Sacraments
We teach that a sacrament is an encounter with God. It is God’s gracious act for us. There are two sacraments in our church, Holy Baptism and The Lord’s Supper, both are offered as unrestricted free gifts for all.
Holy Baptism - in our tradition within the christian faith baptism is a sacrament that can be received at any age. Adults and older children who have been led to faith by the Holy Spirit may be baptized, as well as younger children and infants brought by parents and sponsors who with the whole community will nurture these children in the faith. Christian baptism is not so much a 'decision to join the church’ but an opportunity to embrace the graciousness of God’s claim on your life. It is a spiritual birthing into a new way of life and community in Jesus Christ that is accompanied, marked, and blessed.
Our yearly baptismal times are:
The Baptism of Jesus (winter)
Easter Vigil (spring)
Holy Trinity (summer)
Christ the King (fall)
To schedule and prepare for baptism contact the church office and request a meeting with our pastor.
The Lord’s Supper - Our Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread: and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
In, with, and under the bread and wine, Jesus Christ is truly present in this gracious gift. The Lord’s Supper is part of every Sunday morning worship service. All are welcome at the table.
first communion is offered:
Maundy Thursday of Holy Week (spring)
To schedule participation in first communion contact the church office and request a meeting with our pastor. A first communion learning event is held each spring.
Life Passages
Healing, Funeral, Marriage - within our lives we mark particular occasions of transition and passages in various ways. These important events offer a celebration of new life, through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Individual healing prayers are offered the second Sunday each month at morning worship. Funerals and Weddings are held when scheduled. Appointments can be made to pre-plan your funeral, contact the church office or Pr. Jeff. Weddings can be scheduled, please see the Wedding Guide, which can be downloaded.
Why we do what we do: beliefs
What do Lutherans believe?
That’s a difficult question to answer. Not because Lutherans don’t know what they believe, but because the belief we have about faith and God reaches into all the arenas of our lives. Belief in God? Jesus? The Holy Spirit? It could also be asked about our belief in justice and peace, family, scripture, politics, the list is endless. Then there are our practices as a church around the sacraments, rites, and traditions of the church. The list grows.
To be most helpful in your search to this question, we provide education and discussion, and Pr. Jeff is available to talk with and guide your search. We also offer some basic Lutheran understandings about matters of faith and practice. A summary of our beliefs are found in the words of the ancient nicene creed (circa 381 a.d.). We hold this creed in common with many Christian communities (protestant, roman catholic & orthodox) from around the world.
we believe
in one god,
the father, the almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
we believe in one lord, jesus christ,
the only son of god,
eternally begotten of the father,
god from god, light from light,
true god from true god,
begotten, not made,
through him all things were made.
for us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the holy spirit
he became incarnate from the virgin mary,
and was made man.
for our sake he was crucified under pontius pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
on the third day he rose again
in accordance with the scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the father.
he will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
we believe in the holy spirit, the lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the father (and the son).
with the father and the son he is worshiped and glorified.
he has spoken through the prophets.
we believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.
we acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
we look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come.
amen
