Good Shepherd Lutheran Church sits on West Seventh Street in Frederick, Maryland, just up the road from the Frederick Shopping Center and accessible by bus lines 51 and 80, which stop at a nearby McDonald's. The congregation belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America through the Delaware-Maryland Synod, and it calls itself a warm and inclusive neighborhood church where longtime Lutherans, Christians from other traditions, doubters, seekers, and people of every background, orientation, and ability are welcomed at the table.
Two Sunday Mornings on West Seventh Street
Good Shepherd holds two Sunday services each week, both built around the ELCA liturgical calendar, both including Holy Communion, both lasting about an hour, and both following the same general order of worship. Between them, Christian education gathers every age in classrooms across the building.
At 8:45 a.m., a traditional Liturgy of Word and Sacrament unfolds with preaching, scripture, and traditional music played on piano and organ. The chancel choir sings during the school year, the Bell Choir plays on special occasions, and members occasionally offer solos, duets, flute, and other instrumental pieces. Children's Choir members add their voices to festival services. Arriving a few minutes early lets visitors hear the prelude on the church's pipe organ.
At 10:00 a.m., Sunday School meets across the building, with classes for children, youth, and adults and a coffee-and-fellowship hour woven in.
At 11:00 a.m., the Sing and Rejoice service begins. This is a casual, contemporary gathering with Holy Communion, led by the Crossview praise band, which has been playing this service since November 1997. The band offers contemporary Christian songs, original compositions written by its own members, and fresh arrangements of traditional hymns. Lyrics are projected on a screen to the left of the altar.
Both services are livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube, with bulletins and full participation cues available to those watching at home.
How Worship Unfolds
Worship at Good Shepherd follows a four-part rhythm. In the Gathering, the congregation prepares for worship through a prelude, welcome, confession and forgiveness, opening hymn, greeting, and prayer of the day. Some stand, some sit, some make the sign of the cross; participation is always optional, and the bulletin includes cues like "Please stand as you are able."
The Word section centers on scripture, with a children's message, Old Testament reading, psalm, New Testament reading, Gospel reading, sermon, hymn of the day, Apostles' Creed, prayers of the people, and the Passing of the Peace. After the prayers, people greet those around them with words like "Peace be with you"; a handshake or peace sign is common, but physical contact is offered only when welcome.
The Meal is open to everyone. Good Shepherd teaches that Christ is truly present "in, with, and under" the bread and wine, and that this sacrament is a gift of God's grace rather than a reward for having everything figured out. At the 8:45 service, communicants come forward, kneel at the altar (or stand, as able), and receive the bread from the pastor; an attendant pours wine into individual cups, with grape juice available. At the 11:00 service, communion is shared standing in front of the altar by intinction: dip the bread in the wine and consume it. Gluten-free wafers are available at both services, and those who prefer not to receive communion may come forward for a blessing or remain in their seats. Children of any age are welcome to commune at their parents' discretion; those who do not commune receive a blessing.
The Sending closes worship with a prayer after communion, blessing, closing hymn, dismissal, and postlude. The final dismissal is a reminder that worship continues through the way members serve their neighbors throughout the week.
The bulletin indicates when to stand or sit. Bold text is read aloud by the whole congregation; non-bold text is read by the pastor or worship assistant; italics signal information. People are invited to sing or simply listen, and clothing runs the spectrum from "Sunday best" to jeans, shorts, and T-shirts. The only requirement is appropriate coverage for a shared public space.
What Lutherans Believe Here
Good Shepherd is an affirming congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Lutherans are Christians rooted in the Word of God, saved by faith rather than works, trusting fully in the grace of God, saved by Jesus Christ, and giving all glory and honor to God alone. The church holds to the historic Four Solae of the Reformation: Scripture Alone, Faith Alone, Grace Alone, Christ Alone.
In baptism, the congregation teaches that this is a work of God rather than something we do. Both adults and children are welcomed to the font, and baptisms are typically performed by pouring water over the head in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Those baptized in another Christian tradition are not rebaptized.
