We start with the Word…
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:15,16)
We believe that the Bible is God’s holy Word and the only perfect source of truth. The Bible tells us everything we need to know about God and how to live a life that pleases him. It’s through reading and studying the Bible that God brings us to faith and forms us to be more like him. At St. John’s, we love the Bible and study it together whenever we can!
Who is God?
To God’s elect… who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance. (1 Peter 1:1,2)
Along with all Christians, we believe in God as the Bible describes him- One God in three distinct persons- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is holy, perfect, and the source of all good things. Everything he does, loves, and says is good and true because he is good and true.
Who are We?
The heart is deceitful above all things
and beyond cure.
Who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9)
The Bible says that human beings are God’s special creation, but have fallen and continue to rebel against God and his ways. This means that human beings aren’t naturally good, but selfish, self-centered, and not willing to obey their Creator.
Who is Jesus?
Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:4-6)
We believe that Jesus is true God and always has been. We also believe that Jesus became a human being and entered human history. Jesus isn’t simply a good teacher or example, but the Holy God of all creation who came down to save us from our sin. Everything we have done wrong deserves eternal punishment from God, but Jesus came and was punished instead- "By his wounds we are healed."
How am I saved?
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8,9)
God doesn’t love us, save us, or bring us to Heaven because of anything that we do or offer. We are forgiven only because of what he has done. We are saved not by being good, but by putting our trust and faith in Jesus and what he did for us. That means there is no sin Jesus can't forgive, and no sinner Jesus can't accept.
How can I know this is true?
Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:24-29)
Jesus didn’t stay dead. On the third day after his death, he did exactly what he said he would do: he rose from the dead and physically appeared to his disciples and more than 500 other people. This shows that he is who he said he was, and everything he came to accomplish is finished.
What is Faith?
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” (Acts 16:31)
Faith is trust in Jesus as your savior from sin. Faith isn’t something we produce in ourselves, but a gift from God. The Holy Spirit creates faith in our hearts through the Word and Baptism, and strengthens our faith through the Word and the Lord’s Supper.
What is Baptism?
Therefore, go make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:18-19)
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26-28)
Jesus teaches us that Baptism is something meant for all nations, and that through it he covers our sin with his own perfection. In Baptism, the Holy Spirit enters our hearts and creates faith in Jesus. In the same way that we are saved and changed through the hearing of the good news of Jesus, we are also saved by this good news being communicated to us through the water of Baptism. Therefore, Baptism is something we at St. John’s cherish and gladly offer to people of all ages and backgrounds.
What is the Lord’s Supper?
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
At, St. John’s, we love the Lord’s Supper and look forward to it as one of the highlights of our worship service! Why? Because in the Lord’s Supper, Jesus comes to us in a special, miraculous, intimate way. In, with, and under the bread and wine, Jesus’ body and blood are truly present and are given to us as proof that all our sins are completely forgiven. The Lord’s Supper is a special celebration of Jesus' death, resurrection, and the unity we have as his people.
What does God want from Christians?
‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength…’ ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Mark 12:30,31)
God wants us to love him and love our neighbor as ourselves. God wants us to submit to his Word, repent for our sins, worship him with our fellow Christians, and enjoy the free grace and salvation he won for us on the cross. He also wants us to reflect his love for us to our fellow human beings. We are called to treat all people with compassion, honesty, integrity, generosity, and love, guided by the Bible's teaching.
Who is St. John’s?
This congregation has its roots in small groups of German immigrants meeting together for worship as early as 1853. Our mission is to..
Know Jesus: We want to learn more about Jesus, celebrate what He’s done for us, and grow to be more like him as we joyfully wait for him to return.
Share the Joy: Knowing Jesus isn’t something we can keep to ourselves. Knowing Jesus and his grace bring an unquenchable joy that sustains us in our darkest times. We want you, our neighbors, our friends, and all who will listen to have the joy of knowing Jesus as their Savior.