2515 Sumner Avenue Aberdeen, Washington 98520 • 360.532.3980 Fax 360.532.2596
A Statement of our BeliefCALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH is a member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.
CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH is a Christ-centered Church. We confess, teach and preach exclusively the Gospel of Jesus Christ, namely, that "God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH is a Bible-centered church, teaching that the only way to salvation is proclaimed clearly and fully in the Holy Scriptures, which we believe is the inspired Word of God, and all of which reveal God in His Son, Jesus Christ.
CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH teaches that we are saved by God's grace alone, without any merit or worthiness in us.
CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH teaches that people received salvation by faith alone, that is, that people cannot receive salvation by their own works. "For by grace have you been saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast." (Ephesians 2:8, 9.)
CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH emphasizes:
Christian Worship: Christ-centered preaching, the administration of the Sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion, and reverence for the Word of God.
Christian Education: Sunday School, Bible classes, Confirmation classes for youth, and Adult Inquiry classes for adults.
Christian Fellowship: Channels for expressing love and concern for each other and for the community. Several small groups meet each week to study God's Word and build relationships.
THE MESSAGE OF OUR CONGREGATION is Biblical and basic:
1. God loves you and has a definite plan for your life. (John 3:16) "The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly." (John 10:10.)
2. People's sin separates them from God and His plan for them. "... for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ..." (Romans 3:23.) "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23.)
3. God offers Jesus Christ, His Son, as humanity's way back to the Lord. "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8.) "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through me.' " (John 14:6.)
4. Each person must personally receive Jesus Christ into his life as Savior and Lord. "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believed in His name." (John l:12,) "Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Him by night, and said to Him, 'Rabbi, we know that you have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.' Jesus answered and said to him, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.' Nicodemus said to Him, 'How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?' Jesus answered, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN. The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.'" (John 3:1-8.)
From the Word of God we learn that God acts toward us in His Word (the Holy Scriptures), in Baptism and in Holy Communion. To grow in our relationship with the Lord and one another, we submit ourselves to the work of the Lord through these means of His grace.
STATEMENT OF FAITH
In our Christian education classes the following Scriptural doctrines are regularly taught to children, youth and adults as part of our faith, in the Lutheran Church:
1. That the entire Bible is God's word. 2 Timothy 3:16. 2 Peter 1:20, 21.
2. That God is one God, yet three persons--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19. 2 Corinthians 13:14. . Luke 3:21, 22.
3. That Jesus Christ is the only Son of God, is true God, and is the only Savior of the world. I John 4:14. John 1:1-3, 14. John 10:30, 36. John 17:5, 21.
4. That Jesus Christ died for the sins of all people, and that His life, death and resurrection alone makes us acceptable to the Heavenly Father. I John 2:2. I Corinthians 15:3.ú John 14:6.
5. That Jesus rose from death, and that because He did, we, who believe in Him as our Lord and Savior, will also rise from death and live with Him forever. John 5:24, 25, 28, 29. I Corinthians 15:51, 52 John 11:24-26.
6. That a person is saved only by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ's life, death and resurrection in our place and on our behalf. Ephesians 2:8-10. That a person is saved only by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ's life, death and resurrection in our place and on our behalf. Ephesians 2:8-10.
7. That through the act of Holy Baptism the Lord washes away all sins for both infants, children and adults, and joins us to Jesus Christ. Acts 22:16. Titus 3:5. I Peter 3:21. Galatians 3:27.
8. That the Lord's Supper is actually bringing to us the body and blood of Jesus in a supernatural way which is beyond comprehension. Matthew 26:26-28. I Corinthians 10:16. I Corinthians 11:23-27.
9. That there is a real Heaven and Hell. Luke 16:19-31. John 5:25. 28, 29. Matthew 25:46.
10. That God created the world and all within the realm of creation-- visible and invisible. Hebrews 1:1-3. Genesis 1:1. John 1:1-3. Colossians 1:16.
11. That there is a real devil who has a kingdom of evil spirits. Matthew 4:l-ll. Ephesians 6:11,
12. I Peter 5:8,9. Revelation 12:9.