First Lutheran Church has been a part of the Tooele community since the 1950s when Tooele's economy relied on mining, smelting, and the Army Depot. The community was smaller then. Today the economy of Tooele is changing, the mines and the smelter are gone, the Army Depot has been reduced. But Tooele is growing, new industries are coming in, and more and more people are commuting into Salt Lake City to work. First Lutheran is happy to be growing along with Tooele.
The Old Smelter that used to operate just outside of town donated the property First Lutheran sits on back in the 50s. At the same time, they donated much of the surrounding land to the city as a park. Thus started a long and friendly relationship between First Lutheran and the City of Tooele. Recently, First Lutheran and the City of Tooele have partnered to offer more parking to both park goers and those who would like to attend church on Sunday. This has quadrupled the much needed parking our growing congregation needed.
Our congregation has indeed been growing in number, but more important to us is our growth in the faith with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is for this reason that we meet on Sunday morning to hear the word of God and have our sins forgiven as we partake in the Lord's Supper. The sacrament of the Lord's Supper provides the focus of our worship. As this is the case we worship using the historical liturgy. The form of worship handed down to us through the centuries that has its roots in the synagogue worship Jesus grew up with in Nazareth. We love this form of worship as it pulls families together across generations. It provides an order and routine that children, parents, and grandparents can enjoy together. The music is reverent and focuses on Christ our Savior. As It is filled with the word of God the Holy Spirit uses it to instruct all generations in the faith. Often you see members singing the songs of the faith from heart without looking at the bulletins or hymnals. These songs lifted from Scripture stay with them for life. They give them something to hold onto in the rough times. The interactive participation between the pastor and the congregation, responding back and forth with God's word, can be a little strange for some at first, but as you get used to the routine it creates a comfortable peace that surpasses all understanding and keeps your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. It also provides a medium of worship that all God's children can grow to love, whoever they are. It is simple enough that those suffering from Down's syndrome, autism, and other disabilities can enjoy it. The blind and hard of hearing can join in the familiar routines. Yet it has a sublime complexity that could occupy the sharpest of minds for centuries. It is a treasure from the churches heritage across cultures and generations that welcomes all to participate in its beauty, and so we also welcome all from every walk of life to join with us.
We hold services every Sunday Morning at 10:30 and offer Bible Study and Sunday School at 9:00. We have a Wednesday Evening Service during Advent and Lent at 7.