FROM THEN...

With Jesus Christ the center of their lives, a number of Norwegian families became the church and in their early stages, met at the home of Andreas Olson. On December 27, 1887, a decision was made to build a place of worship in the town of Vernon, Waukesha County. The church was named Vernon Norwegian Lutheran Church, with Andreas Oslon elected president; Soren Anderson as secretary; Simon Olson and Sam Johnson as trustees.

Rev. A.L. Huss, pastor or Norway Lutheran Church in Waterford, served as the first pastor. On February 16, 1888, arrangements were made to purchase land from Mr. Duncan Cameron for a church building. Sam Johson, Simon Olson, and Andrew Olson were appointed fund raisers and building committee.

On February 16, 1889, Andreas Olson donated a portion of land for use as a cemetery next to the church site (located on Hillview Drive just west of Oakdale Drive or Hwy XX). The church building was constructed in that year at a cost of $ 515.17. A contribution of $100.00 from the Norway congregation and the sharing of their pastor contributed greatly to the continued growth of the church during the years to follow.

In 1953 the congregation changed its name to Vernon Evangelical Lutheran Church and in 1956 Albert Sawyer sold a parcel of land to the church for $3,500.00 which became the site of the new parsonage constructed during 1957-58 at a cost of only $11,000.00 due to labor donations from the congregation.

In 1960 a new tract of land was purchased on Highway ES, east of Mukwonago, the present site of Vernon Evangelical Lutheran Church.

The first unit of our building was dedicated November 5, 1961. The present sanctuary, offices and classrooms were added in 1978-79 and dedicated April 1, 1979. On Sunday, June 4, 1989 ground breaking was begun on the last addition, Shepherd Hall, and was dedicated on December 10, 1989.

We have continued to grow through the grace of God and look forward to continuing to serve our Lord, Jesus Christ, by spreading His Gospel through knowing, living, and sharing His love during the years to come.

TO NOW...
		Click Here to see pictures of our current church

By the year 2012, as we celebrate our 125th anniversary, we will be...

...a church where people belong to a fellowship of faith.  Everyone will have opportunities to be engaged in groups that connect them to each other.

...a church where people worship in a variety of ways to creatively show passionate love and praise to God.

...a church where people grow closer in their relationship to God through a lifelong process of education.

...a church where people serve others with joy by sharing their spiritual gifts.

...a church where people invite those outside our fellowship to experience God's love.

One way to accomplish this is the Life Development Process out of Saddleback Church in California.   VLC will offer the following:

Christianity 101   Discovering Church Family*
 

*A requirement to becoming a new disciple/member of VLC

• 8:00am - 3:00pm (Sept.-May)
• 8:00am - 1:00pm (May 30-September 9)

THE CHURCH STAFF
Pastor	Dean Natterstad send e-mail
Visitation Pastor	Paul Dawson send e-mail
Director of Youth and Family	Tony Acompanado send e-mail
Office Manager	Becky Morgan      send e-mail
Bookkeeper	Beth Nicoson
Custodian	Liz Kelly, Jim Brissette
Organist	Kay Simpkin
Adult Choir Director
Handbell Choir Director
Youth Choir/Kids of the Kingdom Choir Director	Sue Johnson
New Life Singer Director	Chris Peterson
Sunday School Director	Tina Cybularz   send e-mail

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MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
At VLC we are committed to becoming a Purpose Driven Church and Christianity 101 is a requirement for all new disciples who wish to become part of our ministry.  These classes are taught twice a year and you can find out latest class times by contacting the church office.

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WORSHIP INFORMATION

Sundays 8:30 a.m. Traditional 10:00 a.m. Celebration!

Holy Communion is celebrated on the first and third Sundays of each month at the both services.  It is also celebrated at all services on Festival Sundays of Easter, Christmas and Pentecost.

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SUNDAY SCHOOL

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YOUTH MINISTRY
Our vision is to assist young people in development of their relationship with Jesus Christ, to provide the opportunity for healthy relationships, and to provide a safe place for fun together.

Vernon Lutheran Church offers young people something different than school, athletics, clubs or the like. It offers a message that applies to their lives. The message of a living Gospel that makes a difference. During a time in their life when they are making choices about who they are and what they will do, the Youth Ministry program, in its many facets, helps them make those tough choices.

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FELLOWSHIP MINISTRY
The Fellowship Committee is responsible for organizing activities and events to promote fellowship among the church members. We provide a variety of fun-filled family activities.

