WHAT IS THE LUTHERAN CHURCH?
Picture the year 1517: The Renaissance is flourishing. Pope Leo X leads the Roman Catholic Church. Henry VIII rules England. Great artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael are creating masterpieces, while Copernicus begins working on new scientific theories.
Amid this time of rebirth, a little-known monk and professor named Martin Luther takes a bold step. In the fall of that year, he posts a document—his famous 95 Theses—on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. His goal? To start a discussion about key issues in the church, including the sale of indulgences, the concept of purgatory, and the authority of the pope—all tested against Scripture and reason.
What happened next changed history.
With the help of the Gutenberg printing press, Luther’s ideas spread rapidly. He faced intense opposition—trials, excommunication, even threats to his life—but his message could not be silenced. What began as a call for reform became the spark for the Reformation.
Picture the year 1517: The Renaissance is flourishing. Pope Leo X leads the Roman Catholic Church. Henry VIII rules England. Great artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael are creating masterpieces, while Copernicus begins working on new scientific theories.
Amid this time of rebirth, a little-known monk and professor named Martin Luther takes a bold step. In the fall of that year, he posts a document—his famous 95 Theses—on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. His goal? To start a discussion about key issues in the church, including the sale of indulgences, the concept of purgatory, and the authority of the pope—all tested against Scripture and reason.
What happened next changed history.
With the help of the Gutenberg printing press, Luther’s ideas spread rapidly. He faced intense opposition—trials, excommunication, even threats to his life—but his message could not be silenced. What began as a call for reform became the spark for the Reformation.
The legacy? The birth of the Lutheran Church, the rise of many other Protestant traditions, and for the first time, the Bible was translated and made available to ordinary people. This movement emphasized personal faith, individual responsibility, and a deep connection to God’s Word—values that continue to shape lives and communities to this day.
Today there are around 110 million Lutherans world-wide.
WHAT DOES THE LUTHERAN CHURCH BELIEVE?
At the heart of the Lutheran church is an unchanging, unwavering belief in the salvation gained by us from the sacrifice of God’s only son Jesus Christ. Our belief is summarized in the following truths:
Scripture Alone - The Bible is the sole authority for what we believe, teach, and practice. Traditions and human teachings may be helpful, but they are always secondary to Scripture.
Grace Alone - We are saved purely by God’s grace, a gift we don’t earn and could never deserve. Our good works do not save us; God’s love does.
Faith Alone - Salvation is received through faith alone, a gift given to us by the Holy Spirit. It is not something we choose, it is something we are given.
Christ Alone - Everything centers on Jesus Christ. His perfect life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection are the foundation of our hope, our faith, and our future.
SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?
As a Lutheran, you believe:
- The Bible is the only source of truth for faith and worship.
- Your salvation is not based on what you do, but on what Christ has already done for you.
- You are saved by grace, through faith, in Christ alone—a relationship made possible by God, not earned by effort (see Ephesians 2:8-9).
These are the greatest truths of all!
HOW DO WE KNOW THIS IS TRUE?
The teachings of the Lutheran Church are not vague or hidden. They are clearly and publicly confessed in a collection of writings called The Book of Concord (also known as Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions).
First presented at the Diet of Augsburg in 1530, these confessions are grounded entirely in Scripture, citing Bible passages throughout. They include:
- The Augsburg Confession
- Luther’s Large and Small Catechisms, which teach the basics of the Christian faith
- Several other historical documents that explain and defend Lutheran beliefs
The Book of Concord is not a substitute for the Bible—it’s a confession that helps clarify and defend what we believe the Bible teaches. It’s over 600 pages long and freely available to read today. Not every church has such a transparent and Scripture-based record of faith.
Link to Concordia - https://bookofconcord.org/
Link to Luther’s Small Catechism - https://catechism.cph.org/
WHAT ARE LUTHERAN SERVICES LIKE?
Our worship services are deeply rooted in Scripture, rich in tradition, and centered entirely on Jesus Christ. We gather not to be entertained, but to join together in worship, reflection, and praise.
Our services follow a liturgical order, which means there’s a thoughtful, historical, and meaningful structure that guides us through worship. Whether you’ve attended church your whole life or you’re coming in for the first time, you’ll find the structure of the service comforting and easy to follow.
Here’s what you can expect in a typical service:
- Confession and Absolution – As a congregation together we humbly confess our sins and receive God’s forgiveness.
- Scripture Readings – From the Old Testament, Epistles, and Holy Gospels.
- The Nicene Creed – A shared confession of the Christian faith.
- A Christ-centered Sermon – Proclaiming God’s Word for our lives today and based on that Sunday’s Scripture readings.
- Prayers of the Church – Lifting up the needs of our community and world.
- The Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion) – Receiving Christ’s true body and blood for the forgiveness of sins.
- Benediction – A blessing as we go back into the world, renewed in faith.
- Hymns and Organ Music – Classic Christian hymns sung by the congregation with live organ accompaniment.
You may see some traditional Latin phrases during the service—like Kyrie ("Lord, have mercy") or Agnus Dei ("Lamb of God")—but everything is spoken and sung in English, with a printed order of service to help you follow along easily.
WE PROVIDE A FOCUSED ENVIRONMENT FOR WORSHIP
Our worship is intentionally free from distractions. We don’t use screens for entertainment, discuss politics, debate social issues, or critique other churches. While those topics may have their place, our time in the sanctuary is solely devoted to worshiping God.
The service is peaceful, meaningful, and spiritually grounding. Whether you're seeking a deeper relationship with Christ or simply a Sunday to reconnect with God, you'll find a welcoming place at Ascension Lutheran Church.
JOIN US THIS SUNDAY!
Whether you’re new to the area, returning to church after time away, or simply curious about what Lutheran worship is all about, you are warmly invited to join us this Sunday.
Service Begins at: 10:30am
Ascension Lutheran Church
610 W. Old Hickory Blvd.
Madison, TN 37115
MAP IT