OUR BELIEFS
WORSHIP &
DIVINE SERVICE
It is in worship that God gives us His gifts and we respond in prayer and praise!
Our style of worship is liturgical, which means that our services follow a pattern that has been used by Christians since the time of the Apostles! It is Christ-centered and focused on the Good News of forgiveness in Jesus. We believe that "faith comes by hearing" (Romans 10:17) and so we gather regularly to hear God's Word and be strengthened in our faith and life.
Don't worry though, we're not too formal here. In our liturgy we simply hear God's Word and promises spoken to us, learn about Christ's forgiveness, and recite Scriptural truths that remind us that God desires that all be saved and that until Christ returns we are here to serve our neighbor. St. John uses the newest Lutheran Service Book. If you are a visitor and have any questions about the worship service, simply ask anyone at St. John -- they'll be happy to help you!
THE LORD'S SUPPER
"This is my body...this is my blood" - Matthew 26:26-27
In the Lord's Supper, or communion, we hold to the Scriptural truth that in, with, and under the bread and the wine (in ways we cannot fully understand) the true body and blood of Jesus Christ are present.
When we partake of Christ's body and blood in the sacrament, He bestows upon us the forgiveness He won for us on the cross and strengthens our faith and life.
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When we parktake of communion, it is not only a time to recieve God's gifts but is also a public confession of our unity in belief. Those Christians whose public confession is the same as ours are invited to partake with us at the Lord's Table.
If you're visiting, feel free to speak with the pastor before the service.
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THE HISTORIC FAITH
Lutherans Confess the Historic Christian Faith
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Lutherans confess with Christians throughout history the 3 ecumenical creeds:
THE APOSTLES CREED
THE NICENE CREED
THE ATHANASIAN CREED
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These creeds are like road maps or summaries of what the Bible teaches regarding the Christian faith. In our worship services we recite one of these creeds each Sunday to help teach and remind us of what God has done for us throughout history and what He still does for us today.
We Believe...
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IN THE TRIUNE GOD.
There is only ONE God, but in ways we cannot understand there are THREE persons of the one God: God the Father who created all that exists out of nothing; God the Son -- Jesus -- who became man and lived the perfect life we could never live, died the death we deserve to save us from our sins and then rose again; and God the Holy Spirit who creates faith through Word and Sacraments.
IN GOD'S GIFT OF FAITH
Through the gifts of God's Word, Baptism, and Holy Supper, God gives us faith as a gift and strengthens our faith and life. Faith is something God gives us and we cannot come to God or believe in Him by our own strength or reason.
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GRACE ALONE, FAITH ALONE, SCRIPTURE 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. 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. 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.