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EDUCATION MINISTRY
The mission of the educational program at Vernon Lutheran Church is to help persons of all ages better know, love and serve God as revealed through Jesus Christ. Being encouraged and strengthened by the community of the Church family, Christian education continues from cradle to grave. Learning never ceases and all generations have much to share with each other.

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ADULT EDUCATION
Adult education at VLC takes the form of the Life Development Classes, Christianity 101-104 plus the C.H.A.T. Small Groups that will be formed after Purpose Driven Life Campaign in Fall, 2004.

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BIBLE STUDIES

Women: 2nd and 4th Thursday at 7:00 p.m.

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CONFIRMATION MINISTRY
Our confirmation ministry uses Head to Heart by FaithInk.   Confirmation typically begins in 7^th grade and is completed in the fall of 9^th grade.   VLC has a policy that youth will confirm their faith when they complete their requirements for this ministry.   Head to Heart usually meets on the 2^nd and 4^th Mondays of the month Sept-April at 6:30 PM.

PROPERTY MINISTRY
The basic responsibilities of this board are to improve, maintain and repair church property and protection of the congregation against loss or damage.

STEWARDSHIP MINISTRY
The basic responsibilities of this board are to promote good stewardship of time, talents and treasures of all members in furthering the work of Christ's Kingdom.

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MUSIC MINISTRY
Music has been a very important part of the life of Vernon Lutheran Church. This is evident in our worship services by choirs' involvement and special services which center on music. We have an annual Christmas Choral service, special Brass Choir at various times as well as services led by special groups. In addition, periodically we do a Hymn Sing at our worship services, singing all our favorite hymns.

Music also provides members of Vernon Lutheran Church a way of sharing their talent and serving others. Thus, we have the following choir opportunities:

   ADULT CHOIR - Wednesday rehearsals at 7:45 p.m. for Senior High youth and adults.
     Director:
   KIDS of the Kingdom CHOIR -
     Director: Kay Simpkin
   HANDBELL CHOIR - Wednesday rehearsals at 6:30 p.m. for youth and adults.
     Director:
   NEW LIFE SINGERS (Contemporary) - Wednesday rehearsals at 8:45 p.m.

EVANGELISM MINISTRY
Telling the Good News of God's love for us in Jesus Christ and inviting others to share in that love is the privilege and responsibility of all Christians. Within Vernon Lutheran Church the Evangelism Board assumes the responsibility of keeping us focused on this vital task.

PUBLIC RELATIONS BOARD
Responsibilities of this board are to present the Church's Christian image to the public, publicize the congregation's work through various channels and integrate the congregation's work into the community.

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SPECIAL SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

PRAYER CHAIN
We have a prayer chain that would welcome the opportunity of offering a prayer for you and your loved ones. When situations arise in which you need the strength of the prayer chain, there are several ways you can get your prayer started:
Call Betty Nikutta: 594-2522; or call the church office: 363-7131

CHRISTIAN CHILDREN'S FUND
A special Centennial Fund, as well as birthday and special offerings support children in the Third World by providing education, medical care, food, clothing and shelter.

HEBRON HOUSE
Hebron House is the only shelter serving families and single women experiencing homelessness in Waukesha County. Vernon Lutheran Church members provide one meal the 2nd Tuesday of each month for the residents.

LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF / QUILT GUILD
Lutheran World Relief collects clothing and the Quilt Guild sews quilts to provide warmth and garments to less fortunate people in the Third World Countries. They meet the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month (except summer months).

MISSION OUTREACH TEAM
The purpose of this team is to coordinate VLC’s outreach activities including the following:  International Mission Teams,  Mission of the Month, Habitat for Humanity, Meru Coffee, Food for the Poor and other outreach opportunities.

SISTER CONGREGATIONS
Faith Lutheran Church, Milwaukee
    Faith Lutheran is an urban church with a special ministry to Hispanics.   There is a variety of ways you can get involved at Faith to assist them in reaching others for Jesus.

Patanumbe Lutheran Parish, Tanzania
    We assist this ministry through Pen Pals, Meru Coffee and raising monies for wells.

* We believe in the Triune God - God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We acknowledge one God in three persons.

* We believe that God the Father created the universe. God the Father is loving, compassionate, just and kind. God's deepest desire is to live in an intimate relationship with all people.

* We believe that, because of God's desire to live in a relationship with us, God became a human being. Jesus Christ, born of a virgin, is fully God and fully man. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus made it possible for all people to live in a relationship with God. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Through Him and Him alone can people enter into a relationship with God.

* We believe that the Holy Spirit is the presence of Jesus Christ among us. Through Him God loves us, empowers us and lives in us. The Spirit gives gifts to all believers. We believe in all of the gifts of the Spirit and encourage their use.

