Who We Are Today

Today we are, a single congregation part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), First Lutheran Church in Watford City, North Dakota.

We are a rural community, grounded in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, who identify with the Christian Church around the Word and Sacraments, who value community and are committed to sharing the Christian faith and reaching out with love to all the world.

History

It all started with the Watford City Area Lutheran Parish which was started in the summer of 1906, when several women, herding cattle, got together for “Ladies Aid.” This small group grew to a prominent service group, raising money for the Red Cross, the local school, Nursing home, Boy’s Ranch, Bible camps and more. The group began to serve the food pantry, hospital, missionaries, and Lutheran World Relief. This heart of service continues to be their foundation and vision today: “God’s work, our hands.”  The first congregational gathering was then born in the country in the summer of 1907, at the home of Gust Peterson. Several families, who migrated from the Scandinavian countries, recognized their need to fellowship together in Christ. In the following years, several other home-churches formed until, in 1915, 6 different Lutheran campuses were established.  Three of those campuses made up the Watford City Area Lutheran Parish until just recently.  In 2023, these congregations felt that they were all strong enough to continue on their own making up First Lutheran Church of Watford City and North Prairie Lutheran Parish, which consists of two rural churches: Banks Lutheran and Garden Lutheran.  These 3 congregations hold their own worship service, yet still come together for various things such as Youth Ministry, Confirmation and Vacation Bible School.

What We Believe

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America is a Christian denomination, founded on the Bible. The denomination confirms the Apostles’ and Nicene Creed, is strengthened through traditions, and professes salvation through Christ alone, by grace alone, in faith alone.

The ELCA believes that together in Christ Jesus we are freed by grace to live faithfully, witness boldly and serve joyfully. Our values are grounded in faith, in our biblical and Lutheran confessional sources and our love of God and neighbor. They speak to the way this church lives and practices our faith, and they will guide how we journey forward in Christ as church together.

When Lutherans talk about faith, we are talking about the relationship God’s Holy Spirit creates with us. It’s a relationship where God’s promise of steadfast love and mercy in Jesus opens us to a life of bold trust in God and joyful, generous service to everyone we know and meet in daily life.

Mission Statement

Sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ, we’re sent to proclaim the praise of God and bear His creative and redeeming Word of the kingdom to all the world.

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