What do we believe...
… about the sacraments (Holy Communion and Holy Baptism)?

A sacrament is a gift given to us from God.  We practice two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion) as these were the only sacraments commanded by Christ himself.  A Sacrament contains three parts: it is commanded by Christ (take and eat; go and baptize), it contains a promise, and the promise is joined to a visible element or “stuff”—bread, wine, water. 

Through baptism we are cleansed and become children of God.  Baptism works forgiveness of sins, delivers us from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe, as the words and promises of God declare (John 3:3-5; Matthew 3:11; Acts 2:28-39).  It is not the water that does this, but the Word of God and faith, which trusts God’s promises.  Without the Word of God, the water is simply water.  But with the Word of God it is baptism—a gracious water of life and a washing of regeneration by the Holy Spirit.

In the Lord’s Supper, we believe and confess that Jesus is truly present in the bread and the wine—”this is my body; this is my blood.”  Jesus gives us his very self.  In a sense, you are what you eat!  Whoever trusts these words also receives the forgiveness of sins.  Hear the words of Christ, “Given, and shed for you, for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).  Where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation (John 3:16-18). All who believe in God’s presence within the elements at the communion table are welcome to partake in communion.

… about the Scriptures, Creeds, and Confessions?

As an ELCA congregation, we identify the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments (commonly called the Bible), the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds, and the Lutheran confessional writings in the Book of Concord as the basis for our teaching. 

During every worship service you will hear God’s word from the Scriptures, pray as Jesus taught, and confess our faith using the words of the Creeds. Most worship services will also include coming to the Lord’s Table in the sacrament of Holy Communion.

… about God and God’s love?

We believe in and confess the Triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. 

We believe that God has unconditional love for all people as shown through Jesus, who died on the cross for us, even though we are all sinners. God’s love extends to all of God’s creation, and there is nothing that any of us can do to withhold that love from any other person.

… about salvation?

We believe that we are saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus. We cannot do anything to earn this grace, rather it is a gift from God.