Please Join us on Wednesday for soup and supper at 6pm followed by worship at 7pm.

Join us for the Places of the Passion special service for Week 2 of Lent, as we follow in the footsteps of our Savior, contemplating the places where Jesus stood on his path to salvation. In this service, we go to the Mount of Olives, where Jesus went with his disciples to pray. We are called to find places to pray this Lent and seek the will of the Lord in our lives.

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Join us for the Places of the Passion special service for Week 1 of Lent, as we follow in the footsteps of our Savior, contemplating the places where Jesus stood on his path to salvation. In this service we go to Bethany to remember that Jesus is anointed for burial by his friend Mary, at her home in this small town. We are called to prepare our hearts for Christ’s death as well, while still looking toward the fragrant surprise of the empty tomb.

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Welcome All,

Thank you for worshipping with Mandarin Lutheran Church. We value your feedback and would appreciate everyone to participate in a brief survey regarding your experience. Members who attend in person service can bring the survey to church on Sunday. Online worshippers can scan then email or send via mail.

Click on link to start survey: Worship&Music.pdf (1)

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August 1-5

This week our Scriptures encourage us to trust in God, keep up our faith and hope in God, and look forward to the fulfillment of God’s promises in our lives.

Monday, August 1

Genesis 15:1-6

God promises Abram descendants that will be more numerous than the stars. Abram believes God, and through this faith he is considered righteous.

Tuesday, August 2

Psalm 33:12-22

The Psalmist acknowledges that God is our helper and our shield; that God will not fail us as we put our trust in God.

Wednesday, August 3

Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16

This famous passage on faith reminds us that, like Abraham and Sarah, we can face an unknown future and receive God’s promises when we trust God.

Thursday, August 4

Luke 12:32-40

Jesus encourages his followers to live courageously and generously, always being on alert to see where we can serve Christ by serving each other.

Friday, August 5

Romans 15:13

This week’s readings have shown us and reminded us that we can trust God with our lives and need not be anxious about anything. Rather, we should live with joy and peace, serving our neighbor. So, here is a prayer to end the week.

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The First Ten Years of Mandarin Lutheran Church

Incorporated in 1985, Mandarin Lutheran Church has been a part of the Mandarin Community for 37 years. From our humble beginnings, worshipping at the Catholic Center in Mandarin, to our current 3.6 acre property on San Jose Boulevard, MLC has grown and continues to be a church who welcomes all.

brochure announcing the formation of a new church in Mandarin, Jacksonville, Florida

Invitation to join Mandarin Lutheran Church

In the early 1980s, the American Lutheran Church sent a young pastor, Lee Magneson, to begin a new Lutheran church in Mandarin. Joining Pastor Lee were his wife, Julie, and their young children, Robbie and Missy. Pastor Lee immediately began calling on virtually every household in Mandarin to introduce himself and Mandarin’s new church, known then as the Lutheran Ministry of Mandarin.

First worship service at MLC

The first worship service of the young congregation was held January 6, 1985, at the Catholic Center at the northeast corner of Old. St. Augustine and Greenland Roads. The Diocese of St. Augustine generously allowed the congregation to meet there until they had a building of their own. Marilyn Whitford’s family was among those who attended services at the Catholic Center.

The future site of Mandarin Lutheran

In December 1985, the church was incorporated as Mandarin Lutheran Church and 11 months later it closed on 3.6 acres at the present location.

Fellowship Hall Groundbreaking- 1987

Those shown in this photo include Pastor Lee Magneson (far left) and Pastor Dave Winter (second from right). In 1987, construction was completed on the current Fellowship Hall. It served as a multi-purpose facility for MLC and was also rented out to Merry Pat’s Preschool during the week.

Sunday service at MLC

Holding two Sunday services (8:00 and 11:00), with Sunday School in between, presented logistical challenges. Each Sunday morning the space had to be changed from the preschool arrangement to church seating, to Sunday School configuration, back to church seating and, finally back to the preschool setup. With many willing hands, the transformation could be accomplished in surprisingly short order.

Sanctuary Groundbreaking

It was a happy day when construction began on the new sanctuary and an even happier one when it was ready for worship.

Dedication service for Mandarin Lutheran

The dedication service was attended by the Bishop of the Florida-Bahamas Synod, local Lutheran pastors and Protestant and Jewish clergy from Mandarin. The stained-glass windows had not been installed yet.

Early services at MLC

Initially there were no pews, and the chairs were arranged in a semi-circular pattern facing the altar. Pews were later acquired from a Baptist church in the Southside Estates area that was, ironically, replacing them with chairs.

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You won’t want to miss the Mandarin Lutheran Easter Egg Hunt for the children of Jacksonville on Easter Sunday, April 17th, 2022. This event is open to the entire community and ALL are invited to attend.

We invite you to worship with us at 9 a.m., and/or join in the Easter festivities following worship at 10:30 a.m.

Children will be divided into age groups for the hunt, treats will be aplenty, and there is fun to be had by all. No need to bring anything but a basket and a smile.

There is no need to RSVP, but if you would like to let us know you are coming (or share with your friends!) you can see our Mandarin Lutheran Easter Egg Hunt Facebook event here.

If you would like to learn more about Mandarin Lutheran Church, and who we are, what we do, and what we believe, click here.

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