FAQs

• Who is the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America?

  We are a mainline Protestant denomination (similar to Methodists and Presbyterians) with more than 4,000,000 members in the United States. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. We believe the Bible is God’s word. We celebrate communion weekly, and each local church is autonomously governed (no one “higher up” tells us what to do – except God!). For more information on the denomination, you can visit elca.org

• How big is the church?

  Our church, founded in 1962, has grown into a healthy and vibrant congregation. We currently have more than 900 active members and regular attendees. Our 9:45 a.m. worship service averages around 160 people in person with about 100 joining us online, and our Wednesday 6:20pm worship service usually has about 50 in attendance.

• What time is worship?

  We have two worship services each week.

  The fall worship schedule started September 8.

  Sundays at 9:45 a.m. in the Sanctuary and online. Traditional with familiar hymns, piano and organ accompaniment, except the fourth Sunday of every month which is our contemporary worship service led by our praise band.

  Wednesdays at 6:20 pm in the Chapel. Casual worship accompanied by piano. We celebrate Holy Communion at all of our worship services and all are welcome to participate.

• What do you offer for children on Sunday morning or Wednesday evening?

  Children are a special part of our congregation and we value them as full participants in the life of our church. In the Sanctuary we offer a “prayground” – a large low table with child-sized chairs, activity bags, and children’s messages. Church School classes for children (preschool through the 6th grade) begin at 9:00 a.m. Sundays and 5:30 Wednesdays.

• Who goes to your church?

  We have quite a mixture of people at Good Shepherd. Our congregation truly spans the ages, from newborns to folks in their 90s. You’ll find just about every type of person here – married, single, divorced, widowed – professionals, workers, retired – life-long Aberdonians and those who have just recently moved to Hub City. But even more important than the kind of people who go here is the kind of people who are welcome here – everyone!

• Do I have to belong to your denomination to attend?

  Not at all! In fact, many in our congregation come from a church background other than Lutheran. We have many former Catholics, Presbyterians and Methodists. There are also a number of folks who never had a church home until they came to Good Shepherd. We are a “patchwork” church – people with different church backgrounds “woven together” by God’s grace.

• Do you have to dress up to attend your worship service?

  No!  Dressing up is not a requirement to worship with us at Good Shepherd. Some do wear their “Sunday best” but you’re also likely to see someone in slacks and a casual shirt, or even jeans. We believe the most important part about Sunday morning is showing up, ready to worship God.

• What kind of things do you do in your worship service?

  At Good Shepherd we strive to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. We greet each other so everyone feels welcomed; we share announcements and church news; we sing and listen to our choir perform beautiful music; we share the congregation’s joys and concerns and lift them to God in prayer; we read the Bible and talk about it through the sermon; we collect an offering to further God’s work; and we take communion weekly.

• Can a visitor take communion?

  Yes! We take communion each week as a tangible reminder of God’s gift to us in Jesus Christ. We believe in open communion – that means that anyone who believes in Jesus Christ is welcome to take communion, whether they are a church member or not.

• Who are your pastors?

  Visit the Staff page on our website to learn about our pastors and other staff.

• What kind of adult education/spiritual growth opportunities do you offer?

  Throughout the year there are a number of opportunities for adults to learn and grow. On Sunday mornings one of our pastors usually offers a class at 9:00 a.m. delving into the Bible or current events. Two different Women’s groups host monthly Bible Studies, and there are two mid-week Men’s Bible Studies. All of these educational opportunities are available in-person or via technology. All of these groups vary in size, format and the age of their members but all are glad to have guests join them.

• What kind of outreach is the church involved in?

  Good Shepherd is active in a variety of outreach ministries, both here in Aberdeen and around the world. One of the major local outreach activities of is our Food Pantry, through which we provide groceries and personal care items to over 100 households monthly. Quilts are provided to each resident at New Beginnings Center and school kits assist students in Aberdeen who otherwise wouldn’t have school supplies. We support the food programs at the Aberdeen Boys & Girls Club and Salvation Army. We are humbled to partner with Aberdeen Public elementary schools by providing grants to support the each school’s care of their students in need. Regionally we provide child-sized quilts to each Head Start child every year, support financially and with volunteers the ministry of St Dysmas Prison Ministry in Sioux Falls, the work of South Dakota Synod of the ELCA with Native populations and assistance with those new to the United States. We send over 250 quilts a year to those in need around the world, provide health kits to those outside the United States, and support the ELCA’s global initiatives.

• With whom do I talk if I want to know more?

  We would love to answers any questions that you may have about Good Shepherd. If you didn’t find what you were looking for on our website, please email or call one of our pastors or other staff members. See the Staff page for an email link.