Glenwood Lutheran Church

06/10/2026

Bishop Daniel and the Northwestern Ohio Synod join the Old West End in lament and prayer.

A Message from Bishop Daniel:

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and be their God; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.' And the one who was seated on the throne said, 'See, I am making all things new.'"
(Revelation 21:1-5a)

This week we lament yet another act of gun violence that has occurred in our community. The people of God across the Northwestern Ohio Synod join the lament of the people of God of Glenwood Lutheran Church, Ascension Lutheran Church, and the Old West End Neighborhood following a tragic mass shooting on Saturday evening at the Old West End Festival. What started as a joy filled celebration, became a scene of violence, fear, and pain. We lament, pray, and stand with all those who were wounded by gunfire and their families. We also stand with the police officers, firefighters, medical personnel, and all who witnessed this horrific event. In the days ahead may we come together to love one another and work to build a beloved community where all of God’s children can gather in safety and live without the persistent fear of gun violence. ......

See full publication here or at the link in our bio: https://conta.cc/4of1wxU

06/09/2026

One healthy thing to do after a critical incident is to prepare yourself for should something like it ever happen around you again. This training is not only good for you but, as we saw on Saturday, can save lives.

Please consider attending a Stop the Bleed class if you're able. We will work to host these as often as possible, but we can't overstate how important these skills are in keeping each other safe.

06/07/2026

Welcome to worship this morning!

06/07/2026

Dear Church,

Yesterday evening, there was a shooting incident in the Arboretum. Many of you have seen the news, 12 people shot, 2 in critical condition, all expected to survive. More were injured in the rush of the crowd when shooting between two individuals began. The rest of the formal activities of the Old West End Festival have been canceled, House Tours, food trucks, beer garden, and children’s activities.

Our neighbors are heartbroken by this. Some were physically injured. Some were right there when it happened. All are shaken by this harm in the midst of what is the most joyous celebration in the city.

I believe God is already at work putting lives back together in the midst of this. As Mister Rogers says, look for the helpers. So many people started contacting each other after this happened to make sure they were safe. Lots of people reached out to me including Bishop Daniel Beaudoin and Pastor Mike Hanck from Salem Lutheran Church, and several other dear colleagues and neighbors. The community looked after each other. Some people at the scene saved others’ lives by using Stop the Bleed training and applying tourniquets.

The way that the church can help is to be a neighbor. Follow-up with the person you met volunteering. Reach out to your friend who lives in the OWE. Just ask how they’re doing and ask how this may have touched them. Coping will look different for everyone. Show up as best you can with openness to however they might be responding. You can be one of the helpers too by caring for a friend or signing up for the next Stop the Bleed training at the Sharing Collective free store. You can be a helper by participating attentively in the bigger discussions about gun laws, crowded events, and loving our young neighbors that must follow all of this, as we try to understand what gave rise to incident and what might prevent others like it.

I am very grateful that Pastor Martin Billmeier will be with you to preach and preside this morning. Not only has he served as a pastor for many years, but he lives in the Old West End as well.

The Old West End is one of the most resilient communities I know, and every act of neighborliness tends to this wound. Jesus’ neighborly love is being embodied all around us. I hope you too will go and do likewise.

From California with a heavy heart and love for our neighborhood,

Pastor Chris

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05/31/2026

Holy Trinity Sunday

05/24/2026

Join us to celebrate the coming of the Spirt at Pentecost!!

05/17/2026

Welcome to worship!

05/05/2026

Check out this fantastic way to keep communities safe! Pastor Jason will come to visit Glenwood on May 17th. Ask him more about this project!

2 likes. "Naloxone box at Maumee church fills critical gap in area availability"

03/06/2026

Bishop Curry has issued a statement on the Iran War.

Read the full statement through the link in the comments below.

02/27/2026

See you at 3:30!!

Explore the Toledo Museum of Art's latest exhibitions, including 'The Brilliance of Caravaggio' and 'Beth Lipman: ReGift'. Plan your visit, learn about our educational programs, and join upcoming events at this premier art destination.