Who We Are



	Saint Thomas was organized in 1939. We are 670 Baptized members, 449 Confirmed members and have an Average Worship Attendance of 115. We are in the Potomac Conference (East) of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Our building is Handicap Accessible.



	What is a Lutheran? Lutherans share a common faith with other Christians. They accept the Bible as the true source of Christian love, guidance, and doctrine. They accept the same ancient creeds. But they also proclaim God's message by emphasizing justification by faith, teaching that a person is not to live according to a formula of do's and don'ts, but in the freedom of Christian love, and not confusing law and gospel..



	Martin Luther Martin Luther (b. November 10, 1483, in Eisleben, Germany, d. February 18, 1546 in Eisleben) is known as the Father of Protestantism. He had studied to become a lawyer before becoming an Augustinian monk in 1505, and was ordained a priest in 1507. While continuing his studies in pursuit of a Doctor of Theology degree, he discovered significant differences between what he read in the Bible and the theology and practices of the church. On October 31, 1517, he posted a challenge on the church door at Wittenberg University to debate 95 theological issues. Luther's hope was that the church would reform its practice and preaching to be more consistent with the Word of God as contained in the Bible. His Life and teachings ushered in the age of the Protestant Reformation. These led to intellectual freedom, willingness to try new forms of government, a reduction in the barriers against free enterprise, the development of new forms of religious expression, and a growing awareness of the importance of the individual. Doctrine...at the heart of all Protestant religions are some of Luther's ideas of supremacy of scripture and justification by faith. Literature...Luther made the Bible available to all Germans. His hundreds of works circulated throughout Europe. Ethics...he stressed our responsibility to Christ and to all people. Above all...Luther called people to be faithful to their God. "A mighty fortress is our God; A bulwark never failing. Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing." Lutherans still celebrate the Reformation on October 31 and still hold to the basic principles of theology and practice espoused by Luther, such as *Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Sola Scriptura:* We are saved by the grace of God alone -- not by anything we do; Our salvation is through faith alone -- we only need to believe that our sins are forgiven for Christ's sake, who died to redeem us; The Bible is the only norm of doctrine and life -- the only true standard by which teachings and doctrines are to be judged. Another of Luther's principles was that Scriptures and worship need to be in the language of the people.




	The Reformation The Protestant Reformation, also referred to as the Protestant Revolution, was a movement in the 16th century to reform the Catholic Church in Western Europe. The Reformation was started by Martin Luther with his 95 Theses on the practice of indulgences. In late October of 1517 he posted these theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, commonly used to post notices to the University community. In November he mailed them to various religious authorities of the day. The reformation ended in division and the establishment of new institutions. The four most important traditions to emerge directly from the reformation were the Lutheran tradition, the Reformed/Calvinist/Presbyterian tradition, the Anabaptist tradition, and the Anglican tradition. Subsequent protestant traditions generally trace their roots back to these initial four schools of the reformation. It also led to the Catholic or Counter Reformation within the Roman Catholic Church through a variety of new spiritual movements, reforms of religious communities, the founding of seminaries, the clarification of Catholic theology as well as structural changes in the institution of the Church.



	What is the Sacrament of Baptism? Through water filled with the power of God's Word, Baptism: Washes away the guilt of our sins Bestows God's grace upon us Delivers us from the power of death Promises us eternal life in God's Kingdom Baptism is a sign & a deed. A sign of God's love and will that we be reborn in the image of Christ our Savior and a deed by God that enables us to live according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Why should I know about Baptism? Baptism opens the door to new life in Jesus Christ. It brings us closer to God & closer to others. Baptism marks the beginning of our spiritual journey in life. God walks with us on this journey, forgives our sins, and sends us the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Baptism lets us share in the life of Jesus Christ, who died on the cross so that we may have new life. Through Baptism we are reborn as children of God. We become brothers and sisters in a new family that includes Christians all over the world. The grace we receive at Baptism helps us throughout life to form relationships with others based on love, mutual respect and forgiveness. Through Baptism, each of us belongs to Christ. "So, if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!" 2 Corinthians 5:17 What is the origin of Baptism? The Old Testament describes ceremonies in which people washed themselves with water, to purify their bodies in obedience to God's law. John the Baptist, baptized people in the Jordan River. Unlike earlier washings, John's manner of Baptism summoned people to repentance. This was God's way of preparing people for the coming of the Messiah who would forgive their sins. Jesus' Baptism was in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. When Jesus came out of the water, a voice spoke from heaven and the Holy Spirit, descending in the form of a dove, filled Him. After the resurrection, Jesus gave the command to Baptize: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Matthew 28:19



