Simply put, a Christian is a person who follows Jesus Christ. Some believe Jesus was primarily a gifted Jewish rabbi of the first century, an inspirational teacher, and a moral instructor. Christians go further and affirm that the Jesus bar Joseph who was born 2000 years ago in the town of Bethlehem, Israel, is God. They not only affirm that Jesus is "God With Us," but also that they intend to conform their lives to His through the power of the Holy Spirit.
A Lutheran is a follower of Jesus Christ, a member of the Christian Church. His or her faith centers on the good news of what God has done in Jesus Christ. Lutherans are the oldest of the groups that are heirs to the Reformation of the western church four or five centuries ago. There are about ten million Lutherans in the United States.
The word Lutheran was a nickname received in the sixteenth century. The denomination is named for the founder of the church Martin Luther (1483-1546) who, ironically, did not want to found a new church. Luther did not welcome such a designation for his fellow believers.
Who was Martin Luther?
Martin Luther was a fallible, energetic, robust, occasionally crude, never dull German monk who had tried to please God by living the disciplines of a medieval Roman Catholic monastery. But he felt nothing he did was pleasing to God. Following intensive Bible study he discovered a new way to view God, different from what he had been taught. He learned about a God of love and forgiveness, a God of inclusivity and grace. This was the God he wanted others to hear about too.
What do Lutherans Believe?
The heart of Lutheran belief is that people are loved and forgiven children of God, and they have done nothing to earn or to deserve these gifts. Jesus Christ, God's Son, lived, died and rose again for the sake of humanity. The Holy Spirit has been given to humanity, making it possible for people to have faith. It is Jesus' acts, and this faith - both gifts from God - that guarantee our salvation. We may feel we don't deserve it; we may feel we haven't earned it. But that doesn't make it any less true.
Lutherans believe that Jesus is just as much alive today as he was that first Easter day. Through the Word of God - the Bible - Christians learn about Jesus, the early church and the Christian faith. And, through the Holy Sprit Christians are empowered to live out that faith. One day, Jesus will return and gather all believers to be a part of God's glorious reign.
Are there different groups of Lutherans?
Yes, there are different groups of Lutherans! Faith is a part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. There are over 5.2 million ELCA Lutherans in over 11,000 congregations, making it the fifth largest Christian church body in the United States. Faith is but one of 217 congregations in the Northeastern Ohio Synod, one of 65 synods spread out over the United States and Puerto Rico.
Lutherans are known for excellent social ministry organizations that serve hundreds of thousands of people. The ELCA supports 29 nationally acclaimed colleges and universities and eight seminaries that prepare leaders for ministry. Time and money are invested in immigration and refugee placement services and disaster relief work. International projects of care, service, witness and justice are done in partnership with 114 churches of the Lutheran World Federation and with U.S. partner, Lutheran World Relief.
Other Lutheran groups include the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and the Lutheran Church-Wisconsin Synod. These are separate denominations and are in no way connected with the ELCA. Consider linking to their national Web pages to learn more about them.
What authority does the Bible have in your church?
Lutherans accept the canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments (i.e. the Bible) as the inspired Word of God and the authoritative source and norm of its proclamation, faith, and life. It is acknowledged that individuals composed the Bible over a 2500 year time period. Therefore the culture of multiple places and the mindset of varied eras are reflected in the Bible, which is actually a collection of books. However, even though the culture of the Bible's writers is in the past, the Bible describes the timeless character of God, the Divine plan for the world, and the gift of the Son Jesus. As Martin Luther once said, "the Bible is the cradle in which the Christ Child is laid."
What about women? Does your church ordain women?
Yes, the ELCA has ordained women for over 30 years. Women assume leadership in many ways in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
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Faith Lutheran Church was established in 1955 to provide a foundation for ministries that strive to meet the needs of the congregation, community and the world. The congregation's vision is: To share the good news of Jesus with everyone; to transform followers into disciples with faith that works in real life; to joyfully go and share his love in the world. The church is located at 2726 West Market Street, Fairlawn, Ohio 44333 (330-836-8811). Fairlawn is a northeastern suburb of Akron. The building is prominently located on a major thoroughfare of the city across from Fairlawn Town Center.The current Pastor at the church is Pastor Jean M. Hansen who began her ministry at Faith on May 6, 2002. She previously served as Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sharon Center (1989-1998) and as Director of Pastoral Care at St. Luke Lutheran Community in North Canton (1998-2002).
