[claschober]

Wow, I didn't even realize there was a Lutheran forum...I would just post on the Christian forum at times. Thanks for bumping this!

A little background: I was born and raised in the LCMS church (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod) and currently teach in a LCMS school. My husband was born and raised in an ELCA church. Our boys were recently baptized (after their finalization) in our church. My mother was raised Catholic and my father Methodist and when they married they started attending a Lutheran church. My mother's side of the family is devout Catholics so having a religious conversation with them is always fun...My grandparents were Methodist ministers and while they may not understand our beliefs they are for the most part respectful of them...I have found in my teaching that many of my students are from a Catholic background or non-denominational if they are not Lutheran.

The CIF championship of Orange Lutheran was great....That school has grown so much since I was a child and has an excellent sports program! Some of my old students now attend that school, so it was fun to watch the game and know some of the players!

I was having a conversation with my students the other day about the different synods and I could only think of three (ELCA, LCMS, and Wisconsin Synod)...I am sure there are more....does anyone know what they are? Where I live those are the three that we usually see so I would love to learn more about the others!

Thanks!

[Lorraine123]

My church is part of ECLA. My understanding of the Missouri Synod is that it is much more conservative. They do not believe in women pastors. Who knows more of the differences? I would be interested in learning.

[claschober]

Yes, it's true we don't have women pastors (which my dh doesn't understand since he grew up w/ one) and my understanding is LCMS is more conservative than ELCA but Wisconsin synod is more conservative than us....for me I don't see too many huge differences other than the view of women pastors, but I am curious as well as to what the differences are.....anyone know anymore differences?

[kakuehl]

There are a couple of other small denominations of Lutherans. (I'm not at home so I can't get my list.) Most are small groups consisting of only a few congregations. The Wisconsin Synod is theologically more conservative than the Missouri Synod and the Missouri Synod is more conservative than the ELCA (which has members from all over the theological spectrum.) The ELCA resulted in 1988 from the merger of the LCA, the ALC and the AELC (an offshoot that broke away from the LCMS over theological issues.) The ELCA practices open communion. Any Christian (who believes in the true presence of Christ) is welcome to the Table. LCMS practices a closed communion. If you are a member of LCMS (and talk to the pastor first) you are welcome at the Table. There are other differences which I (an ELCA pastor) think of as minor but may be seen as major by LCMS).

[BestLight]

I've got "Lutheran" written all over my life.

1. baptized in Lutheran church (ELCA)
2. went to Lutheran college in Kansas
3. adopted through Lutheran Family Services
4. have been treated for non-serious isssues at Lutheran Hospital.

I have always loved the music in the hymnals, especially "Earth and All Stars" and "Let us Break Bread Together."

I like that all people are ministers.

[claschober]

Thank you so much for the info kakuehl! I had forgotten about the communion being open vs. closed...I didn't realize ELCA has only been around for 20 yrs or so....it's hard sometimes to realize some of the differences when I am like you and view them as minor vs. major...this thread has been very enlightening for me and I look fwd. to other people's wealth of knowledge on the subject!

[kakuehl]

Originally Posted by BestLight

I've got "Lutheran" written all over my life.

1. baptized in Lutheran church (ELCA)
2. went to Lutheran college in Kansas
3. adopted through Lutheran Family Services
4. have been treated for non-serious isssues at Lutheran Hospital.

I have always loved the music in the hymnals, especially "Earth and All Stars" and "Let us Break Bread Together."

I like that all people are ministers.

I haven't checked the new hymnal, but I suspect both hymns are in it. I also like it

[kakuehl]

Oops! I posted that last one too soon. LOL. I was about to say... I too like it that we are all ministers. Liturgy means work of the people! When we worship all of us are involved, not just the pastor. We don't do "entertainment", we praise God together. As Lutherans we believe that we are both saint and sinner. We are forgiven by God's uncondtional love. We are saved- justified - by grace through faith alone in Christ alone apart from the works of the law.

Hmm. I think I'm preaching again. (Maybe it's because I'm on vacation tomorrow and not preaching tomorrow. I'll be going to a "fellowship" church with my sister-in-law. I will miss the liturgy.

[mrsred]

A group from our church went to a meeting last week to learn about the new hymnal (we are ELCA, if that makes a difference). They are very excited and said it is a real good blend of the older, traditional hymns (What a Friend We Have In Jesus, etc.) and the new praise hymns. I am excited to see it, but am not sure when we will be getting them for the congregation.
Our church has two services. The 8:30 service is a traditional Lutheran service, with the liturgy and the traditional hymns. The 11:00 service is a Praise service. Although we still follow the basic service, we do not go through the whole liturgy. I prefer the 8:30 service, as being raised Lutheran I find the liturgy very comforting. However, with three kids it is not always easy to get up and out the door early enough so we end up going to the Praise service more often. The kids like that one as it is so lively.
On another topic, our two adopted children (7 &10) are being baptized on the 18th of February. Does anyone know any appropriate scriptures or poems for the occassion?

[kakuehl]

On another topic, our two adopted children (7 &10) are being baptized on the 18th of February. Does anyone know any appropriate scriptures or poems for the occassion?

I'm away from my materials so I can give you more when I get home. There is an interesting connection to adoption in that as Lutherans we understand baptism as adoption into the family of God. (It's ultimately God's action not ours - that's why we baptize infants.)

Some possible scriptures:

Mark 10:13-16 13People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. 14But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 15Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." 16And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

Matthew 18: 1-14
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 2He called a child, whom he put among them, 3and said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
6If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7Woe to the world because of stumbling blocks! Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to the one by whom the stumbling block comes!
8If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than to have two hands or two feet and to be thrown into the eternal fire. 9And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into the hell of fire.
10Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven. 12What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.

Colossians 2:12 when you were buried with him in baptism, you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead

Romans 8:12-17 12So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh — 13for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" 16it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ — if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

[kakuehl]

Bumping this up!

[dkb60]

LCMC

we are the flavor of Lutheran that has left the ELCA for a variety of reasons and now have our own group (not a synod really)

Almost as many flavors of Lutherans as Baskin Robbins has ice cream.

D.

[kakuehl]

True, D. so tell us about the flavor of Lutheranism you adhere to!

[AnnaE]

Hi.. Life long Lutheran here. I am a Foster mom through Lutheran Social Service (as was my mom in the 1970's). I am also an adoptive mom of a now 13 year old girl and bio mom of 2 grown kids. Blessings! Donna

[kakuehl]

Hi Anna! Where do you live? I used to think about being a foster parent but at this time of my life serving 2 congregations takes all my energy!