ABOUT LODI PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Established 1852

Our congregation was started in 1852 and the first church construction started in 1858. The present church was built in 1908 and has beautiful stained glass windows which were part of the original construction.  Over the years there has been constantly updating of facilities. In 1993 an addition was made to add classrooms, meeting rooms, and a large room for fellowship and various large activities. Our Sunday service is at 9:00, with a social hour with snacks following the service.  Communion is served on the first Sunday of the month, and on special occasions, and is open to everyone.

The governing body of our church and all PCUSA is a group elected by the church membership called the Session. Present Session members are Ron Nelson, Jean Spataro, DeAnn Richards, Dudley Mehltretter, Jeff Leckwee, Diane Lukins, and Herb Damsteegt. Our policy and that of the PCUSA is that all voices are valued and included. We value diversity and celebrate the gifts of all people.

We hope that our church serves as a secure place for our members and guests to hear comforting words of scripture and feel strengthened by fellow church members. We see ourselves as a friendly, open church, reaching people who are looking for God in their lives and those disillusioned by churches in the past. The great ends of our Church are the proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind; the spiritual fellowship of all; the maintenance of divine worship; the preservation of the truth; the promotion of social righteousness and the exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the world. Our church has a strong belief in helping those in need. This is confirmed by the fact that we annually have two groups from our congregation that travel considerable distances to help others. There is a group of adults that travel to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico to help build a church school for the children of the area. They pay their own expenses through fundraising and personal contribution. We also provide assistance to those in need in our geographic area.

 

PASTOR

We are currently searching for a new pastor to fill our pulpit. In the interim, we are pleased to have many special guest pastors providing our Sunday sermons.

SESSION MEMBERS

Dennis Stendler

l was raised Lutheran and changed to Presbyterian when I married my wife, Sandra, in 1964.  We raised our children in a Presbyterian church in the Milwaukee area. In 2005 we retired, moved to Lake Wisconsin, and joined the church in Lodi. We became members of the First Presbyterian Church in Lodi in 2006. I enjoy music and working with audio/visual electronics.  When the old church organ and sound system could no longer be repaired, I undertook the project to replace the organ and sound system with a new one. I am currently involved in broadcasting Sunday service on Facebook.

Herb Damsteegt 

I was raised in the Reformed Church of America and married into the Presbyterian Church.  I have served on the Board of Trustees, Board of Christian Education, and Session.  I have also served as a Stephen Minister, Sunday School teacher, confirmation mentor, and on two Pastor Nominating Committees.  At the Presbytery level, I have been involved in the Committee on Ministry and Commission Ruling Elder committee.  I have also made numerous wood items for the church.  The Lord has led me on a successful path in life and I hope others see that and want to be part of God’s work.

Kathy Markgraf

Greg

Rod

Ron

Diane Lukins 

I joined the church in 1990 and have served several terms on the Board of Deacons. I have also taught Sunday School for several years. Looking forward to serving my first term in Session.