Thank you for visiting us. We're delighted you took time to learn more about us today! All that we teach comes from the Bible, not man's traditions!
"Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you."
Deuteronomy 4:2
Our Purpose
Shepherd of the Hills Evangelical Lutheran Church exists first and foremost to serve the people of Winchester and the surrounding areas by connecting them to God and the blessings of forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and salvation that He gives freely through the work of His Son, Jesus. Our church provides opportunities for public worship, formalized Bible instruction, and even resources for your own personal devotions.
We also seek to serve the people of Winchester by providing a place where you can connect with people. Shepherd of the Hills is like family. Not the kind of family you find at an enormous reunion where you only know your closest cousins, but more like the one you find at Grandma's house on Thanksgiving. At Shepherd of the Hills, you will have the opportunity to build relationships with people who truly care about you and who will encourage you in Christian living whether you're having the best day ever or going through a rough patch.
Finally, at Shepherd of the Hills, we help to equip Christians to find other people and connect them to God by reaching out to them with the good news of salvation and sharing what Jesus has done for them.
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations..."
Matthew 28:19
Our Story
Shepherd of the Hills was founded in the summer of 1998 by 4 families who had moved to the Winchester area. In 2001, with the added support of several more families, the congregation was able called its first pastor. Over the years, the congregation slowly grew and in 2013 was able to purchase land and a worship facility.
Our church building was dedicated in early October 2014 and it is truly a beautiful and intimate setting to gather for worship. It has been a tremendous blessing for our congregation which now consists of families from all over Northern Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland!
We Believe
We live as God's children, to be nurtured by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacrament, and to share our Savior, Jesus Christ, with all people.
We are called a Conservative Church because we continue to hold that the entire Bible is the inerrant and infallible revelation from God to His people. This revelation has been communicated to us as the Holy Spirit inspired the writers, giving them each and every word. For this reason we put our full trust and confidence in God's Word, the Bible, and draw all church beliefs and practices from it.
Our Teachings and Beliefs:
The Bible is the only means of knowing the true God and the way of salvation.
God created men and women and determined how they should live.
Everyone is sinful by nature, still sins daily, and deserves to spend eternity in hell.
God is merciful and gracious and has provided us a means of salvation.
God sent His own Son Jesus to die on the cross as our substitute for sin.
Through faith we now stand holy and righteous in God's sight and receive the free gift of heaven.
We believe that God speaks to us through both his word and sacraments. Through these means of grace the Holy Spirit creates, sustains, and empowers Christian faith and Christian living.
Jesus has given to us two sacraments:
1) Baptism is for infants as well as adults.
2) Holy Communion is the body and blood of Christ received with the bread and wine. This, as well as all our teachings and beliefs, are found in the Bible. We would be happy to explain further and even offer a Bible information class to those who are interested.
