The Lutheran Church is the oldest Protestant Church in the world. We acknowledge Martin Luther as powerful proclaimer of the Gospel. And as the founder of the Lutheran movement in the early 16th century. Currently, there are millions of Lutherans world-wide. We at Apostles are part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. The ELCA is 5.2 million members strong, with over 11,000 congregations.
Our central teaching is the good news of God's love and grace which reconcile us, through Christ, to God, and to one another. We believe that God's love in Christ comes to us freely as a gift.
The Lutheran church grounds its faith and its worship in Christ's love as revealed in the Holy Scriptures and reflected in the creeds and Lutheran confessions.
The Lutheran Church is a sacramental church, stressing Holy Baptism and Holy Communion as "means of God's Grace." We encourage Baptism at any age, and frequent communion of all Christians, including children who have completed communion instruction at age 10 or grade 5.
The Lutheran Church does not legislate moral conduct, but rather encourages us all to let Christ's love motivate us to love our neighbors.
Holy Baptism makes us brothers and sisters in Christ. Together we are the body of Christ in this world. We are the "catholic" or universal church. Baptized men and women are encouraged to become part of Apostles Lutheran Church, one expression of this body of Christ, by speaking to the pastor, participating in membership classes, and by affirming their baptismal faith in a service of worship. Baptized children join with their parents.
Confirmation in the faith follows study of Luther's Small Catechism. This study is open to all adults and to youth in the 7th grade or above.