Mission Statement:
The Congregation is committed to continuing an active ministry of worship, education, service, sharing and witness in a newly expanded fully handicapped accessible facility with plenty of parking located on Ridgecrest Road.
Outreach:
Through its Missions Committee, Grace supports a number of organizations, programs and projects either directly (“hands on”) or indirectly (financially):
- ELCA World Hunger Appeal
- Grace Food Pantry
- Partners in Education with Bethlehem Elem. School
- Strawberry Festival and Rummage sale, proceeds of which are distributed to local charities
- W.A.T.C.H.
- 4-H
- “Souper Bowl” Sunday
- Bethlehem Fire Dept.
- Helping Heroes
- Health Right
- Community Lutheran Partners
- Camp Luther
- United Lutheran Seminary
- Strands Of Comfort
Meet Our Staff:
Interim Pastor Sean Smith
As Grace Lutheran church welcomes Pastor Sean Smith as our interim minister, he shared a little bit about himself and his ministry. Pastor Sean grew up in the Lutheran Church, and as his love for God and the Church deepened, he felt called into ordained ministry to proclaim the Good News of Christ Jesus and to nurture and care for others in their faith journeys. He began his ministry at Messiah & Good
Shepherd Lutheran churches in July of 2009. In 2014 he helped create Cooperative Lutheran Ministries here in the Ohio Valley; which saw two more congregations, Trinity and St. Matthew, join the Co-op. He enjoys worship and teaching, working with youth, and reaching out with the congregations to their communities. Pastor Sean also serves on our synod’s Candidacy Committee in identifying and raising up ordained and rostered leaders in the Church. This work dovetails with some of the ministries of the Co-op, where they participate in seminary internship programs, hosting seminarian students each year
who are discerning their call to ministry. He also cherishes volunteering as a chaplain at local
hospitals and preaching and teaching the faith in the local prison.
Shepherd Lutheran churches in July of 2009. In 2014 he helped create Cooperative Lutheran Ministries here in the Ohio Valley; which saw two more congregations, Trinity and St. Matthew, join the Co-op. He enjoys worship and teaching, working with youth, and reaching out with the congregations to their communities. Pastor Sean also serves on our synod’s Candidacy Committee in identifying and raising up ordained and rostered leaders in the Church. This work dovetails with some of the ministries of the Co-op, where they participate in seminary internship programs, hosting seminarian students each year
who are discerning their call to ministry. He also cherishes volunteering as a chaplain at local
hospitals and preaching and teaching the faith in the local prison.
He is married to his wife Janis and they have two daughters, Erin and Sarah. Pastor Sean is a
native of Lima, Ohio and grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is a graduate of the
University of North Carolina at Charlotte and attended the Lutheran Theological Seminary at
Gettysburg for his Masters of Divinity. He enjoys spending time with his family, working on
projects around their home, trips to the mountains, and fishing.
Pastor Sean says he is excited to be working with the folks of Grace and feels very blessed to be
an interim minister; helping congregations in times of pastoral transition. And while most of his
duties as Grace’s interim minister deal with administrative oversight and our calling a new
pastor, he says his door is always open to support all the ministries of Grace Lutheran Church, and open to anyone who may desire pastoral care.
Steve Sedilko formerly served as sexton of Zion Lutheran Church and joined Grace’s staff in that position in January of 2016. Ably assisted by his wife Elaine (who volunteers) they keep Grace bright, clean and welcoming to all who come.
Shirley Johnson Joined Grace Lutheran in May 2018 from Rhonda L. Wade ESQ. Law Office. A graduate of WVNCC in Criminal Justice and while in the Army National Guard she met the love of her life and married him 32 years ago. When she’s not working she’s taking care of her grandchildren and animals.
Jolinda Steiner joined our staff in December 2020 as the bookkeeper. She has and MBA in Accounting and has worked in the valley for over 30 years including Oglebay Park.
The Symbol of Grace Lutheran Church is Martin Luther’s seal, which is a black cross for sin surrounded by a red heart symbolizing the love of Christ. It rests on a white rose symbolizing peace and joy. The rose is set in a field of blue to remind us of our hope of heaven. All of it is surrounded by a gold ring to show that the love of God is more precious than anything. 
The Color for Grace Lutheran Church is Royal Blue. In Christian tradition blue symbolizes hope.