Our Saviors Lutheran Church
218-281-1239
We Believe
Who is God?
We believe that there is one God, in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This God is the Creator of all things, making them out of nothing, as Genesis teaches. Further, God has redeemed (bought back) His creation at the price of the suffering and death of Jesus Christ on the cross. And God has called us to faith in this grace, and He keeps us in that faith, by means of the Gospel and the sacraments.
Who is man?
God created Adam from the dirt, and Eve from Adam's rib. These two are the ancestors of all humankind. In Eden, Adam succumbed to Satan's temptation and sinned; all born of man and woman since then inherit that fallen and sinful condition (called original sin - sin in our origins) and because of that, we sin daily in our thoughts, words, and deeds (actual sin - sin we commit by our actions). This sin (both original sin and actual sin) merit eternal punishment. Man is totally unable to free himself from sin or its consequences.
Who is Jesus?
Jesus is the Son of God (the Second Person of the Trinity) who has come down from heaven and become man, to save us. He is true God and true Man; Son of God and Son of Mary (yet born without sin, as He has no human father but is conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit). In our place, He lived the perfect life of obedience to the commandments and Law of God (active obedience). In our place, He suffered on the cross the full price for all sin, of all people (passive obedience). On the third day, Easter, He rose from the tomb victorious over our enemies of sin, death and the devil. He ascended into heaven, where He now rules all things for the welfare of His Church. He will return on the Last Day as Judge of all, at which time He will raise our bodies from the grave, purified of all sin and its effects, to live forever with God in the new and perfect heaven and earth He promises.
For more information please contact us:
Pastor's e-mail: pastor.oslds@midconetwork.com
Secretary's e-mail: bookkeeper.oslds@midconetwork.com
Or visit the Missouri Synod's website
Our Practice
What is the worship service like?
Our Savior's is a liturgical church, meaning that our worship follows a recognized and set pattern. We almost always use one of the orders of service from one of our church body's hymnals, with communion on the first/third/fifth Sundays of each month. These services are solemn yet joyful, as we focus on the work of God for us in Christ Jesus and applied to us by the Holy Spirit. Both God's Law (summarized in the commandments, which show us our sin and need for a Savior) and Gospel (what Christ has done for us in His life/death/resurrection) are evident throughout the service. There is participation by the congregation in responsive reading, hymns and prayers. Often there is special music by one of our choirs.
Who may commune here?
We commune members after they have completed instruction (typically 8th grade for junior confirmation; adults may commune after they have completed instruction with the pastor). Nonmembers and guests who wish to receive communion are asked to speak with the pastor prior to the service. Our Savior's practices "closed communion" which means that we only commune members and those whose confession of faith is the same as that of this church. Exceptions to the general rule may be made, at the discretion of the pastor (with the counsel of the elders, if necessary - the final decision, however rests with the pastor). This is NOT a judgment on the faith or salvation of anyone, but rather in keeping with St. Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 11 and a desire to protect a person from receiving the Sacrament in an unworthy manner, to his spiritual harm.
Communion Policy
In joyful obedience to the teaching of Scripture, we have promised to practice close communion. Guests who desire to commune are asked to speak with the Pastor before the service.
During the Distribution o Holy Communion, we all drink the cup when the Pastor speaks the words "Take and Drink" showing the unity of he church.
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.
What are the Sacraments?
The Lutheran Church often gives a three-part definition of a sacrament:
1) Instituted by Christ:
2) With an earthly element connected to God's promise;
3) Which gives the forgiveness of sins
Using that definition; there are two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord's Supper. In baptism we are joined to Christ, our sins are washed away, we receive the Holy Spirit, and we become God's children. In the Lord's Supper, Jesus gives us to eat and drink His Body and Blood (along with the bread and wine), for the forgiveness of sins and the strengthening of faith.
What is the Bible?
The Bible is the very Word of God, written by men but by the inspiration of the Lord. Therefore, every word is His. As such, it cannot err or be wrong. It is the source and fount of all doctrine (teaching) for the Church.
What are the Lutheran Confessions?
The Lutheran Confessions are the official teaching and confession of faith of the Lutheran Church. They are found in the Book of Concord of 1580. Included in these statements of belief are the three Creeds (Apostles, Nicene, Athanasian), the Augsburg Confession, the Apology (or Defense) of the Augsburg Confession, the Smalcald Articles, the Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope, the Small Catechism, the Large Catechism, and the Formula of Concord. these writings are NOT on the same level as the Bible, but they Do accurately summarize and teach the scriptural truth. Our congregation, school, pastor, and teachers have all pledged to teach and practice the Christian faith as expressed in the Lutheran Confessions.
What does Our Savior's have to offer families with children?
Worship is central to all we do and are as Christians. Families, as families, are encouraged to attend worship together and grow in faith; there is nothing better for children than to see the faith practiced and lived out by their parents, including regular worship attendance. Sunday school classes are offered for children, pre-school through high school (although high school students often join the Adult Bible Class). Each summer Vacation Bible School enrolls member and nonmember children, through junior high. We provide a parochial school for pre-school through 7th grade, with scholarship assistance available - both the school and financial aid are open to member and nonmember children. Children's choir offers an opportunity for youngsters to learn and use their musical gifts in God's service. Junior confirmation students also assist in the worship service as acolytes.
