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Living Word Lutheran Church was formed in January 2004 by a merger of New Life
Lutheran Church of Spicer, MN and Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in New
London, MN.
In January 2005, Living Word was moved to the current home in Spicer, the former
Prairie Meadows building and received it's charter from the
Minnesota North
District of the Missouri
Synod of the Lutheran Church.
L iving
Word Lutheran Church Core Values:
- BIBLE-BASED AND CHRIST-CENTERED
preaching, teaching and reaching
- MAKING COMMITTED DISCIPLES through
small-group ministries
- BIBLE-STUDY, PRAYER, FELLOWSHIP & OUTREACH
in our small groups
- CHRISTIAN EDUCATION where God’s
Children of All Ages grow in faith
- SERVANT-ORIENTED OUTREACH with the
love of Jesus in practical ways
- POINTING PEOPLE TO JESUS, not To
Ourselves
- CELEBRATING IN WORSHIP - Every Sunday
truly a "Mini-Easter"
- PEOPLE PRAYING for each other, their
community and world
- A YOUTH FOCUS that treats youth as
part of the church today, not just the future of the church tomorrow
- A FUN PLACE to KNOW Jesus, GROW closer
to Jesus and GO with Jesus
- PLANTING MORE CHURCHES as a way of
expanding God’s kingdom
- MAKING THE TRUTH OF GOD RELEVANT to
lives Of people
- HUMILITY - Remembering we are
imperfect people in need of the forgiveness of our perfect God.
Living Word is a Lutheran Church - Missouri
Synod congregation, part of the LCMS Minnesota North District. Click
HERE for a
brief history of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.
Being "Lutheran," our congregation accepts and teaches the Bible-based teachings
of Martin Luther that inspired the reformation of the Christian Church in the
16th century. The teaching of Luther and the reformers can be summarized in
three short phrases: Grace alone, Scripture alone, Faith alone.
Grace alone
God loves the people of the world, even though they are sinful, rebel against
Him and do not deserve His love. He sent Jesus, His Son, to love the unlovable
and save the ungodly.
Scripture alone
The Bible is God's inerrant and infallible Word, in which He reveals His Law and
His Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ. It is the sole rule and norm for
Christian doctrine.
Faith alone
By His suffering and death as the substitute for all people of all time, Jesus
purchased and won forgiveness and eternal life for them. Those who hear this
Good News and believe it have the eternal life that it offers. God creates faith
in Christ and gives people forgiveness through Him.
Our mission is simple. It’s God’s mission: Make
disciples. Our official mission statement goes into just a little more detail:
"Our goal is to give God glory by making disciples - as we go, wherever we go
- by being a joyful, caring, Christ-centered family of God."
We recently celebrated the anniversary of the chartering of Living Word Lutheran
Church as a member congregation of the LC-MS. We sought to answer the following
question (by mission statement area):
How has God blessed us relative to that mission this past year?
"Going": We have continued past outreach efforts (Parade, Fair Booth,
Battery Giveaway) while adding an outreach to the RV Park, monthly New Neighbors
visits, and Visitor Giveaways. VBS and Christmas program brought in unchurched
kids.
"Making Disciples": We started a Men’s Study; Congregation-Wide
Bible-reading program (Today’s Light) and witnessed an increased expectation in
the area of spiritual growth.
"Being Joyful": Lots of things have increased our "joy-level": A new
choir and more people involved with music; Our new building plans; Increased
summer attendance; having enough people to fill out usher/fellowship/reading
lists.
"Being Caring": A number of people have helped "Make A Meal" even though
we haven’t had a coordinator for the program; We organized two work groups to
travel to Rushford to help with flood relief; The Secret Paul prayer program has
adults praying for youth and kids.
"Being Family": The change to a single Sunday worship service has brought
people together; Our after-worship fellowship has been a great success; People
have "pitched in" to help in many areas of ministry including serving as ushers,
greeters, Scripture readers, fellowship servers and acolytes; many people have
ordered "Living Word" shirts that identify us as part of that family; Many
people make a point to talk with visitors helping them to feel welcome.
"Being Christ-Centered": In our preaching and teaching we make a point to
stick to the Bible as absolute truth that points us to salvation through Jesus
Christ alone and that empowers us toward the goal of becoming like Jesus.
Comments from people about God’s work in their
lives through Living Word Lutheran Church.
- "Living Word revived my daily Bible reading
and commitment to living God’s Word."
- "While searching for a church home we found
Living Word to be by far the most friendly and Spirit-filled church we
attended."
- "God speaking through insights of youth,
confirmation students and children."
- "Forgiveness - helped me to put aside ideas
of revenge and turn it over to God."
- "God strengthened my faith through excellent
Bible studies and services."
- "We have land - totally paid off!"
- "The Holy Spirit is very active in the
church: When I thought something might not get done, the Holy Spirit laid it
on someone’s heart and it was done. (Not to give ourselves glory, but to give
God glory by the things that are being done)"
- "God brought my family to worship."
- "The help we’ve received from District and
other congregations."
- "The men in my family have come together to
worship and serve with one another. Pastor’s Note: This comment was from a
mother whose son brought her husband, grandson, son-in-law and another son
(just out of prison) to Men’s Bible Study where they are now regular
attendees."
- "Getting a new Lutheran Women’s Missionary
League group started."
- "Since the congregation is relatively small,
I have been asked to help in ways that I never have before. I’ve found great
joy in giving in these different ways, realizing I have gifts to share that I
otherwise never would have known about."
- "Through Pastor Dave working with young
couples in trouble."
- "More people have been brought to God through
Living Word, and I’ve become closer to God."
- "Learning about what Jesus has done for me
makes me want to become like Him."
- "Good friends I’ve made and prayers that have
been answered."
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