The Sacrament of the Altar is given in our churches to those baptized Christians who have been examined and absolved, and who publicly confess the faith of the Evangelical Lutheran Church as contained in the Small Catechism.  Communicant members in good standing with a congregation of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod or of one of our sister churches are welcome to receive the Sacrament. Others are encouraged to speak with the pastor before or after service as we earnestly desire your future reception of this sacred meal.   

Guests or visitors who are not receiving communion today are still invited to come forward for a blessing.  Simply fold your arms across your chest to indicate this once you are at the rail. It is also fine to simply remain in the pew when your row is dismissed. Those who may need special accommodation in order to receive the elements of the meal, or who have mobility concerns are invited to speak with the pastor.  Finally, although it is our custom to kneel together at the rail if this causes pain or discomfort you are encouraged to remain standing.

Belief and Practice

With the universal Christian Church, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod teaches and responds to the love of the Triune God:

the Father, creator of all that exists;

Jesus Christ, the Son, who became human to suffer and die for the sins of all human beings and to rise to life again in the ultimate victory over death and Satan; and

the Holy Spirit, who creates faith through God’s Word and Sacraments.

The three persons of the Trinity are coequal and coeternal, one God.

Being “Lutheran”

Our congregations accept and preach the Bible-based teachings of Martin Luther that inspired the reformation of the Christian Church in the 16th century. The teaching of Luther and the reformers can be summarized in three phrases: Grace alone, Faith alone, Scripture alone.

Grace Alone  

God loves the people of the world, even though they are sinful, rebel against Him and do not deserve His love. He sent Jesus, His Son, to love the unlovable and save the ungodly.

Faith Alone

By His suffering and death as the substitute for all people of all time, Jesus purchased and won forgiveness and eternal life for them. Those who hear this Good News and believe it have the eternal life that it offers. God creates faith in Christ and gives people forgiveness through Him.

Scripture Alone

The Bible is God’s inerrant and infallible Word, in which He reveals His Law and His Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ. It is the sole rule and norm for Christian doctrine.

Who is Jesus?

For more than 2,000 years, people have asked this question. We were not present when Jesus lived on this earth, but in the Bible we have the record of His birth, life, death on the cross, and resurrection. Through the study of the Bible, you can seek the answer to this age-old question: “Who is Jesus?”

What does “Synod” mean?

The word “Synod” in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod comes from Greek words that mean “walking together.” The term has rich meaning in our church body because congregations voluntarily choose to belong to the Synod.

Though diverse in their service, our congregations hold to a shared confession of Jesus Christ as taught in Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions.

Lutheran congregations are confessional. Our congregations believe the Lutheran Confessions are a correct interpretation and presentation of biblical doctrine.

Contained in The Book of Concord: The Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, these statements of belief were transcribed and shared broadly by church leaders during the 16th century.

Luther’s Small Catechism contains essential summaries of our beliefs, while the Augsburg Confession gives more detail about what Lutherans believe.

“What About?”

“What About?” is a series of 27 pamphlets written by former Synod President Rev. Dr. A.L. Barry. The series addresses doctrinal topics, moral issues, and concerns in the church to help Christians grow in their understanding of these important questions.

View pamphlets

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