Divinity is an evangelical Lutheran Church on Providence Road. The church, established in 1960, is heavily involved in charity and outreach efforts, including the Assistance Center for Towson Churches, Habitat for Humanity and Lutheran World Relief.
St John Evangelical Lutheran Church (SJELC) is housed in a handsome brick building with a welcoming red door. It is located on Old Montgomery Rd. in Columbia. Rev. Dr. Brian H. Hughes is the pastor of the church. The SJELC, being an evangelical community, takes the gospel to everyone in Eastern Howard County. Church members also perform acts of kindness in the community, such as handing out cold bottles of water at local outdoor sporting events or helping a senior citizen or single mother with home repairs.
New Hope Lutheran Church (NHLC) believes in the ministry of reconciliation with God and with others and is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in American. Basic doctrinal beliefs are faith alone, grace alone and scripture alone. New Hope Lutheran Church has numerous outreach ministries locally, nationally and internationally. Some are: Adopt a Family for the Holidays, Angel Tree, Meals for a Shelter, Rebuilding/Renovation Project, Prison Ministry, Habitat for Humanity, Food Pantry, Support the Troops Care Packages, Lutheran Disaster Response, Partnership with Tanzanian Churches, Congregations Concerned for the Homeless and many others.
St. Paul's Lutheran Church is a religious institution serving Gambrills and the surrounding areas. The church offers weekly prayer services and provides a safe and welcoming environment for patrons to worship. Some programs and activities offered include Sunday school, traditional and contemporary worship services, ministries, as well as small groups, ladies' choir, book clubs and more. Check the main website for a schedule of upcoming events or for details on programs or prayer services.
Serving People Across Neighborhoods, or SPAN (formerly the Severna Park Assistance Network), is a faith-based organization supported by 12 area churches that provides food and monetary assistance to people and families facing hard times.
The food pantry is stocked with donations from private citizens, civic groups, local businesses, school campaigns, scout troops and others. Trained volunteers staff the welcoming office located behind Our Shepherd Lutheran Church on Benfield Road. Those in need residing in the areas of Severna Park, Arnold, Millersville and the Broadneck Peninsula are served by SPAN, with a secondary area from Crofton up to Severn and Linthicum.
The First Lutheran Church of Bowie reached a milestone in May of 2010, celebrating 100 years of service to its congregation and the community of Laurel. The church's youth ministry partners with Church World Services and Lutheran World Relief to collect health kits to send to Haiti.
Right off of York Road, the Ascension Evangelical Lutheran Church offers a chapel-style place of worship for its weekly services. In addition to services on the Lutheran faith, the church offers several study groups and youth programs. It also has a choir program and child care during worship services.
The First Evangelical Lutheran Church celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2010; Rev. Scott M. MacDonald has been the pastor since 2002. The church conducts two Sunday services and a variety of programs for children and adults -- a music program, Bible study and youth group. First Evangelical is an active member of the Christian Assistance Program, a coalition of area churches that operates a food pantry and clothes closet to help those in need. As of August 2010, the church was undergoing an expansion that will allow for improved handicapped access, an enlarged narthex, a crying room, a new nursery and central heating and air conditioning.
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church aims to create a loving and neighborly Christian community for amongst all of its members. It offers services for all ages including "Splash!" for infants up until three, Sunday school for ages 3 and up, confirmation for 7th through 9th graders, and a High School youth program as well. The church and congregation are of average size giving members a more personal feeling.
Just minutes from I-695, the Holy Cross Lutheran Church offers Sunday service to anyone interested in joining the congregation. The members of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, are moved by the power of the Holy Spirit through the Gospel. Apart from traditional services, this church provides a vacation Bible school for children, a pre-school and a variety of weekly events.