We believe that the Lord God created the entire universe and all mankind. We are here because of His great love. As our Father Creator, He also provides for our every need and protects us from the danger of eternal death.
The Old Testament of the Bible lays the entire foundation for this belief. In these words, we are invited as witnesses into the creation of the world, the fall into sin, and the promises of God to do something about our plight; Jesus has paid the price for that sin and restores us and all creation to a right relationship with Him. Generation after generation of God's people have trusted this promise, wandered far from this promise, and returned in repentance to His promise.
Then in Bethlehem of Judea, over 2000 years ago, God's long awaited promise was born to us; Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Emmanuel; God with us. Jesus walked blamelessly among us. He taught, healed, cast out demons and controlled nature. But ultimately, and most importantly, He gave His sinless life for us on the cross in order to make us righteous by His perfect sacrifice. And so we are! We are LOVED by God because of Jesus.
Yet the story goes on, because 3 days after His death, He rose to life again. He who was dead, whose blood washed us free of our sins, lives! He spoke to His disciples and He speaks to us His Peace. He lives as our Lord who calls us to be a part of His one church, living as His LOVED people in order TO GROW & GO in that love and Good News. This is the core, the center of our life together in Jesus Christ.
The Lutheran Church, along with other Reformation Churches, has often shared our faith in 3 concise phrases:
GRACE ALONE: God loves the people of the world, even though they are sinful, rebel against Him and do not deserve His love. Because of His grace He has paid the price for our sin without our asking Him or helping Him. This salvation is a free and unconditional gift. We cannot earn God’s grace.
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 by the power of the Holy Spirit and grants forgiveness to us through Jesus.
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 life.
Additionally, with the church throughout the ages we hold to Baptism and The Lord's Supper as the two Sacraments that Christ gave to His Church. Jesus not only commanded that we live in them, but He also attached to them blessings of faith and forgiveness and life in Him.
Holy Cross is a member of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LC-MS). That's an odd name - Synod - with a great meaning. It means walking together. And that is exactly what we do. HC is one of over 6,000 congregations across the nation and world who walk together in belief, practice, mission, and service to the world.
The Old Testament of the Bible lays the entire foundation for this belief. In these words, we are invited as witnesses into the creation of the world, the fall into sin, and the promises of God to do something about our plight; Jesus has paid the price for that sin and restores us and all creation to a right relationship with Him. Generation after generation of God's people have trusted this promise, wandered far from this promise, and returned in repentance to His promise.
Then in Bethlehem of Judea, over 2000 years ago, God's long awaited promise was born to us; Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Emmanuel; God with us. Jesus walked blamelessly among us. He taught, healed, cast out demons and controlled nature. But ultimately, and most importantly, He gave His sinless life for us on the cross in order to make us righteous by His perfect sacrifice. And so we are! We are LOVED by God because of Jesus.
Yet the story goes on, because 3 days after His death, He rose to life again. He who was dead, whose blood washed us free of our sins, lives! He spoke to His disciples and He speaks to us His Peace. He lives as our Lord who calls us to be a part of His one church, living as His LOVED people in order TO GROW & GO in that love and Good News. This is the core, the center of our life together in Jesus Christ.
The Lutheran Church, along with other Reformation Churches, has often shared our faith in 3 concise phrases:
GRACE ALONE: God loves the people of the world, even though they are sinful, rebel against Him and do not deserve His love. Because of His grace He has paid the price for our sin without our asking Him or helping Him. This salvation is a free and unconditional gift. We cannot earn God’s grace.
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 by the power of the Holy Spirit and grants forgiveness to us through Jesus.
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 life.
Additionally, with the church throughout the ages we hold to Baptism and The Lord's Supper as the two Sacraments that Christ gave to His Church. Jesus not only commanded that we live in them, but He also attached to them blessings of faith and forgiveness and life in Him.
Holy Cross is a member of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LC-MS). That's an odd name - Synod - with a great meaning. It means walking together. And that is exactly what we do. HC is one of over 6,000 congregations across the nation and world who walk together in belief, practice, mission, and service to the world.
