The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with more than 3 million members in about 9,000 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. We are part of a regional group of ELCA churches called the Southwestern Washington Synod.
Shaped by the core belief that we are saved by grace through Jesus Christ. The ELCA is known as the church of "God's work. Our hands." We pray and work to be part of God's ongoing redeeming love in the world, bringing unity among Christians, and going out in service to our neighbors. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
Winlock - Vader Food Bank: Several congregational members actively volunteer at the Food Banks. St. Paul Lutheran supports with financial and food donations throughout the year. During the summer we have a food bank garden on our property that donates the harvest to the Winlock-Vader Food Bank.
Mobile Meals: One Saturday a month volunteers help serve a warm meal and handout a to-go lunch for those struggling with housing and food insecurity. The Gather Church in Chehalis is the site of this outreach ministry.
Living Stones Prison Congregation: We support the ELCA congregation inside Washington Corrections Center. During the Epiphany Season 2021 we are filling backpacks for the Freedom Backpack program so inmates leave with a backpack filled with supplies to get them started on the outside.
Visit the Living Stones Prision Congregation website HERE to learn more.
Winlock Girl Scout Troop: We host the Winlock Girl Scout troop in our building.
Lutheran Disaster Response brings God’s hope, healing and renewal to people whose lives have been disrupted by disasters in the United States and around the world. When the dust settles and the headlines change, we stay to provide ongoing assistance to those in need.
In the fall of 2021 we raised several hundred dollars to support Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services in providing support to Afghan refugee resettlement.
In the spring of 2022 we raised $1300 to help support ministry partners in Eastern Eurpore supporting Ukrainian refugees.
Founded by Lutherans in the United States at the end of World War II, grounded in Lutheran theology and building on decades of experience, Lutheran World Relief tackles global poverty by helping people adapt to the challenges that threaten their livelihoods and well-being.
We work with people based on need, regardless of race, religion or nationality and we do not evangelize. We provide aid in emergencies and help families restore their lives. We partner with communities to build and grow rural economies. We break the cycle of poverty, so families and communities can thrive. Our goal is to help people build self‐sufficiency and create new community‐owned approaches to problem‐solving that will last long after our projects end.
With passion for the church and for the world, we are a global communion of churches in the Lutheran tradition on a common journey of renewal. We strive to put our faith into action within and beyond the communion, and seek God’s Word and Spirit to guide us. The LWF is comprised of 148 churches in the Lutheran tradition, representing over 75.5 million Christians in 99 countries.