Who We Are

Be Together
Our congregation is a “family of believers” who gathers together regularly. We “walk together” in doctrinal fellowship and “do life together” in practice.
You First (not me)
In a world that seeks to serve self first, we, as Christ-followers and as a spiritual family, imitate Christ in putting others before ourselves. Christ did this most markedly by the cross. Witnessing our faith and inviting others to our spiritual family is the ultimate “you first.”
Serve God Everywhere
As believers, we render service to God in the everyday vocations/callings we inhabit. Therefore, as a congregation, we want to equip God’s people to carry out works of service in all of their everyday vocations.
Faith is Home-Grown
We recognize the great influence (and biblical precedent) of the family—of father, mother, and extended family—on the faith of individuals, in instructing, training, and modeling the faith. This is God’s intended design for family, the most ideal setting for spiritual training.
Be Positive
For Christians, in the tension between optimism and pessimism, optimism wins! We are sinners, but God has saved us. We make messes, but God works them out for our good. We live in a fallen world, but Christ is coming back! Our hope for the future informs our present.
Walk in Partnership
We value the partnership in our Synod, District, and Conference.

ABOUT GOD
The Bible teaches that there is only one true God. This God is invisible, holy, eternal, and has all power and wisdom. In the Bible God reveals himself as three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is why he is called “Triune.” These three persons in one God are all God. They are equal in power, glory, and in every other quality. To deny or ignore one person is to deny all of them. It is God who created, redeemed, and sanctified us.

Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; John 5:23; Genesis 1:1; 1 John 2:2; Romans 15:13
About Jesus
The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is the Savior of everyone. He is the eternal Son of God, equal to the Father and the Holy Spirit. He is also the son of the Virgin Mary. He became man to redeem all people. Taking our place, he lived a perfect life keeping the law of God for us. He also died as our innocent substitute on the cross to pay a price sufficient for everyone’s sin. After rising from the dead, Jesus ascended into heaven. On the Last Day he will judge all the people who are still living and those whom he will raise from the dead.

1 John 5:20; Matthew 1:23; Ephesians 1:7; Galatians 3:13; Hebrews 4:15; Romans 1:4; Acts 10:42
ABOUT HUMANITY
The Bible teaches that men and women are a special creation of God. The first man was created from the dust of the earth. The first woman was made from the rib of man. They were created in God’s image. This means that they were without sin and had a perfect knowledge of God. That image was destroyed when Adam and Eve first sinned. People have a soul which no other creature has. God gave us rule over all of his creation. Human beings have a free will in works of this life. But only the Holy Spirit, working through God’s Word, can lead a person to love God.

Genesis 2:7; Genesis 2:22; Genesis 1:26; Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10; 1 Corinthians 2:14
ABOUT SALVATION
The Bible teaches that already before the world was created, God chose those individuals whom he would in time convert through the gospel and preserve in the faith to eternal life. This choosing is in no way caused by qualities or actions God had foreseen in the people whom he chose. This shows how completely salvation is ours by God’s grace alone. Grace is God’s undeserved love and mercy that he shows to all mankind through Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:4-6; Romans 11:5,6; Acts 15:11; Romans 5:15

The Bible teaches that faith is a repentant sinner’s acceptance of Jesus Christ as his only Savior and full trust in his worthiness for forgiveness of sins and salvation. Such faith is not a personal achievement or an act of human worthiness. The Holy Spirit creates faith. Whoever remains in this faith to the end of life will be saved eternally. Salvation is not possible without faith.

John 1:12; Acts 10:43; Galatians 2:16; Acts 16:30,31; John 3:36; Matthew 24:13
ABOUT THE CHURCH
The Bible teaches that there is one holy, Christian Church. It is made up of all who believe in Jesus. Since faith is a matter of the heart it is invisible. Only God knows who has faith and therefore is a member of the Holy, Christian Church. This invisible church is found wherever the gospel is proclaimed. We call groups of people who come together to hear God’s Word the visible church. Unfortunately, such groups, because of sinfulness, also include hypocrites and defenders of false teachings. Religious association is to be practiced only with those who faithfully adhere to all of God’s Word.

2 Timothy 2:19; John 18:36; John 8:31,32; Isaiah 55:10,11; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Romans 16:17
ABOUT THE BIBLE
We believe that the Bible is the true word of God. It is inspired by the Holy Spirit. This means that God breathed into the writers the exact thoughts and words they were to write. As a result every statement in the Bible is the truth. One part of the Bible explains another part. It is the only guideline for the faith and life of Christians. We are to read and study it diligently. It clearly teaches all we need to know in order to obtain our eternal salvation.

2 Peter 1:21; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Timothy 3:15; Luke 11:28; John 5:39; John 17:13-17
MORE QUESTIONS?
There is SO much more about our beliefs than we could list on a website page. Please reach out to one of our pastors if you have additional questions or join us in worship to learn more.