Our Pastor - Evangelical Lutheran Church

On March 1, after being our shepherd and friend - Pastor Peter DeBartolo and Wife Karen, retired after 42 years as Pastor of Evangelical Lutheran Church.

While in transition, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Gallupville remains focused on serving our congregation. As a member of the North American Lutheran Church (NALC) we are a community church where people encounter Jesus, grow in Faith and care for one another. Curtis Van Steele has taken the lead to fill the pulpit with our Deacons, and Deacons in training - weekly Sunday Mornings at 9:00 AM where we gather around God's Word and walk together to reach out with Christ's love. All are welcome and encouraged to join us.

Sunday School for Adults, Youth and children follows coffee time after service in the Fellowship Hall. Sunday School starts at 11:00 am and runs to 12::00 pm.

+ + +

Pastor Peter DeBartolo has been Conferred the Title and Honor of Pastor Emeritus

During our worship service on Sunday, February 2, 2026, Pastor DeBartolo received the Title and Honor of Pastor Emeritus for his many years of being our shepherd at Evangelical Lutheran Church.

The term “Pastor Emeritus” is used by a local church to honor a person whose lengthy ministry in that local church has been one of distinguished service. The designation recognizes an individual’s retirement from that particular local church and from active ordained ministry. Conferring this status is an act of a local church and is an honor that the church may wish to consider following the pastor’s departure. Pastor DeBartolo has faithfully served Evangelical Lutheran Church for almost 42 years and we are grateful for his Christian example and how he has led and guided us all these years. We pray for the next step that the Lord has in store for him and his wife in their life of service to the Lord.

+ + +

Have you seen the brokenness in the world around us?

You don’t have to look very hard to see the shattered relationships in our communities. It’s a story told repeatedly through Hatred, Greed, and Violence. And we feel the brokenness in ourselves through our worries, our pain, the trouble in our personal relationships, and even the knowledge of our own failures. We long for healing, knowing that there should be something or someone to right the wrongs, to restore peace and joy, and to show us a better way to live. What we ultimately seek is Love. It is Belonging. It is Identity. It is Justice. It is Truth.

At Evangelical, we do not claim to have all the answers or be able to provide everything your soul is longing for, but we are followers of the One who does claim to be “The Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6)… the One whom the Bible claims “holds all things together” (Colossians 1:17)… the One who said that His mission was to “seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10)… the One who told us that He is “making all things new” (Revelation 21:5). Jesus does not claim to offer you an easy life. But He does say that when your life is lived in Him and through Him that it will be the most fulfilling life possible. You will find a Savior. And in that Savior, you will find Love. Belonging. Identity. Justice. Truth.

If you are ready to see an authentic, Bible-based, Christ-centered, Mission Driven, Traditionally Grounded, approach to living out the Christian faith, please consider contacting us or visiting our worship gatherings.

To His Glory,

Pastor Peter DeBartolo, Sr.