History of Redeemer
Founded November 24, 1954
We believe in God – the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We believe we are made whole with God and with one another only through God’s grace, which comes as a free gift to each and every person through Jesus Christ’s life, death and resurrection.
We believe just as Jesus came to dwell among us and to give himself away even to the point of death, so we too are called to lose our lives through the giving of ourselves in service to God and our neighbor.
We believe in God – the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We believe we are made whole with God and with one another only through God’s grace, which comes as a free gift to each and every person through Jesus Christ’s life, death and resurrection.
We believe just as Jesus came to dwell among us and to give himself away even to the point of death, so we too are called to lose our lives through the giving of ourselves in service to God and our neighbor.
We believe the Holy Spirit has called us together as the people of God to speak to us in scripture readings, preaching, and song. We meet together weekly on Sundays and throughout the month for Bible Study and Fellowship.
God feeds and nourishes us through Holy communion, and then blesses us and sends us out to fulfill god’s mission the world. Our worship service follows the historical liturgical pattern of worship that includes songs, prayers, Bible readings, a sermon, and a gracious god who meets us in the bread and wine of Holy Communion.
We believe the Holy Spirit has called us together as the people of God to speak to us in scripture readings, preaching and song. Although we cannot gather together in person at this time, we continue to meet together online. God feeds and nourishes us through Holy Communion, and then blesses us and sends out to fulfill God’s mission in the world. Our worship service follows the historical liturgical pattern of worship that includes songs (often led by the piano), prayers, Bible readings, a sermon and a gracious God who meets us in the bread and wine of Holy Communion.
At Redeemer, communion is available to all who put their hands out to receive it. We believe in the saving power of Jesus Christ through the gift of his life, death and resurrection experienced through communion at this table of grace. You are invited to participate by preparing your own cracker or piece of bread with a cup of wine, juice, or water.
Pastor
Mariah Mills was born and raised in Ohio. She attended Capital University for her undergraduate degree in Youth Ministry and Christian Education, and attended Trinity Lutheran Seminary for her Master of Divinity. She cares deeply about the pursuit of justice and equity for all people, and creating spaces where those who have been marginalized and pushed away by the church and the world can feel safe and loved. She desires to show all people how much God loves them. Her and her partner Michael Ickes have a dog and a cat, and in their free time they enjoy watching movies, trying new coffee shops, and exploring Boise.
Administrative
Manager
Lin Carlson grew up in California and is a life-time member of the Lutheran Church. She was happily married to Rev. Chuck Carlson for 46 years. Their three children, Caleb, Casey, and Paul are all grown with their own families and involved in the Church as ELCA clergy, youth discipleship, and in Christian Education. Over 20 plus years Lin has worked in roles as Church Secretary, Director of Communications, Website Developer, and Social Media Manager and Website Development.
Redeemer Lutheran Church was established in the 1950’s as a neighborhood church on Boise bench area. But today, its members come from all over the city and adjoining towns. It is a community built of long-time members Like Shirley Olson who is now a centenarian, to young people who recently came into the world.
According to our constitution, it is the privilege and duty of members to make regular use of the means of grace, both Word and Sacraments; live a Christian life in accordance with the Word of God and the teachings of the Lutheran Church. And support the work of the congregation, the synod and the church wide organization of the ELCA through contributions of their time, abilities and financial support as biblical stewards.
On September 4, 1951, Pastor Home Berner and his family arrived in Boise and began to work on establishing a congregation in the “Bench area” of Boise. Redeemer Lutheran had its first worship service on November 24, 1951 in the upstairs of the Hideaway Bar though its name was not officially chosen until March of the following year, when the current church property was purchased.
Redeemer has had a strong history of ministry to the youth and children. Sunday school, confirmation and a children’s choir were among the first ministries formed. In addition, Redeemer’s connection to Luther Heights (ELCA camp near Stanley, ID) is nearly as old as the church itself. While there is no longer a children’s choir, Redeemer continues to strive to create a deep and lasting faith among our children and youth.
Ministering outside our own walls has also been a high priority throughout the years. Within in its first five years, Redeemer started a preaching station in Mountain Home and organized the forming of Grace Lutheran Church, Horseshoe Bend, ID. In addition to planting churches Redeemer has at one time or another supported a non-tuition Kindergarten program, a low-income day-care center, distribution of food, and currently gives away over 400 rolls of toilet paper, 100 bottles of laundry detergent and 350 diapers each month through it Wash, Wipe and Wrap program.
Throughout all its history, Redeemer has placed a significant importance on building relationships with God, one another and the world around. To that end, there have been a number of small groups, Bible studies, service groups developed throughout the congregation’s history, ebbing and flowing with the current needs and wants of the people. In addition, it is not uncommon to hear of groups of people gathering informally outside of church to further their relationships.
