who we are
Join us on a wonderful journey of faith that will transform your life by deepening your relationship with God. Grace Powered, we are serving our church, our community and our world through our Christ-centered faith. This mission guides all that we do here at Messiah, reminding us that we grow in our faith by being in Christ-centered relationships; by contributing and sharing our time, talents and gifts; by praying; worshiping; reading scripture on a regular basis and by being Disciples, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with others.
what we believe
We are a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. We confess the Triune God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Our theology prepares members to be witnesses in speech and in action of God’s rich mercy in Jesus Christ. This is Christ’s church. There is a place for you here. We are the church that shares a living, daring confidence in God’s grace. Liberated by our faith, we embrace you as a whole person – questions, complexities and all. Join us as we do God’s work in Christ’s name for the life of the world.
what to expect
Worship takes place Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. Our service is fairly traditional, with a blend of both traditional and contemporary Christian music. Sunday services last approximately one hour. Children are welcome and encouraged to participate in service as well as our children’s sermon, which is held prior to the reading of the gospel. On average Messiah welcomes 90 to 100 attendees each Sunday and we always welcome new faces and visitors. We invite you to come as you are and know that ALL are welcome here.
History
Messiah Lutheran Church, a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, held its first worship service on June 7, 1970; formally becoming Messiah Lutheran in June 1971 with 25 charter members. From these humble beginnings, Messiah has grown to over 400 members. Known in the community as a ‘young’ church, Messiah completed a beautiful, new worship facility in 2000 to accommodate our growing congregation.
In May 2011, the congregation once again voted to move forward with a much needed building addition project (to the north and west). Groundbreaking for the new additions took place on Easter Sunday of 2013 and construction began in earnest in June of 2013. With the help of the ELCA Mission Builders plus many volunteers from the congregation: new classrooms, an enlarged narthex with hospitality area, and additional office space were added to further the mission of Messiah. On April 6, 2014 Messiah formally dedicated our new additions with thankfulness to God and all the people who gave so generously of their time, talents and money to make this project successful.
A Progression of Pastors
Messiah Lutheran Church’s first pastor was F. Delmar Klover, who was the pastor at United Lutheran of Hampton. During 1974, Pastor Klover accepted a call to another congregation and Pastor David Sites was installed as the new pastor of both Messiah Lutheran and United Lutheran of Hampton.
In December, 1978 Pastor Sites accepted a call to another congregation, and Pastor Alvin Petersen of Lincoln served both congregations during the pastoral vacancy from January until June, 1979.
Pastor Jim Gleason was installed as pastor of the congregation in June, 1979. He served both Messiah Lutheran and United Lutheran. When Pastor Gleason accepted a call to another congregation in December, 1984, the congregation of Messiah Lutheran decided to call their own pastor, separate from United Lutheran of Hampton. Pastor Jack Fischer served as interim pastor through August, 1985.
Pastor Steve VanderTuig was installed as pastor on September 8, 1985, becoming Messiah’s first full-time pastor. In 1987, a parsonage was purchased at 907 2nd A venue in Aurora, and Pastor VanderTuig, wife Jane, and their children Adam and Marci made their home there.
Pastor VanderTuig served Messiah for 10 years. In March, 1995, Pastor VanderTuig retired from ministry at Messiah in response to medical disability caused by Multiple Sclerosis. Pastor Anna White from Kronborg served as interim pastor until a new pastor could be called.
Pastor Al Duminy was installed as pastor of Messiah on August 6, 1995. His wife, Pastor Shari Duminy was later called to serve United Lutheran in Hampton. While in Aurora the Duminy’s and our congregation were blessed with the arrival of Zachariah and Alexandra.
Pastor Duminy served Messiah through October, 2001 when he accepted another call. Pastor Pollard from Central City served as interim pastor from November 2001 through June 2002.
In July 2002, Pastors Sheryl and Chris Kester-Beyer began serving Messiah with Pastor Sheryl as the senior pastor and Pastor Chris as the associate pastor. Pastor Chris also served United Lutheran in Hampton during this time. They served faithfully until February 2015 at which time they accepted another call. Pastor Howard Rasmussen served Messiah as interim pastor in June 2015 through July 2016.
In August 2016, Pastors Sarah and Miles Ruch began their ministry at Messiah with Pastor Sarah serving as senior pastor and Pastor Miles as the halftime associate pastor. Pastor Miles also served at United Lutheran in Hampton. Together with their children Hannah, Caleb, and Aaron, they moved into the newly purchased parsonage located at 130 Galway Road in Aurora. Pastors Sarah and Miles served both congregations through June of 2020. At this time, they relocated to the Lincoln area. Pastor Karen Tjarks of York served Messiah as an interim pastor from August 2020 through April 2021. In June 2021 Messiah called Pastor Rudy Flores to begin his ministry at Messiah. His tenure began on July 13, 2021 .
Messiah has been blessed with gifted pastors throughout our 50 year history. We give thanks to God for the leadership provided by these faithful servants as well as our lay leaders and members who give of their time and talents to spread God’s word near and far.