	Holy Communion This sacrament instituted by Jesus, is: a reminder of the last meal shared by Jesus and the disciples before Jesus died, a memorial of Jesus' death on the cross so that we might have eternal life, and a physical means of experiencing God's grace through which the gifts of forgiveness, life and salvation come to us. It's also called " the "Sacrament of the Altar" and the "Holy Eucharist." Why should I know about this sacrament?* Knowing about this sacrament can enrich our lives by strengthening our participation in the life and work of the church. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is a gift from God, given not only for our personal benefit, but also for the benefit of others. The sacrament is a source of strength that enables us better to serve God and others. Knowing about this sacrament can enrich our lives by renewing our sense of security in a rapidly changing and uncertain world. The sacraments, which form the roots of our faith, provide us with a tangible means of understanding God's gift to us. Participation in the sacraments helps us to live more confidently. Knowing about this sacrament can enrich our lives by making us more aware that we need the spiritual nourishment that this sacrament provides. Baptism makes us children of God. Receiving the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper helps us to nourish and strengthen that relationship. What is the origin of this sacrament? The Old Testament tells of the first Passover meal, shared on the night before Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt and the bonds of slavery. God instructed the Israelites through Moses, to mark their door frames with the blood of a slaughtered lamb. The angel of death would then pass over these homes while claiming the lives of all firstborn Egyptian children. God instructed the Israelites through Moses, to gather to eat their last meal in Egypt. They shared roasted lamb (symbolizing sacrifice), unleavened bread (representing the haste of flight) and bitter herbs (recalling the suffering of slavery). "This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance." Exodus 12:14 The New Testament describes another Passover meal. On the night before the crucifixion, Jesus gathered with the twelve disciples to celebrate the Passover. Jesus instituted the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper at this meal. Jesus blessed and broke bread and said: "Take, eat; this is my body" (Matthew 26:26). Jesus also gave them a cup of wine, saying "Drink of it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins" (Matthew 26:27-28). Jesus chose to become the Passover (Paschal) lamb. Jesus' blood marked the wooden cross on which he was crucified. Once more, the angel of death passed over. This time, eternal life was made possible as Jesus had promised earlier. "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh." John 6:51 What is the significance of this sacrament? The Lord's Supper is one of two sacraments celebrated by Lutherans. The Sacrament of Baptism initiates our life in Christ. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper sustains that life. When we partake of this sacrament we: follow Jesus' command as recorded in the New Testament, receive God's gifts through Jesus' sacrifice, the forgiveness of sins and the promise of everlasting life in union with God is given to the church community, celebrate our joy on this solemn occasion through the continuing presence of Christ in our lives and God's concern for people on Earth, strengthen our fellowship through the act of sharing with others the gifts Jesus so willingly gave us, offer God praise and thanks through words and song, and remain close to God through continually nourishing and strengthening our relationship with God. Who may receive Holy Communion? Those who have faith. Trust in God's promise to forgive our sins through Jesus Christ is the most important requirement for receiving the Lord's Supper. Faith comes through the BELIEF Jesus died to make payment for our sins and BAPTISM which marks our birth into a spiritual life. The Sacrament of Baptism is the first time we receive the gifts of life, salvation and the forgiveness of sins. Since this sacrament is given only once, it is important that we continue to be strengthened in our relationship with God by joining in the Eucharistic meal.



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