Shepherd of the Lake Celebrates Its Five-Year Anniversary
Monday, June 3rd, 2019 | Uncategorized | No Comments
On Pentecost Sunday, June 9th, Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church in Tellico Village will celebrate its fifth anniversary as a fully chartered congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). At a time when many traditional churches are struggling, this one is growing.
Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran began living out its mission statement as “A Christian Community Sharing God’s Love with the World” in 2007 in Lakeside Plaza in Tellico Village as a satellite campus of Faith Lutheran Church in Knoxville. The worshiping community moved to its current location in Chota Center across from the POA in April 2009. In June 2014, Shepherd of the Lake was welcomed into the ELCA. The congregation is active, compassionate, and supportive, focused on sharing God’s love with others through fellowship and outreach to friends, neighbors, others in Tellico Village, the surrounding community, the nation, and the world. It’s a place where all are welcome.
With compassion and a commitment to serve, this congregation actively gives.
“Our focus is on God’s work. Our hands,” said Ingrid Schalk, Shepherd of the Lake Pastor. “We use our time, talents, and treasures to support each other and those in need. In recent years, we were involved in our first Habitat for Humanity home build in Loudon County in partnership with Community Church of Tellico Village. We volunteer regularly at The Good Shepherd Center in Madisonville, Kiddie Kingdom in Lenoir City and Philadelphia, and University of Tennessee campus ministry. We have also funded the construction of seven wells in Ethiopia and Uganda and a water filtration system for a school in Nepal. We also serve within our own congregation, assisting ministers, choir members, altar guild, lectors, ushers, and greeters. There’s something for everyone.”
A traditional service with holy communion is held on Sundays at 9 am, with multiple bible studies ongoing throughout the week. Men’s Fellowship and Ladies of the Lake meet monthly with additional group activities, including card making, movie night, and knitting, quilting, and crocheting.
As a member of the ELCA, Shepherd of the Lake shares a living, daring confidence in God’s grace. Liberated by faith, the ELCA embraces individuals as a whole person – questions, complexities, and all. With four million members who actively participate in God’s work in the world, ELCA members believe they are freed in Christ to serve and love its neighbor. It is a church that belongs to Christ, and everyone is welcome.
Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church
143 Chota Center
Loudon, TN 37774
865-816-4756
admin@shepherdofthelaketn.org
