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First Lutheran Church, Upper Sandusky, Ohio USA
Resources
Worship and Mission Highlights
Additional Worship Opportunities: a Saturday evening service at 5:30 pm
is held the first Saturday of the Month for those who can't make Sunday
morning worship,
Lutherans in Partnership (Upper Sandusky): First has joined North Salem and St. Paul parishes in a joint ministry known as Lutherans in Partnership (and often LIP) that addresses the needs and dreams of all three congregations. North Salem in rural Salem Township, was going to be hard-pressed to afford a fulltime pastor and all three churches desired to add family and youth ministry capabilities to serve members and the community. St. Paul and First contracted with North Salem for one-half of their pastoral position and Pastor Julie Martin was called to North Salem, also serving as the FYM leader for all three congregations. LIP puts an enhanced emphasis on nurturing fellowship, mission, education and service opportunities for families with children and youth. Regular events bring together people from all three churches and the junior high and high school youth meet and hang out in their new youth room at St. Paul's. More news and pictures here soon. Partnership in Tanzania: ELCA synods (geographical divisions) are linked in partnership relationships with other Lutherans around the world for mutual encouragement in mission. The Northwestern Ohio Synod is linked with the Dodoma Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania. The ELCT is one of the largest and fastest-growing Lutheran church bodies in the world. It has roots in the work of German missionaries in their former colony and the nurturing of American and Scandinavian Lutheran churches after World War I and was formed in 1963 from church bodies in Tanganyika (continental Tanzania). NWOS congregations are linked with parishes in the Dodoma diocese, which is a mission area of the ELCT. First is linked with Rofati subparish in Dodoma's Kondoa District, a majority-Muslim area. First's Stuart Smith visited there in 2002. We have been starting to exchange contacts. NWOS Lutherans have been working to support the mission efforts of the Dodoma diocese and efforts to improve the economy, health and agriculture. People of First restored a tractor for Tractors for Tanzania in 2002 and supervised a student project to rebuild a corn planter in 2003 and are shipping supplies in 2003. A 1999 travelogue, reflections from NWOS women on the 2002 trip, and an informative link on efforts in Dodoma give you an idea of what's being done. More information and pictures here soon. Go to Top
First Lutheran is a Gospel-proclaiming (evangelical) church. Proclamation of the Gospel (the good news of Jesus Christ and salvation for humankind) in Worship at First follows the Revised Common Lectionary - a selection of scripture for proclamation in worship intended to cover a large portion of the Bible over three years. Scripture Readings: The Bible is the written Word of God in our faith lives. Bathe yourself in this rich gift of God. "No matter how secular our culture becomes, it will remain drenched in the Bible. Since we will be haunted by the Bible even if we don't know it, doesn't it make sense to read it? To read the Bible is to be reminded, as Bill Moyers says, 'that what is in us is worth more.'" Tabitha Soren, 30-something, MTV political correspondent. From 250 Ways to Make America Better (Villiard Books).
... More than this building or congregation! The Christian church is made up of those (everywhere!) who are baptized and receive Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Savior of the world. Lutherans believe that they are a part of a vast, varied and ancient community of faith that began with the gift of the Holy Spirit, God's presence with his people, on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2 in the Bible). The church, regardless of the external form it takes, is the fellowship of those who have been restored to God by Christ -- who chose us before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1). Indeed, to be called into fellowship with Christ is also to be called into community with other believers. We in the church are literally all members of the Body of Christ (Romans 12). Jesus is the true Vine and we are its branches (John 15). The church is essential to Christian life and growth because Jesus nurtures believers through its work. The Church exists to proclaim the living Word of Christ, administer the Sacraments and gives itself to the world in deeds of service and love. A Lutheran is a member of a Christian denomination (also known as Evangelical) named after Martin Luther, the 16th-century German pastor who believed the Roman Catholic Church was in need of reform. On October 31, 1519, he began the successful phase of the Protestant Reformation (see these resources for more on that) when he nailed 95 debating points (theses) on the door of the church at Wittenberg in eastern Germany. The result (after much theological and political struggle), was a reform of the whole Church that restored the teaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ's life, death and resurrection as our means of salvation, as revealed in the Bible. Lutherans still celebrate the Reformation on
October 31 (why you may hear somebody call a cheery "Happy Reformation Day!"
instead of "Happy Halloween") and still hold to the basic principles of theology
and practice espoused by Luther (also embraced by ALL Christian churches!
