Our Faith

If you’re not familiar with Lutheranism and you’re wondering what its all about, here’s a brief explanation.  Be sure to check out this video in which Bishop Mark Hanson responds to the question "Why Lutheran?"

Lutherans are Christians

Lutherans, along with all Christians, believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  We believe Jesus was fully divine and fully human.  In Jesus, God became human, bore our human condition and our sins, in order to save us from sin and death and restore us to a right relationship with God.  Jesus came to make known God's love and grace to our broken and seeking world.  The ultimate symbol of that love is the Cross, where Jesus was crucified, and gave his life for the sake of the world.  In Christ we enjoy grace, mercy, freedom, and new life.

Lutherans are Protestants

In fact, Lutherans were the first protestants.  It all began in 1517 when a German monk named Martin Luther posted a list of 95 points of disagreement with the Roman Catholic Church on the doors of the Cathedral Church in Wittenberg.  The main differences between Luther and the Church concerned the nature of our salvation.  Lutherans believe that we are saved by God's grace, which we receive through faith, not by anything we do.  For more information on Martin Luther at the PBS website, click here.

Lutherans are Biblical

Lutherans love the Bible, but we do not take it literally.  We are not fundamentalists.  We read the Bible through the lens of God's grace. We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit and recorded by faithful people.  It is the story of God and God’s people - the story of God’s great love for us.  When we read the Bible we become part of the story.  For us, the heart of the biblical message is the good news that Jesus Christ died and rose again to bring us into relationship with God.  That relationship gives hope, comfort, and purpose to our lives.

Lutherans are Liturgical

Worship is at the heart of our community.  In worship we experience God together as we sing hymns, read passages from the Bible, the pastor preaches, connecting the Bible lessons with daily life, and we receive Holy Communion.  Lutherans worship every Sunday.  We worship at 9:30am.  Take a look and then come for a visit.

Want to know more?  Check out these Frequently Asked Questions on Christianity and Lutheranism.  New to faith?  Check out Sharing Faith.  Both pages are on the website of our national church body, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.