What We Believe

Our Mission

Gathered by the Holy Spirit to grow in faith, love and obedience to the will of God, Sent in Christ's name to let God's love Shine in word and deed.

About Lutherans (Evangelical Lutheran Church of America)

  • We believe in the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

  • We confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and the Gospel as the power of God for the salvation of all who believe.

  • We believe that the Bible is the written Word of God. It creates and nurtures faith through the work of the Holy Spirit and points us to Jesus Christ, the living Word and center of our faith;

The Biblical Basis of Baptism

Baptism was established and commanded by Jesus (Matthew 28:19).

In Holy Baptism, God delivers us from the forces of evil, puts our sinful self to death, gives us new birth, adopts us as children, and makes us members of the Body of Christ, the Church. Holy Baptism is received by faith alone. 

Baptism for All Ages

Some candidates for baptism are adults and older children who have heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ, declare their faith, and desire Holy Baptism. Others are the young or infant children of active members of the congregation or those children for whom members of the congregation assume sponsorship. In either case, Baptism is God's gift of overwhelming grace.

When infants and young children are baptized, the parents and sponsors receive instruction and the children are taught throughout their development. With adults and older children, the baptismal candidates themselves are given instruction and formation for faith and ministry in the world both prior to and following their baptism.

To schedule a baptism at Zion, complete the online baptismal form. For further questions, please contact Zion at 319-338-0944.

Holy Communion

Holy Communion is one of the two sacraments in the Lutheran Church (baptism being the other). Holy Communion was established and commanded by Jesus. (I Corinthians 11:23 ff.) At the table of our Lord Jesus Christ, God nourishes faith, forgives sin, and calls us to be witnesses to the Gospel.


In this sacrament the crucified and risen Christ is present, giving his body and blood as food and drink. The Augsburg Confession states: "It is taught among us that the true body and blood of Christ are really present in the Supper of our Lord under the form of bread and wine and are there distributed and received."
Zion celebrates Holy Communion at both Sunday services as well as Saturday night services.

Who is Welcome Here?

If you are Native American, Asian, Hispanic, Black or White…
If you are male, female, or transgender…
If you are three days old, 30 years old, or 103 years old…
If you’ve never stepped foot in a church; or if you are Buddhist, Roman Catholic, agnostic or a life-long Lutheran…
If your ancestors were German, Japanese, Polish, Irani, or whatever…
If you are single, married, partnered, divorced, or separated…
If you are straight, gay, lesbian, or bisexual…
If you are Republican, Democrat, Independent, Socialist, or not registered to vote…
If you have or had an addictions…
If you have or had a mental illness…
If you have had an abortion…
If you have a criminal record…
If you are homeless, own your home, rent, or live with your parents…
If you are fully-abled or a person of differing abilities…
If you are living and breathing…

You are welcome here!

Zion Lutheran Church is a Reconciling in Christ congregation.

Visit the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America to learn more about our social justice statements!