Overland Park Lutheran Church (OP Lutheran) offers two worship experiences each Sunday morning; a Traditional Service at 8:30AM and a Contemporary Celebration Service at 11AM.  Holy Communion is celebrated on the first and third Sundays of each month.  Everyone who has been baptized and believes in the real presence of Christ in Holy Communion is welcome to receive Communion!  If your child/ren have regularly received Communion elsewhere, they are welcome to receive it here as well, (please indicate this to the pastor as the meal is distributed).  Typically, at OPLC, children receive their First Communion Education in the fall of their fourth grade year.  Until then, they are encouraged to come forward with their parents at Communion time when they will receive a blessing.

Child care is provided in the Nursery for children during both services.  Ask an Usher to point you toward the Nursery if you need help finding it.

There are two other unique worship experiences offered at OPLC each year.  The first is a Christian Seder Meal and Service that is held on Maundy Thursday evening, during Holy Week, just before Easter.  It is a Christian version of the Traditional Passover Meal celebrated by Jesus and his disciples at his Last Supper.  It is truly a unique and interesting experience!  Our beautiful Christmas Eve Candlelight Services are held at 7PM & 11PM each year.  We hope you will be able to join us for any and all of the above worship experiences!

Lutherans are Christians who accept the teachings of Martin Luther (1483 – 1546). Luther was a German theologian who realized that there were significant differences between what he read in the Bible and the practices of the Roman Catholic church at that time. On October 31, 1517, he posted a challenge on the door of Wittenberg University, titled “95 Theses” (to debate 95 theological issues). His hope was that the church would reform its practice and preaching to be more consistent with the Word of God as contained in the Bible.

What started as an academic debate escalated into a distinct separation between the Roman Catholic church of the time and those who accepted Luther’s suggested reforms. "Lutheran" became the name of the group that agreed with Luther’s convictions.

Today, nearly five centuries later, Lutherans still celebrate the Reformation on October 31 and still hold to the basic principles of Luther’s theological teachings, such as grace alone, faith alone, scripture alone. These comprise the very essence of Lutheranism:

              · We are saved by the grace of God alone -- not by anything we do; 

· Our salvation is through faith alone -- we only need to trust God made known in Christ who promises us forgiveness, life and salvation; and

· The Bible is the norm for faith and life -- the true standard by which teachings and doctrines are to be judged. 

Over the years, different Lutheran church bodies have been established and organized to meet the needs of Lutherans in communities and nations all over the world. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is the largest Lutheran group in North America, founded in 1988 when three North American Lutheran church bodies united: The American Lutheran Church, the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches and the Lutheran Church in America.

Lutheranism is a faith tradition that is open to all, regardless of background. The ELCA alone is almost five million members strong, with nearly 10,500 congregations across the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Our faith tradition is based on a life-transforming story. The ELCA’s story is both ancient and timely. It’s a story of a powerful and patient God who has boundless love for all people of the world, who brings justice for the oppressed. It’s a story of Jesus Christ, changing lives. It’s a story that brings comfort and strength to people who today live in modern, often unsettling times. Learn more about our beliefs—and become a part of our story. We welcome you to learn more about our church and find out how we can help you along life’s path.