Who We Are
We are a welcoming congregation that is community-oriented. Our way of life encompasses meeting, worshiping, and communing regularly so to uphold each other in love and support. We value the notion of breaking down barriers based on difference so to build up community-health and vitality within our local neighborhood and beyond. We welcome people no matter their race, age, gender, language, ancestry, health status, sexual orientation, political opinion or social position. Our service and commitments to God are based on biblical principles of community, hospitality, healing, service, justice, peace, forgiveness and reconciliation.
Do you have to be Lutheran to join in on stuff?
Nope. Not at all. Everyone can join in because everyone is welcome. Come with questions or simply come and be.
Why are we called First English Lutheran Church?
Initially, the majority of Lutherans in the U.S. were immigrants from Europe. In 1891, six churches (one each in Wisconsin & North Dakota and the remainder in Minnesota) founded the English Evangelical Lutheran Synod of the Northwest. Together this set of churches was united in the idea that English should replace “old country” languages as the language of worship and teaching. This synod grew in 50 years to include 105 churches, including First English in Billings. Our national church and synod names have changed since then, but we continue to use our namesake as a reminder to always be evolving in terms of relevancy and proclamation.
Are we part of a larger, denominational Church?
We sure are. Nationally, we are part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The ELCA is broken down into regions and each region is broken down into synods. Synodically, after a lot of organizational shifts and merges both nationally and locally, we now belong to what is called the Montana Synod of the ELCA.
What do we preach and proclaim?
We preach and proclaim God’s love and forgiveness (or grace) given to us and made known through the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God’s love and grace, and not our competencies, are what we believe save us presently and for eternity. We love and serve others out of thanks for what God has done for us in Christ. Want to know more? Click here.
What do our services look like?
Our worship services are liturgical and sacramental in nature. If you’re not sure what those words mean, go ahead and click on the words to learn more. We sing traditional hymns but we also like incorporating new or re-traditioned means of worship into our services. We especially enjoy and also encourage youth participation. We have a children’s sermon every Sunday and our youth are encouraged to share their musical gifts, read, acolyte, and volunteer as ushers or greeters.
Who will I meet at FELC?
You’ll meet a mixture of people, young and old, at FELC--folks who love and serve God whole-heartedly. Not all are Lutheran and there are certainly people who may consider themselves "seekers" instead of Christians in our church. No matter where you're at on your faith journey, know that you're welcome at FELC. There is space for you. If you decide to come for a visit, be sure to introduce yourself to our pastor. We hope to see you!
We are a welcoming congregation that is community-oriented. Our way of life encompasses meeting, worshiping, and communing regularly so to uphold each other in love and support. We value the notion of breaking down barriers based on difference so to build up community-health and vitality within our local neighborhood and beyond. We welcome people no matter their race, age, gender, language, ancestry, health status, sexual orientation, political opinion or social position. Our service and commitments to God are based on biblical principles of community, hospitality, healing, service, justice, peace, forgiveness and reconciliation.
Do you have to be Lutheran to join in on stuff?
Nope. Not at all. Everyone can join in because everyone is welcome. Come with questions or simply come and be.
Why are we called First English Lutheran Church?
Initially, the majority of Lutherans in the U.S. were immigrants from Europe. In 1891, six churches (one each in Wisconsin & North Dakota and the remainder in Minnesota) founded the English Evangelical Lutheran Synod of the Northwest. Together this set of churches was united in the idea that English should replace “old country” languages as the language of worship and teaching. This synod grew in 50 years to include 105 churches, including First English in Billings. Our national church and synod names have changed since then, but we continue to use our namesake as a reminder to always be evolving in terms of relevancy and proclamation.
Are we part of a larger, denominational Church?
We sure are. Nationally, we are part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The ELCA is broken down into regions and each region is broken down into synods. Synodically, after a lot of organizational shifts and merges both nationally and locally, we now belong to what is called the Montana Synod of the ELCA.
What do we preach and proclaim?
We preach and proclaim God’s love and forgiveness (or grace) given to us and made known through the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God’s love and grace, and not our competencies, are what we believe save us presently and for eternity. We love and serve others out of thanks for what God has done for us in Christ. Want to know more? Click here.
What do our services look like?
Our worship services are liturgical and sacramental in nature. If you’re not sure what those words mean, go ahead and click on the words to learn more. We sing traditional hymns but we also like incorporating new or re-traditioned means of worship into our services. We especially enjoy and also encourage youth participation. We have a children’s sermon every Sunday and our youth are encouraged to share their musical gifts, read, acolyte, and volunteer as ushers or greeters.
Who will I meet at FELC?
You’ll meet a mixture of people, young and old, at FELC--folks who love and serve God whole-heartedly. Not all are Lutheran and there are certainly people who may consider themselves "seekers" instead of Christians in our church. No matter where you're at on your faith journey, know that you're welcome at FELC. There is space for you. If you decide to come for a visit, be sure to introduce yourself to our pastor. We hope to see you!