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Welcome to First Lutheran
"One in spirit and purpose" – Philippians 2:2

Thank you for visiting us at First Lutheran, and welcome! We hope you will take some time to learn more about us, and pray this will lead you to come meet and worship with us. We would love to make you feel right at home. Whether you're a long-time Christian or have never set foot in a church, whether 2 years old or 92, you are welcomed with open arms and hearts; there is a place for everyone here.

One of our guiding scriptures here is the one listed above, Philippians 2:2. In a time when anyone can connect (technologically speaking) anywhere in the world, many feel disconnected, personally and spiritually. But our church is a family whose goal it is to provide those connections, through Christ and His boundless love. We strive to support and love one another, and to seek and follow God's calling for us as His family. We strive to be "one in spirit and purpose", and that is a great comfort in this world of distances and uncertainties.

We are a Bible-based church, and we worship the God who loves us so much, He sent His only and perfect Son to die for us, that we might be ensured of an eternal life in heaven. We find great joy in His promises to us, in His desire to have a personal relationship with each of us, and in His desire to bless our lives richly with His love and deep mercies.

We invite you to come and meet us at First Lutheran Church. We are a vital, growing congregation, gathered around God's Word and His gifts of baptism and communion.

Explore our website, then come join us for a worship service, bible study and/or special event; it'll be our sincere pleasure to have you with us.

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose." - Philippians 2:1-2

We are a friendly, family-oriented, Bible-studying church, reaching out to our community in the name of Christ, our Savior. First Lutheran has served the spiritual needs of people in the Pioneer Valley for more than 140 years. Many today are looking for a church that teaches God's rich grace in Jesus Christ as the answer to the most pressing issues of our age.

First Lutheran is a member of a nationwide association of congregations known as “The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod”. The L.C.M.S. has long been known for its strong emphasis on God's law and grace. Member congregations are involved in compassionate outreach locally and around the world. We invite you to worship and grow with us.

First Lutheran Church & School is located one block north of the Yankee Pedlar in Holyoke, at 1810 Northampton Street between the traffic lights of Beech and Sargeant Streets.

With the universal Christian Church, The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod teaches and responds to the love of the Triune God: the Father, creator of all that exists; Jesus Christ, the Son, who became human to suffer and die for the sins of all human beings and to rise to life again in the ultimate victory over death and Satan; and the Holy Spirit, who creates faith through God's Word and Sacraments. The three persons of the Trinity are coequal and coeternal, one God.

Being "Lutheran," our congregations accept and teach Bible-based teachings of Martin Luther that inspired the reformation of the Christian Church in the 16th century. The teaching of Luther and the reformers can be summarized in three short phrases:

Grace alone, Scripture alone, Faith alone.

God loves the people of the world, even though they are sinful, rebel against Him and do not deserve His love. He sent Jesus, His Son, to love the unlovable and save the ungodly.

The Bible is God's inerrant and infallible Word, in which He reveals His Law and His Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ. It is the sole rule and norm for Christian doctrine.

By His suffering and death as the substitute for all people of all time, Jesus purchased and won forgiveness and eternal life for them. Those who hear this Good News and believe it have the eternal life that it offers. God creates faith in Christ and gives people forgiveness through Him.

The word "Synod" in The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod comes from the Greek words that mean "walking together." It has rich meaning in our church body,because the congregations voluntarily choose to belong to the Synod. Diverse in their service, these congregations hold to a shared confession of Jesus Christ as taught in Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions. The congregations of the Synod are "confessional." They hold to the Lutheran Confessions as the correct interpretation and presentation of Biblical doctrine. Contained in The Book of Concord: The Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, these statements of belief were put into writing by church leaders during the 16th century. (The simplest of these is Luther's Small Catechism. The Augsburg Confession gives more detail on what Lutherans believe. Links to the full text of all the Lutheran Confessions are listed below.

Belief and Practice
In grateful response to God's grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacraments, the mission of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod is vigorously to make known the love of Christ by word and deed within our churches, communities, and the world.

worship services and Bible studies.
Pastor Randall Bessette: A man who loves the Lord, lives to serve,
and loves to call Holyoke his home.

Sunday, Dec. 12th, 4-7pm Please Join Us on Our Front Lawn
to Ponder the Wonder of

Worship Schedule: 9 & 11:15am on Sundays
6pm on Wednesdays

Something for Everyone! Jesus Says: "If you abide in my word,
you are truly my disciples." John 8:31 Join us for our ongoing Bible Studies,
and grow in faith and fellowship!

No need to bring a thing. Just come.
Bibles, coffee and snacks will be provided...
* Weekday Bible Study in Fellowship Hall: The First and Third Thursday
of Every Month @ 9am.
* Weeknight Bible Study at Pastor's: Thursdays @ 7pm
Call the office to RSVP: 413.534.7071 *Weeknight Adult Instruction Class: Fundamentals of the Lutheran Faith,
Weds. in Fellowship Hall @ 7pm.

*Sunday Morning @ 10:15, for All Ages: Sunday School for Children/Youth
Teen Bible Study

To submit a prayer request, any day of the year, click Prayer Request to send an email.

Your request will be added to our weekly First Lutheran Email Prayer Circle, and will be prayed for by more than 50 prayer circle members. There's power in the prayers of many; allow us to bring your requests to the Lord, many times over.