In communion, Lutherans confess the real presence of Christ with, in, and under the bread and wine; how this happens remains a great mystery, but the church is confident that God comes to us in the meal and offers grace. Everyone is welcome at the table.
The congregation follows the lectionary, a three-year cycle of readings from the Old Testament, Psalms, Epistles, and Gospels. Attending worship every Sunday means hearing most of the Bible over three years. The liturgical year also shapes the rhythm of worship, with its seasons of Advent (blue), Christmas (white and gold), Epiphany (green), Lent (purple), Easter (white and gold), and Pentecost (red). At Good Shepherd, Lent is observed with midweek soup suppers followed by worship, and Easter is marked by festive music, flowers, and the return of "Alleluia" to the liturgy.
A Frederick Congregation Since 1953
Good Shepherd was approved by the Board of American Missions in June 1953 as a new church for northwestern Frederick. Carroll L. Boyer was called as mission developer, a parsonage was purchased on Biggs Avenue, and the first worship service drew 322 people to Hood College in September 1953. On February 14, 1954, the congregation was formally organized and named Good Shepherd, with services held at the Staley Park Field House.
Sunday school classes gathered in three homes through 1955, and the church purchased its first building on Motter Avenue that year. Ground was broken on West Seventh Street in 1957, and the building was dedicated in September 1958. A kindergarten and preschool began in 1961. The early decades included two arson fires (1973 and 1982), the addition of an associate pastor, the retirement of long-serving pastors, and the proud achievement of paying off the mortgage in April 2012.
In 1989 the congregation approved the purchase of a pipe organ and a major remodeling of the worship space. The M.P. Moller Organ, Opus 11814, was dedicated in February 1991 and remains the centerpiece of the 8:45 service. It is a custom two-manual organ with eleven ranks, thirty stops, and 762 pipes, played each Sunday by James Broström. The 1990 renovation also added central air conditioning and refreshed the gathering area. A decade later, in 2014, Good Shepherd marked the 70th anniversary of its formal organization. Pastor Dave Simpson was called as the congregation's pastor in October 2019.
Music at Good Shepherd
Music is one of Good Shepherd's signatures. The chancel choir sings at most 8:45 services from September through June, under the direction of Deacon Bruce Larson. Repertoire ranges from the Renaissance to the 21st century, with anthems chosen for their artistic merit and their ability to reinforce the themes of each Sunday's worship. The choir rehearses in the sanctuary on Thursday evenings at 6:30 and warms up together at 8:14 a.m. on Sundays.
The Crossview Band has led the contemporary Sing and Rejoice service since November 1997, currently under the direction of John Hane. Rehearsals are held in the sanctuary on Tuesday evenings at 5:30, with a brief practice before the Sunday service.
A newer Bell Choir debuted on Easter Sunday 2025 and aims to play in worship about once a month. Rehearsals are held on Wednesdays at 5:15 p.m., right before Pastor Dave's Bible Study, and the group welcomes new ringers of all skill levels. Come with the ability to count to four and swing your arms, and the basics will be taught.
Children in first through sixth grade can join the Children's Choir, which meets from 11:00 to 11:30 a.m. on Sundays, right after Sunday School, and sings in worship about once a month. The choir debuted at Easter 2024 and sometimes sings alongside the adult choir, with voices, chimes, and other instruments. Songs are chosen to connect with the day's sermon.
For special occasions, members add their gifts to worship: flute, solos, duets, handbell processions on Palm Sunday, and other moments that connect music to the season.
Sunday School for Every Age
During the school year, Sunday School is offered for everyone from age three through adulthood. Children under 18 must be registered, signed in, and signed out by a parent or guardian; students in third grade and up may be dismissed on their own once a Minor Release Waiver is on file.
Three-year-olds through sixth graders meet in the Preschool Wing, where Sparkhouse's Whirl curriculum guides them through Bible stories with engaging videos, art projects, and games. Most weeks the group splits into primary and upper elementary sections to explore the story more deeply, and parents are welcome to participate alongside their children.
Seventh and eighth graders meet in the Kitchen for Confirmation instruction, a special period in which young people affirm their baptism and have space to ask the pastor their hardest questions.
