Good Shepherd Lutheran is a congregation that has been known by many names through the years. In its initial years, it was known as Bethesda Lutheran. Formed by Norwegian Lutherans, it chose a name that reminded people that this community of faith would be a place of healing for all who enter the waters of the pool that bears its name. (John 5:2-9) Later it changed its name to be Viroqua Lutheran Church, emphasizing that it is a community of faith rooted in a particular town and people. While formally known as "Viroqua Lutheran," most people called it "Main Street Lutheran" because of its location.
Today, it is called "Good Shepherd," a name chosen in 1960. In this name we hear the name of the one who leads this community. He is the Lord named in Psalm 23. In this comunity of faith God leads us beside still waters and lays out a feast of good food while life threatens around.
This community of faith is committed to be "A Discipling Community for All Ages." Disciples follow the Lord's lead and abide in Christ, God's love active in the world. We gather from all walks of the Viroqua area to be God's people who stand side by side with one another in common witness of the resurrection. We are a people gathered from a variety of backgrounds and of all ages.
The ministries of Good Shepherd are many and include:
--Weekly Worship: two services in two different styles
--Midweek Worship: in the summer and during the lenten season
--Good Shepherd Food Pantry: Serving the community Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:00 to 3:00p.m.
--Sunday School: Sunday mornings, for preschool through grade 8
--Breath!: A midweek after-school program for children
--Flame: Youth ministry programming for youth, grades 7-12
--Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts: Good Shepherd is the charter organization for scouting in Viroqua
--Monthly Meals at the Fortney Hotel: providing food assistance to neighbors
--Pastoral Care: visitation and pastoral counseling
--Baptisms, Funerals and Weddings: Accompanying people in life's transitions
--Prayer Chain: Interceding for people in their times of trouble
--The Good Shepherd Choir: Singing the good news of the faith
--Good Samaritan Ministry: Emergency Assistance
--GSLC Worship Band: A music ministry just beginning among us
--Confirmation Education: A discipleship journey for youth in grades 7 and 8
--Adult Bible Studies: Opportunities for youth and adults to grow in their faith through thoughtful engagement with the scriptures
--Parish Nursing: Serving people through nursing
--Ecuemnical Invovlement in the Community: Building relationships with other Christian leaders and communities in Viroqua
--Radio Ministry: Broadcasting our weekly service
--Scholarships for Students: Assisting students from our congregation in their education
--Book Clubs: Groups of people reading and discussing various books
--World Hunger Funding: Working locally and globally to feed those who are hungry
--Quilting: Providing comfort for those who experience poverty and disaster
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is a congregation of one thousand people. We are a chuch of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and are a part of the La Crosse Area Synod of the ELCA.
Home
We are
an active congregation
tied to
the Viroqua Community.
We are known
for the ways
we engage in
social issues.
We are committed
to being disciples of
Jesus Christ.