What We Believe

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church is a member of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod.  Learn more about this denomination, as well as our beliefs and practices, at the official LCMS webiste:  https://www.lcms.org/about/beliefs

We believe that the Bible is the inspired ("spoken" or "breathed out") and inerrant (without error) word of God.  God's word teaches that all humans are born sinful.  His Law exposes this sin within each of our lives, and calls us to repent (turn) from our sins to the Living God.  God's word also teaches that Jesus Christ has perfectly obeyed God's Law, and has suffered and died for the sake of sinners on the cross.  He has risen from the dead, thus defeating death.  All who believe in Him receive forgiveness, life, and salvation as a gift from God.

Worship at Shepherd of the Hills is traditional.  Our orders of service and hymns are all right out of Lutheran Service Book, and led by organ.  Parts of the service are chanted.  An adult choir, as well as a bell choir, regularly bless our worship services with their musical offerings.  

The Five Solas of the Reformation

Grace Alone (Sola Gratia)

 We believe that we are saved by grace alone and that we humans cannot earn our way into God’s favor (Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:4-5). Grace is the undeserved love and favor of God who sent His son Jesus Christ into the world to take our place under God’s law and to suffer and die to pay the penalty for our sins (Colossians 1:13-14).

Faith Alone (Sola Fide)

 We believe that mankind was originally created holy by God but soon rebelled against God and is now by nature spiritually dead and blind (Ephesians 2:1-3). Only when we are brought to faith by the Holy Spirit working through the word of God is it possible for us to be saved. Faith is God’s work, not ours, and comes only through the hearing of the Gospel message of God’s word (Romans 10:17). Faith in Jesus is not merely knowing about Jesus. Faith is depending on Him alone as the only way by which our sins can be forgiven so that we might have eternal life with God. A Christian is one who, by faith, believes God’s promise that all of his sins were forgiven through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). Faith is the “hand” that receives God’s gift of forgiveness purchased by Christ on the cross.

Christ Alone (Solus Christus)

We are not saved by our own good works, nor our own good intentions, but through faith in Jesus Christ and the forgiveness He won for us on the cross:  “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12)

Scripture Alone (Sola Scriptura)

 We believe that the Holy Scriptures in their entirety are the inspired and inerrant written word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and that they are the only source and standard of faith and life for Christians. We believe the Bible is complete and requires no additions from any other source, for it clearly reveals God’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ.

To God Alone be the Glory (Soli Deo Gloria)

Since God alone is the author and perfector of our salvation (Hebrews 12:1-3), He alone gets all the glory and credit (Ephesians 2:9).  God saved us from our sins and from eternity in Hell not because we deserve it, but only out of his grace and mercy.  Such a wonderful plan of salvation naturally prompts us to glorify God with our lips and lives (2 Corinthians 4:15).

Luther’s Rose

This design, called “Luther’s Rose” or “Luther’s Seal,” artistically portrayed the Gospel message.

The Black Cross represents Jesus’ death on the cross to take away our guilt.
The Red Heart points to God’s love in sending Jesus to shed his blood for us.
The White Rose stands for the Holy Spirit, who makes us pure in God’s sight by working faith in our hearts.
The Sky-blue Background reminds us of the joy which accompanies saving faith.
The Golden Ring represents the unending, untarnished life we will enjoy with God in heaven.