If you are new to church, done with church, or a life-long Lutheran, we are glad you're here.
We are a progressive, welcoming Lutheran congregation in the North Buffalo area. We are a church that shares a living, daring confidence in God's grace. Liberated by our faith, we embrace you as a whole person - questions, complexities and all. Our church is affirming of the leadership and ordination of Women and LGBTQ+ individuals. Our Communion table is “open” which means any and all are welcome to receive the sacrament in worship. We seek to follow the inclusive, liberating, and life-giving way of Jesus. Some might label aspects of our ministry as social justice but we consider it all a part of loving God and loving neighbor. Faith should not just make a difference in our lives but in the world around us. For us this progressive perspective is grounded in scripture. We read the Bible considering the historical context in which it was written and interpreting through a lens that centers the grace of God. Questions and doubts are welcomed. We are far from a perfect community but we strive for authenticity. We give thanks that the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus has set us free.
We invite you to take a few minutes to explore our website and learn about this Christ-centered community.
This may not come as a surprise to anyone ... but we are far from perfect. We are a community trying our best to live out an authentic faith. We take seriously our Creator’s command to love God and love our neighbor. Parkside Lutheran Church believes the love of Jesus transforms lives, communities, and this world.
In worship we gather around Word and Sacraments; Baptism and Holy Communion. We might hear a classic hymn on organ or maybe a newer praise song played on guitar. What matters is that worship reminds us we are loved, forgiven, and filled with God’s grace. Worship prepares us to walk through the doors and be the church out in the world. We will never be perfect, but at Parkside you will find a community eager to welcome you, and serve our neighbors.
We are a church that walks by faith, trusting God's promise in the gospel, and knowing we exist by and for the proclamation of this gospel word. We proclaim Jesus Christ crucified and raised from the dead for the life of the world. As the apostle Paul wrote (Romans 1:16-17), and echoed in our Constitution (2.02), we are not ashamed of this gospel ministry because it is God’s power for saving all people who trust the God who makes these promises. “We are to fear and love God, so that we do not despise preaching or God’s word, but instead keep that word holy and gladly hear it and learn it”, (Small Catechism). God’s word, specifically God’s promise in Jesus Christ, creates this liberated, confident, and generous faith. God gives the Holy Spirit who uses gospel proclamation – in preaching and sacraments, in forgiveness, and in healing conversations – to create and sustain this faith. As a Lutheran church, we give central place to this gospel message in our ministry.
We understand that to be Lutheran is to be ecumenical – committed to the oneness to which God calls the world in the saving gift of Jesus Christ, recognizing the brokenness of the church in history, and the call of God to heal this disunity.
(Picture to the right shows Buffalo Burrito Project. A Ministry of Parkside that serves meals in downtown Buffalo)
Parkside typically holds an information session twice/year for those interested in membership. Here is the membership form for those who've met with Pastor about membership and are in process of joining, or for those who are simply curious. We welcome your questions and comments. There is a contact form on the home page if you'd like to connect with us, ask questions, add prayers to our prayer list, sign up for our newsletter, meet Pastor for coffee, etc....
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Parkside Lutheran Church
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