Lutherans believe that God relates to humans in two fundamental ways, which we call Word and Sacrament. Word is God's verbal or written communication to us. The epitome of that Word is Jesus Christ (see John 1:14). Lutherans also recognize the Bible, the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, as God's Word because of its unique witness to Jesus. God also speaks through the proclamation of the Good News about Jesus Christ (a.k.a. the Gospel).
The Sacraments are God's non-verbal ways of communicating with us. Lutherans recognize two sacraments, instituted by Jesus himself, the Lord's Supper (also called "Holy Communion") and Baptism. The famous 4th-5th century African bishop, Augustine of Hippo, called the sacraments "visible words." They might also be called "tangible words" since they communicate as much by touch (and smell and taste) as by sight.
The sacraments have also been compared to a hug. Just as a loving parent tells her children that she loves them and also touches and embraces them to communicate her love, so God communicates love and forgiveness through both Word and Sacrament.