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Our Beliefs

What We Believe

At Shepherd of the Hills we believe, teach and confess that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Lord, and that through faith in Him we receive forgiveness of sins, eternal life and salvation. Being "Lutheran", our congregations accept and teach the Bible-based teachings of Martin Luther that inspired the reformation of the Christian Church in the 16th century. The teachings of Luther and the reformers can be summarized in three short phrases: Grace alone, Faith alone, Scripture alone.                                                                  

Grace alone
Salvation is the free gift of God's grace for Christ's sake alone.

Faith alone
Those who hear this Good News and believe it have the eternal life that it offers.

Scripture alone

The Bible is God's inerrant and infallible Word, in which He reveals His Law and His Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ.

 

Come Worship With Us!
When we worship with other Christians, receive the Lord's Supper and pray, we come close to God through His Son, Jesus Christ, and find forgiveness and new hope for living each day. At Shepherd of the Hills we believe in God's plan of eternal salvation through faith in the dying and rising of God's Son Jesus Christ and join together in worship to celebrate the Good News.

Shepherd of the Hills offers a Traditional service each Sunday morning. Our services are welcoming, practical, and serve as a powerful witness to God's love and forgiveness.

Growing Spiritually Through The Word
We also encourage spiritual development and Christian living and offer a variety of classes and groups that apply the Bible's truths to individuals' lives and help people understand what it means to be a Christian in the 21st century.

Bible Studies present an excellent opportunity to deepen your understanding of God's Word, to explore today's challenging issues, and to experience the support and encouragement of other Christians. We invite you to join one or more of our classes today!

Basic Lutheran Beliefs - What Do We Believe at Shepherd of the Hills?
One way to find out is to come to the Basic Lutheran Beliefs class. For those who want to join our Christian fellowship but are not yet confirmed as Lutherans, the class can lead directly to Adult Confirmation. But the class is for anyone who wants to get down to the basics of "What does the Bible say about being a Christian?"

The topics include:

  • The purpose of the Bible and how to use it
  • What God wants from people like us
  • Why God gave the 10 Commandments
  • Why God came the first Christmas and what Easter means for our eternal future
  • Why Christ created the Church
  • Baptism and Holy Communion, worship and prayer
  • How to grow as Christians

We would love to see you there. Please check the calendar for the next session or call the Church office for more information.

What We Believe, Teach, and Confess - Link to Small Catechism

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Georgetown, Indiana is a fellowship of Christians who confess faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Savior of mankind. We are Christ's Holy Church identified by the following foundational principles.

-We are a Biblical Church
-We are a Christ-centered Church
-We are a Confessional Church
-We are a Sacramental Church
-We are a Liturgical Church
-We are a Mission Church

Biblical: We believe the Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God and the only source and standard for Christian doctrine. God communicates His truth to people through His Word.

Christ-centered: Jesus Christ is true God and true Man who came down from heaven to fulfill God's plan of salvation by paying the price required for sin by offering Himself as the atoning sacrifice on the cross and proclaiming His victorious fulfillment of His mission by rising bodily to life on the third day. Jesus Christ is the central message of both the Old and New Testaments.

Confessional: We publicly proclaim our faith through the use of the historic Creeds (Apostles, Nicene, and Athanasian) and the Confessional writings (compiled in the Book of Concord) which provide a thorough and precise summary of the doctrines contained in the Holy Scriptures. These confessions anchor the church in God's Word, unite the church in doctrine and practice and provide the foundation for unity with all Christians.

Sacramental: We believe that God reaches down to people by means of His Holy Word and by the Sacraments which He has instituted for that purpose. We understand Scripture to teach that Jesus has instituted two sacred acts, Holy Baptism and the Lord's Supper through which He comforts His people with His Real Presence offering forgiveness of sins, and strengthening of our faith, fulfilling God's prophetic promise as 'Emmanuel' meaning, 'God with us.'

Liturgical: We believe that worship should be conducted decently and in good order as Holy Scripture directs. To this end we follow the form of the historic liturgy which guides God's people through the Scripturally- directed worship themes which include; confessing our sin and receiving absolution, remembering God's baptismal covenant, coming into God's presence with respect and humility, receiving God's grace through the Lord's Supper, praising God through the Psalms, and receiving God's Word through Scripture readings and sermons. The liturgical form serves to unite the Church around the world and across the centuries.

Mission: Jesus gave His Church the Great Commission to go into the world and make disciples of all nations by baptizing in the name of the Triune God and teaching all that Christ has commanded. We believe the church exists to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to the entire world.