Who We Are
HISTORY OF CHURCH
Messiah Lutheran Church was formed in 1859, only 30 plus years after the founding of the city of Burlington, making it one of the oldest congregations in Burlington. Its ethnic base was Swedish. Its first 2 buildings were located on the corner of Smith and Adams. The present church structure was built in 1961 on the same grounds as the very first home in Burlington, a 2-story log home where Native Americans came to trade. The congregation’s affiliations began with the Iowa Conference of the Augustana Synod. After various denominational mergers it was a part of the Iowa Synod of the Lutheran Church in America, and finally the Southeastern Iowa Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
MISSION STATEMENT
Responding to God’s gracious offer to satisfy our many needs, we gladly accept and celebrate God’s rich blessings within the supportive environment of our fellowship and dedicate our lives to create a nurturing community, to profess God’s message of love, to exercise good stewardship of our resources, and to live in the world so as to be a blessing to others.
CONFIRMATION
A long Lutheran tradition is to provide special education and growing experiences for youth in 8th and 9th grades. Typically students join in 8 all-day sessions scattered throughout these 2 years, fulfill additional assignments, and spend a week at Confirmation Camp on Lake East Okoboji in NW Iowa. The Rite of Confirmation is also known as the Affirmation of Baptism and serves as an event when the confirmands themselves make their own vows of commitment to the Christian faith and service. It also grants them full status as adult members of the congregation.
BECOMING A MEMBER OF MESSIAH
The Sacrament of Baptism is the principle means by which persons of all ages may become members of the church. For adults a class of short duration is offered to discuss issues of the faith and to help assure assimilation and a sense of belong in the parish. At the conclusion of this experience adults participate in a service of reception into the fellowship of the church.
PIPE ORGAN AND STAINED GLASS WINDOWS
The Moeller pipe organ was purchased in 1950 for $19,000 and installed originally in the former church building. Upon completion of the present facility in 1961, however, the organ was moved and installed here. It has 20,000 pipes and can offer a wide range of musical experiences.
The beautiful stained glass windows offer more than simply pretty colors. A self-guided pamphlet is available in the pamphlet rack in the narthex. The smaller windows in the side walls each depict some aspect of worship. The Water of Life window surrounding the baptistry portrays God’s generous blessing in Baptism and the ready response of people to receive God’s gift. The Messiah window at the peak of the sanctuary shows the call of Isaiah to God’s service, a baptism by John the Baptizer, and the Messiah at the top extending his blessing.
WORSHIP
Regular hours: |
| Informal |
8:15 am |
| Traditional |
10:00 am |
| Sunday School |
9:00 am |
Summer Hours (Memorial Day to Labor Day) |
| Outside |
8:30 am |
| Second Service |
9:30 am |
LINKS
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
Lutheran Services in Iowa
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