Peace Lutheran Church ELCA
  • Home
  • Worship & Online Worship
    • Online Worship
    • How Can I Participate in Worship?
  • Visitors and Guests
    • Why are we here?
    • What do we believe?
    • History and Symbolism at Peace Lutheran Church
  • Faith Formation
    • Building Peace
  • How can you get involved?
  • Calendar
  • Ministries & Ministry Links including Hungry Hearts No More
    • Adult Discipleship
  • Children and Family Ministry
    • Resources for Families
  • Youth Ministry
  • Upcoming Events
  • News
  • Directions
  • Weather Policy
  • Generosity and Giving
  • Online Giving
  • Our Staff
  • Sign ups and Links
  • Photo Gallery
  • Contact Us
Come as You Are

The History of Peace Lutheran Church

 The first worship service of Peace Lutheran was held on February 12, 1984 in the multipurpose room of Hollymead School.  Peace was organized as a congregation on September 29, 1984 in a meeting room of the English Inn.  A festival service of Charter and Installation of the first pastor, The Reverend Ronald Chelton, was held on Sunday, September 30, 1984, in a meeting room of the Hilton Inn (now Doubletree) where regular worship and Sunday School were conducted at the time.  The first services in the present building were held on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1994. 
                                             
In 2013 a new wing was added for more Sunday School rooms, an expanded and updated kitchen, a resource room and a basement youth space. The building hosts many community groups including seven 12-Step meetings each week, scouts, local HOA meetings, support groups, craft groups (weavers, spinners. smocking guilds), an art camp and more, in addition to our many activities. It is a busy place!


Symbolism at Peace Lutheran Church

Architecture

Picture
The two wings of the building form a kind of "V" from the parking lot, that represent the arms of Christ reaching out in welcome, with the entrance in the middle.

Cross and Steeple

Picture
The cross atop the steeple, which is some 25 feet above the roof line, stands in its bright splendor as a reminder of the saving work of Christ in reconciling God and sinners by his death on the cross.

Narthex

Picture
Entrance room inside the front door

Nave

Picture
The room beyond the Narthex where the congregation is seated

Chancel

Picture
The area which includes the altar, the organ, and the choir.

Sanctuary

Picture
The altar area.

Eternal flame

Picture
The red sanctuary lamp on the back wall of the chancel is never extinguished as a symbol of the abiding presence of God (Jesus).  It is red to distinguish it from the altar candles.  Originally the bulb flickered to make it look like a candle.

Peace to all who enter

Picture
Note the large inscription over the entrance to the nave.

Baptismal Font

Picture
The Baptismal Font is located in the entrance to the nave to show that it is by Baptism that one enters the church.  The large copper bowl always contains water and many members dip fingers into the water and make a sign of the cross as a reminder of their Baptism, upon entering or leaving.

Center aisle stand

Picture
On the stand in the center aisle are shawls knit by the Prayer Shawl Ministry team and the prayer bead bracelets made by the Prayer Bead Ministry team.  These are given to those in need of healing, comfort and strength, hope or joy and to connect with God in prayer.  You are invited to add your prayers to these items as you go to or return from the altar.

Chancel Cross

Picture
The Chancel Cross, a wooden cross about 6 feet high, trimmed with gold leaf, is suspended from the laminated beams overhead.  The Chancel Cross stands as a reminder of the baptismal covenant to which the worship service marks a return.

stained glass windows

Picture
The Grand Window is the 8 foot octagonal window directly behind the altar which depicts the second visit of Jesus to the eleven disciples after his resurrection.  He stands before them and says: "Peace be with you.  As the father has sent me, so I send you."  
John 20-21.
​
The Flood.  The companion window on the left tells the story of the flood (dove, Genesis 8:11) and of God's covenant relationship with his people (the rainbow, Gen 9:12-17).
Jesus' Baptism.  The companion window on the right tells the story of The Baptism of Jesus (water, dove, Mark 1:9-11).


Art on the Nave Walls

The art on the walls of the nave represents the Six marks of a Disciple from the book, The Disciple Making Church: From Dry Bones to Spirituality, by Glenn McDonald.

A Heart for Christ Alone

Picture
The life that is lived well must be organized around a foundational certainty that Jesus alone is the Giver of Meaning to human existence.  It can never be pursued in a half-hearted fashion.

Arms of Love

Picture
We don't love other people because they are attractive or lovable.  We love them because God has poured his own love into our hearts.

The feet of a Servant

Picture
We live as servants of God and each other, doing good through the gifts the Spirit has given us, living generously and simply, seeking to bring about the fullest expression of God's rule in our culture.

A mind transformed by the word

Picture
The issue isn't knowledge as much as transformation-  recasting of our minds according to a prospective that is consistent with the mind of God.

knees for prayer

Picture
The disciple-making church, which is committed above all else to the imitation of Jesus, models itself upon the persuasiveness of His prayer life.

A voice to speak the good news

Picture
We embrace the call to share Jesus with those who do not know Him; addressing the deepest questions of both heart and mind, voicing hope and encouragement for people everywhere.














Mission Statement Banner

Picture
The banner over the exit as you leave the nave is only part of the Peace mission statement which actually reads: God loves us and calls us to love God, love one another, grow in Christ, and go in Christ.

Bethlehem star

Picture
The Star of Bethlehem (Moravian Star)  which hangs in the narthex directly above the entrance is part of the symbolism of Christmas since the star figures so prominently in the nativity story.  It is usually lit during Advent.

"We are called to love God, love one another, grow in Christ, and go in Christ." 
  Peace Lutheran Church | 434-978-4357