Circle of Grace Lutheran Church, Gaffney, SC - History

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History
Circle of Grace’s beginning in February, 2003 was not all smiles and sweet things. This small group of Lutherans experienced birth pains. Their life in a previous congregation erupted into a majority voting to leave the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America while these few clung steadfastly to the theology and beliefs expressed in the ELCA. The result was leaving the familiar surroundings of an established congregation and starting over with nothing. The Episcopal Church of the Incarnation provided sanctuary to this small group of homeless Lutherans. They had no pastor, no hymnals, no altarware, no bulletins, nothing—except the conviction of their faith which opened new doors to remnant people. The group worshiped Sunday afternoons in the Episcopal Church. Pastor George Moore was the first pastor to serve this communion of faithful. When he was not available, Father Hamilton would add a Lutheran service to his two previous Episcopal services of the day.	Worshiping at the Episcopal Church



	The first year was a year of healing. Pastor Moore led the group through the grief process and began the journey to discover a new identity and new ministries where their faith would witness to their convictions. With the support of many in the South Carolina Synod, this group stepped forward in faith. They adopted ministries such as the Gaffney Soup Kitchen and the ELCA World Hunger Appeal as their early years took shape.



In January, 2004, the Synodically Authorized Worship Community of Gaffney began worshiping in the Camp-Swofford Chapel on the campus of Limestone College. This move allowed the group to hold a Sunday morning worship service and to have a place to call home. Pastor Gary Safrit joined Pastor Moore in leading the community of faith forward. They added monthly Bible study to their Sunday morning schedule of worship and Sunday School. They began projects such as welcoming the Limestone Freshman to campus on move-in day. Pastor Moore ended his service on EasterDay, 2005 and Pastor Jeff Lageman began to serve in his place. Pastor Safrit ended his service in November, 2006, and Pastor Herbert Wood began serving the congregation in February, 2007. That year also brought the introduction of a new hymnal-- Evangelical Lutheran Worship" into the worship life of the people.



	Distributing goody bags to Limestone Freshman

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