Breath of God Lutheran Church

What are services like?
A starting point for us is that worship is something that we do, something which we create together, in which we participate... not a lecture we listen to or a show that we watch. Relaxed, kid-friendly, engaging, challenging. Rooted in ancient Christian orders of worship, and yet within that pattern always seeking to find new ways of expressing our faith and receiving God's gifts. We celebrate Holy Communion every Sunday. Especially in our music, but in other aspects of our worship, we intentionally draw from a variety of cultures and Christian traditions. Early American hymns, contemporary music, Gospel music, African-American spirituals, Latin & African music, traditional Methodist & Lutheran hymns, and modern hymnody.

What is the community like?
Our mission field is all of Southeast Baltimore: Little Italy to O’Donnell Heights, Canton to Patterson Park. Our immediate walking neighborhoods are Patterson Park, Highlandtown, and Baltimore Highlands. These are the most diverse and exciting neighborhoods in the city: blocks filled with long-time residents, new arrivals, immigrants, people of many nationalities and ethnicities, and lots of young people. We are two blocks from the beautiful Patterson Park, the best backyard in Baltimore. This is a great place to be and a great place to do God’s work. There is plenty more work to be done: families in crisis, schools in need of help, poverty, drug addiction, and at-risk children and teenagers. We believe it is our calling from God to work together with everyone in this neighborhood to bring about new life, opportunities, and transformation. This is a great part of Baltimore and we are excited to bring people together from across the area to share God’s love and do God’s work.

What if I'm not a Christian?
That's a good question. Well, you don't need us to tell you that there's nothing wrong with not identifying as 'a Christian.' Christians certainly aren't 'better' people than anyone else. And a lot of times it seems like we are actually worse. God doesn't love you any less, that's for sure. Actually, God couldn't love you more even if God tried. Jesus came into this world and taught and died and rose because God's love for you (and all of us, and this whole messy world) is so overwhelming and reckless that God couldn't do anything but come into this world for you. And God's love continues, and Christ continues to come and meet you wherever you are, whether you recognize him or not. And it's got nothing to do with where you happen to spend your Sunday mornings. That being said, you are very welcome to swing by on a Sunday and participate in worship.... even if it means sitting in the back row (with all of the cool kids) and listening and observing and thinking for that hour. We don't have all of the answers, and we're just as messed up as everyone else. But we know that God loves us and that God is up to some pretty exciting things in our lives and in our neighborhood. So we enjoy getting together on Sundays to hear what God has to say to us, to get some spiritual food for the week ahead, and to organize our efforts to serve and strengthen our community here in Southeast Baltimore. Pub Theology, 8pm-9:30pm on Thursdays at the Laughing Pint (corner of Conkling & Gough) is a more relaxed place for conversation and questions and listening. That might be an even better place to start than on Sunday mornings. Shoot, you can just sit at the bar and listen to us without even introducing yourself. And if you feel like joining the conversation, turn around and add your thoughts. And if you feel like we're all crazy or its a waste of your time, enjoy your delicious beer and have a good night anyway.