Years ago, Parkland Lutheran Church, Parkland, Washington, was called “The Church of the Lighted Cross.” It stood as a beacon to the members of the community and was seen by anyone driving up or down Pacific Avenue (the main road leading to Mt. Rainier), but when that cross had deteriorated, a new cross was not put in its place.
In the years that followed, different projects were proposed to add a steeple, a bell tower, or a free-standing cross to the church property. Plans finally became reality when Parkland’s members offered the necessary funding, time, and expertise to get the project going.
On Sunday, December 11, 2011, to the glory of God and to assist the members of the congregation to be bold in the confession of Christ crucified to its many neighbors in the community, Parkland Lutheran dedicated a free-standing, 50-foot, white-coated steel cross.
The new cross has been catching people’s attention as they drive by each day. It will also soon be illuminated at night so that Parkland Lutheran might once again be called “The Church of the Lighted Cross.”
We pray that these efforts will lead more people to visit our church, where they will hear about our humble Savior who died on the cross for all. “Far be it from [us] to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6:14).