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How did you get started?
Faith is very much a product of the post-war baby boom of the 1950s. After the returning GI's settled down and married, their families began to grow and prosper along with the economy. Among those young families was Kenneth Sauer, a recent graduate of Hamma School of Theology in Springfield, Ohio. He was the congregation's first pastor, and his 18-year tenure provided stability to the congregation that contributed significantly to its growth. Pastor Sauer left to become a Bishop of the church. During the next 30 years gifted pastors, associates in ministry and lay people, have faithfully served the church.
Tell me about your church’s worship.
Faith Angel by: Amy Frank
(View Amy's work of art in person!) |
Starting June 19th, 2005 - Faith is blessed to have two very different worship services; at each one God's name is praised with great music and God's word is shared with insight and humor!
Traditional Worship is at 9:15 a.m. in the Sanctuary. A variety of liturgical orders of service and hymns are used for worship; music is led by the Organist and the Celebration Choir. Holy Communion is celebrated on the first and third Sundays, except during the seasons of Advent and Lent when it is offered weekly.
Contemporary Worship is at 10:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. This is a contemporary praise service led by BOUND, a band comprised of gifted musicians. It is an informal service. Holy Communion is offered every Sunday.
Wine, grape juice and bread are used for Holy Communion. At Contemporary Worship worshippers receive the bread, which then may be dipped in the wine or grape juice. At Traditional Worship, participants receive a bread wafer and wine or grape juice in individual cups.
We welcome all baptized Christians to receive Holy Communion.
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What about Learning?
Learning opportunities for children and adults are offered at both worship times to encourage families to learn and to worship together. It is hoped that everyone will participate in both learning and worship on Sundays, September-May. It's all about options - select one time for learning and one time for worship!
The Explorers' Club is for age 3 through Grade 6. Identical sessions are held from 9:15-10:20 a.m. or 10:30-11:35 a.m.
Confirmation Class for grades 7-8 is from 9-10:20 a.m. (note the earlier starting time) on the second, fourth and fifth Sundays of the month. The class also meets from 6:30-8 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of the month.
High School students meet from 9-10:20 a.m. on the first and third Sundays of the month.
Learning opportunities for adults are offered during both worship times.
Also, the Kinship Cafe Coffeehouse - OPEN: 10 AM - 11:30 AM in the Market Street Lobby
How do I get to know anyone?
There is a group in the church who help people to get to know one another. The Congregational Life and Nurture Committee sponsors all kinds of events and opportunities throughout the year for people to meet. We go to Indians games; take train rides; visit the Amish country; go to plays; have picnics. You name it; we have done it at one time or another.
Do you do any Social outreach?
Faith is a covenant church with the Opportunity Parish Ecumenical Neighborhood Ministries of Akron. The church partners with several other churches in the Akron area to minister to the great needs of those living in downtown Akron. These programs include literacy, meals, a food pantry, a free clinic, summer Bible school, etc.
Faith Lutheran Church also supports Habitat for Humanity, the Summit County Children Services, Salvation Army, the Boy Scouts (we sponsor a Cub Pack and Scout Troop), Good Neighbors as well as a variety of other ministries.
For more information surf to our Community Outreach Page
How do you financially support your ministry?
The ministry of Faith Lutheran Church is supported through the offerings of the members. Fundraisers are not held to support the budget. People are asked to give to the church in proportion to their income. It is a request, a hope. Once a year members are asked to make a commitment concerning what they will give to the church, but whether or not that commitment is met depends on that person's circumstances and choices. It is through faithful giving of financial resources, as well as time and talents that the ministry of the church is done.
Do you do weddings and baptisms for non-members?
The pastor decides whether she will do weddings for non-members subject to time and availability. There is a charge, however. You may call the office for a wedding policy sheet that explains all the details.
In order for a child to be baptized, one of the parents or a guardian must be, or become, an active member of the congregation. (This means that the person is a confirmed member who has taken Holy Communion and given a contribution of record in the current or previous year.) The reason for this is that not only does Baptism establish a relationship between a person and God; it also establishes a relationship between that person and a community. Indeed, when a person is baptized at Faith, he or she becomes a member of the church. But if the parents of that infant have no intention of becoming an integral part of that community, then the church community has no way of following through on its commitment to the newly baptized child.
If you have other questions you would like to ask, please send the Pastor an Email or contact her at (330) 836-8811
