Worship in Word and Sacrament
Wait…”Word AND Sacrament”? Does this go against “Scripture Alone”?
As Lutherans, we confess what Martin Luther writes in his Small Catechism: “the Holy Spirit has called us by the Gospel, enlightens us with His gifts, sanctifies and keeps us in the true faith.” (SC, The Creed) We believe God has called us by His grace alone, through faith alone, according to Scripture alone.
In addition, we believe the Holy Spirit gives us “gifts” – people, places, and objects – through which we are able to see, touch, and taste this grace. We call these gifts “Sacraments,” God-given means through which we can be confident in His promise of forgiveness.
At Grace, we regard Baptism and the Lord’s Supper as Sacraments instituted by Jesus Christ. We also treat the rite of Confession & Absolution as a sacramental action, as it testifies to the reality of forgiveness offered to all through Christ.