* We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. Through it God reveals God's very nature to us. The Old and New Testaments are the norm and guide upon which we base our faith.

* We believe that the church, as a local congregation or the world-wide fellowship of believers, is the Body of Christ. As God's Body, we are called to worship God, serve God and be the vehicle through which the Good News in its fullness is shared with the world.

* We believe, affirm and identify with the confessions of the Lutheran Church. We affirm the centrality of grace alone, faith alone, and word alone.

* We believe in and practice the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion. We believe that through the waters of Baptism God comes to us to adopt us as God’s children. Through Baptism God gives the gift of new life. We affirm the baptism of infants.

* We believe that through the Lord's Supper God comes to love and forgive us. It is a meal of renewal. Jesus is really present in the meal.

* We believe in the worth and value of the human being. Created in God's image, humans have dignity. Their worth is dependent, not on accomplishments, but on God's love. Because God sees humanity as worth dying for, we affirm and acknowledge the dignity of humans.

* At the same time we acknowledge that humanity is separated from God because of sin. We joyfully proclaim the Good News that because of Jesus Christ, forgiveness is a possibility. It is that forgiveness that restores fallen humanity's worth.

* We believe in and anticipate the return of Jesus Christ. Though we don't know the day or the hour, we joyfully proclaim His soon return to inspire all people to make the most out of life today.

How did the Lutheran Church begin?
The Lutheran Church began in the 1500's as a reforming movement which sought to restore the centrality of the Bible, Faith, and Grace within the Roman Catholic Church. Although the earliest Lutheran's preferred to be called "Evangelicals," their opponents labeled them "Lutherans" after their leader Martin Luther.

What does ELCA mean?
Vernon Evangelical Lutheran Church is a member congregation of the ELCA - The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. The ELCA came into being in January 1988, when three Lutheran denominations - The Lutheran Church of America (LCA), the American Lutheran Church (ALC), and the American Evangelical Lutheran Church (AELC) merged. Other Lutheran denominations include the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS), the American Lutheran Churches (AALC), and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS).

What does it mean to be a responsible church member?
  A responsible church member is One who:
* believes in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and seeks to live for Him
* worships regularly
* is committed to growth through adult education
* seeks to serve through the many volunteer opportunities this congregation offers
* gives regularly to the financial needs of this congregation
* prays regularly
* shares his/her faith with others

These are not rules to be followed in order to gain God's love. Rather they are the result of being loved by God. They are tools for better enjoying your relationship with Jesus Christ.

What does this congregation believe about baptism?
Holy Baptism is about God coming to us to love us, to care for us and to make us God's own. Through baptism God promises to be our God, to be faithful to us, and to energize us with true life. In other words, through baptism God "adopts" us as God's children. God makes us Sons and Daughters. God brings us into a relationship with God.

That relationship is possible because of Jesus Christ. Though we have been separated from God because of shortcomings and failures, Jesus, through His death and resurrection, has made forgiveness a possibility that we might be able to live in relationship with God.

Baptism is a very special gift. It is the beginning of an exciting relationship with the One who loves us more than any other, who cares for us more than any other, and forgives us more than any other.

Like any relationship, a relationship with God must be taken seriously or it will stagnate and die. In order to truly experience the fullness of what it means to be a child of God, we need to be involved with God through weekly worship, daily prayer and devotions and Bible study. The better we know God, the more we will enjoy God.

Baptism places us into a personal, living relationship with Jesus Christ. All His promises - the hope of eternal life, the hope of enthusiastic, joy-filled living here and now and the assurance of unconditional forgiveness and acceptance - are ours through baptism. Because baptism is God's work, God's promise, we baptize infants. God wants all people to enjoy God's love, even children.

What about Holy Communion?
Holy Communion is also a special gift of God. In Holy Communion, Jesus Christ is with us in a very real, intimate way to love us, strengthen us, forgive us and encourage us. As we taste the bread and wine, we are reminded of the sacrifice Jesus made for us. But more than that, we receive a fresh touch of love from Jesus Himself.

Holy Communion is Christ's "I love you". It's a time of reflection, thanksgiving and celebration.

What is Confirmation?
"Confirmation" is a period of time set aside for young people to seriously study the Christian faith. After this period of study which takes place in 7th and 8th grade the students re-affirm their relationship with Jesus Christ. For many young people, this is a time when the faith they've heard about becomes alive in a new and fresh way. For more information on this congregations program, please contact the church office at 363-7131.