WHAT WE BELIEVE

Lutherans are Christians who trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Lutheranism had its beginnings 500 years ago in 1517, when Martin Luther publicly called for correction of errors in the medieval church, a period in history known as the Reformation.

Luther taught that a person is saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (called justification by faith). Lutherans believe that the teachings presented by Luther are faithful to the words and truths of Holy Scripture. Those who followed his teachings were called Lutherans, and the name stuck.

The teachings of Luther and the reformers (and followers today) can be summarized in four short phrases: Grace alone, Scripture alone, Christ 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.

CHRIST ALONE – It is Christ alone who died and rose again for us.  It is He who saves us from sin, death, and the devil.  Through Christ alone our sins are forgiven, and we are made children of God the Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit.  As Jesus Himself says, “I AM the way, the truth, and the life – no one comes to the Father but by Me.

FAITH ALONE – By His suffering and death as the substitute for all people of all time, Jesus Christ purchased and won forgiveness and eternal life for all.  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.

Attendance at worship services and involvement in activities are open to everyone.  We are a family here at Good Shepherd sharing in each other’s joys and sorrows and supporting each other in our walk with Jesus Christ and the events of daily living.  The most important desire of our heart is to see you come to know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.  If you already know Him, then we wish to share in your growth.

Membership may be entered into through a transfer from another Lutheran congregation or by attending a series of informational sessions on the Christian faith and life.  These sessions focus on the Bible and include orientation on the Lutheran Church and Good Shepherd Congregation.

Membership involves a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and baptism for those who have not been baptized in the Christian church.

Come, be a part of a new generation of Christian worship this year as we celebrate over 500 years of Lutheranism and the unending belief in our Lord Jesus Christ!

OUR MISSION & VISION STATEMENT

Sharing Christ, Feeding Sheep, Growing HIS Kingdom

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is a Biblical community of believers who seek Christ’s redemption for all while striving to follow God’s design for families, community outreach, and compassionate service.

PASTOR SCHULDHEISZ

After 42 years of serving as a Lutheran teacher at the elementary, secondary, and college levels, Joel Schuldheisz followed God’s calling to become a Pastor. God opened doors to enter the Specific Ministry Program, primarily an on-line program offered through Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO. Upon completion of his internship (vicarage) and coursework, Good Shepherd called Joel Schuldheisz to be their Pastor in December 2022.

Pastor Schuldheisz considers it an honor and privilege to share God’s Word and Sacraments with “the flock” at Good Shepherd and join them in their journey of serving and honoring God while growing in their faith and seeking opportunities to serve those in need. Mary Schuldheisz, Joel’s wife of 46 years, serves as a Pre-School administrator at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Federal Way, WA; they have two married children and four grandchildren who live in the South Puget Sound area.

As we look ahead to the future, there are still many challenges and opportunities that face us. We continue to seek to share the life-changing and life-saving message of Jesus, our Good Shepherd:

“I have come that they might have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)

CHURCH HISTORY

A nearly completed Concordia Lutheran School building, a developing area of new homes, a vision to sense a fertile mission field, eager volunteers, and a Vacation Bible School all meshed together in the summer of 1950 to form the beginnings of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Because the response and attendance to the Vacation Bible School program was encouraging, a plan to start a new mission congregation was put into motion.

Under the direction of Pastors Arthur W. Schelp of Zion Lutheran Church and Winfred A. Schroeder of Grace Lutheran Church, both congregations voted to approve this new mission. A small nucleus of 35 members from Grace and Zion were released to work in this area.

The first worship service was held on the first Sunday in September of 1950. It was followed by Sunday School. Pastor A. W. Schelp conducted the service. They met in the basement of the school.

Praying for God’s guidance and direction, little did that small group, then calling itself the Concordia Lutheran Mission, realize how abundantly God would bless this mission.

FOUNDING PASTOR

A call was sent and accepted by Pastor Harold G. Johnson, who grew up at Zion, Tacoma. He was called from Coffeyville, Kansas, and was installed as the first resident Pastor of Concordia Lutheran Church in 1951. He and his wife, Maxine, with their two small sons, supplied the youthful enthusiasm for God’s Kingdom to grow. Slowly, the congregation grew. Sunday School, Christmas pageants, fellowship and family nights, picnics, and a strawberry festival, helped this growth. The Lord blessed the Johnsons with the birth of a daughter during their stay at Good Shepherd.

In 1953, the congregation of Redeemer Lutheran Church, located at Harrison and East “G” Streets was without a pastor. At that time, the decision was made to merge with Concordia. This merging increased the membership and brought new and dedicated workers to the area. The merger also brought additional children for the Sunday School. The joint membership voted to change the name of the congregation to The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd.

Looking ahead, the congregation purchased the present site of the corner of East 56th and “B” Streets, with the dream of a future permanent church home. Ground was broken on June 7, 1953, for a facility that would also include a parsonage. Soon, the cornerstone was put in place. On June 6, 1954, the building was ready for dedication.

On November 13, 1955, Pastor Johnson accepted a Call to Bellevue to help with a mission established in that area.