OUR FAITH & LIFE AT ULU

We are Biblical

"These things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.​" - St. John 20:19

The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the source of our faith and life. The Only True and Living God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit has given us His Word. The Bible is the pure, clear fountain of truth for our congregation and the whole world. God uses His Word to call us together and gives us new life to live in faith toward Him and fervent love toward one another. We are committed to receiving all that our Lord Jesus Christ has taught us in His Word and to living by faith alone in Him and His promises.

We are Confessional

"I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame​." - Psalm 119:46

Having received the Word of God, we gladly confess it in our congregation and our community. We subscribe to the Book of Concord, the Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, teaching the same doctrine God has given to us in His Word. We are dedicated to the task of making new disciples through teaching and Holy Baptism both in our community and around the world so that all might confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

We are Liturgical

"Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me" - 1 Corinthians 11:25​

University Lutheran is a congregation formed by the Triune God in Baptism and the preaching of the Word. We gather around Scripture and the Body and Blood of Christ, singing and praying the sure Words given to us by God. Through the Church, Jesus Christ seeks to draw all people to Himself, forgiving their sins by his death on the cross and sanctifying them for a life of love for God and service to their neighbors. The way we pray and what we pray in the Services of God's House are drawn from the Word of God and centered in the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ. We use the finest music the Church has given to us in both liturgy and hymns.

We are Lutheran

"Remember your congregation, which you have purchased of old, which you have redeemed to be the tribe of your heritage!​" - Psalm 74:2

Our congregation was founded in 1945 by those passionate about outreach to the campus of Purdue University. We give thanks to God for His faithfulness to the generations who have received His Word and Sacraments here. We remain dedicated to Lutheran doctrine drawn from the Scriptures and to teaching and confessing it in our life together as God's people.

 

Belief and Practice

Ever ask someone, “What does this mean?” It’s a great question. Click through to learn more about how we practice what we believe.

Ever ask someone, “What does this mean?” It’s a great question. Click through to learn more about how we practice what we believe.

SOCIAL ISSUES

We understand that college is a time where students learn as much about life as they do about their future careers. Each of us is at the center of Christ and culture and must wrestle with God’s absolute truth. Click through to learn about our biblic…

We understand that college is a time where students learn as much about life as they do about their future careers. Each of us is at the center of Christ and culture and must wrestle with God’s absolute truth. Click through to learn about our biblical stance on all matters of Life, Personhood, Marriage, and so much more.

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The Lutheran Essentials

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Listen to Sermons

 WHAT TO EXPECT ABOUT ULU WORSHIP

NEW TO ULU?

We’re so glad to have you! Really, it’s a great blessing and we hope you will introduce yourself to those around you and to our pastors. The following information isn’t meant to overwhelm you but provide you with a snapshot of what we love to share about who we are in Christ! We aren’t shy about being Lutheran but we do know full well that not everyone is familiar with “Lutheranism.” God’s Word is the foundation for how we worship and every practice we follow. Keep reading, what you’ll find is that beyond the Christian jargon listed here is the joy that Jesus sets before us to know and rejoice in together! We can’t wait to meet you! Blessings!

WORSHIP GUIDE

Lutherans like to say that in worship God serves us, not because we’re so good but because what God gives is for our good. So we call worship the Divine Service, where God serves us His gifts of Word and Sacrament to enlighten our hearts and forgive. The hopeful response is our thanksgiving and praise. The order of worship is called liturgy, it dates back to the Old Testament. Jesus Christ fulfilled and even established new promises for us that to this day our worship intentionally highlights in great repetition. For more information look up the Bible references listed in the hymnbook for each part of the liturgy and/or talk to one of our pastors!

THE DIVINE SERVICE

There are three major parts that together make up the Divine Service: Confession and Absolution, Service of the Word, and Service of the Sacrament. This guide will give you a simple idea why God comes to us in this way and how we respond to His great love.

CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

Invocation: God’s invitation at the beginning of the service to remember our Baptism.
Confession and Absolution: We admit to God our sins, and He in mercy forgives (absolves) us.

SERVICE OF THE WORD

Kyrie elesion: Greek for “Lord, have mercy.” A cry to God to have mercy on us and all humanity.
Hymn of Praise: A prayerful song about either God’s glory or lordship.
Word of God and Sermon: In the sermon, the Word of God is brought to bear on the lives of the hearers.
Creed: From the Latin for “I believe.” Words of faith confessing the teachings of Holy Scripture. 

SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT

Sanctus: Latin for “holy.” Drawn from the song of the angels, rejoicing in the presence of God.
Words of Our Lord: The words of Jesus, spoken by the pastor over the bread and wine, by which the body and blood of Christ are truly present, distributed, and received. 
Lord’s Prayer: Jesus taught his disciples this prayer and today is continued to be prayed as He instructed. 
Agnus Dei: Latin for "Lamb of God.” Jesus is called the Lamb of God who takes sins away. He is present in His body and blood to have mercy and grant peace.
Nunc Dimittis: Latin for “now [let your servant] depart.” A departing song in worship that also anticipates a return to the House of the Lord.
Benediction: A blessing from the Lord, spoken by the pastor at the conclusion of the service.

THE LORD’S SUPPER AND OUR PRACTICE

We desire that all the world would commune at our altars to receive the body and blood of Jesus. Yet, we would ask that if you are not yet a member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS), that you would first hear what we believe, teach, and confess to see if you would like to make this confession your own. For we believe that whenever you eat and drink with us you are proclaiming that you believe what we teach. We would love an opportunity to share our teachings with you so that you too can make this confession your own and commune with us in the future. Please visit with one of our pastors to discuss this, or any questions.

Our Practice for those Communing: We offer Individual and Common Cup. If you would like the Common Cup simply let the Individual Cups pass and hold out your hand, palm up, to the pastor with the Common Cup.

Our Practice for those not yet members of The LCMS: We invite you to receive a blessing at the Communion rail. To indicate that you would like to receive a blessing simply cross your hands over your chest. If you do not want to receive a blessing at this time there is no obligation to come to the Communion rail.

THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

For the same reason we have personal calendars to guide us, Christians also follow a calendar called the Church Year. It guides us through the remembrance of God’s many promises. And, as we may expect to wear clothing that prepares us for the weather of a season; the Church has clothing, readings, banners, coverings, and colors that prepare our hearts to receive Jesus throughout the different seasons of the Church Year.

THE CHURCH YEAR

The Time of Christmas: Includes the seasons of Advent (Blue or Violet), Christmas (White), and Epiphany (White and Green). During Advent we prepare for the coming of Christ, in Christmas Jesus’ birth, and in Epiphany the proclamation of His birth to the Gentiles.
The Time of Easter: Includes the Lenten season and Holy Week (commonly Violet), and the Easter season (White) that concludes with Pentecost (Red). During Lent (40 days) and Holy Week we prepare our hearts with repentance from sin, and meditate on Christ’s willing sacrifice for sin on the cross. Throughout Easter we celebrate Christ’s triumph over sin, death, and the devil by His resurrection. The Day of Pentecost closes out the Easter season but celebrates that what Jesus won for all on the cross is now ours by His grace through faith.
The Time of the Church: Contains Holy Trinity Sunday (White) and the Season after Pentecost (Green). During this season Christians prepare their hearts in the love of God and neighbor. 
Lectionary: A list of appointed Scripture readings for the Sundays, festivals, and occasions of the Church Year.
Vestments: Liturgical garments worn by the pastor, acolytes, and others assisting in worship.
Sign of the Cross: Tracing the sign of the cross over body and heart is a reminder of how the Triune Lord (One God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) cares for body and soul.
Bible: God’s reliable and holy Word. Both infallible (incapable of error) and inerrant (containing no mistakes).
Catechism: A book explaining the basic teachings of the Christian faith.