We believe there is one God, eternally existing in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. A relationship with God is a gift of grace, not a human accomplishment.

The image on the left is a replica of the famous 15th-century icon by Andrei Rublev, inspired by Genesis 18, where three mysterious visitors appear to Abraham and Sarah at the Oak of Mamre. Although Abraham greets three distinct visitors, he addresses them as one "Lord." Christians have long understood this event as a theophany—a temporary manifestation of God before the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Because the Russian Orthodox Church discouraged depicting God the Father directly, Rublev used the three visitors as a symbolic image of the Holy Trinity.

• The Father (left): Sits upright in authority, blessing the cup and directing the Son toward the plan of salvation.

• The Son (center): Bows in willing obedience, pointing to the chalice as He accepts His sacrificial mission. His two fingers symbolize His fully divine and fully human nature.

• The Holy Spirit (right): Leans forward toward the world, pointing downward to represent His work of bringing God's grace and sanctifying believers. His gaze toward the Father completes the circle of divine love and unity.

The reflection of the stained glass window in the church sanctuary can be seen in the image.

The Holy Spirit is truly present at work in the community of believers. Its gifts vary from person to person and no one is left out.

This image shows a portion of a mosaic created by the Evening Vacation Church School class of 1965. The dove is the traditional Christian symbol of the Holy Spirit, representing peace, purity, and God's divine presence.

• Biblical Origin: The symbol comes from the Baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:16), where the Holy Spirit descended upon Him "like a dove."

• Old Testament Roots: The dove also recalls Noah's Ark (Genesis 8), returning with an olive branch to announce that God's judgment had ended and peace had been restored.

• Theological Meaning: The Holy Spirit did not become a bird as Christ became human. Rather, the dove is a visual symbol of the Spirit's gentle, pure, and life-giving presence among God's people.

We teach that the Holy Bible is the Living Word of God and functions as the authority in matters of faith and life.

We are a people of prayer and believe that God will answer prayer and longs for all of us to grow in prayer.

These are the famous companion art prints titled "Saying Grace" (also commonly known as Grace and Gratitude or Praying Grandparents) by the artist Richard Brooks. They were widely popular in mid-to-late 20th-century American households as symbols of humble faith, family tradition, and thanksgiving.

In the Small Catechism (1529), Martin Luther provided structural formulas for household meal prayers. In the Large Catechism (1529), he detailed the broader theological obligation of common prayer.

Luther organized his teachings on prayer into the following structural categories:

Prayers at Meals (The Small Catechism)

Designed as interactive, daily liturgies for the household, these prayers are divided into asking a blessing before eating and returning thanks after, involving the recitation of psalms, the Lord's Prayer, and specific collective prayers. 

• Asking a Blessing (Before): The household stands reverently with folded hands to recite Psalm 145:15–16, the Lord’s Prayer, and a concluding prayer.

• Returning Thanks (After): Similarly, the household recites Psalm 136:1 and 147:9–11, the Lord’s Prayer, and a concluding prayer. 

Common Prayer (The Large Catechism)

In Part III of the Large Catechism, Luther establishes prayer as a vital, commanded duty rather than an option. 

• An Absolute Commandment: Linked to the Second Commandment, neglecting prayer is seen as direct disobedience.

• The Weapon Against the Devil: Corporate prayer is described as a necessary, protective shield against spiritual warfare.

• Rejection of Worthiness: Luther emphasizes praying based on God's promise, not personal merit, warning against doubting God's word.

• Prescribed Words: The Lord's Prayer is upheld as the ideal, divinely given template for prayer.

We teach that no one is perfect and that everyone has sin and needs the grace, love, and forgiveness of God.

The painting on the left, The Light of the World, was created by William Holman Hunt between 1851 and 1854.

It depicts Jesus standing at night before a weathered, overgrown door, holding a lantern and preparing to knock. The scene illustrates Revelation 3:20: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock," portraying Christ as patiently inviting, rather than forcing, His way into the human heart.

Hunt filled the painting with rich symbolism. The door has no exterior handle, signifying that only the individual can open the heart to Christ. The overgrown vegetation and rusted hinges represent a life long closed to spiritual renewal, while the lantern symbolizes Christ as the Light of the World, bringing truth, hope, and salvation.

We believe, teach and confess that Jesus is truly present in, with and under the elements of bread, water, and wine nourishing our lives on earth with these gifts.

The image to the left is a bronze casting of Leonardo DaVinci's painting "The Last Supper". It depicts Jesus' last time with His disciples on the night he is betrayed - the night before his Crucifixion. When celebrating Communion the whole community of believers are united in the presence of Christ.

Baptism is the symbol of the death of our old-self. It signifies that the "Old Adam" (the sinful nature in us) should be drowned and die by daily sorrow and repentance. On the other hand, it means that a new person should come forth and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.

The image to the left is the Baptismal font at The Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. It stands at the entrance to the sanctuary serving as a reminder of our Baptisms marking us as Christ's forever. 

“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4) 

The Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is a small part of a greater body of Christ alive in the world and affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America  (ELCA). 

The ELCA is led by Bishop Yehiel Curry out of Chicago, Illinois. 

The Good Shepherded Lutheran Church is in the Southeastern Synod (9D) under Bishop Kevin Strickland based in Atlanta, Georgia.