Gethsemane Lutheran Church exists to proclaim Christ through Word and Sacrament.  In every service and in every class, Christ is the focal point, since he is the focal point of the Scriptures (John 5:39).  It is only through this proclamation of Christ that people believe and are saved.  

 

As our Lutheran forefathers stated, "So that we may obtain this faith, the ministry of teaching the Gospel and administering the Sacraments was instituted.  Through the Word and Sacraments, as through instruments, the Holy Spirit is given (John 20:22).  He works faith, when and where it pleases him (John 3:8), whenever people hear the good news that God justifies those, who believe that they are received into grace for Christ's sake.  This happens not through our own merits, but for Christ's sake.  (Augsburg Confession Article V)