What We Believe

To understand the teachings of the Lutheran Church, we suggest that you begin with the Small Catechism. In this book Martin Luther summarizes the basic principles of the Christian faith. Luther wrote this book so that fathers could teach their households the Christian faith, just as Moses commanded the nation of Israel to do in Deuteronomy 6:4–7.

The Small Catechism is divided into Six Chief Parts and is a road map to help with the study of the Holy Bible. A brief summary of the teachings found in the catechism is as follows:

  • In the Ten Commandments God gives us His Law, which demands perfect obedience. Through the Law, we come to realize that all have sinned and deserve eternal punishment.
  • However, the great love of the Father has no end. He sent forth His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins and for the sins of the whole world, and to give us eternal life.
  • The Holy Spirit creates faith in us by the power of the Word of God. This is not our own doing, but is a Gift of God, through which He delivers the forgiveness and eternal life that Christ won for us.
  • In Baptism, water is connected with the Word of God. As we are baptized in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit we become God’s children. Our sins are forgiven and we are given eternal life.
  • In the Lord’s Supper, we receive the true Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ to eat and to drink. In this great Gift, we receive the forgiveness of sins, the strengthening of our faith, and the gift of life and salvation.
  • Pastors have been sent by God to the Church to deliver God’s forgiveness to penitent sinners, to preach the Word of the Lord, and to administer the Sacraments according to the Gospel.

To learn more about the doctrine of the Lutheran Church, please read:

Communion Statement

If you are a visitor and wish to receive Holy Communion, please speak to Pastor before the service begins. We believe, teach, and confess that in the Lord's Supper one receives Christ's physical Body and Blood as well as confesses a unity in doctrine (I Corinthians 10, 11). This is why we practice closed communion. If you have not spoken with Pastor, we ask that you remain in the pew and pray for the day when divisions will cease.