Question for Lutherans

[darksky]

Luther is to Lutherans as Calvin is to Calvinists.

...Right? :)

Haha, Ok, now that I probably have people's attention...

I'm curious about Lutheranism. Are there any websites out there giving generally-accepted statements of beliefs?

I must confess, I have never been in a Lutheran church before. I am not accustomed to that church "culture". Been mostly in a reformed/Calvinist atmosphere. What is Lutheranism like to you, then? What is a Lutheran service like?

[MORTANIUS]

Luther's Church is really the Church that was set back on track when all the abuses of Rome refused to put itself back on track.

Make sense no?

[Protoevangel]

I'm curious about Lutheranism. Are there any websites out there giving generally-accepted statements of beliefs?
http://www.bookofconcord.org

[darksky]

Thanks for the replies.. I'll have to look into it all.

[ByzantineDixie]

What is a Lutheran service like?

Unfortunately...there is great variety in Lutheran services...everything from traditional to contemporary praise services, low church to high church so it's very difficult to describe a Lutheran service with a broad enough brush. You really have to visit the congregation to know what kind of worship is practiced.

Generally, a Lutheran church is a liturgical church. A prescribed liturgy is used and in most places it bears some resemblance to the novus ordo mass used in the Roman Catholic church. The church calendar is followed, Scripture readings are based on either a 3 or 1 year cycle linked to the church calendar (www.textweek.com (http://www.textweek.com)), vestments and/or paraments are in colors that are also linked to the cycle.

Holy Communion can be offered weekly, biweekly, monthly...but the current trend seems to be going to weekly. One thing, thankfully, that does not vary between the various Lutheran synods and congregations is the understanding of what Holy Communion is. While Lutherans surely do believe that Christ is "spiritually" present in the Eucharist, they also believe that Christ meant what He said...His Body, His Blood...are present in the bread and wine. This is a mystery Lutherans do not explain. Lutherans believe the sacrament offers forgivess of sins...life and salvation!

Some Lutheran churches invite everyone to partake in Holy Communion, some Lutheran churches restrict the Sacrament to those in the fellowship...that may mean to Lutherans only, to synod members only, or even to members of the congregation only. If you visit a Lutheran church, read the bulletin...it will surely let you know if "close" or "closed" communion is practiced there.

If you want to learn the basics...try Luther's Small Catechism here (http://www.christianforums.com/t686359-luthers-small-catechism.html).