St. Jacob’s Evangelical Lutheran Church: Who are we?

What is a Lutheran?
A Lutheran is a Christian – one who trusts in Jesus Christ as Savior. Lutherans share a common faith with other Christians. They:
• Accept the Bible as the true source of Christian love, guidance and doctrine
• Accept the same ancient creeds (for example, the Apostles’ Creed).
But they also proclaim God’s message by:
• Emphasizing salvation through faith
• Teaching that a person is to live not according to a formula of do’s and don’ts, but in the freedom of Christian love
• Distinguishing between law and gospel.

What is a Lutheran church?
It is part of the Christian Church – a means through which the Holy Spirit works to help Christians grow in grace. A Lutheran church is:
• A confessional Church that acknowledges Jesus as Lord and Savior, and the Bible as revelaing God’s will.
• A visible church where Christians gather together to hear God’s Word
• An ecumenical church that works for the unity of all Christians.
• An invisible church made up of all those people together who are saved by faith in Christ as Savior.
Lutherans affirm the original, apostolic faith. Lutheranism had its beginnings in 1517, when Marin Luther publicly called for the correction of errors in the medieval church. Luther was a pastor, professor, author, composer of hymns and reformer. His ideas still stimulate new thinking in the church – he is respected, but not worshiped!

The “church” is really people called to faith in Jesus Christ and sent on a mission to the world. It is a living fellowship – the daily partnership between God and people. Loyalty to Christ “matures” within the church and cannot endure outside it. Jesus asks that people care for one another, worship together and raise children in faith.

How do Lutherans worship?
The Bible is the basis of Lutheran worship. Generally, worship services in Lutheran church retain the traditional form of the worship of the western church. They involve:
• Liturgy, candles, cross, altar, vestments
• Hymns, psalms, sins confessed
• Celebration of the Lord’s Supper.
Each congregation is free in worship details. But renewed emphasis is placed on preaching of God’s Word. We are reminded of God’s truths and kind works among people. Attending church services regularly helps strengthen one’s faith in community.

The Lutheran church celebrates two sacraments. These sacraments are sacred acts of Christ, give grace.
• Baptism is the death of sin in us and our rebirth into a holy life – Christ’s life
• The Lord’s Supper is a Christian’s direct encounter with God. Christ’s body and blood are truly present and received “in, with, under” bread and wine. Christ again comes among us to forgive our sins and help us to live truly Christian lives. These sacraments nurture us in our Christian life.

What does being a Lutheran mean?
It means living as a vital member in the body of Christ. Jesus refers to true believers as disciples: “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” -- John 8:31-32 God wants people to be involved in studying and applying the Word – to become disciples, serving God and humanity in a meaningful life. A Lutheran is not just a church member, but a disciple – one who is willing to work selflessly for Christ.

Basic Lutheran teachings are founded on the church’s understanding of the Bible. We teach that:
• The Bible is the Word of God – absolute truth. It shows God in action.
• God is one God in three persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit; Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier.
• Man and woman were created by God in holiness, but sinned (rebelled). We cannot by our own powers come back to God.
• The Savior, Jesus, died to save the world from sin.
• A person is justified (saved), not through merit, but only by God’s grace, through faith.
• Repenting means sincerely regretting one’s sins and asking for Christ’s forgiveness and guidance.
• The church is all those people who sincerely accept and believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior.
• Baptism, a sacrament, establishes new life in a person. It remakes him or her in god’s spirit.
• The Lord’s Supper, a sacrament, is the Body and Blood of Christ borne by bread and wine in Holy Communion.
• The creeds are statements of belief, not additions to the Bible. They summarize the Bible’s teachings.
• Religion and science are not in conflict. Religion talks about the “who,” the creator; science talks about the “how.”
• A Christian’s unity with fellow Christians is rooted in Christ as God and Savior.
• God’s Law demands perfection of heart, thought, word and deed. Whoever disobeys is a sinner.
• Sins are the failures of people to live their lives in trust towards God. They are evidenced in thoughts, words and deeds.
• The Gospel, the teachings of Jesus, offers grace to everyone and will save those who believe in its promises.
• Faith is a confessed sinner’s acceptance of Christ as Savior.
• Conversion (spiritual rebirth) is the bestowal of faith in Christ as Savior.
• Sanctification (holiness of life) follow conversion, but total holiness is possible only after entering eternal life.
• Prayer is a Christian’s sharing of thought with God – communication with God.
• Death does not sever a believer’s relationship with Christ.

Basically, Lutheranism teachs that a person is saved only by the grace of God through faith in Christ.

 A Christian’s deepest need is to be part of a truly meaningful community. The church is that community!

YOU NEED THE CHURCH.

It offers new life in Christ through the preached word, the sacraments and service to people.

AND, THE CHURCH NEEDS YOU.

Every member is important and has something vital to contribute, such as time, talents and love of people.