Ninth through twelfth graders gather in the Youth Room with Brian and the Youth Pastor for Bible study, conversation, and fellowship.
Adults have two options. The Round Table Topics group meets in the Community Room for a discussion-based class with rotating leadership, wrestling with scripture and what it means to live as Christians in a complex world. The Lectionary Class meets in the Fireside Room off the narthex, with a teaching team examining one or more of the lectionary texts each week, often expanding on the sermon text.
An Active Youth Ministry
The youth group at Good Shepherd is open to students in sixth through twelfth grades and meets once a month on Third Sundays for a time of faith, friendship, and fun: sharing meals, games, and conversations that connect faith to everyday life. Each gathering includes opportunities to serve others, plan youth-led worship, and grow as a community of friends walking together in Christ.
Young people are encouraged to take active roles in worship as crucifers, communion assistants, audio-visual technicians, social media contributors, and in other positions that let them use their gifts in service.
Beyond Sunday mornings, the youth travel to retreats and conferences, including the triennial ELCA Youth Gathering, which brings together thousands of high schoolers from across the country for a week of faith formation. The Delaware-Maryland Synod offers middle and high school retreats such as the LYO Middle and High School Retreat, the Seekers Retreat, and Unlikely Leaders, held at Mar-Lu-Ridge and Skycroft Retreat Center. Mar-Lu-Ridge is a mountaintop Lutheran camp that welcomes people of all ages for Christian community, cooperative learning, and new activities in a safe, non-competitive setting.
Caring for One Another
The Caring Ministry supports members through prayer, presence, and practical help. Team members lift up prayer concerns, reach out with calls, cards, and visits, walk alongside those who are homebound or in nursing care, deliver meals in times of need, run errands, provide transportation, and accompany members to appointments as a listening ear.
Stephen Ministry is now part of this work, bringing trained lay caring helpers alongside individuals navigating grief, illness, or personal crises through confidential, distinctively Christian care.
The Hospitality team obtains and serves food for ordinations, funeral receptions, fellowship time between services, and other meetings. Members help with food preparation, table and decoration setup, cleanup, and laundering tablecloths.
The Inclusive Grace Journey
The Inclusive Grace Team is a ministry team dedicated to helping the congregation prayerfully discern how to live out Christ's command to love and welcome all people. The team works to ensure that all people, including LGBTQIA+ individuals and people of every race, ethnicity, ability, background, education, and socioeconomic status, are fully welcomed, valued, celebrated, and encouraged to participate in every aspect of congregational life.
Good Shepherd is in the process of becoming a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregation through Reconciling Works, a Lutheran organization established in 1974 that advocates for the full welcome, inclusion, and equity of LGBTQIA+ Lutherans. The RIC process has included leading the process, gathering information about the congregation's culture, strengthening relationships through prayerful discussion, mapping the journey, writing a new Welcome Statement proposal, and conducting an exploratory survey. The congregation will ultimately vote on a new welcome statement and commitment. If approved, that statement would include explicit language directly welcoming people of all genders, gender expressions, sexual identities, races, and ethnicities, and the congregation would commit to accepting LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC leaders and an annual contribution to Reconciling Works.
In the meantime, the church is openly queer-affirming and offers weddings to all couples, including same-gender couples. Hearing devices, large-print bulletins and hymnals, accessible pews, and Communion brought to those with mobility needs are all available.
Animal Therapy and Community Outreach
The Animal Therapy Ministry shares God's love through therapeutic interactions with animals, outreach programs, and responsible stewardship of creation. Members can serve as Pet Prayer Warriors, joining a prayer chain that prays for and sends comfort packages to those grieving a pet; participate in WAGS for Hope visits with registered therapy dog teams; donate newspapers to the Second Chance Wildlife Center via a bin in the narthex; join a Prayer Walk with Pets through the community; or take part in Project One Wag, distributing heart-shaped tokens of kindness. The ministry also runs a Spring Pet Supply Donation Drive and hosts a pet-themed Christmas Market.
