525 63rd Street
Downers Grove, IL 60516
Phone: 630.852.1519
Fax: 630.852.1532
Email: info@gsdg.org
About Our Church
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Download our brochure (pdf 2 megabyte. May take a few minutes to download)
General Information
We are Named Good Shepherd
• Because Jesus Christ said, "I am the Good Shepherd."
• Because Jesus, fully God and man, loved each of us so much that he suffered and died for all our disobedience against God.
• Because Jesus rose from the dead and now guides us through this life to eternal life with him.
• Because Jesus cares for each of us and feeds us with his Word.
Evangelical
• Because "evangelical" means "good news"
• Because we rejoice above all in the good news that Jesus has opened heaven to us.
• Because we are eager to share the good news of Jesus with others.
Lutheran
• Because we believe, as Martin Luther stressed centuries ago, that God saves us from punishment in hell only because of his mercy.
• Because we recognize, with Luther, that we cannot do anything to earn God's love. By trusting in it, we receive it— totally as a gift.
• Because we are sure, as Luther was, that every word of the Bible is God's Word, that the Bible is completely true and without error, and that it alone tells us what to believe and do.
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
• A body which upholds and spreads the Biblical Christian faith.
• A body which worships in keeping with historic Christian rites.
• A body which began in Wisconsin in 1850 and is still headquartered there—thus its name.
• A body with congregations all across the United States and Canada.
• A body which supports missionaries in over a dozen foreign countries.
We Welcome You
• To get to know us, young and old, singles and families.
• To follow our Good Shepherd with us and to look for his glorious return, that together we may praise him forever.
Accessible
• We are located on the south side of Sixty-third Street just west of Fairview Avenue.
• Our church entrance has a ramp for wheelchair access.
Friendly
• Visitors are always welcome to attend our services, and our pastors are ready to consult with you.
• Our worship area is air-conditioned.
• Our groups include Pioneers for boys and girls, a teen organization, ladies group, and a choir.
• Since its beginning in 1975, Good Shepherd has grown to a congregation of over 500 adults and children.
Committed to Christ-centered Elementary Education
• We maintain a preschool ( for 3 and 4 year olds ) and elementary school for kindergarten through eighth grade.
• Students learn the Bible in depth, and study all subjects in the light of God's Word.
• Our school's student–to–teacher ratio is low—approximately 14 to 1.
• Our members pay no tuition; we support our school by our whole congregation's free-will financial offerings.
• Our teachers are well-qualified, and we strive to help all students reach their full potential.
Divine Services
• Sundays at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m.
• Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. (fall–spring only); Mondays at 7:00 p.m. (summer only)
• Wednesday evenings during Advent and Lent at 7:00 p.m.
Holy Baptism
• for people of all ages, upon request.
Holy Communion
• for our members and for guests united in faith with us, on the first and third weekend of each month.
• for those unable to attend divine services, upon request.
Christian Education
• Bible studies for adults on Sundays at 9:25 a.m., Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. and Thursdays at 9:30 a.m.
• A series of classes for adults seeking to learn the basic teachings of God's Word.
• Bible studies for teens on Sundays at 9:25 a.m.
• Instruction in Luther's Catechism for seventh and eighth graders preparing to receive Holy Communion. Classes for those not attending our elementary school are held on Thursdays at 5:30 p.m.
• Sunday School for children ages 3½ to eighth grade, on Sundays at 9:15 a.m.
How do I join Good Shepherd if I am new to the WELS Lutheran faith,or rusty on the Bible?
• We invite you to attend a series of 14 classes (about one hour each) entitled "My Lord and My God."
• These classes meet once a week on Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.m. and on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. Parents with childen are welcome to send them to our Sunday School while they join us for class during the Sunday morning sessions.
• "My Lord and My God" classes ordinarily meet in our school library / computer room and are taught by one of Good Shepherd’s pastors or school principal to a group of 3 to 10. At times individual instruction may be possible.
• Attending these classes requires no fee and implies no commitment to future Good Shepherd membership.
• The only supplies needed for these classes are a Bible and a pencil. If you don’t have a Bible, Good Shepherd can provide you with one. Your study guide is provided free of charge.
• The class requires about 20 minutes of homework per session.
• "My Lord and My God" follows the outline of the Apostles’ Creed to teach about the work of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The series also has lessons on holy baptism, holy communion, Christian living, prayer and telling others about Jesus.
• It is possible to make up missed lessons via private instruction.
• Upon completing "My Lord and My God" classes, you will be able to make a knowledgeable decision about Good Shepherd membership.
• If you know and agree with the teachings of our congregation, you are ready to join us. There are no other requirements.
• Non-member parents who enroll their children in our elementary school need to complete eight lessons of "My Lord and My God" classes in the first year of their child’s enrollment.
How do I join Good Shepherd if I am well-acquainted with the Biblical Lutheran faith?
• If you are a member of another church of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) or the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS), contact that congregation for a written transfer of membership to Good Shepherd.
What privileges go along with joining Good Shepherd?
• You may receive Jesus’ wondrous gifts of holy baptism and holy communion.
• Our pastors will visit you if you are hospitalized or if you are home-bound for medical reasons.
• Your children can attend our elementary school without any tuition charge.
• Your 7th and 8th grade children who do not attend our school can receive a two-year course in the Christian faith, leading to reception of the Lord’s Supper.
• You will receive at no cost many printed materials to help you grow, such as Forward in Christ (our church body’s monthly magazine) and Meditations (daily help in knowing and applying brief sections of God’s Word).
• You may join in many of our congregation’s activities to help others.
• You will enjoy the friendship, Christian bonding and care of fellow members.
• You will be eligible for pastoral counseling and referral in difficult times, as well as Christian pre-marriage counseling and a Christian wedding.
• You will receive a Christian funeral— and before it, above all, the sure hope of eternal life in God’s glory, for Jesus’ sake, to his endless praise.
Significant Dates in Good Shepherd's History
(for more details about the first twenty years of our history, a booklet entitled "Twenty Years of Grace," 1975-1995 is available at Good Shepherd)
November 16, 1975 first service, held at the Willowbrook Holiday Inn, conducted by Pastor Elmer Mahnke of Hope Lutheran Church in West Chicago
March 7, 1976 name selected: "Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church"
August 20, 1976 three acres of farm land purchased at 525 Sixty-third Street
March 6, 1977 installation of first pastor, David N. Rutschow
May 14, 1978 first ground-breaking ceremony
March 17, 1979 parsonage completed for Rutschow family at 527 Sixty-third Street
July 15, 1979 installation of first school teacher and principal, Ronald Zahn
August 5, 1979 cornerstone placed and new church building occupied
February, 1983 second weekly service on Sunday mornings begun
September 15, 1985 dedication of building addition, including three school classrooms and library
July 12, 1992 ordination and installation of Pastor Daniel A. Witte
October 8, 1994 weekly services on Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. begun
July 8, 2001 installation of Pastor Matthew E. Schwartz
May 12, 2002 groundbreaking for new church and school additions
May 18, 2003 dedication of church and school additions
September 2, 2003 opening of Precious Lambs Early Childhood Learning Center
