While there are a variety of ways one could answer this question, one fundamental answer is simply this, “A Lutheran is a person who believes, teaches, and confesses the truths of God’s Word as they are summarized and confessed in the Book of Concord.” The Book of Concord contains the Lutheran confessions of faith. (Source: https://bookofconcord.org/other-resources/faqs/ )

The Book of Concord was published in German on June 25, 1580, in Dresden, the fiftieth anniversary of the presentation of the Augsburg Confession to Emperor Charles V at the Diet of Augsburg. A subsequent authoritative Latin edition was published in 1584 in Leipzig.

The Lutheran Church is part of the one, holy, Christian and Apostolic church established by Jesus Christ.  We trace our history back to the time of the New Testament and confess the biblical doctrines summarized in the Apostles’ Creed.

Lutheranism as a movement within the Christian Church is traditionally dated as beginning on October 31, 1517, the day the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther posted the 95 theses to the door of the castle church in Wittenburg, Germany, protesting abuses he felt existed in the church of that day.

Lutherans believe . . . 

• We are saved by grace of God alone and not by anything we do to save ourselves.  It is a gift from God.
• We know about that grace from the Bible alone.  The insight from other people or our own wisdom is not enough to reveal it to us.
• The grace of God becomes present in each of us only by God’s gift of faith which comes by the power of the Holy Spirit working in us, through Holy Baptism.

Lutherans also believe . . . 

• That God sends the gift of forgiveness to all people through the waters of Baptism – a gift available to adults and children alike.
• That the Body and Blood of Jesus are really present in, with, and under the Bread and Wine of the spiritual meal He shares with His people.  Therefore, we receive God’s gift of unconditional forgiveness every time we eat and drink the meal of Holy Communion. 

We believe Jesus is exactly who He said He is. Along with the ancient Church, we confess that Jesus is true God and true man in one person. He is the Son of God who was crucified and raised from the dead for the salvation of all who trust in Him.

• We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful humanity (John 1:1–2, 14; Luke 1:35).
•  We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a sacrifice on our behalf, and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Romans 3:24; 1 Peter 2:24; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:3–5).
• We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God as our Prophet, Priest, and King. (Acts 1:9, 10; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 9:24; Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1–2).
•  We believe Jesus is coming again to judge the living and the dead (1 Peter 4:5; Romans 14:9; 2 Timothy 4:1).

We believe that the one true God, Deut. 6:4; 1 Cor. 8:4, is the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost, three distinct persons, but of one and the same divine essence, equal in power, equal in eternity, equal in majesty, because each person possesses the one divine essence entire, Col. 2:9, Matt. 28:19. 

• The Father creates and preserves all things.  (Hebrews 11:1-3).
• The Son redeems the world by His death and resurrection. (John 3:16, John 5:39; Acts 4:12).
• The Holy Spirit, brings us to faith (Rom. 15:13), gives us new life (John 3:5-6), and works within us to renew our lives (Rom. 8:9, 1 Cor. 6:11).

Luther's Small Catechism is a catechism written by Martin Luther and published in 1529 for the training of children. 

The name commonly given to the regular weekly service that includes the celebration of the Lord's

Supper. Derived from the German Gottesdienst ("God's service"), its meaning is dual in nature. In

worship, God serves us with his gifts of forgiveness and life, and we respond in service to him

through our sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise.

Sometimes called “Communion" or "The Lord's Supper,” this sacrament involved bread and wine, which Jesus’ body and blood are in, with, and under. Those who believe this and partake in the meal receive forgiveness of sins.

Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:17-20; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25

We offer Eucharist at every service at which a Pastor presides, with a few exceptions.