Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

About Us

Come grow in faith and serve others as part of our church family.

Good Shepherd is a thriving ELCA congregation near the corner of Rt. 355 and Shady Grove Road in Gaithersburg, Maryland. We're ready and eager to serve a wider area of Northern Montgomery County and beyond, via the ICC and Rt. 270/200 at Exit 2, just a half-block away.

Join us for Sunday morning worship, both traditional and contemporary, and Christian education from 10:15 to 11:15am Sundays for all ages. Or attend the relaxed Thursday evening worship which is offered year round.
-- Outreach and community service opportunities for all ages. Small Groups for Women, Men, as well as Bible study for all during weekdays and evenings. Check Shepherd's Link Newsletter on line for topics and times: www.goserve.net.
-- Lively and growing ministries serving Youth, Young Families and Young Adults. We're a year round church, so there are opportunities for fellowship and learning throughout the Summer months.
-- Note that on Sundays: Nursery is available for infants through age 2 at all services; coffee and breakfast fellowship in Lobby available all morning.

-- Try us out, join in Good Shepherd activities, then attend a New Member Orientation with our pastors and leaders to learn more about our mission and vision. Sessions offered every few months.
-- Many families also find a church home with us through our state-certified Good Shepherd Lutheran Preschool, housed on site. Info at www.gslc-gaithersburg.org or 301-963-1955.
-- Sign up to receive event emails with [email protected].

Vibe: Casual, Traditional Liturgy, Creative, Down to Earth, Friendly, Progressive, Inclusive, Multigenerational, Young, Young families, Lots of kids

Programs: Community Service, Social Justice, Young Adults, Youth Group, Choir, Missions, Nursery, Adult Education, Preschool, Seniors Ministry, Children's Ministry

Music: Traditional Hymns, Contemporary, Organ, Praise and Worship

Denomination: Lutheran (ELCA)

Networks

Metropolitan Washington, D.C., Synod, ELCA

Size: Large

Language: English

Founded: 0

Contact Information

Phone

(301) 869-1780

Website

http://www.goserve.net

Social

Our Services

Service Times

Sunday

09:00am: Traditional Worship
11:30am: Contemporary Worship

Thursday

07:00pm: Half hour relaxed worship with message, Holy Communion and 2 hymns in a come as you are setting.

What to Expect

What are services like?
Sunday Worship in our soaring, modern sanctuary is offered in two joyful styles: --- 9am Traditional worship is accompanied by pipe organ and choir, with sung Lutheran liturgy, a kids sermon, pastor's message (about 12 minutes, which is recorded and posted on YouTube each week), and open table Holy Communion each Sunday. The atmosphere is friendly, spirit-filled, accepting and we love having kids in worship! -- 11:30am Contemporary worship also follows Lutheran liturgy in an approachable style, with kids' and pastor's message and Holy Communion. Music is led by talented, dynamic song leaders with a 6-piece praise band, and frequent musical guests. Come as you are and bring the kids for a spirit-filled service which will leave you encouraged and uplifted. All elements of worship are projected onto large screens, so you won't need a hymnal or bulletin. -- At both services we use multi-media, with song lyrics projected on large screens and pastors' messages are often accompanied by slides to illustrate the message. We do have stained glass windows, but we also like to offer "windows" into today's world. On Thursday evenings, from 7 - 7:30 pm we offered a relaxed, alternative service in our fellowship hall with Holy Communion, same message as the coming Sunday, and singing simple hymns with piano. If you seek a smaller, more intimate setting for weekly worship, come as you are to Shepherd's Hall -- which was our former worship space and features stained glass and a quiet atmosphere.

What is the community like?
Good Shepherd Lutheran has a diverse membership and has seen steady growth in new families and young people, with our average age at 42. However, we still have many charter members worshipping and serving with us! GSLC strives to offer fellowship and learning for all ages, and to guide you on your faith journey as it changes. At worship, you'll see lots of kids and teens, who are actively involved in Christian Education as well as a lively Youth Program.

What if I'm not a Christian?
All are welcome and you don't have to be from a Lutheran or Protestant background to enjoy and relate to Good Shepherd. For worshippers who were not raised in the Christian faith, and we strive to help those seeking a faith home to learn about Jesus, the Gospel and offer an easy to follow worship style. Our pastors are happy to meet with visitors and members about what it means to be Lutheran, or offer guides to your faith journey.

Leadership

Senior Pastor Dave Sonnenberg

Dave is a 1991 graduate of Muhlenberg College where he played shortstop and pitcher on the baseball team. Dave graduated from Gettysburg Seminary in 1996. Prior to coming to Good Shepherd, Dave served as Associate Pastor at Grace Lutheran (Camp Hill, PA) from 1996-2001. During his time at Good Shepherd, the congregation has experienced significant growth and vitality. A new mission and vision was adopted, a weekly contemporary worship service has been added, and many new groups have been formed. On Christmas Eve 2008, services were held in Good Shepherd's new sanctuary. With the new, expanded space, Good Shepherd is now extending its outreach to the community and adding new members. In addition to Pastor Dave, Good Shepherd is served by two support pastors: -- ELCA Metro DC Bishop Emeritus Ted Schneider -- Pastor Matt Pensinger