A church home for God's people.

Grace is undeserved mercy.

Hello, and Welcome

As you can see from exploring this web site, we are providing information to the Grace Lutheran community as well as a welcome and introduction of our church to other Christians who may be seeking a church home. We are mindful that people are at various places in their faith walk. Second, we would be helpful in providing support and guidance.

...TO SPREAD THE KINGDOM OF GOD

GRACE ON PURPOSE—Part 5

FELLOWSHIP / COMMUNION

The fifth and final designated purpose from Article II of The constitution of Grace Lutheran Church states:  ...to foster Christian fellowship and love.

Koinonia is the New Testament Greek word translated fellowship, communion, sharing.

For example:

ACTS 2:42  They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

ROMANS 15:26  Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to share their resources with the poor among the saints at Jerusalem.

2 CORINTHIANS 13:13  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

In sum, all of the aspects of fellowship at Grace Lutheran Church derive from, continue in , and are completed under the modifying agency of Jesus the Christ.  Therefore, the fellowship ever and always claims a Christian origin, character, and goal.  In giving further explanation to the confession of the Apostles’ Creed

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints

Martin Luther states in his Small Catechism (1528)

The Holy Spirit ...calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth and keeps it united with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.

Clearly, therefore, the fellowship of Grace Lutheran Church is not that of a club born of common social or even service commitments.  Yes, the members of Grace care for one another and others socially.  Yes, the members of Grace are called to serve each other and others faithfully.  But the determining component to the fellowship at Grace derives from Jesus himself who sends his Holy Spirit to united Grace members together with Christians everywhere in the one true faith.  The constitution of Grace, therefore, continues and concludes all that is said about these five purposes with the enabling triad: 

...by the preaching of the Word of God,

...by the administration of the Sacraments, and

...by the religious instruction of all its members according to the confessional standard of the evangelical Lutheran Church.

As a new Church year begins (30 November) and a new calendar year nears Grace Lutheran Church, Tacoma, WA. holds to its constitutional purposes:  to honor the triune God, to do God’s will, to live out unity in Christ, to extend Jesus’ gracious rule, and to live in Christian love.  Toward those purposes, each member of Grace meets regularly each Sunday, on other occasions of congregational activity, and in particular in the forthcoming semi-annual congregation meeting on SUNDAY, 23 November—11:30a.m.  A priority for each confirmed member of Grace.  Be there in that fellowship, as well as in the Holy Communion that precedes at 10a.m.

If you would like additional information, we’d enjoy talking with you either by phone at
253-472-7105, or you can e-mail us at: info@gracelutherantacoma.org.
We hope to hear from you!
May God bless you this day and every day!
Pastor Richard H. Tietjen
r_tietjen@gracelutherantacoma.org