Zion Lutheran Church to hold first worship service in newly renovated facility

(Above) The Dock is located at 500 Main Ave. in Clear Lake.  The first worship service in the new facility will be held this Sunday, Sept. 11, at 10 a.m.  -Reporter photo

By Michelle Watson

Ten years ago a group of men from Zion Lutheran Church had a vision of what the old bakery warehouse on Main Street could become.  On Sunday, Sept. 11, at 10 a.m., the final phase of that dream will become a reality when Zion holds its first worship service at The Dock, located at 500 Main Ave.  The 500 seat facility is a state-of-the-art area that will hold worship services.

In 2006, Jack Kennedy and Orlin Kelling had the original vision.  Pastor Dean Hess, who was the senior pastor at that time, also supported the idea.  Many people along the way played key roles in the completion of the project, from generous financial supporters, to parishioners who lent a hand in everything from cleaning the warehouse, to painting and laying the carpet.  Ron Loudenberg, of Meints Construction, was the general contractor who pulled it all together.

The Rev. Dr. Patrick Hall, senior pastor at Zion, said the completion of the project is bittersweet for

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him without Pastor Kirk Wilke, Zion’s associate pastor who passed away this year.

“Pastor Kirk was a major contributor who kept the project moving forward.  He would have been so excited for this day.”

The Dock derived it’s name from the building itself.  The facility was originally used as a loading dock for the bakery.  The name also ties in with Clear Lake’s nautical theme.

“The biggest challenge was taking a space that was made for one thing and making it into something we needed,” said Dr. Hall.  “We didn’t know what to do with the huge concrete dock that was in the center of the building, but we ended up using it as part of our stage.”

The Dock is not the only space in the large building that is used for ministry. The entire building, which is known as Zion on Main, also contains two other areas.  The Hub is a social gathering area with a full kitchen, comfortable seating and a gymnasium.  The space is used for everything from family reunions to a retreat center.  Another area is called The Black Box, which is a small theater, complete with a sound system and kitchen.  The Black Box is used for youth ministry.  Besides the worship area, The Dock consists of a large entry, complete with a coffee bar and seating.  An espresso machine will soon be up and running.

“The Dock provides a worship experience with high-energy and a modern approach to church that includes lights, video, live music and dynamic teaching,” said Ben Schrade, worship director at Zion.

“Clear Lake is blessed to have several churches that also do contemporary worship.  Our new space and new style is just one way of doing it.  We encourage people to check out all the churches and see which one suites them,” said Dr. Hall.

The Dock will hold services on Saturday night at 6 p.m. and on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m.  Traditional services will still be held in the sanctuary in the church at 5 p.m. on Saturday nights and at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings.  A nursery is provided at The Dock for children 0-24 months. Two year-olds through fifth graders will meet at the church in The Harbor area on Sunday mornings.

Zion will hold Rally Sunday on Sept. 11 following the 10 a.m. service.  A free will picnic lunch will be served on the church lawn and sign-ups will be held for ministry opportunities for all ages.  Visit Zion’s new website at www.zionclearlake.org for more information.

“The Dock is going to be an attractive, non-threatening place for people to meet each other and God.  I’m excited to see it finished and to be a part of pulling together someone else’s vision,” said Dr. Hall.

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