Triumphant Lutheran Church Mission and History

Triumphant Lutheran Church (ELCA), serving Garden Ridge, Schertz, Cibolo, Universal City, San Antonio, Randolph AFB and surrounding areas.

Triumphant Lutheran Church learn's God's way, worships Him and shares His love through our every day encounters so that, as His caring people, we and others grow in Christ.


God has always had great things planned for Triumphant Lutheran Church and His disciples in Christ.  The first indication that a Mission Church was planned for this area was when a sign appeared about February 1, 1979 on Nacogdoches Road approximately one fourth mile south of FM 3009.  It read: "Site of Future Lutheran Church."  The New Braunfels newspaper announced the first meeting for all those interested in this venture to meet at Bracken Fire Station on February 17th at 2 p.m.  All those present (about 35 people) were in favor of proceeding with the formation of a mission church in the Tri-county area.  Soon a call committee was formed and Pastor Noland Sagebiel arrived on June 4, 1979 as Triumphant's first pastor.  Enthusiastic response to home group meetings and home visitation prompted the establishment of worship services beginning July 15, 1979 with 135 in attendance at the Bracken Bowling Alley.  Charter membership was closed December 23, 1979, with a total of 118 confirmed and 158 baptized members. 

As this community of Christians grew in Word and number, and since we became an ALC congregation on October 21, 1979, the decision was made to start building a sanctuary at the present site that was offered as a gift by Melvin and Nora Heimer.  On June 15, 1980, work on the church building began, with dedication services taking place on February 22, 1981.  God's many blessings and guiding hands have led us forward through the years.  Pastor L.G. Wehman served from March 1, 1985 to December 31, 1994.  Pastor Douglas J. Schoelles lead Triumphant in God's redeeming word from April 9, 1995 to May 31, 2002.  Pastor Alan J. Watt served as Interim pastor from June 2002 to May 2003.  Pastor Mark Gruebmeyer served as pastor from June 2003 to December 2007.  Pastor Bill Irons now serves as pastor of Triumphant Lutheran Church.

Throughout the years our congregation continued to grow both in number and in resources.  There have been several building programs over the years, adding a fellowship Hall, education building and more parking space.  The latest program included the enlargement of our worship space which was dedicated at our 25th Anniversary Celebration on October 10, 2005. 

Along with Sunday morning religious education, the care of our children is a vital part of the ministry at Triumphant Lutheran Church.  A Mother's Day Out program was started in 1981 by Elaine Lenz, Debbie Flores and Genie Flinck and currently serves approximately fifty children from 11:30 - 4:30 every Monday and Wednesday.  Vernell Theilengerdes is director leading several caregivers in plenty of fun activities for the children.  Triumphant Lutheran Preschool began in September 2001 with Lindy Hammerstrom as director.  Today the preschool serves children from age three to five with classes five days a week.  Other ministries include adult Bible study, community outreach and youth activities.

Our staff currently includes Pastor Bill Irons, Church Office Administrator Elaine Lenz, Minister of Music Carol Snyder, Director of Ministries Nancy Hendricks, and Director of Communications Sharilyn Krauss.




God is working His will in the life of Triumphant.  We have learned to rely upon the LORD and treasure one another.  Through our growing faith and active discipleship, the LORD has destined Triumphant to be an extraordinary church through ordinary people.



WHAT LUTHERANS BELIEVE:

Jesus is God's son, sent by God to become human like us.  In his life and being, he broke through the prison of sinfulness and thus restored the relationship of love and trust that God intended to exist between Himself and His children.  Though he is eternal, with God at the beginning of time, Jesus was born on earth of a virgin, by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus was at once truly God and truly human.

For the sake of a sinful world, Jesus was condemned to death on the cross.  However, death could not contain him.  On the third day after his execution, the day Christians now observe as Easter, Jesus appeared among his followers as the risen, living Lord.  By this great victory, God has declared the Good News of Reconciliation.   The gap between us and our Creator has been bridged.   Thus, Christ lives today wherever there are people who faithfully believe in him and wherever the Good News of Reconciliation is preached and the Sacraments administered.

 

HOW LUTHERANISM BEGAN:

Martin Luther (b. November 10, 1483, in Eisleben, Germany, d. February 18, 1546 in Eisleben) is known as the Father of Protestantism.  He had studied to become a lawyer before becoming an Augustinian monk in 1505, and was ordained a priest in 1507.   While continuing his studies in pursuit of a Doctor of Theology degree, he discovered significant differences between what he read in the Bible and the theology and practices of the (Catholic) church.  On October 31, 1517, he posted a challenge on the church door at Wittenberg University to debate 95 theological issues.  Luther's hope was that the church would reform its practice and preaching to be more consistent with the Word of God as contained in the Bible.

What started as an academic debate escalated to a religious war, fueled by fiery temperaments and violent language on both sides.  As a result, there was not a reformation of the church, but a separation.  "Lutheran" was a name applied to Luther and his followers as an insult, but adopted as a badge of honor by them instead.

Lutherans still celebrate the Reformation on October 31 and still hold to the basic principles of theology and practice espoused by Luther, such as Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Sola Scriptura:

o        We are saved by the grace of God alone -- not by anything we do;

o        Our salvation is through faith alone -- we only need to believe that our sins are forgiven for Christ's sake, who died to redeem us;

o        The Bible is the only norm of doctrine and life -- the only true standard by which teachings and doctrines are to be judged.

Another of Luther's principles was that Scriptures and worship need to be in the language of the people so as to be better understood.

Luther's Small Catechism, which contains teachings on the Ten Commandments, the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, Holy Baptism, Confession and Absolution, Holy Communion and Morning and Evening Prayers, is still used to introduce people to the Lutheran faith, as is the Augsburg Confession.

For further reading:  www.elca.org/communication/brief.html