Our History: A Legacy of Faith
Faith Lutheran Church's roots go back to 1948, when families began gathering for Sunday School and worship in homes and temporary spaces throughout Abilene. Officially formed in 1950, the congregation has grown and evolved, dedicating its first building in 1954, expanding its facilities in the years that followed, and continuing to invest in education, worship, and outreach ministries.
What We Believe
All churches in The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod are welcoming to all who desire to hear the truth of God’s work in the world.
Faith Lutheran Church, as a member of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod confesses the faith of Christ’s Church through history as expressed in the words of the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds that summarize our shared Christian faith as revealed in God’s holy Word.
We subscribe to the Book of Concord as “a true and unadulterated statement and exposition of the Word of God.”
As a congregation, we believe, teach and confess the following:
THE BIBLE
This is the inspired Word of God without error or contradiction. Holy Scripture is God’s authoritative Word which points us to God’s work through Christ for the redemption of mankind. (John 20:30-31; Luke 24:27; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 1:1-2)
GOD
He is one, yet He is eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4; St Matthew 28:19-21)
The Father—creator of all that exists;
Jesus Christ, the Son—became human to suffer and die for the sins of all human beings and to rise to life again in the ultimate victory over death and Satan;
the Holy Spirit—creates saving faith in Jesus Christ through God’s Word and Sacraments.
MAN
He was created by God in His image. (Genesis 1-2) As a result of sin, all people need to be rescued through the merits of Jesus Christ on the cross. We are all born in sin and have no hope of eternal life apart from Christ. (Psalm 51:5; Romans 3:9-20; 3:23; 5:12)
SALVATION
This is a free gift of God which cannot be earned by good works, but is freely given only through what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross. The question, “What must we do to be Saved?” is answered clearly: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.” (Acts 16:30-31; John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Timothy 1:15-17)
SAVING FAITH
Man is called to trust in the promise of forgiveness which is found in the cross of Jesus. This faith is created and sustained by the Holy Spirit, who lives in our hearts. He works through the Means of Grace—the Holy Gospel and the Sacraments. (Genesis 15:6; John 3:5-8; 17:17-20; Acts 11:14-18; Romans 3:21-26, 4:5-9, 5:1, 10:17; 1 Corinthians 1:21)
BAPTISM
God works washing and rebirth of man with water and the Holy Spirit. We confess that this merciful work of God is received by faith and is to be delivered to all nations, including our children. (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:16; John 3:5; Acts 2: 38-39; Ephesians 5:25-27; 1 Peter 3:18-22)
THE LORD'S SUPPER/THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR/HOLY COMMUNION
Bread and wine which is the true body and blood of Jesus Christ according to God's word of promise delivered for the forgiveness of sins. We have the practice of closed communion since unity in confession is necessary before this communal unity. We commune with those who confess that Christ's body and blood are truly present in the supper for the forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 10-11)
If you are a visitor to our congregation, please speak with the pastor prior to communing.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
Christ has given to His Church the binding and loosing of sins. We practice this both in private confession and publicly in the Divine Service. (Matthew 16:19, 18:18; John 20:21-23)
REPENTANCE
This is both sorrow over our sin and faith in the promise of forgiveness for the sake of Jesus. It comes only through the Holy Spirit's work in man. (Psalm 32, 80, 119:28; Lamentations 5:21, Mark 1:14-15; Acts 11:18; 1 Corinthians 2:14, Ephesians 2:8-9)
SANCTIFICATION
The Holy Spirit who brings Christians to repentance and faith, leads them to walk in the light of Christ rather than in the darkness of sin in the world. (John 15:12-17; Ephesians 2:8-10; Colossians 3; 1 Timothy 1:8-11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Titus 2:11-14; 1 Peter 4, 1 John 3)