What We Believe
Belief and Practice
With the whole Christian Church, Trinity Lutheran Church teaches and responds to the love of God the Father, creator of all that exists; His Son Jesus Christ, who became man to suffer and die for the sins of all human beings and to rise to life again in the ultimate victory over death and the devil; and the Holy Spirit, who creates faith in our hearts through God’s Word and Sacraments.
The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are equally one God (Christians call this the Trinity, meaning Three-in-One) .
Trinity Lutheran Church is a member congregation of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS).
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?”
Being “Lutheran”
The Lutheran Church is rooted in the church Reformation of the 16th century, which was led in large part by Martin Luther. The Lutheran Reformation was a return to Biblical teaching and a correction of certain errors and abuses that had crept into the Catholic Church over the centuries. “Lutheran” churches were at first called “Evangelical” churches because of their focus on the Gospel.
Lutheran teaching is often summarized in these three phrases: Grace alone, Faith alone, Scripture alone.
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Grace Alone - God’s grace is His unearned love. He loves you because He loves you, not because of any good thing you have done. God saves us by His grace alone. [Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5]
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Faith Alone - Jesus died on the cross as the substitute for all people of all time, paying the price for our sins by His suffering and death in our place. Sinners are counted righteous to God when they believe this promise [Romans 4:3-8; Romans 3:21-28]
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Scripture Alone - The Bible is God’s Word in which He reveals His Law and His Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ. It is the source and standard for Christian doctrine, life, and practice. We consider the whole Bible to be God's Word. [2 Timothy 3:16]
Social and Moral Issues
As Lutheran Christians we seek to follow God's Word on all issues related to faith and life, including social and moral issues. Our faith is in our loving God who does not change and who speaks through His written Word, the Bible. (LCMS Social Issues)
Luther's Small Catechism
What we call “the Small Catechism” is a short, Bible-based summary of the most important parts of the Christian faith. For nearly 500 years, Lutherans have used the Small Catechism to instruct children, adults, and new members, especially in preparation for Holy Communion. The Small Catechism is also a life-long tool for daily prayer and devotion.
Read Luther's Small Catechism
The Small Catechism is found in the Book of Concord which is the confessional standard (official statement of doctrine) for the Lutheran Church. Lutherans confess the Book of Concord to be an accurate exposition of the teachings of Scripture. An online version of the entire Book of Concord can be found here.