Our Church
Grace Lutheran Church and Preschool, Naples FL
A Family Church
Grace Lutheran is a family friendly church. We encourage children of all ages to join in worship, and offer a children’s sermon, Sunday School, a nursery, and activities for children and young adults.
Vision
To live in the grace, mercy, peace, and forgiveness of the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ, as members of His family, here in time and there in eternity.
Mission
To reach out faithfully and nourish all of God’s people with His living and active Word, Baptism, and Lord’s Supper so that our Vision can be fulfilled.
"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."
Grace Lutheran Church and Preschool
860 Banyan Blvd.
Naples, FL 34102
Office: 239-261-7421
Worship Services
Sunday 8:00 AM + 10:30 AM
Wednesday 6:30 PM
Saturday 4:00 PM
“Grace, Faith, and Scripture alone.”
We strive to make the Love of Christ known through our mission work, outreach and education programs, and helping people within the community on a daily basis.
The teaching of Martin Luther and the reformers can be summarized in three phrases: "Grace alone, Faith alone, Scripture alone."
LCMS
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) is a Bible-based, mission-oriented, confessional Christian denomination. Our Church is founded upon the teachings of Martin Luther and is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri.
Please visit the Main LCMS Website for more details on our Mission, our Practices, our Faith, and how to Study and Serve.
Our Pastors
Pastor Keith Lingsch (pictured here on the left) served our nation’s Air Force, attended Concordia Seminary and was installed as the Grace Lutheran Church Pastor on March 15, 2009.
Pastor Larry Kudart (pictured here on the right) serves Grace seasonally.
We are grateful for the service and spiritual leadership both pastors provide for our church.
Grace Lutheran Church
Our History
50 Years in His Service
Grace Lutheran Church of Naples was organized on May 29, 1955, but worship services were conducted by the Rev. Eugene F. Helms, then Pastor of St. Michael Lutheran Church, Ft. Myers, beginning in 1952. At first, worship was held in the Naples Woman’s Club.
In 1956, the Rev. G. H. Hentschel was commissioned missionary-at-large for the FL-GA District of the Missouri Synod and assigned to serve Grace congregation. During Pastor Hentschel’s time of service, in 1956, worship services were moved to a store-front at 485 Fifth Ave. S. and the property on Banyan Blvd., which is still the church’s home, was purchased.
Our Pastors
As of 2020, Grace church has been served by seven pastors who were called into service by the congregation itself:
Pastor James L. Dishop, from 1957 - 1962
Pastor George W. Price, from 1963 - 1972
Pastor Donald C. Ziegler, from 1972 - 1989
Pastor Douglas E. Meyer, from 1990 - 1992
Pastor James K. Honig, from 1993 - 2002
Pastor Peter R. Reetz, from 2003 - 2008
1952
Rev. Eugene F. Helms, then Pastor of St. Michael Lutheran Church, Ft. Myers, conducts services in the Naples Woman’s Club.
1955
Grace Lutheran Church of Naples officially organized on May 29 1955.
1956
In 1956, the Rev. G. H. Hentschel assigned to serve Grace congregation. Worship services were moved to a store-front at 485 Fifth Ave. S. The church later purchased the Banyan Blvd. location, where the church stands today.
1959
During Pastor Dishop’s tenure, the first building was constructed in 1959. It was a multi-purpose building with a chancel on one end and a single-wall kitchen on the other, with a low-pitched roof and a flat ceiling.
1968
While Pastor Price served the congregation, an addition was constructed in 1968 on the south end, providing separate facilities for education and fellowship and with a full-room kitchen.
1975
Under the guidance of Pastor Ziegler, the worship portion of the building was demolished and extended northward, with laminated arches and a high-pitched roof in 1975.
1992
While Pastor Meyer was at Grace, a major building project in 1992 enlarged the narthex and added new offices and classrooms and a separate fellowship hall with its own kitchen.
1994
Grace church has operated a preschool since 1994. The congregation also supports Christ Community Lutheran School, which has been in operation since 1998.
2004
During the pastorate of James Honig, planning was begun for a major renovation of the worship-space and narthex. This project was completed in 2004, during Pastor Reetz’s ministry. A pipe organ was added to the worship space by Timothy Fink and Company of New York.
2005
The congregation celebrated the 50th anniversary of its organization on November 13, 2005. At this time a new cornerstone was dedicated, which contains items from the original cornerstone of 1959, additions from the time-capsule of 1980, and new items prepared in connection with the 50th anniversary.
Our 7 Promises
In order to carry out our Mission so that our Vision can be fulfilled the family of God at Grace has 7 PROMISES. These promises are made to each member of Grace, by each member of Grace. These promises are also made to you by each member of the Grace family. We pray that God will strengthen us to keep these promises. When we fall short of keeping them we pray for God’s forgiveness as well as for the forgiveness of those to whom we have broken our promises. After all, we are sinners; forgiven but sinners!
Worship
To nourish God’s family with DIVINE WORSHIP – God’s Word, Sacraments, beautiful music and faithful law and Gospel preaching.
Evangelism
To witness faithfully and GROW God’s family by reaching out to all people who have not yet heard the Good News of Jesus and welcome, embrace and nurture them.
Care
To provide HUMAN CARE for God’s family at Grace, including our friends and neighbors, with their spiritual, emotional and physical needs wherever we find them.
Education
To grow continually in the grace and love of God through faithful and thorough study of SCRIPTURE and CHRISTIAN EDUCATION at every age.
Prayer
Our promise at Grace Lutheran Church is to be a family in PRAYER for and with each other. Please reach out to our office with any prayer requests.
Engagement
To provide opportunity that invites everyone across a Lifespan to PARTICIPATE as members of God’s family.
Gifts
To equip and encourage every member of God’s family to discover and utilize their PERSONAL GIFTS of time, talent and treasure for the glory of God and the good of their neighbor.
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