Who Are We

What is a Lutheran?

The Lutheran church came into being in the 1500’s during a time of religious, cultural and political change.  Martin Luther was a Roman Catholic monk who challenged some of his (the Roman Catholic church of his time) church’s theology and practice.  In 1517, he wrote the 95 theses as a way to debate the issues he was concerned about.  Wikipedia notes that this was considered the start of the Reformation.  As a result of Luther, and other theologians’ writings, the Lutheran Church was born.  While initially a church located in Germany and a variety of Scandinavian countries, over the centuries the Lutheran Church has spread throughout the world.

Currently it is estimated that there are 75 million Lutherans world wide.  Bethany is a member of the Eastern Synod (link) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (link). The ELCIC has congregations in most provinces except Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island.  The ELCIC is in Full Communion with the Anglican Church of Canada (link) and more recently the Moravian Church in Canada (link).

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What do we believe?  (below is a small snapshot of a much bigger conversation)

Grace Alone through Faith Alone

Luther taught that we are justified by grace alone through faith alone.  This idea was central to the Reformation.  Luther believed that we were both saint and sinner.  Without God’s grace we are lost; with God were are given a gift, a heritage and a responsibility.  It is important to note that we do not earn God’s grace and do not deserve that grace.  Which is why we talk about grace being a gift.  God gives that gift.  It is up to us to accept the gift and work to understand and live out that gift.

We are called to love God with all our heart, mind and soul, and our neighbours as ourselves.  This command is to shape how we live as the people of God.

Theology of the Cross

In order for us to continue to understand grace, we need to focus on one of the central Lutheran perspectives, which is the theology of the cross.  It is the cross that is the central criterion of the church’s identity and its mission.  The cross represents God’s entering into every part of our life, including death, so that we would know God is present in all places of our life.  The example of Jesus, including his death on the cross tells us that God has not abandoned us, and in fact loves all humanity. 

God is found, not just in the “good” places of life but rather God is found in all places, including places of powerlessness, humiliation and suffering.  The theology of the cross calls us to respond to and seek to bring healing, wholeness and love wherever there is suffering and death. 

How we worship

We gather for worship each Sunday and on festivals to celebrate the gift of God’s love and grace and to learn what it means to be a Christian.  We have a standard liturgy (which means “the work of the people”) that is focused on hymns, prayers, scriptures and preaching of the Word.  We celebrate Holy Communion each week and all who wish are invited to receive bread and wine.  Lutherans like to sing and much of our liturgy can be either spoken or sung. 

Sacraments

In the Lutheran Church we celebrate two sacraments, Baptism and Holy Communion.  Luther and the gang believed that there were only two sacraments because these are the two specific actions that were instituted/commanded by Jesus.

Baptism is offered to all who seek it.  We baptize babies as a way to celebrate that God’s grace is given, even before we deserve it or understand it. 

Holy Communion celebrates the last meal Jesus had with his disciples.  Holy Communion celebrates God’s gift of new life through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.  We use real bread and wine.  All are welcome to come to the table.  Holy Communion is celebrated each Sunday and on festivals such as Christmas, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and any other non Sunday festivals.

 Priesthood of all Believers

Luther believed that all people should have the opportunity for a direct relationship with God, not just one that is mediated through the church.  As a result, he translated the Bible into German (the main language of his society) so that all people could read the bible on their own and learn and think about the Scriptures.  He believed that, in Christ, all people have received a holy calling. That means that all members of the church are responsible for proclaiming the word of God and caring for all people in the world, following the example of Jesus.

ELCIC Lutherans ordains both men and women.  Pastors support and help to lead congregations and ministries, in collaboration with members of congregations and ministries.  Pastors preside at worship along with lay leadership that includes being assisting ministers, readers, musicians and members participating in the fullness of the liturgy. 

The ELCIC welcomes all people to our churches and the wider work of the church, regardless of colour, culture, sexual/gender orientation and expression.

Book of Concord

The Book of Concord was written by Luther and a group of Lutheran theologians, both to articulate their understanding of faith and as a way to address the conflict with the Roman Catholic Church of the time. While its language and some of its ideas are reflective of the time it was written, the Book continues to be an accurate reflection of what it means to be Lutheran. 

Small Catechism

This small pamphlet was written by Martin Luther as a way to teach the basic tenants of the Christian faith as he understood it.  One of the unique features of the Small Catechism is that Luther asks the following question for each section-that question being “what does this mean?” The Catechism focusses on the following sections:  The Ten Commandments, the Apostles Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, Baptism, Holy Communion, the Office of the Keys and Confession.

SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY

Affordable Housing Project

Bethany has sold the property and building in order for an Affordable Housing Project of X units. The property was sold to Oxford County, who has then identified a new builder/owner of the property.  The start of construction is still to be determined.

Part of the current building will remain, including the sanctuary and the Fellowship Hall/kitchen area, which will continue to be used by the congregation of Bethany.

As part of the sale, a portion of that money will be used to reduce rents on some of the units, making them more affordable for members of the community.

Ukrainian Refugee Support 

Professional Activity Days events 

Operation Sharing

Food Bank contributions

Adelaide Soup Bowl

Worship services at Caressant Care

Members of Bethany provide occasional worship services to the residents of Caressant Care, leading them in song and providing a reflection on the Holy Scriptures.