Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Fort Walton Beach FL

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church was formed in 1960. We are a multi-generational church congregation that embraces individuals of different cultures, backgrounds, gender, and age. We believe our personal strengths and individual differences create a much more dynamic, vibrant, and inspired congregation that is willing to step out in faith to worship God and serve others. In addition to our worship services and special programs, we also offer a myriad of small groups that meet on a regular basis and are designed to help people grow in their relationship with God and with one another. These include Bible Study groups, Prayer Groups, Service Groups, Fellowship Groups, and Women’s Circles.

Every Sunday we celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion. We invite all baptized Christians who believe that our Lord is truly present in His Body and Blood to join us. Our congregation offers Holy Communion to children beginning at approximately 10 years of age, when youth begin understanding of the blessed Sacrament. Let the Pastor know prior to the worship service if you need a gluten-free wafer. The service opens with confession and forgiveness, followed by psalms, Bible readings, a sermon, the Apostles Creed, and a congregational prayer. Please note that in order to protect the health of our members, staff and visitors, we have implemented worship service expectations and commitments listed below.

We are a church family and are called to love one another. For those who are sick, uncomfortable, or unable to attend, there are other options for you to still hear the Word. Video recordings of services are uploaded onto the church website, and we also livestream our service each week. We want everyone to know, whether attending in person or viewing on line, that we are still part of the same church body in Christ.

Our worship services follow the biblically-based liturgy and hymns of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), an organization with 65 synods and nearly 10,000 congregations across all 50 states and the Caribbean. The ELCA traces its roots back through the mid-17th century, when early Lutherans came to America from Europe, settling in the Virgin Islands and the area that is now known as New York. Even before that, Martin Luther sought reform for the church in the 16th century, laying the framework for our beliefs.

The ELCA confesses the Triune God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. In our preaching and teaching, the ELCA trusts the Gospel as the power of God for the salvation of all who believe. ELCA teaching or theology serves the proclamation and ministry of this faith. The ELCA’s official Confession of Faith identifies the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments; the Apostles’, Nicene and Athanasian Creeds; and the Lutheran confessional writings in the Book of Concord as the basis for our teaching.

We are saved by God’s grace, and thus together in Jesus Christ we are freed by grace to live faithfully, witness boldly and serve joyfully.

Military / Veterans / First Responders: We enthusiastically support our first responders, veterans, and active duty service men and women of all branches of service....Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy, and Coast Guard. We also value the commitment and sacrifices these selfless individuals and their families have given to our nation and community. Many military members, veterans, first responders, and their families from the surrounding area call Holy Trinity Lutheran their church home. May you find peace in Psalm 91. Come visit us to see how welcoming we can be.

Seasonal Snowbirds: Our seasonal "Snowbirds" from up north are a valued and loved part of our congregation, and many have been faithfully attending Holy Trinity Lutheran Church during the winter months for 5, 10, 20 years or more. Psalm 133:1 states, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" Come see why Holy Trinity Lutheran Church is so warm and inviting.

Families and Youth: We are a family-friendly church. There are many spiritual and social activities that support and vitalize our families and youth in their walk with Christ. In fact in Matthew 19:14, Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

 

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Evangelical Lutheran Church in America  

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In June 1959 the Reverend Robert Keys was assigned to establish a United Lutheran Church in America church in Fort Walton Beach. A Steering Committee selected the name “Holy Trinity,” and the first service was held at McLaughlin Mortuary on 16 August 1959 with approximately 75 people in attendance. On 25 October 1959, seventy-six people signed the church charter. On 6 April 1960, the current location site at the intersection of Highway 98 and Wright Parkway was purchased for $31,275.

The Service of Organization was held on 5 June 1960 with 170 people present (112 baptized members) for the worship service with the officiating Reverend Dr. Royall A. Yount, Bishop of the Florida Synod. Building construction on our current site began in July 1963, and the first worship service was held in the new sanctuary in December 1963.

Pastors at Holy Trinity include Robert L. Keys (1960), J. Peter Pelkonen (1962), William A. Eubanks (1965), Richard J. Hafer (1970), C. Handlee Vige (1973), Waldemar H. Nelson (1980), Steven F. Marko (1987), Jerry Houge (2012 – Associate Pastor), Robert Lutz (2018 – Interim), and Timothy Johnston (2020).

June 1979 – Ground breaking for the Religious Education (Upper Building).

September 1984 – Breezeway between the two education buildings was sealed.

July 1989 – Began renovation and expansion of Sanctuary.

June 1993 – Ground breaking for Upper Building expansion and parking lot.

November 1998 – The first Annual Mission Gift Fair was held.

September 2004 – Services held outside due to Hurricane Ivan power outage.

June 2008 – Demolition of the Fellowship Hall and Library begins.

July 2008 – Groundbreaking and construction of Christian Life Center begins.

July 2009 – Dedication of the Christian Life Center.

November 2009 – 20th Annual Laity Sunday is held.

February 2011 – 20th Annual Snowbird Sunday is held with sermon by Pastor Harris Sonnenberg.

September 2011 – Service of Remembrance is held with guest speakers Col. Anita Wolfe, Fireman Brian Weightman, and Col. London Richard.

April 2014 – 40th Annual Joint Lutheran Easter Sunrise Service on the beach.

August 2018 – Last worship service for Pastor Steve Marko.

March 2019 – Call committee selected.

December 2019 – Holy Trinity votes to extend call to Pastor Timothy Johnston.

February 2020 – Installation of Pastor Timothy Johnston by Bishop Pedro Suarez.

March 2020 – Suspension of in-person worship services due to COVID-19 pandemic.

June 2020 – 60th Anniversary of HTLC and renewal of in person worship in CLC.

July 2020 – Began offering livestream services