“You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.” (John 15:3)

We are people that believe in the truth of God’s Word. The Bible is the ultimate authority in our lives. The words of Scripture are God’s truth for His people to know and live by. The Word contains the Law that reveals our need for salvation from our sins and the Gospel that assures us that Jesus Christ has paid for our sins on the cross and saved all who have faith in Him. Our church’s doctrine and beliefs, along with our ministries, are rooted in the Word.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.” (John 15:12- 14)

We are people that believe God is all about relationships. He has called us to be first in relationship to Him and then in relationship to each other. These relationships are built on love and extend beyond family. We are to love everyone. Friends are the family we get to choose, and God has chosen us all to love each other like the greatest friend that ever lived – Jesus Christ. God’s family is meant to be filled with the brothers and sisters of Christ that live their lives together as friends.

“‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: ‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’” (Matthew 22:36-40)

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.” (John 15:15-17)

We are people that believe God calls us to serve others like Jesus. Jesus was the “Suffering Servant” that gave up His own life for the lives of others. Following Jesus means using the gifts He has given us to serve others like He did. We serve the people in our church and in our community by meeting their needs and carrying their burdens. We also serve them by providing opportunities to grow in their faith and worship God. A functioning church requires the help of many hands, and we believe God uses us to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10)

“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5)

We are people that believe God’s will is for us to make disciples. We do that by reaching people with the Gospel both locally and globally. We believe both are equally important. Thankfully, so does our denomination, the Church of the Lutheran Brethren. We partner with other churches to support Lutheran Brethren International Mission and other mission organizations to bring the Gospel to unreached people and mission fields all over the world. We also partner to spread the Gospel to our neighbors and everyone we know where we live, work and play. We desire to make an intentional effort to reach people for Christ throughout our community, New Jersey, and the world.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” (John 15:7-8)

We are people who believe that discipleship is a process. Disciples aren’t made overnight. People take time to grow in their faith just like a friendship takes time to grow close and deep. We are committed to taking the second half of the Great Commission seriously – not just baptizing people, but also teaching them to obey everything that Jesus has commanded. We see disciples grow when they have faith that is truly rooted in the Word and live in relationship with others that are also rooted in the Word. We all need a faith community because we are disciples that are growing together.

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” (Matthew 28:18-20)