Sacraments and rites of the church

In the Evangelical Lutheran Church, it is taught that human beings have been made in the image of God and yet are born with sin. God makes atonement for human sin, which leads to death and eternal condemnation, through the work of Jesus Christ and provides those who believe in Him with forgiveness, life, and salvation. Through the Church's ministry of Word and Sacrament people come to faith in the one, true God. As it is taught, outside the Church there is no salvation.

  • holy Baptism

    The Sacrament of Holy Baptism is the means by which a person becomes a member of the Church and is incorporated into the mystical Body of Christ. Following a period of preparation, where the candidate and his or her sponsors are instructed in the Christian faith, they may be presented to receive this Sacrament and be made a baptized member of the Church as they conform their lives to their baptismal vow.

  • Holy Communion

    The Sacrament of Holy Communion is for those who have been baptized and instructed in the Christian faith. In this Sacrament, the forgiveness of sins is given to whoever eats and drinks with a believing heart. It is the practice of Grace Lutheran Church, Dodge Center, to admit to Communion only those who subscribe to our confession of faith and make it their duty to conform their entire lives to the rule of God's Word.

  • individual confession and absolution

    As servants of Christ, pastors of the Church are authorized to absolve those who confess sins with a contrite heart and believe in Jesus Christ as Savior. Since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, every person stands in continual need of God's grace and word of forgiveness. Scripture also teaches that God is ready to forgive all who come to Him. Those who are burdened by sin and wish to receive this word of forgiveness, or absolution, are encouraged to speak to a pastor in private. 

  • Confirmation

    Confirmation is a rite of the Church which follows Baptism. In this rite, a youth or adult who has been made a member of the Church through Holy Baptism receives extended instruction in the doctrine of the Christian faith. Upon completion of instruction and by the desire of the individual, the confirmand participates in the rite or ceremony where they affirm their Baptism into Christ with a public profession of faith and a pledge to remain faithful to Christ until the time of death.

  • holy matrimony

    In the rite of Holy Matrimony, a man and woman unite themselves together in heart, body, and mind. In the Church, it is taught that marriage is a holy, lifelong covenant of mutual companionship, help, and support that is open to children. Since the marriage of Christians is understood to be a vocation from God, couples who wed are invited to have a pastor solemnize their vows and pray for God's blessing of their life together as husband and wife.

  • ministry to the Sick and distressed

    Ministry to the sick and distressed is provided because the Church understands there is a unity of the body and soul in human beings. In the course of earthly life, a person will suffer from illness and be impacted by other traumatic events and losses. The ministry to the sick and distressed may include prayer for healing and bodily health; it extends to care of the soul as challenges to faith and spiritual concerns are addressed.

  • ministry to the dying

    In addition to the pastoral care of those who are sick and distressed, the Church has a ministry to the dying. As people near death, the faithful are encouraged to call upon pastors to visit in order to offer people the comfort of the Gospel and help prepare souls for eternity with the ministry of reconciliation. Attention may be given to personal grief, guilt, or fear. For Christians, when death is near the pastor customarily leads a rite of the Church that is known as the Commendation of the Dying.