The Social Ministry supports vulnerable children and families, vision and health care access, and basic needs through faith, compassion, and action. Members help organize collection drives for eyeglasses, school supplies, and nonperishable food, write cards to seniors and families, and pitch in with a range of community events. The annual Yard Sale in August collects donated items and sells them at affordable prices, with proceeds going to local service and justice organizations.
Ministry Teams at Good Shepherd
The wider life of the congregation is carried by a constellation of ministry teams, including Animal Therapy, Caring, Communications, Education, Generosity, GS Property, Hospitality, Inclusive Grace, Music, Social, Staff Support, Sunday Servants, and Youth. Each welcomes new members.
Sunday Servants include the Altar Guild, Scripture readers, communion assistants, acolytes and crucifers, ushers and greeters, and technical operators who run cameras for the livestream and advance song lyrics at the 11:00 service. The Communications team crafts banners, social media posts, and other materials that share the congregation's story. The Generosity Team supports stewardship of faith, time, and talent, giving Temple Talks and encouraging generosity at home and in the congregation. The Property ministry maintains the buildings and grounds, from seasonal landscaping to HVAC, plumbing, and inspections.
Pastor Dave and Public Office Hours
Pastor Dave Simpson arrived at Good Shepherd in October 2019 after serving Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Millersville, Maryland, and Trinity Lutheran Church in Joppa, Maryland. A graduate of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, he is married to Karen, an Education and Training Manager at the Maryland State Retirement Agency, and the couple have two adult children and three rescue cats.
Pastor Dave's own faith story is unusual: he was an agnostic and atheist from about age 18 into his early thirties, until Karen told him he had to attend church if he wanted to keep dating her. Before entering ministry, he worked primarily with troubled young people and their families, serving as a counselor at a wilderness camp for adjudicated adolescents, a juvenile probation officer, and a community trainer for a child abuse prevention non-profit. His memoir, Too Smart for God, tells the story of his spiritual journey.
Among Pastor Dave's quirks: he was a four-time Jeopardy! champion and Tournament of Champions semi-finalist, and he once appeared on the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire hot seat.
Each Thursday from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Pastor Dave holds Public Office Hours at a local Frederick business, currently Tous les Jours Bakery Café on West Patrick Street. Past hosts have included Frederick Coffee Co, Roggenart, Baltimore Coffee & Tea Co, and Panera. Visitors drop in for coffee and conversation on a first-come, first-served basis.
Weddings and Renewing the Church Home
Good Shepherd's sanctuary is available for weddings, with the pastor officiating ceremonies for members, their immediate families, and non-members. Each wedding is designed as a Christian worship service with prayer, Scripture, vows, and blessing, with an option to include Holy Communion. Same-gender couples are warmly welcomed. Couples not yet part of the congregation are invited to attend a worship service before scheduling their ceremony.
A multi-year capital campaign called Renewing to Welcome, Nurture, Serve is underway to care for the church building. Completed work includes new roofs on the church and staff house, parking lot and exterior lighting improvements, narthex flooring, and preschool sewer line repairs. Current priorities include sound system upgrades, boiler and heating system replacement, window sealing, and mold remediation. The campaign supports a building that hosts not only Sunday worship but also Girl Scout troops, cooking classes for individuals with disabilities through The Freedom Center, recovery and support groups, youth groups, Casa de Oración worship and office space, Global Peace Multicultural Ministry worship, and Good Shepherd Preschool.
Giving to the church and to the capital campaign is available online through Give Plus+.
A Yearly Rhythm
Several annual events punctuate the church's calendar. The Annual Yard Sale in August collects donated items and sells them at affordable prices, with proceeds going to local service and justice organizations. Palm Sunday brings a congregation-wide breakfast organized by volunteers. Vacation Bible School happens every June, drawing dozens of children for a week of fellowship and education. Rally Day in the fall marks the launch of a new ministry year, with a service fair showcasing ministry teams and how to get involved.
Across Sunday services, weekly rehearsals, capital projects, school-year classes, and seasonal events, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church offers a steady rhythm of welcome, nurture, and service, the three words around which its mission is built: as we follow Jesus, we are growing to live out God's command to love no matter what.