What We Believe

Our church is a member of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.  With the universal Christian Church, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod teaches and responds to the love of the Triune God:  the Father, creator of all that exists; Jesus Christ, the Son, who became human to suffer and die for the sins of all human beings and to rise to life again in the ultimate victory over death and Satan; and the Holy Spirit, who creates faith through God’s Word and Sacraments.  The three person of the Trinity are coequal and coeternal, on God.

Our congregation accepts and preaches the Bible-based teachings of Martin Luther that inspired the reformation of the Christian Church in the 16th century.  The teachings of Luther and the reformers can be summarized in three phrases:  Grace along, Faith, Scripture alone.

Why does our Lord gather us for worship?

The most precious gifts and treasures our Lord gives us are His forgiveness, life and salvation. Through His innocent life and bitter sufferings and death, Christ has purchased and won us from sin, death and the devil. Through Jesus Christ, all the sins of the world were paid for and the wrath of God was appeased. Christ has reconciled the whole world to God.

Jesus Christ serves us again and again as His Gospel is proclaimed, as His people are baptized and as His Word is read. He serves us as His forgiveness is pronounced and penitents absolved. He serves us as He gives us His body and blood under the bread and wine to eat and to drink. This is how our Lord gives us forgiveness, life, and salvation. What a blessing it is to be called and gathered for worship by our good and gracious God!

SOLA GRATIA – Grace Alone
God loves the people of the world, even though they are sinful, rebel against Him and do not deserve His love.  He sent Jesus, His Son, to love the unlovable and save the ungodly.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  (Ephesians 2:8-9-ESV)

SOLA FIDE – Faith Alone
By His suffering and death as the substitute for all people of all time, Jesus purchased and won forgiveness and eternal life for them.  Those who hear this Good News and believe it have the eternal life that it offers.  God creates faith in Christ and gives people forgiveness through Him.
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  (Romans 5:1-ESV)

SOLA SCRIPTURA – Scripture Alone
The Bible is God’s inerrant and infallible Word, in which He reveals His Law and His Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ.  It is the sole rule and norm for Christian doctrine.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”   (2 Timothy 3:16-17-ESV)

Our church holds to the Lutheran Confessions.  You can find these online at:
http://www.lcms.org/page.aspx?pid=414

A great reference of our beliefs can be found in a series of pamphlets called the “What About?” Series.  These pamphlets were written by former Synod President Rev. Dr. A.L. Barry.  They address doctrinal topics, moral issues, and concerns in the church to help Christians grow in their understanding of these important questions.  You can find these online at:
http://www.lcms.org/belief-and-practice

If you have any other questions, contact our church.