What We Believe, Teach, and Confess

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.

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The Triune God

One God in three persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We believe in one God who exists in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This is the truth of the Holy Trinity — one God in three persons, equal in power, glory, and majesty — revealed to us in Holy Scripture.

Our Need for a Savior

Sin separates us from God and brings death.
Every person is conceived and born in sin, known as original sin. Because of this, and because of the sins we commit in thought, word, and deed, all people deserve both physical death and eternal separation from God. Our greatest need is not simply to live better lives, but to be rescued from sin and its consequences.

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Jesus Christ — True God and True Man

A wooden crucifix with a detailed figure of Jesus Christ nailed to it, featuring a crown of thorns, a loincloth, and outstretched arms, with a small plaque bearing the inscription 'INRI' at the top.

The Savior who lived, died, and rose again for us.
Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God who took on human flesh and was born of the virgin Mary. He lived a perfect life, was crucified for our sins, truly died and was buried, and on the third day rose bodily from the grave. After His resurrection, He ascended into heaven, where He reigns as Lord, and He will return on the last day to judge the living and the dead.

Salvation by Grace Alone

A priest standing on the altar in a church, reading from a book during a service. Behind him, there is a large wooden cross and a menorah with lit candles. To his right, there is a crucifix with Jesus on it. A man with a blue shirt and a boy in a white robe are visible in the congregation.

A gift from God, received through faith.
We are saved entirely by God’s grace, not by anything we do. This salvation is received through faith, which is created by the Holy Spirit where and when He pleases through the proclamation of the Gospel. Faith itself is God’s gift — a trust in Christ and His promises that brings us life and salvation.

The Office of the Holy Ministry

A priest wearing a green stole and white robe standing at a wooden altar during a church service.

Christ’s way of delivering His saving gifts.
To bring His saving gifts to the world, God established the Office of the Holy Ministry. Through pastors who preach His Word and administer the Sacraments, the Holy Spirit works to create and strengthen faith in the hearts of believers.

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The Role of Good Works

Fruit of faith, not the cause of salvation
Those who trust in Christ are called to live lives of good works — acts of love and service toward others. These works flow from faith and are pleasing to God, but they are never the cause of our salvation.

The One Holy Church

Christ as Head of His body, the Church.
We confess that there is one, holy, catholic (Christian) Church, with Jesus Christ as her Head. All who believe in Him are united as one body, no matter where or when they live.

Stained glass depiction of Jesus Christ with a halo, standing outdoors with mountains, greenery, blue flowers, and a cloudy sky in the background.
A church service where a priest is administering communion to children and adults standing at the altar.

The Sacraments

God’s means of grace for His people.
Christ has given His Church the Sacraments of Holy Baptism, Holy Absolution, and the Lord’s Supper. These are not mere symbols, but the means through which God delivers His grace and forgiveness to His people.

The Augsburg Confession

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A faithful confession of God’s Word
We hold to the Augsburg Confession as a faithful expression of the truths taught in Holy Scripture. This historic confession summarizes the chief articles of the Christian faith.

The Word of God

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Inspired, inerrant, and our final authority.
We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God. They are our final authority for what we believe and how we live.

The Book of Concord

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A true and faithful explanation of Scripture.
Along with the Augsburg Confession, we also hold to the rest of the Book of Concord as a true and faithful explanation of the Bible’s teaching. Our pastors and congregation subscribe to these writings fully and without reservation.