Our Churches History
In 1874 our church was founded by a group of Swedish immigrants who, finding themselves in a new land, clung to each other and to the Word of God. They were so committed to their faith that they taught and led each other in the study of scripture for 17 years before receiving a pastor. They organized their church and then built sturdy homes that still stand today, stretching from the area of the original Swedish church on Spring Street, to our beautiful structure on Division Street. We note among our church roles today many names of those first members, and we can see the link between the past and the future; we can feel in our hearts the steadfastness that has sustained our church family through generations.
At the same time, we welcome those who are new to our church family and hope that this solid foundation of Lutheran teaching speaks to them of contemporary struggles and joy.
Our Lutheran tradition tells us of the importance of Word and Sacrament as the ingredients for a full Christian experience. Here at First Lutheran they are the center of our worship.
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How did the Lutheran church begin?
The Lutheran movement began in the sixteenth century when a German university professor and priest, Martin Luther, realized that the church was teaching in a way that actually hindered the "Living Word" from reaching people. For example, the church taught that you could buy God's mercy by purchasing indulgences, instead of, as Luther believed, by hearing the "Living Word" and letting it revolutionize your life. Martin Luther wanted to discuss these issues and reform the Roman Catholic Church; he did not want to begin a new church. Attempts to negotiate these differences resulted in a conference between the followers of Luther and Papal parties in Augsburg, Germany in 1530. The Lutheran party presented what would become known as the Augsburg Confession, a statement of what they believed. Because agreement could not be reached, Lutherans were forced to form their own church which became the "Lutheran" or "Evangelical" Church. Evangelical means according to the Gospel, the core of our belief is salvation by grace through faith, which is a gift from God. The main article of the Augsburg Confession states that we are right with God and have been forgiven by grace through our faith, not because of any works we have done. The gift is unconditional; you need not do or be someone special to receive it. This sums up the major teaching of the church. In 1999 the Roman Catholic Church agreed that this major teaching was true also for them. To this day, the Lutheran Church strives for the healing of all divisions within the universal church.
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124 Division Street East Greenwich Rhode Island 02818
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