GPS Faith Community celebrates 10-year anniversary

MACHESNEY PARK – GPS Faith Community celebrated its 10th anniversary last Sunday, March 13 with a worship service at 9 a.m. followed by a cake reception. GPS Faith Community was founded in 2006 by members of Grace Lutheran Church as a satellite congregation.

For the first 4 ½ years of existence, the congregation utilized space in the Showplace 14 movie theaters for worship on Sundays and conducted a monthly Mobile Food Pantry and other community programming at Grace Lutheran Church.

In May of 2010 GPS formally organized as a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and in March of 2011 GPS Faith Community moved into its current ministry center at 10714 N. Second St. in Machesney Park.

The people of GPS, “God’s People Serving,” make up a faith community committed to serving others, where they come together to find direction by loving God and serving others.

GPS Faith Community serves the community by providing programming to those with food insecurity. This need is met in part by bi-monthly food pantries with Grace Lutheran Church, a community garden, and at the GPS Farmers Market. The farmers market, opening its third season on May 26, is part of GPS’ commitment to bring healthy, local foods to the community. The market was the first in Winnebago County to accept Illinois LINK to benefit market visitors who receive federal food assistance. In addition to food programs, GPS offers a Senior Center social group on Tuesdays and programming for youth, family and children.

GPS Faith Community is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and holds Sunday worship at 9 and 10:45 a.m., with Sunday school at 8:45 a.m. and a staffed nursery all morning.

For more information on GPS Faith Community visit www.gpsfaith.com or call (779) 221-8491.