What We Believe

God

We confess the Triune God- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God has encountered and continues to encounter God’s people as our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier. God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are 3 persons yet still 1 substance. The math doesn’t add up, but neither does the love of God- math doesn’t really reach the depth of God’s being and compassion justice.

Jesus

Jesus is God in the flesh. He is fully God and fully human. God came to this earth through this peasant and itinerant rabbi from Nazareth. We witness and experience the saving grace of God through his life, death, and resurrection.

Life: Jesus welcomed those who were deemed outcast and undesirable. He ate with sinners, tax collectors, and prostitutes. He welcomes all.  

He taught that abundant life is experienced through the "way of the cross" or giving up one's own life for the sake of others. This is where real living begins.

He healed others of their sicknesses and forgave sins. Human brokenness is real and God desires us to be restored.

Death: The very incarnation of God was killed by human hands. This reveals the depth of our sin and brokenness. We have a hard time accepting the grace and love of God (to say the least).

The depth of God's love is so great, that God is willing to serve and forgive us even to the point of death. 

Resurrection: Jesus rose from the dead three days later. The power of sin and death could not overcome the love of God in the person of Jesus Christ. This is Good News for us. No sin, brokenness, or death can ever separate us from the love of God

Grace

God loves us. Simple as that. If you are wondering what you need to do in order to prove that you love God back or to earn salvation or forgiveness… wonder no longer. The answer is Nothing. You don’t need to do a thing except believe that God loves you through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. And even the ability to believe is a gift!

Theology of the Cross

God shows up in the most unlikely of places. God chooses the foolish and weak to accomplish great and powerful things. God brought salvation to the enslaved Israelites, not the great and powerful Pharaoh of Egypt. God sent prophets to speak up for justice for the poor, the widow, and the stranger- the most vulnerable of society. God came into this world as a helpless baby. God also experienced death.

If God showed up in the oppressed, the weak, and even in death itself, God is certainly present in the oppressed, the weak, and the dying in our own selves and in our world today

Serving the World

We are free from the power of sin and death because of what Jesus has done for us. We are also freed for the sake of our neighbors. We have been commanded by Christ to share the Good News with all the world. We have been called to feed the hungry, help the poor, and love our neighbor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is welcome at worship?

Everyone! Really! Sometimes churches say “All Are Welcome” but what they really mean is “All Are Welcome as long as they start acting like us.” The body of Christ is made greater with each new member added. You have special gifts to serve the church and world, and we would be foolish to stifle those gifts!

What is worship like?

We listen to ancient stories of God’s faithfulness and love. We confess our need for forgiveness and help. We celebrate Christ’s victory over sin and death in praise and song. We celebrate Communion each week because we hold onto the promise of Jesus’ healing presence in this meal. We pray for God’s justice and mercy to transform our world into Christ’s Kingdom of freedom and abundant life. We are called and sent to share the Good News of Jesus by speaking forgiveness, standing up for our neighbors in need, feeding those that are hungry for food and justice, and loving as we have been loved.

Saturdays at 5:00pm isa contemplative, spoken service.

Sundays at 10:30am is a more lively service with piano, drums, and bass guitar accompanying our singing.

Can I take Communion at your church?

Yes! We believe that Jesus is truly present in the bread and wine of Communion, so anyone who wants to receive Jesus is welcome to the table. We like to say, “Jesus is the host of this meal, and since he didn’t turn anybody away from his table, we’re not about to start to here.”

Where can I park?

You can park on Tyson Avenue without much difficulty. On Sunday mornings, we are allowed to park at an angle so we can fit more cars.

Is the service child-friendly?

Yes! We have a special play area for young children that allows caregivers to still listen and participate in the service while your little ones play. We also offer coloring/activity sheets for children.

I want to get more involved. How do I do that?

Consider serving in a ministry of Saint John’s. Join the choir or praise band, help lead the worship service, join one of the Bible studies, teach Sunday School, volunteer at Feast of Justice, or any number of things. Consider becoming a member too! Talk to Pastor Eisenberg if you are interested in diving deeper into the ministry of Saint John’s.