October 23, 2011

Peace Lutheran Church of Palm Desert

Peace Lutheran Church of Palm Desert
Palm Desert, California

"Peace Lutheran Church began as a Bible Study.  Fifteen people from different denominations gathered together to study the Word of God with no intention of starting a church.  However, as the Bible Study grew, they all felt the Lord was leading them to start a church.  It was voted that it would be a Lutheran Church with a Lutheran Doctrine.

"Peace Lutheran Church of the Desert was the name they had decided on.  The church became a member of the English District, Missouri Synod.  Lee Settgast became the first Pastor.  A  storefront on Country Club Drive in Palm Desert, California was rented and the first church service was held in June 1994.

                                                                   Sanctuary

"The first two years of Peace Lutheran were spent canvassing the community and spreading the word of our new church.  In October of 1996, after two years, Pastor Settgast received a call to be the Interim Pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Whittier, California.  In June 1997, Peace Lutheran called Norval Chilman to be their new Pastor.

                                                                     Foyer Tapestry

"Pastor Chilman, along with the approval of the church, began focusing on missions and missionaries instead of building and budgets.  Peace is one of the few Lutheran churches who do not own their own building but who have caught the vision of Matthew 24:14 where it says 'For the Gospel must be preached to all nations and then the end will come'.

                                                             Exterior Angel Sculpture

"Peace Lutheran (at 74200 Country Club Dr.) currently has 84 active members supporting several Missions with an annual budget of $27,600." (Link 1.)

The church is also involved in the Braille Ministry.  Large print Bibles are collated, stapled, and distributed to the vision impaired.

Peace Lutheran Church shares the building with the 7th Day Adventist Church. The 7th Day Adventist message of the three angels blowing trumpets (depicted in the exterior sculpture in the photo above) is to announce the return of Jesus. (Link 2.) 

Photos: Taken in 2010 by SW. 
Link 1: http://www.peacelutheranchurch.info/
Link 2: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seventh-day_Adventist_eschatology

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Prayer

God, be with the persecuted Christians through out the world. Amen (SW.)