St. Andrew Lutheran Church

The Reverend Ed Filter is the pastor of St. Andrew Lutheran Church, a congregation that has been serving Portland since 1983.

St. Andrew is a member church of the Missouri Synod of Lutheran Churches, which was founded in Missouri and in neighboring states in the 19th century by immigrants from Germany.

“The mission of St. Andrew Church is to seek, find, keep, and transform lives through our Savior Jesus Christ,” said Pastor Filter.

Pastor Filter was graduated from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, with a master’s degree in religion. He and his wife, Nancy, have three adult daughters and he has been in ministry at St. Andrew since 1988.

“The most satisfying aspect of my ministry is that of helping people,” said the pastor. “As part of the Portland Ministerial Association, we often help people with their financial needs. We resolve eviction notices, we help them to avoid utility shut-offs, and we assist them with things such as car repairs so that they may have a car with which to drive to work,” he said.

“Several years ago, when the tornado damaged four church buildings in Portland, we worked with the ministerial association to raise $50,000 to help repair the churches,” the pastor continued. “We also worked with the association to raise money for people whose homes were damaged in the flood of 2019.”

St. Andrew sponsors and houses Wee Grow Christian Preschool, a well-respected preschool program for children who are three and four years of age.

“We prepare these children for school by helping them to develop spiritually, socially, and educationally,” said the pastor. “We teach them about Jesus. We get them ready to attend school and to succeed there.”

St. Andrew offers two Bible studies for adults. These take place on the third Monday of the month at 6:30 pm and weekly on Thursday morning at 10 am. St. Andrew offers Sunday school to children on Sunday morning as well as a worship service on that day for everyone.

“We’re not a large church, but we’re community-oriented and we’re friendly,” said Pastor Filter. “Being a pastor is rewarding in that I am present to people at the most important times of their lives, such as weddings, funerals, and when they are sick. I share with them the comfort that Jesus is with us and that He loves us.”

St. Andrew Lutheran Church

8867 Kent Street

Portland, MI 48875

Phone: (517) 647-4473

St. Andrew Church publishes a song or hymn and a devotional message weekly on Facebook.