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The Elkhorn Hills United Methodist Church, A Christian Community, affirms God’s love for all persons through Jesus Christ; celebrates that love through joyful worship and prayer; provides for the growth of that love through experiences of Christian fellowship and spiritual enrichment; witnesses to the presence of God’s grace in our demonstrated concern for others; shares the resources of this community of faith through Christian stewardship.
God has blessed Elkhorn Hills with a rapidly growing congregation. We are located in the heart of the fastest growing school district in Nebraska. The Elkhorn school system is growing at a rate of over 4% per year, and our church family has consistently exceeded the rate of growth of the community.
We hope that each morning's worship is both inspiring and challenging for you. Holy Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month. All are welcome to participate, including children, regardless of denominational affiliation.
Through our ministry to both the membership and the community beyond, Elkhorn Hills has been a church that has grown both in size and in spirit. The membership has taken seriously the vows to support it through prayer, presence, gift and service.
Through our participation in the connectional system of the United Methodist Church, our ministry spreads around the world.
BUILDING A CHURCH
Interest for an Elkhorn-based United Methodist Church began early in 1984, with an
organizational meeting held in February and the first worship service convening on
Father's Day.
In 1984, Members of Elkhorn Hills United Methodist Church sat shoulder-to-shoulder on
folding chairs in a rented storefront off West Dodge Road. The one-room building looked
more like a warehouse than a place of worship. A piano was purchased in September of the
same year, and an official "charter service" held at 2:30 on October 21st. 86
members and 57 youth and children attended.
Early services, as well as many developmental activities were led by Rev Kenneth
McClain.
As Elkhorn Hills continued to grow, so did the need for a more accommodating space, and
on May 7, 1987, ground-breaking services were held on a wind swept knoll that was in less
than 9 months to become a church.
A CHURCH GROWS
Rev. Bill Ritter assumed the pastoral duties after Elkhorn Hill's inaugural year. He
had come from a congregation that just celebrated its 100 year anniversary into a church
that had no building, little tradition and large dreams.
Rev. Ritter recognized the need for expansion of the membership to sustain the church
and achieve the dreams of the congregation, and active outreach to the surrounding
communities was started. As a result, Elkhorn Hills, in spite of its humble beginnings,
survived and began to realize some of the dreams of the early members.
Elkhorn Hills is currently in the process of adding to the original structure once
again. This time the addition is a family center featuring room for basketball and other
indoor activities, a place for Sunday School presentations, congregational dinners, and
other large gatherings. It will ultimately be used as our center of worship when the time
comes to expand our present sanctuary.
The physical growth from the one-room structure built in 1987, to an addition in 1990,
and now to our current addition, illustrates the most tangible aspect of the message of
Elkhorn Hills--God's people coming together in His house.
Elkhorn Hills is especially dedicated to ministering to children and young people.
Children are the church of tomorrow and are entitled to good training in the Christian
faith. Elkhorn Hills provides an excellent staff and physical facilities to encourage our
young people to grow in their faith.
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