Looking for Christian Church in Plymouth, Minnetonka, Maple Grove Area

i just got back from the Life Teen Mass at Holy Name of Jesus in Medina. It is a wonderful church. The Life Teen Mass has great music and anyone is welcome. 5:30 on Sundays. There are other masses.

Hi H.,
I grew up in Maple Grove, and I highly recommend Lord of Life Lutheran Church. It's quite large, but they have lots of things to suit different people. There are several services a week, and the kids' programs are great. It's almost a 40 minute drive from where we live now, but we still make it out there for Christmas services every year--they do a wonderful job of making it feel comfortable, traditional, and contemporary all at the same time. The sermons are super-relevant to today, and the Pastors are wonderful--I've known Pastor Peter since Sunday school, and Pastors Todd and David since confirmation. You can check them out at http://lordoflife.org/. Good Luck!

I have several friends who go to Church of the Open Door in Maple Grove. They really love the music and children's/youth programs. Check out their website at www.thedoor.org

My husband & I were also raised Catholic and really didn't like the church anymore either. We now attend Urban Refuge in S. Mpls. They are part of a larger Christian community church called evergreen. Evergreen Community Church-West is in New Hope. There is very contemporary fun music and really great sermons. I believe there is a program for kids as well as a nursery. If you feel like driving to Mpls you can check out Urban, or try West as that is quite close to you. Their website is www.evergreenccwest.com.

New Hope Evangelical Free Church. It's located right next to 169 at the limit of Plymouth and New Hope. It has very good music and very up to date message. A lot of kids resources and family resources too. I heard they are having a October Festival on Wednesday to celebrate "Halloween" in a different way. That may be an activity you might want to try to start checking this church.

I don't know the specific churches in your area, but I'll suggest looking for one with a great children's program. Look for something with a good youth director and a good teen program, even if your kids aren't that age yet. I think if a church has an active teen program it says alot about the youth program in general. I will suggest an ELCA Lutheran church - a little more liberal than Catholic and at my church we have many folks who grew up Catholic, it seems to be a good fit.
If you are interested in a women's bible study, try BSF International (there's a website). BSF stands for Bible Study Fellowship. I know they have a Wednesday morning group in Maple Grove or Plymouth. It's non-denominational and this year they are studying the book of Matthew. They have a children's program so you can join the adults while the girls would be with the kids, who also learn about the bible. For those in the northern suburbs, there's a BSF group that meets in Coon Rapids on Wedsnesday mornings also (9:30am-11:30am).
Don't feel bad about not being at church for so long, I think it's pretty normal! At least I can speak for myself and say that's what we did too, and I love being back. Sign up to help teach Sunday school and you'll get right back into the swing of things. Good luck - visit many and join the one that feels right.

Hi H.,
We attend Redeemer Reformed Church just off of Highway 100 and North of Highway 55. The address is 1300 Lilac Dr. North. Golden Valley, MN 55422. Our church has about 60-70 families with lots of children. My daughter is 3 1/2 and I have a baby on the way. My daughter loves Sunday school and church and we have felt very blessed here. We moved here last August and after visiting one Sunday we have stayed there since. Many families live in Plymouth and your area. Sunday School Begins at 9:00 and Church at 10:15. My name is H. Buschbach and my number is ###-###-####. Please feel free to call me and I would love to meet you at church if you visited on a Sunday Soon. My baby is due in 2 weeks so If we aren't able to be there I would love to hook you up with some of my friends so they can greet you and let you in on the scoop and introduce you to others at church. I believe that the things you will hear at our church will certainly relate to your everyday life. Our pastor is great and the community is lovely. Again please feel free to give me a call!
God's Blessings.
H. Buschbach
www.redeemerrcus.org

Pax Christi (Eden Prairie) and Joan of Arc (South Minneapolis) are incredibly liberal Catholic churches (so liberal, I've heard, they were almost asked to leave the Catholic faith by the Vatican!!) We were married at Pax and attneded Joan of Arc for a while and really enjoyed their liberal, motivating services. So, those may be worth checking out.

Hi H.,

I have a friend who attends Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in New Hope - off 169 and Rockford Road (one block east). I hear great things about the place and she does the lesson plan for the children on Sundays. They also have a daycare and preschool that is very good. I know because I did take a tour of the place once.

Although it's not fancy-schmancy, here is their website: http://www.htlc-wels.org/

Their phone number is ###-###-####.

I have attended in the past Evergreen - They have a location now in New Hope. www.evergreenwest.com or for the whole organization www.evergreencc.com. We now attend a church closer to our home but several of our friends attend Evergreen.

Would you be interested in a less traditional Catholic Church? We attend St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Maple Grove (just south of the 694 on Hemlock/Northwest Blvd. Although still Catholic they are much more contemporary than what you probably remember growing up. They have a very active faith community and it is very family friendly with children's religious class, Vacation Bible School, children's choir, nursery and Moms Group (of which I am the chair so if you have questions feel free to contact me). The music is more modern also, which I personally enjoy. You can see their website at SJTW.net
K. H