First Lutheran Church's Sunday services will move to Luther College for December

Posted: Thu, Dec 6, 2018 12:05 PM

First Lutheran Church in Decorah has found a new home for its Sunday worship services in December while its members try to figure out how to cope with news that its main building is unsafe.

Remaining Sunday worship services in December will be held the Noble Recital Hall in the Jenson-Noble Hall of Music on the Luther College campus. Services will be held Sundays at 9:00 a.m., beginning this Sunday, December 9th. Parking should be readily available next to and near the building. Those looking to share rides should meet in the First Lutheran Church parking lot at 8:30 a.m. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services will also be held in the Jenson-Noble Hall of Music at Luther College, with times announced at a later date.

First Lutheran announced earlier this week it would be closing its sanctuary and fellowship hall after a scheduled facilities review revealed structural issues with the oldest parts of the building. The education wing, which houses the church offices, remains open. The Decorah Food Pantry and Free Clinic ministries that are held at First Lutheran are continuing uninterrupted.

"We are, first and foremost, a community of faith that gathers around God's Word and Christ's table for nourishment in our lives of faith. We are committed to sustaining our worship life while we face discernment about our church building. We are grateful for the ability to worship together, beginning this weekend," said Pastor Melissa Bills, associate pastor at First Lutheran. "We are grateful for the support of President Paula Carlson, the Cabinet and the Luther College community, and their welcome and hospitality. The outpouring of support from the Decorah faith community and other organizations, along with the many individuals who have offered help and prayers has been affirming and restoring."