Holy Cross Lutheran Church Peoria
Overview
Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church in Peoria, Illinois, is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America (ELDoNA). Worship services at Holy Cross are based on the teachings of the Lutheran Confessions written in the Book of Concord in 1580. The Book of Concord is the doctrinal standard for the church, which recognizes its authority as exposition of the Sacred Scriptures.
Worship at Holy Cross in Peoria uses the traditional liturgies of the Church. Services focus on reading and preaching the Word as well as offering Holy Absolution and the Holy Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper to church members. At Holy Cross, Peoria families are encouraged to join the congregation and worship together, from infancy to life’s end here on earth.
A Divine Service of Word and Sacrament is offered at Holy Cross every Sunday, with an hour of Christian education taking place after the service. Visitors to the congregation are welcomed and encouraged to worship with the congregation of Holy Cross. Holy Cross adheres to the historic practice of “Closed Communion.” Visitors who are not members in good standing in a congregation served by a member of the ELDoNA are urged to plan a time to speak with the pastor and receive instruction in church doctrine. After receiving instruction in the Evangelical Lutheran faith, new communicants are warmly welcomed at Holy Cross in Peoria.
Pastor Douglas O. Handrich serves as both the Pastor of Peoria’s Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church congregation and the Executive Director of Child Care Services at the church-operated child care center. With more than 20 years of experience as a Lutheran minister, Pr. Handrich is committed to providing spiritual guidance to the members of his congregation. The pastor exemplifies the care and compassion of his congregation through his service both to the church and to the children at the child care center.