ABOUT
CHURCH HISTORY
The roots of Friendship's founders can be traced to the Palatinate region of West Germany in the mid 1700's. They immigrated to America in the period from 1740 through 1760. Most of the immigrants were naturalized in Philadelphia and then settled in the area in and around Lancaster, Pennsylvania. After farming for one generation in Pennsylvania, they were lured to the piedmont region of the North Carolina colony with the promise of mild winters, fertile soils, and cheap land. They originally settled in what is now northern Catawba County in the 1760's. In the early 1800's, again feeling the need for adequate acreage for their large farming families, they migrated across the Catawba River into present day Alexander County. The unpredictable flooding nature of the Catawba River made it impossible at times to travel to Lutheran churches in Catawba County for baptisms, weddings, burials, and catechetical instruction for their children. The little community of Germans settlers grew in the early 1830's until the need for a church on the north side of the Catawba River became a necessity. The original idea began as a "meeting house" for the community where all denominations and beliefs could come to worship at set times. Not entirely by coincidence, three of the founders of the meetinghouse were Lutherans - Daniel Fry, Daniel Bowman, and George Deal. The fourth, Nimrod Lundsford, was of the Baptist persuasion. The four men entered into an agreement on August 16,1832 to provide 3.5 acres of land for a meetinghouse. A log structure was built on the property and in 1833 Friendship was officially organized. Church services were held in the old log structure until 1858 when one acre of land was purchased across the road and a new eight-sided church building was constructed. The church building survived the Civil War without damage and served the congregation until 1960 when a new, larger building was constructed to replace the old church. The church has continued to acquire additional property until it now has over 25 contiguous acres to serve its needs well into the 21st. Century and beyond. In 2004 a Family Life building was constructed to serve God's needs within the church and the community.
Like most churches, Friendship has endured more strife from within than from outside sources. With help and guidance from the Holy Spirit, Christ's congregation at Friendship continues to flourish.
If a more detailed history is wanted, the complete history is available in the book; I Have Called You Friends-The Story of Friendship. The book is available for a small fee by contacting the church office.
FRIENDSHIP TODAY
Since 1832, the people of Friendship have gathered to celebrate what God is doing in our midst. When we gather for worship,
we rejoice in the hearing of God's Word;
we sing God's praise with music;
we celebrate God's presence in both Holy Communion and Holy Baptism.
After we gather to be fed by our Lord and called his friends, the people of Friendship go into the broken world to share the friendship of Jesus Christ and proclaim the gospel to all we encounter.
MINISTERIAL STAFF
The Rev. Todd A. Rauscher - "Pastor Todd or PT" ... Read Bio ... Email
The Rev. Phil Thorsen - "Pastor Phil" ... Read Bio ... Email
Mrs. Teresa Birchfield, Director of Music Ministries ... Read Bio
Mrs. Silsa Moore, Church Keyboardist ... Read Bio
MEMBERS
We have 1084 members. Our average Sunday worship attendance is 365 worshipers. Our membership consists of 184 older adults, 520 adults, 171 young adults, 209 children & youth. Friendship is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America which has 5.2 million members and 11,000 member congregations.
WORSHIP SERVICES
Worship services are held each Sunday at 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. The 8:30 service is a contextual, blended service. The 11:00 service is the traditional Lutheran Book of Worship. A Nursery is available for both services. There is also a children's sermon every Sunday. Children's Church is celebrated the first and third Sunday of each month. Sunday Church School is at 9:45 am. We have classes for all ages.
OUR FACILITIES
We are located on a nearly 25-acre site in the Wittenburg community of Alexander County. We have over two and a half acres of parking, a nearly 12,000 sq. ft. fellowship hall, plus the main church building. Our property also includes a church cemetery.
OUR MINISTRIES
There are many ways you can get involved in our growing faith community. We have activities to suit every preference and interest ... women's groups, men's groups, youth and senior groups, exercise groups, scouting, and more! We invite you to browse these opportunities under the MINISTRIES tab above.
OUR MUSIC MINISTRIES
Music is another way to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. Music is an important part of our life together at Friendship. Teresa Birchield, Director of Music Ministries, and Silsa Moore, Church Keyboardist, lead our music. We have choirs for young people and adults.
KEEPING IN TOUCH
We publish a monthly newsletter (Friendship Focus) and a weekly update (This Week at Friendship). Look under the PUBLICATIONS tab above for copies of these publications. Our daily activities and important announcements are published in The Daily Friendship. Click the TODAY'S NEWS tab above to read The Daily Friendship.
QUESTIONS
If you have questions about our church, please call us anytime. Our church office number is (828) 632-4482. General inquiries by e-mail can be sent to Sharon Walker at flcelca@att.net. You can also e-mail any of our staff directly by clicking their e-mail links above, or click the CONTACT tab above to e-mail the church office via this website.
WHAT LUTHERANS BELIEVE
What Lutherans Believe?
DIRECTIONS
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