Welcome to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church

About us

 

WORSHIP AND COMMUNION AT GRACE

 

All who gather in the name of Jesus Christ are welcome at Grace. Worship services at Grace follow traditional Lutheran liturgy with preaching based on lectionary scriptures and communion every Sunday. Adults and children who regularly commune at their home congregations are invited to join in communion with us. We believe, teach, and confess that Jesus Christ is truly present in the bread and wine of Holy Communion. This is Christ’s table and his invitation is for all.

 

OUR MISSION

 

Grace’s Mission is to serve our church family and community with welcoming opportunities to worship God, hear God’s Word, celebrate God’s love and respond to Jesus’ call to discipleship by serving those in need.

 

OUR STAFF

WORSHIP AND STUDY OPPORTUNITIES AT GRACE

 

Regular worship services and church activities are temporarily suspended during the Covid-19 emergency. When it is safe to return to in-person worship in the sanctuary the following worship schedule will be followed:

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• Sunday Worship with Communion: 9:00 AM every Sunday
   

• Evening Prayer Services: 7:30 PM, every Wednesday, September through May. Soup supper fellowship events starting at 6:00 PM precede Evening Prayer Services during Lent and Advent.
   

• Mid-Week Worship with Communion: 7:30 PM, every Thursday, June through August. These worship services are offered for members who travel during summer weekends.
   

• Special Worship Services: Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil and Christmas Eve (normal start times are 7:30 PM)
   

• Sunday School: 10:15 AM, every Sunday, September through May
   

• Adult Bible Study: 6:15 PM, on Wednesdays, September through May
   

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OUR HISTORY
 

Trinity Lutheran Church was established in Elmore in 1896. This church was largely German speaking and in 1906, its leaders decided to stop offering English language worship and education programs. The first Grace congregation was organized that same year to serve English-speaking Lutheran families who were excluded by this decision.

 

The new Grace congregation called its first Pastor in 1906. The congregation purchased an abandoned Presbyterian church in Elmore that served as its first sanctuary. As the congregation grew, it decided to build a new sanctuary on a location one mile north of Elmore.

 

The current sanctuary on that location was completed and dedicated in 1962. This facility was later expanded with the construction of a fellowship hall and educational facilities that were dedicated in 2001. Grace became a member congregation of the newly formed Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in 1987 and continues to be an active participant in the activities of the ELCA’s Northwest Ohio Synod.
 

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CHRISTIAN LIFE DEVELOPMENT AT GRACE​
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• Baptism
  The ELCA and Grace encourage the baptism of infants. Baptism ceremonies of children born to Grace families are important worship occasions for the entire community. Adults who have not been baptized are also accepted at the Baptismal Font.
   

• First Communion
  At Grace, children are accepted at communion when their parents and the Pastor agree that the child is ready to take communion and the Pastor has been able to give instruction on the meaning and practice of communion.
   

• Sunday School for Children
  Grace provides Christian education instruction for children from pre-school age until they are ready to start Confirmation classes.
   

• AOB/Confirmation
  Baptized members who are in the 7th and 8th grades participate in a two-year Affirmation of Baptism program that culminates in their being “confirmed” as full voting members of the congregation.
   

• Adult Bible Study
  At Grace, Christian education continues throughout one’s entire life. Weekly Adult Bible Study sessions for adults take place on Wednesday evenings from September through May. Study topics are normally chosen by participants.
  
   

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COMMUNITY SUPPORT PROGRAMS HOSTED BY GRACE

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• Elmore Food Pantry
  The Elmore Food Pantry is managed by the Elmore Ministerial Association and hosted by Grace. It serves the Woodmore School District. The pantry is financed and supported by Elmore churches that collect non-perishable food and community donations. The pantry is open on the third Friday and Saturday of each month from 9:00am to 12:00pm. Volunteers to help distribute food are always needed. Call the church if you are willing to serve.
   

• Jazzercise
  Grace facilities host Jazzercise exercise classes for women five times a week. The classes are held in the basement and are open to anyone in the area. For more information contact Diane Sheets at 419-680-0042.
   

• Ottawa County Senior Center
  The Ottawa County Area Office on Aging hosts the Golden Oldies Senior Center at Grace on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 am to 1:00pm. They serve a delicious meal and usually have a speaker on current topics for senior citizens, often followed by bingo or trivia games. Senior Center activities are currently suspended due to the covid emergency.

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• Red Cross Blood Drive
  Grace cooperates with the American Red Cross to conduct blood drives two times a year in Grace Facilities.
   
• Boy Scouts of America
  BSA Troop 314, Elmore OH, conducts its regular meetings in the Grace Fellowship Hall.

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BENEVOLENCE AND FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS AT GRACE

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• Piecemakers
  Grace Piecemakers design, sew and tie blankets that are contributed to Lutheran World Relief. They meet every Tuesday from January through March, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
   

• Rachel Circle
  A women’s group that meets monthly for fellowship, prayer and Bible study.
   

• Grief Support Group
  Participants share their grief and learn from each other as they find ways to cope with life during life’s most difficult challenges. The group meets two times per month.
   

• Operation Oreo
  This program assembles gift boxes containing cookies, candy and snacks and ships them to military personnel from the local area who are stationed at military installations away from home.
   

• Dartball
  The Grace Dartball Team participates in a regional Dartball League comprised of teams representing ten churches in this area.