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Get to know us
The Evangelical Covenant Church has its roots in historical Christianity as it emerged in the Protestant Reformation, in the Biblical instruction of the Lutheran State Church of Sweden, and in the great spiritual awakenings of the nineteenth century. These three influences have in large measure shaped its development and are to be borne in mind in seeking to understand its distinctive spirit.
The Lake Norden Evangelical Covenant Church began in the 1880's with the coming of Swedish and Norwegian immigrants into the area around Lake John and Lake Norden where they filed homestead claims. Man of these settlers had been converted in revivals in Sweden and shared a need for Christian fellowship. At first, they assembled in homes to read and study the Word of God and to sing and pray.
According to available records, the church organization took place in 1882. In 1890 the name the Scandinavian Christian Mission Congregation was adopted.The constitution was patterned after the Mission Friends in Sweden and gave as its purpose to glorify God and the salvation of the lost. In 1892 a more complete constitution was adopted, in 1910 this was revised, and the name changed to Norden Mission Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Church. In 1938 this was translated from the Swedish to the English language and the name "Evangelical Mission Covenant Church of Lake Norden" was adopted. More recently, in 1958, the denomination shortened its name to Evangelical Covenant Church.
For many years, before there was a church building, the people held by the shores of Lake John or in newly constructed houses and barns. The first Mission Mote was held in 1885.
The church building was erected on the farm of Olaf Person at Lake John in 1901. In the winter of 1908, the building was moved to the newly founded town of Lake Norden.
On April 10,1996 the church voted to build and move to a new church building in Lake Norden. A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the building of the new church located just north of the parsonage. The building was completed and dedicated in 1997 and a mortgage burning ceremony was held in 2003. The old church building was sold to Lonnie and Shirley Strande who turned it into a beautiful home.
The immigrants who founded the Covenant were products of a trans-Atlantic evangelical renewal movement that emphasized life in the Spirit over the rigid confessions of the state church. Valuing genuine devotion over empty ritual, they renounced forms of church life that elevated doctrinal confessions over Scripture, and that sought to control the individual's conscience. Rather, they viewed personal faith as evidence of a vital relationship with Jesus Christ. They often asked each other, "How goes your walk with Jesus?" and "What do the Scriptures say?"
While the Covenant is nonconfessional, we take our theology and our history seriously, and we value the early creeds. Our common Christian affirmations are that we are an apostolic, catholic, Reformation, and evangelical church. In that heritage, we share central Christian beliefs, which draw us together in faith and fellowship and make possible a freedom among us on more widely ranging issues.
We hope that as you read these affirmations you will find yourself identifying with them in your own faith experience.
Our Affirmations:
1. We affirm the centrality of the word of God
2. We affirm the necessity of the new birth.
3. We affirm a commitment to the whole mission of the church.
4. We affirm the church as a fellowship of believers.
5. We affirm a conscious dependence on the Holy Spirit.
6. We affirm the reality of freedom in Christ.
Lake Norden Covenant Church is a community of believers who seek to share the love and grace of Jesus Christ with all. As a congregational-run church, we strive to live out our mission in everything that we do. We are proud to be part of the Evangelical Covenant Church of America and the northwest conference. We welcome anyone seeking to know more about God and His plan for their life and are committed to serving our community with love and compassion. Come join us for worship and fellowship!
At Lake Norden Covenant Church, we are blessed to have a pastor who is not only knowledgeable about the word of God, but also loves and cares for his congregation. Since moving here in 2007 with his family, Pastor Joe Turrill has been a great teacher and humble leader. Above all, he has a genuine love for God's people and is committed to serving them in any way he can.
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