE WORD
We believe scripture will help us grow stronger as a community, and closer to God. As a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) we believe the scriptures are not inerrant, that they are the inspired word of God, written by humans and humans are in error. However, we use scripture as guidelines and our interpretation of scripture through the Holy Spirit to live the Christian life.
FOCUS ON GOD
God is with us 24/7/365. It is our duty and our delight as disciples of Christ to put God first in our lives and to love God and our neighbor. Yes, we all fall short of the glory of God, but as God's children we are granted grace through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God's only begotten Son, and are then able to work for our neighbors rather than our own salvation.
FOCUS ON EACH OTHER
As we love one another we grow stronger as a community of believers. We know that engaging in fellowship is a very important tool that God calls for us to do as often as possible. God blesses us as we extend grace to all in Christ's name.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully human, that Jesus was conceived and born of the virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, and sacrificed Himself as an atonement for sinners. By the blood on the cross and the resurrection from the dead, Jesus obtained for us eternal justification, the forgiveness of sins, and life everlasting. Jesus was raised bodily and ascended to the right hand of the God the First Person. Jesus will return to the earth personally and visibly to consummate His kingdom.
We believe that the Holy Spirit has been sent to us by Jesus, prior to the ascension, as a companion and teacher to continue God's work in the world with our hands.
We believe the words of the Nicene Creed, the Apostle's Creed, and the Athanasian Creed. We baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as commanded in Matthew 28:19 and we commune in both kinds. We believe the mystery of Christ in the Holy Eucharist where Christ comes in, with, and under the elements but they remain earthly elements, known as Sacramental Union.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PASTOR
Welcome, grace, and peace to you from our Triune God.
I would like to give you thanks for taking the time to explore what we are about here at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Conneaut, OH. We are a bunch of different people from multiple backgrounds and different experiences who come together to worship God. We welcome all people to worship with us, to be part of our Sunday School, and to be part of our community.
As the pastor, I will never refuse a person at the table of Christ and the scripture of God's Word. Jesus says, "'Come to me, all that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light'" (Matthew 11:28-30, NRSV). Jesus is the Good Shepherd and we all are His flock. We welcome you into the flock of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church where our people are gentle and humble in heart, where Jesus will take your heavy burdens and give you rest.
I and the people of Good Shepherd look forward to meeting you and getting to know who you are.
Peace be upon you.
The Rev. Joshua Krenz, Pastor
OUR HISTORY
1962 - Faith Lutheran and Grace Lutheran made the decision to join as one congregation and build a new church facility
1963 - The people of the new Good Shepherd Lutheran Church worshipped together for the first time
2007 - The chancel area of the nave was restructured to allow for flexibility of worship styles and use of space
2010 - A new education wing was added in order to accomodate the growing congregation