Worship. Grow. Serve.
   
These three words make up the mission of Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church, which is located at 2650 Farnam St. in Omaha.
   
Established in December 1858, Kountze Memorial has faithfully shared the good news of Jesus Christ, while carrying out its mission as a center for worship, growth and service for more than 150 years in Omaha. Kountze is a congregation of the Nebraska Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
   
As Lutherans, we believe that we are saved by the grace of God alone. Our salvation is through faith alone, and our sins are forgiven for Christ’s sake, who died to redeem us.
   
We hold three weekly worship services. Our 5 p.m. Saturday service is set in a more casual atmosphere with piano accompaniment. On Sunday, our worship services at 9 and 11 a.m. are a mix of traditional and contemporary services with a variety of musical selections. The 9 a.m. Sunday service is also televised live on Cox Cable Ch. 2 in Omaha. Kountze has been televising our worship services since 1962. Communion is offered weekly at all three services.
   
Our ministry team includes Senior Pastor Carlos D. Schneider, who has served at Kountze since 1998. Pastor Dean W. Bard and Pastor David Zellmer serve as Pastoral Associates.
   
The music ministry at Kountze Memorial has a long tradition of being a vital and vibrant aspect of our worship services. Our adult choir, two children’s choirs and a bell choir provide opportunities for all age groups to utilize their talents to enhance our worship.
   
Kountze has growing and inspiring Christian Education, Youth and Adult Ministries. Our Sunday School program uses an innovative rotation model for children in kindergarten through the 6th grade. Over a period of several weeks, each age group learns a Bible story by proceeding through several venues in the Upper Room, which is the second story of our education wing. The lessons incorporate videos, music, storytelling, computers, games and puppets, to create excitement and interest in the students.
   
An active Youth Group participates in Bible Study, community service and social activities, including an annual summer service trip. In 2008, 19 youth traveled to Boston for a week of serving the community, visiting historical sites and growing deeper in their relationship with God. This year, the Kountze Youth Group will travel to New Orleans for the Triennial ELCA Youth Gathering.
   
For adults, Pastor Schneider offers Adult Bible Study classes throughout the year. Pastor Lundahl leads a monthly Prayer Group for all ages to learn and grow in prayer life.
   
In the summer, Kountze holds Mid-Summer Nights, an intergenerational program with activities ranging from Bible study to discussions on current issues to music activities. An annual Congregational Picnic and a Neighborhood Gathering, in which we invite our Park East neighbors for lunch and games on our front lawn, are among the many social opportunities for our members.
   
Kountze also has an active Women of the ELCA group, which provides many social and service activities for the women of Kountze.
   
While Kountze is among the largest ELCA churches in Nebraska, it maintains a family-like atmosphere among its members. Our members come from all over the city and surrounding communities, from various social and economic backgrounds. Whether you have belonged to Kountze for generations or just joined last week, Kountze takes pride in providing a welcoming community to everyone.
   
Kountze is a caring congregation. Our parish nurse and health ministry programs promote holistic health care for mind, body and spirit. Our Stephen Ministers provide a haven where those in need of compassionate listening can receive it in a confidential way.
   
Kountze has always been known as a “city-wide church with a world-wide mission.” We serve our community and the world in a variety of ways. Our Food Pantry serves more than 1,000 guests a month. More than 50 volunteers pack and prepare grocery sacks of food and supplies, all generously donated by the members of Kountze and other contributors, which are then distributed three times a week to the hungry families of our local community. Kountze also supports mission projects in Argentina, China, Germany, New Guinea, Sudan and Tanzania. In addition, our members participate in a number of community service projects, including serving meals at the Stephen Center in Omaha and participating in the Interfaith Coalition of Habitat for Humanity.
   
This is just a small sample of what Kountze is all about. We invite you to learn more about our programs and ministries. We also invite you to attend any of our three weekly services and hope you will join us as we worship, grow and serve in the heart of Omaha.