There is a difference between being religious and being Christian. Religion can be spelled “D-O.” It consists of trying to do enough good things to please God, earn forgiveness, and gain entrance into heaven. The problem is that we can never know when we have done enough, and to tell the truth, won't ever be able to do enough. Romans 3:23 says: “All of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.” Christianity, however, can be spelled “D-O-N-E.” In other words, that which we could not do for ourselves, Jesus has already done for us. Jesus lived a perfect life we could never live, and he died on the cross to pay for our broken relationship with God. And now he freely offers us his gift of forgiveness and leadership in our lives. There are many "denominations" of Christians, but only one Christ, who loves us all.
Lutheran Church of the Master is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in American, the ELCA. Frequently-asked questions about Lutheran beliefs are addressed on the ELCA's FAQ Page. [Note: If you use this link, you will not be able to use the back button to come back here.] For additional information, resources and insights into the ELCA, start at the ELCA home page. Our regional affiliation is with the Rocky Mountain Synod. You may also want to read Martin Luther's Small Catechism. There are a number of translations that can be found by searching the internet. For one example, click on Small Catechism.
Purpose: The church is a people created by God in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, called and sent to bear witness to God's creative, redeeming, and sanctifying activity in the world.
Vision: We will offer a caring community where the presence of Jesus is real and where all people can grow in faith in order to actively seek unfulfilled Chrstians of all ages in Jefferson County.
As part of our worship at Lutheran Church of the Master, we profess our unity with all Christians through the profession of the Apostles Creed: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Holy Communion is celebrated at every Sunday worship service. Believing this is God's free gift, we welcome to the table everyone who is present at worship, regardless of age or whether or not you are Lutheran or a member of our congregation.
Lutherans believe that the Bible is the most important of all the ways God’s person and presence are revealed to humanity. The Bible contains the story of God’s interaction with humankind, first through the understanding of the Jewish people (Old Testament - 39 books), and subsequently to all people through God’s self revelation in Jesus (New Testament -27 books). ELCA Lutherans confidently proclaim that God inspired the Bible’s many writers, editors and compilers. As they heard God speaking and discerned God’s activity in events around them in their own times and places, the Bible’s content took shape. Among other things, the literature they produced includes history, legal code, parables, letters of instruction, persuasion and encouragement, tales of heroism, love poetry and hymns of praise. ELCA Lutherans recognize that human testimony and writing are related to and often limited by culture, customs and world view. Today we know that the earth is not flat and that rabbits do not chew their cud (Leviticus 11:6 ). These are examples of time-bound cultural understandings or practices. By no means does the human presence in sacred Scripture detract from the Bible’s testimony to God. The Bible’s reliability lies not in reading it as science or proscription, but as humankind’s chief witness to God, reflecting on faith as it is to be lived. Again, ELCA Lutherans judge all Scripture through the window of God’s chief act - that of entering human flesh in Jesus of Nazareth - and they interpret Scripture by listening to the living Jesus in the context of the Church.
Reading the Bible, God's Word, is the most important thing. If you find it tough going, perhaps you should try out a more readable translation, such as The Message, the New Living Translation, or the Contemporay English Version. For an in-depth comparison of the many translations currently available, visit The International Bible Society. A good source for buying Bibles on-line is bibles.com.
Please feel free to worship with us, participate in adult education, e-mail Pastor Rob or call 303-988-6400. Some books we recommend to get you started: No Experience Necessary by Kelly A. Fryer, a breezy, easy to read introduction to Christianity; Christian Faith, The Basics, by Walt Kallestad, more formal than No Experience Necessary, but with the same message; The Lutheran Handbook, a quirky combination of theology, Bible basics, practical advice and humor; all available from Augsburg Fortress; and The Case for Christ, by Lee Strobels, available from Christianbook.com.
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