Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is a Christ-centered community serving through word and action
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with nearly 3.3 million members in more than 8,900 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region.
As an ELCA congregation, we believe that all people are imperfect and are saved (made right with God) by God’s grace and God’s grace alone, through Christ. We believe that through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God became one of us and took upon himself the sin and suffering of all the world to demonstrate God’s love for us. We believe that we receive the gift of grace by faith alone on account of Christ. The gift of grace expresses God’s unconditional love, and in response to that love we are set free to live gratefully and lovingly.
An important date in the Lutheran tradition is Oct. 31, 1517, when a German monk named Martin Luther started a movement known as the Protestant Reformation. He insisted that the Bible showed that salvation could not be earned or bought, which was contrary to church teachings at the time. Luther believed salvation was a gift and a sign of God’s never-ending love. The most influential documents (after the Bible) for our church were written by him and other Lutheran reformers. These are compiled in the Book of Concord. Key writings include the Augsburg Confession and Martin Luther’s Small Catechism.
The ELCA has established “full communion” agreements with six Protestant denominations: the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Reformed Church in America, the United Church of Christ, the Moravian Church in America (Northern and Southern Provinces), The Episcopal Church and the United Methodist Church. These agreements mean that we share enough essential understanding to participate in common mission. We exchange clergy and encourage opportunities to work together toward justice and peace. We acknowledge that differences remain, but we can talk about these, learn from each other, challenge each other and sometimes agree to disagree.
This is Christ’s church. There is a place for you here.
Lutherans are Sinners
Lutherans are sinners, but we are forgiven. We believe that it is God acting for us and in us, not our own acts that brings forgiveness. Lutherans call this “Justification by Grace through Faith.” As a result, we are new people who are not haunted by guilt or bothered by worry.Lutherans are Evangelical
Lutherans are evangelical and as forgiven people reach out to share the message of God’s grace. Evangelical refers to the Good news, or Gospel of Jesus Christ. We try to look beyond ourselves to bring the Gospel to community life with people of other faiths and those of no faith. We heartily welcome others to worship and work with us.Lutherans are Worshippers
Lutherans think of worship not as a pastor’s performance but as the people’s service.- We are sacramental and celebrate the Eucharist every week.
- We are a singing church. Lutherans have always contributed much to Christian music.
- We place a special emphasis on the Word of God. Lutheran worship stresses preaching that addresses the needs of the people and announces the loving activity of God. We believe that God speaks to us through the scriptures and so we revere personal Bible reading and study, in addition to prayer.