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 In 1982 Moreno Valley (at that time it was Sunnymead) was recognized as a promising mission field for a new church. In 1984 the Nason Street property was purchased by the American Lutheran Church. In the summer of 1984 Pastor Jim Shimota and a steering committee of five persons was formed and the first worship service was held at Sunnymead school in August of 1984. The following month worship services were moved to Moreno Elementary school. On March 24, 1985, Lord of Life Lutheran Church became an officially chartered congregation of the American Lutheran Church. A Service of Dedication was held to celebrate our first worship service in the new church facility on Nason Street October 27, 1991.
Our congregation serves a wide area where our members are located. In addition to Moreno Valley we serve members to the north in Colton, Grand Terrace and San Bernardino, to the east in Beaumont and Banning, to the west in Riverside, and to the south in Hemet, Perris, Lakeview and Nuevo. We consider our church to be a spiritual outpost serving a large area in a meaningful way.
Lord of Life is one congregation of the more than 10,000 that make up the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), a large denomination of the Lutheran Christian Church in this country. We are part of the Pacifica Synod (a gathering of 125 congregations in southern California) with its headquarters in Yorba Linda, California.
Lutherans are a group of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who offer a "Word and Sacrament" ministry to all in the community where they serve. The two areas of focus, Word and Sacrament, can be simply defined. The Word of God, the Bible, particularly the good news about God's Only Son Jesus Christ as found in the four Gospel writers of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, is the center of all activities and beliefs for the Lutheran Christian.
The two Sacraments of the Church are Holy Baptism and Holy Communion or the Lord's Supper. Baptism is performed for infants as well as for adults and is the first step in membership in the Lutheran Christian community of believers. Communion is celebrated frequently (at every worship celebration!) so that the Body of believers can be nurtured in their faith and daily life. Lutherans teach that Jesus is "really present" in this Supper through and in the bread and wine that is shared. At Lord of Life we practice "Open Communion" and gladly, in Jesus' name, welcome all baptized worshipers to the Table of the Lord for this Holy Meal.
Membership in the Lutheran Church, and particularly in Lord of Life Lutheran in Moreno Valley, is open to all Christians. The Pastor and volunteers of the congregation will gladly discuss joining our Church with any and all people at the church site and in scheduled home visits as well.
Lastly, and most importantly, we at Lord of Life are real people meeting real needs. We would love to share more of our story and Christ's with you and hear yours if you come and worship in our Life Center.
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