Who We Are
Mission Statement
Becoming people of God, for ALL people of God.
Vision
Lutheran Memorial is a dynamic Christian Community which exists to glorify God in Jesus Christ. We see ourselves as a center for continued Christian Growth for individuals, couples and families in all stages of their lives. All people are truly welcome here in this place!
We are committed to
Worship as a dynamic experience in the presence of God through Word, Sacraments, music and Christian community.
Share the invitation given to everyone from Jesus Christ, no matter where we are on our spiritual journey.
Bless individuals, couples and families to discover and strengthen their gifts of faith through Bible study, prayer and service in our church, community and world.
Answer Jesus' call to meet hurting people with the Living Word, through Christian Care giving.
What we believe
The mission of Lutheran Memorial Church, a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), is “Becoming people of God, for all people of God.”
The people of Lutheran Memorial Church profess our faith in the Triune God--three persons, one divine being. We believe that God the Father created all things. God the Son came into this world in the flesh to reveal His redeeming will to save us from the sin that separates us from the holiness and righteousness of God Almighty. God the Spirit gives us life and aids in our ability to believe the proclaimed promises given to us through Christ in Word and Sacraments.
As followers of Martin Luther’s teachings, we believe in two Sacraments--Baptism and Holy Communion, and we accept that all who believe will be saved through the free gift of God’s Grace (Matthew 28:19). Baptism affords forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe (Mark 16:16). Communion is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ in and with the bread and wine, instituted by Christ Himself for Christians to eat and to drink (various texts in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and St. Paul). Grace is a gift that God offers to people who believe in him and have done absolutely nothing to deserve it (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Scripture is the inspired Word of God. Scripture guides our teaching and preaching. We believe that Scripture contains all the Words of God that He deemed necessary for mankind to know in this world. As Luther expressed, scripture is clear, and scripture interprets scripture. The Bible is a living Word that functions as the cradle that holds Christ, witnessing to God’s revealing and redemptive work through the words and actions of Christ alone. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) proclaims that Scripture is “the authoritative source and norm of [this church’s] proclamation, faith, and life” (ELCA 2.03).
Lutheran Memorial is confessional in its theology. Lutheran Memorial believes in Luther’s use of the three ‘solas’ defined during the reformation: Sola Fide, Sola Gratia, & Sola Verbum.
Sola Fide—BY FAITH ALONE: “For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’” (Romans 1:17). Faith is much more than simple belief. It is trust and love, a relationship with Jesus. Luther’s explanation of the Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed points out: “I believe that by my own reason or strength I cannot believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to him. But the Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, and sanctified and preserved me in true faith…”
Sola Gratia—BY GRACE ALONE: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV). Grace is being reconciled with God and neighbor, not by what we have done, but by what God has done for all of us through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Sola Verbum—BY WORD ALONE: “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that all God’s people may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Martin Luther stood upon the belief that Jesus Christ is the Word of God. God’s ‘Word Alone’, is what leads to doctrinal decisions, and it is a guide for proper teaching and preaching. Scripture is above all other authorities, including the Church and tradition. We believe that Jesus Christ is the ‘Word of God—Word made flesh’, and through his teaching and actions throughout all of scripture, Christ reconciles us to God. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).
Lutheran Memorial Church relies on these three principles for teaching, preaching, and guiding our vision and mission in order to best serve our neighbors and our community as a whole. As we live in response to the gift of Christ’s Gospel, given to us through His love and mercy for all believers, we profess and understand that Jesus, our Lord and Savior, is, “The Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6).
The people of Lutheran Memorial Church believe, profess, and hold onto this statement of faith as a framework for our values in the ministry we share in the community, and in partnership with the greater Church body. We welcome all people to join us to live in response to God’s goodness and grace, evangelizing with the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.