Including (OK, more or less...) our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters in the
faith), expressed succinctly in Latin: Sola Gratia,
Sola Fide, Sola Scriptura:
Unfortunately, Lutherans themselves are organizationally and doctrinally divided. Statements made here apply to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the largest U.S. Lutheran body, of which First Lutheran is a member congregation, and the Lutheran World Federation, to which the ELCA belongs. Why are there so many churches if all believe the same things? Because of human sin (including hurts and choices that go all the way back to the 16th Century -- Some even to Roman times!), the church remains divided. Islamic writers point to this divisiveness as proof that Christianity is doctrinally weak and based on false assumptions from a corrupted, patched together scripture. (Of course, their Qu'ran and other documents are also compiled from followers' memory of the Prophet's teachings after Mohammed's death -- and their own Shia - Sunni rift is more severe than typical denominational disagreements.) However abused, the Holy Scriptures endure and witness to the central message of God's love and care for us. The Church is periodically renewed and refreshed by reform, and many Lutherans still consider themselves as a reforming movement within the Church universal (catholic). Lutherans have engaged in dialogue and close fellowship with other church bodies for decades. Recently, we in the ELCA have concluded full communion agreements with Reformed churches, the Moravian Church, and the Episcopal Church USA, and the Lutheran World Federation concluded a Joint Declaration on Justification by Faith with the Roman Catholic Church. The Lutheran movement came to America with
German and Scandinavian immigrants. Differences in language, culture and
practice were difficult to overcome (you get a taste of this if you listen to
Prairie Home Companion
on public radio or "Sven and Ole" jokes),
and North American Lutherans were once were divided into 150 bodies! We as
Lutherans are trying to move beyond these ethnic and regional labels, and there
are many fewer groups now. First Lutheran is a congregation of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA),
a body of 5.2 million people in 11,000 congregations that is one of the many
Lutheran (Evangelical/Evangelische) churches worldwide.
The ELCA and Lutherans of First work and worship side by side with other
Christian churches in the community under Christ's banner in building the
Kingdom of God. Are Lutherans "born-again" Christians? Yes, in the true sense of Jesus' words. In the Gospel of John, chapter 3, as Jesus is talking with a Pharisee (devout Jewish scholar) named Nicodemus, our Lord says, "You must be born from above" (or again, in a spiritual sense). Lutherans believe we are born from above at our baptism when God publicly proclaims his acceptance of us, forgives our sinful nature, and plants the gift of faith in us through the Holy Spirit. The Lutheran Christian (with the help of "the great cloud of witnesses" (read the letter to the Hebrews) who help us along!) grows in understanding in the community of Christ and at some point (usually at confirmation) is asked to take responsibility for his or her own faith life. Although many Lutherans have emotional "born-again" experiences, many do not, and that's OK! Lutherans emphasize the importance of the loving nurture of the community (the responsibility of all in the church) which grows the seed of faith day by day, and many committed Lutherans can point to a period in their life when they decided to make a commitment for Christ. Lutherans are Evangelical and Pentecostal too -- Evangelical: Proclaiming the Word of God in Christ and very active in domestic and international missionary work and service (we could obviously do better...). While typically (not always :-)) calm in worship by tradition we believe our work for Christ and our worship is driven by the power of the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of Pentecost). So what do Lutherans say when asked, "When were you saved?" Perhaps the best answer for any Christian is, "Some two thousand years ago on a cross outside of Jerusalem." Scripture (our central guide and "norm" for answering such questions) gives a sense of the "timelessness" of salvation. The Gospel of Luke points to Jesus' birth as the beginning, John, in his Gospel, points to the Cross, 1st Peter to a future salvation, for example. To a Lutheran, "being saved" is that daily walk with God through the struggles and joys of life. God the Holy Spirit sustains and refines us throughout our lives, and God in Jesus Christ has brought/will bring/is bringing us home to eternal life with Christ. Go back to questions Go to top What's it like being a Christian in this Christian community? The ELCA is one church body that doesn't ask you to "check your brain at the door." And First is an accepting, nurturing community (come and see!). We recognize that ALL believers have struggles in their lives and faith. Many of us are wounded Christians and most of us must confess being mired in the things of the world. Regardless of our weaknesses, we believe that "Our God is an Awesome God" and capable of guiding us to His truth (if we're willing, that is) through the guidance of the Holy Spirit as revealed in Scripture, the teaching and example of the "great cloud of witnesses" around us in the church, and by direct inspiration. Come join us as we seek to know and worship the Lord in grace and truth. Go to top Church and Christians are a waste of my time...
