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• Lutherans believe that we are imperfect people gathered together in faith to do God’s work in the world.

• Lutherans believe that Jesus gives us the responsibility to serve our neighbor who is in need.

• Lutherans believe that the Bible shows us what God is like.(Martin Luther described the Bible as the Cradle that holds Jesus)

Who is Martin Luther?

• Martin Luther (1483-1546) was studying to become a lawyer.  The direction of his life changed while walking home in a ferocious rainstorm.  Afraid of being struck by lightning, Martin prayed to St. Anne that if he would be saved from death he would become a monk.  The next day he knocked on the door of a nearby monastery.

• Luther graduated from seminary and was given a teaching position at the Wittenberg University in Wittenberg Germany.  He also became the pastor of Wittenberg’s Castle Church.

• Luther never wanted to break away from the Roman Catholic Church.  However, after reading scripture, Luther discovered the Church was inaccurate in its teaching and practices concerning God.

• On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 objections to the door of the Castle Church for everyone to read.  Because of his stand against the church, Luther was excommunicated, living the rest of his life as an outlaw.  Luther translated the Bible into the people’s German.  He also wrote many books and hymns.

• Luther eventually married a former nun, Katie von Bora, who had been smuggled out of a convent in a herring barrel (along with several other nuns).  Together they had six children.

• Lutherans are a product of this Reformation of the 16th century, and now number about 75 million Christians around the world.