aboutus

Faith
  Lutheran
                      Church

Of Ottawa Illinois

Welcome to Faith Lutheran Church.

Who are we?

Even though we are blessed with a wonderful facility, we are not a place but a people.

We are a people of hope in spite of life’s setbacks and our own weaknesses because we know true life does not
come from within ourselves. We are a people of God’s promise. We are a people with a purpose. We are a
people of God’s love who seek to reach out to our fellow citizens of Ottawa.

God says to those broken and hurting by life in this world, "A bruised reed He will not break, and a dimly burning
wick He will not extinguish.” We want to reflect the heart of God to Ottawa.

We are a people being transformed into the new life in Jesus Christ. We are experiencing this in our own personal
lives, the life of our congregation and prayerfully seek it for everyone who would listen to our message. Our
message is one of the truth: the truth about us, about God, and the message of eternal hope and joy that comes
from the Lord Jesus Christ.

One of our reasons for writing this is to invite you to join us in this transformation. We are a congregation who truly
believes that the Lord Jesus Christ desires everyone to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth…God
loves us. This transformation is taking place as we grow in the knowledge of Jesus and the power of His
resurrection. Would you desire that too?
What do we believe?

We believe that the Bible is God’s inspired and infallible Word. That means it is the message of salvation to man
and that it is the authority in all matters of faith and life.

We believe in the Trinity, our God is Three in One: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Sprit.

We believe God came to the earth in human flesh in the Person of Jesus Christ, who was conceived by the Holy
Spirit, lived a sinless life, was beaten and crucified for man’s sin and was raised again from the dead. Jesus Christ
is alive and in heaven waiting the appointed time for His return.

We believe salvation is by grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ. He is the One and Only Savior of mankind.

We believe the local congregation is how God’s kingdom is lived out on earth with the mission to go forth sharing
the news of Jesus Christ through Christ-centered ministries.   We believe the congregation is not to be a hindrance
but rather the Christ appointed body where individuals can grow spiritually and serve the Lord. Our aim is to lead
people to a personal saving relationship with Jesus Christ and live out the life He has for each of us.

What is a typical Sunday Worship like?

Our Sunday Worship Service is the culmination of the blessings received from abiding in the Lord all week, then we
come together to worship Him.

Pastor Peter preaches right out of the Bible. The messages are Christ-centered, challenging us of our need for
Jesus and encouraging us with the good news of Jesus’ life giving love.

Like us, our Worship Service is in transformation. We have many elements of traditional style of worship. As well,
we look to include music of other styles.

What’s it like to be a part of Faith Lutheran?

First of all, whether a guest or a long standing member, we want everyone to experience the love of Jesus Christ in
and through us.

Our desire is that everyone of our fellowship have a personal saving relationship with Jesus. Our commitment is
that through this personal relationship, individuals become true followers of Him. Our expectation is that Jesus will
return and so we want to be ready for His return.

We believe in spiritual gifts and that every disciple of Jesus Christ is endowed with at least one spiritual gift of
grace. The Lord gives such gifts to serve the Lord through the church. To that end, we look to provide
opportunities for everyone to exercise his or her gift(s) and to encourage them to do so.

We are a praying people. We believe in the power of prayer and that prayer must precede anything if it is to have
eternal significance and the Lord’s hand in it.

We are a caring people who we seek to follow the Lord’s instruction to love one another. That love is expressed in
how we share our lives and our resources with one another.

How did Faith Lutheran Church begin?

We began in 1988 as a group of like-minded people Lutheran in confession who shared the conviction that God’s
Word is without error and is His message to man. From its inception, Faith has been a mission-minded
congregation wanting to bring the message of salvation in Jesus Christ to our community. The Lord blessed us
with several acres of land at 1611 Adams Street. In 1991 our sanctuary was built and then in 2000 we expanded
with an educational wing for the teaching of God’s Word.

Our pastor, Pastor Peter Ward is a graduate of The Association Free Lutheran Theological Seminary in
Minneapolis, MN. He and Mary Ann have four grown children.

Is Faith affiliated with any church body?

We are a member of the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations (AFLC), a collection of over 260
congregations guided by Five Principles.

        That the Bible is inerrant and the authority in all areas of life.
        That the teaching and preaching of God’s Word is the main task of the Church, to be done in such a way
that believers are built up in the faith and unbelievers will see their need for salvation.
        That the local congregation is the right form of the Kingdom of God on earth, with no authority above it but
the Word and Spirit of God.
        That Christian unity is a spiritual concept, not a man-made organization or body.
        That Christians are to be salt and light in the world, separated from the ways of the world, and this
difference is to be reflected in the life of the congregation as well as in the institutions of the church body.

Want to see more?

Come and join us at our Worship Service every Sunday morning at 9:00am. During the school months, we have
Sunday School for all ages at 10:30am.

You can also visit our website: ottawafaithlutheran.org

How to reach us…

By phone:
815-434-7017 any morning.

By mail:
1611 Adams Street, Ottawa, IL 61350

By email:
faithlutheranchurch@mchsi.com

By car:
We are on the south side of Ottawa. From IL 23 turn west on McKinley until Adams Street. Travel south on
Adams. We’re on the west side of Adams.