What does it mean to be a Lutheran?

We're a Reformation Church

Lutherans are Christians whose faith is guided by the teachings of Martin Luther, one of the leaders of the Reformation of the church in the 1500's. In the 1500's the church featured many different ways for Christians to earn the blessing of eternal life.

The Gospel

Luther taught that in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we can see that God already loves us. That's the Good News of God's Grace! That's the Gospel! Lutherans are grateful that faith in God's Grace is what gives them hope for the blessing of eternal life.

Faith

Luther taught that faith is not something we have naturally; it's not something we can "do" on our own. Otherwise faith would be just another thing we could "do" to earn the blessing of eternal life. Luther taught that faith is a gift of the Holy Spirit, who uses every word of the Gospel we hear to create faith in us.

Baptism

Lutherans believe the Holy Spirit arrives in our lives in our Baptism and that the Holy Spirit never gives up trying to create faith in us. Lutherans believe Baptism is one of two sacraments: visible ways our invisible God comes to us to bless us that Jesus specifically commanded Christians to continue to do.

Saints and Sinners

We hear the Gospel most clearly in worship, especially in the sermon, but also in the words of liturgical music and hymns we sing, and in the order for confession and forgiveness. Lutherans believe we need to keep on hearing the Gospel, because Lutherans believe we are always both saints and sinners, always loved by God but at the same time always not perfect, always in need for forgiveness from God for our sins, our failures, our doubts.

Sin

What is sin? For many Lutherans, sin is defined by Jesus' interpretation of the Ten Commandments. When we fail to obey the Ten Commandments as Jesus understood them, we are failing to obey God. One example of how Jesus understood the Ten Commandments can be found in Matthew 5:21-48. Another example of how Jesus understood the Ten Commandments is that the are best summarized as a command to love God and to love one's neighbor as much as one loves oneself. Failure to love God and Neighbor is sin. Luther's teachings about the Ten Commandments in the Small Catechism are a good restatement of Jesus' teachings about the Ten Commandments. All these teachings show us that it's impossible for us be perfect in God's sight. We're always saints and sinners.

Holy Communion

Holy Communion is the other sacrament for Lutherans. In Holy Communion, Lutherans believe Jesus is truly present to offer us forgiveness of sin. At Grace we celebrate Holy Communion at every regularly scheduled worship service. Why every week? Because every week, we're always saints and sinners! Every week we're always welcome to supper with our Lord Jesus. And with love and forgiveness in his heart, Jesus is glad to see us!

The Creeds

Finally. Lutherans believe the Nicene and Apostolic Creeds correctly define who God is, who Jesus is, and who the Holy Spirit is. Jesus of Nazareth was a human being in whom God was fully present to welcome the whole world into his family. Religious people and governmental officials arranged to have Jesus executed. In this way, Jesus died trying to offer us the Gospel, trying to offer us the welcome, forgiveness, and healing we need from God. Jesus' disciples believed Jesus was raised from the dead to lead them to continue to bring the Gospel to the whole world. Jesus' disciples believed that the Holy Spirit came to them on Pentecost Day to give them the power they needed to accomplish this tremendous mission!

Gratitude

Lutherans gratefully believe that Jesus' sacrifice is what gave them a place in God's family. This gratitude motivates us to try to live obedient to the Ten Commandments as Jesus and Luther taught them and to try to follow Jesus in bringing the Gospel to the whole world.

Am I Welcome at Holy Communion at Grace Lutheran Church?

Yes! If you are a baptized Christian and you believe, trust, and hope that Jesus Christ is truly present as we celebrate Holy Communion together, you are welcome to Holy Communion at Grace Lutheran.

If you need grape juice or gluten free wafers, they are available. You'll find the grape juice in a tray of individual cups on a table where communion is served. Before the service, ask a pastor about the gluten free wafers (we're always around the entrances to church!)

Your children are welcome to communion if they have received instructions from you or a church about Holy Communion. If they have not yet received Holy Communion instructions, children are welcome to come forward during communion for a blessing.

How can I become a member of Grace Lutheran Church?

Becoming a member of Grace is a very simply process built upon the assumption that your intent is to worship regularly, paticipate in the congregation's ministries and grow as a faithful Lutheran Christian.

New member classes are held approximately 3 times a year. We meet once on a Saturday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon. During the class we will introduce ourselves to one another, review what we believe as Lutheran Christians, learn a little about the history of the Lutheran Church and spend time discussing the ministries of Grace.

If you are interested in membership please contact pastorjulie at: pastorjulie@gracegb.org.

Can I participate in the church even though I'm not a member?

Absolutely! We welcome members and friends to participate in worship, learning and service. While certain responsiblities (serving on the congregation council or a board of the church, teaching in the education program, and voting at congregational meetings) are reserved for confirmed members of Grace, all other ministry opportunities are available for your participation.

Can I be married in at Grace Lutheran if I'm not a member?

It is congregational policy that either one or both persons to be married at Grace hold membership. We want to be your congregational home not just for a day but every day!