Christians are well aware that they have failed many people over the centuries. Shock-rock artist "Marilyn Manson" (who is, so they tell us, attractive to many) is glaring proof of that -- brought up in a nominally Christian home in Canton, Ohio, sent to Christian school where he was treated poorly, and now on a mission to encourage disbelief in God (and bad taste). Ted Turner, founder of WTBS and CNN, has proclaimed "Christianity is for losers...." echoing his own experience of the church failing him when he needed it. Governor Jesse (the Body/the Brain) Ventura of Minnesota (whose wife is an active Christian) declared "organized religion" not worthy of his participation. These are tragic (and we trust, not permanent) losses from the Body of Christ. Christians often self-righteously condemn others, kick them when they're down ("you shoulda stayed married, you dope..."), fail to comfort, say stupid things ("It was God's will that your father was hit by that truck... He must have needed a welder..."), and generally seem to be people who are not much fun or even very interesting. Maybe being brought up Christian did not seem to do much for you, either.... For whatever reason, God has chosen to use us imperfect people and our institutions to spread his Gospel. We often fail to do the job properly because we don't listen well enough to instructions. Look past your hurts and our failings to what JESUS REALLY SAYS AND OFFERS YOU. You can find this in the New Testament of the Bible. Jesus Christ loves you with
an eternal love, stands beside you in your pain and failures, and offers you
eternal salvation and present peace you can never achieve yourself or by any
other means in this world. The Lutheran magazine produced by the ELCA offers thought-provoking articles monthly about life in the church: Why the Church's authority has weakened... How the Bible matters.... Family and international matters... Going beyond being a northern European cultural artifact.... Take a look at what The Lutheran offers. Go back to questions Go to top Want to know more?
Luther wrote the Small Catechism, a short instructional booklet to teach people about the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20), the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6) and the church's confessions of faith. A copy of this small guide to our faith (as well as the Bible and other spiritual resources) are available from this church. Just ask! If you're shy or in a hurry, look here for a copy many other resources (please come see us anyway). More resources and answers here at the ELCA's Spirituality Center Have a web browser but no Bible? Go here... Or ask for a copy of the Bible from the church. We'll give you one. Please contact us at First Lutheran: Would you like more information: How to involve your children, parents, and yourself? Do you need a ride? Send us your prayer requests (pray for us too!), let us help you meet your need to seek Christ, and seek answers to your skeptical and seeking questions:
E-mail First Lutheran or Tel: 419/294-3544.
First Lutheran's Links:
These links are provided for your education, convenience, amusement and enlightenment. First Lutheran Church, its leadership, pastor and members may not endorse any or all that is found at non-ELCA sites. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America ELCA churches are a welcome home to those who are looking for Christ to find them, seeking full Biblical truth, beauty in worship and tradition, while changing as the Spirit directs -- and you aren't asked to check your brain, doubts or opinions at the door. Northwest Ohio Synod Evangelical Lutheran churches (ELCA) in this part of Ohio.
This site and information provided here is sola gloria Dei -- for the glory of God alone.
Go to First Lutheran home page This Page Submitted by Stu Smith
email:stusmith@udata.com
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