Hope Lutheran Chapel, set in a centrally located popular vacation area, Lake of the Ozarks in Osage Beach, Missouri, offers a Word and Spirit-filled service worshipping in God’s beautiful outdoors at a drive-in worship service that will celebrate its 50th year on July 6th.

Drive-in services began on July 6th, 1958, at what was once the Glaize Drive-in Theater in Osage Beach. Ray Behrens a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Eldon, MO, and owners of the Glaize Drive-in came up with the idea of offering vacationers a chance to worship while visiting the Lake Area and to come as comfortable as possible while on vacation. As a result, Hope Lutheran Chapel became a mission church and sister church to Bethany, with both churches under the direction of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

Over the years Hope Lutheran Chapel pastors have kept the tradition of sharing God’s Word and serving God’s people through these drive-in worship services. Rev. Herbert Muhl, of Bethany and Grace Lutheran Church in Versailles, MO, was the pastor who led the first services. Guest pastors, clergy from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, and musicians from the Lake area added to these services.

These drive-in worship services offered many visitors and residents 50 years ago a relaxed, “Come as you are, Worship in your car,” church atmosphere, after all it was vacation time. Even today, every Sunday morning from Memorial Day to Labor Day, you will see hundreds of people from all around the states. It isn’t just for cars, as once every so often a motorcycle may be seen parked along side a car. Now and then a dog or a cat may be seen popping its head out of a car window as God’s Word is preached.

The people who attend these worship services are welcomed by the drive-in committee members with smiles, words of welcome, worship materials and directions for parking. Visitors are encouraged to participate in the service by reciting the Lord’s Prayer and getting out of their cars to sing the closing hymn.

If you would like to experience such a worship service, Hope Lutheran Chapel invites you to share this “different, unique, and special, Word and Spirit filled communion worship service in the name of Our Risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We believe, teach, and confess that the Holy Bible is the inspired Word of God, is without error, and is the only rule and norm of the Christian faith and life. . You are always welcome! This is your “Father’s House.”

The 50th celebration of drive-in services will take place at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 6th. All are welcome to share in this day of praise and thanksgiving. A few words will be shared by guest pastors, music will be sung by Hope Chapel and a full breakfast will be served following the service.

Hope Lutheran Chapel is located off Hwy. 54 at 1027 Industrial Dr., in Osage Beach, MO, 2 miles West of the Grand Glaize Bridge. For more information call, 573-346-2108.