Who We Are
We invite you to explore the foundational principles that guide our faith and shape our church community.
Welcome
We would love to meet you!
What We Believe
Epiphany Lutheran Church is a member of a larger church body known as the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit the Synod’s beliefs page to find out more.
Sometimes people will ask “Why Lutheran? Well, while we could take you back 500 years to the period of history known as the Reformation and a great Christian named Martin Luther, we will spare you the history lesson.
The Lord God is one God (Deuteronomy 6:4), eternally existing in three persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the verbally inspired word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21), the final authority for faith and life, inerrant, infallible, and God-breathed (Matthew 5:18; Psalm 12:6; Proverbs 30:5).
THE FATHER
God the Father is the creator and sustainer of life. He spoke the world into being (Genesis 1:1).
THE SON
Jesus Christ is true God conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through his death on the cross. He rose from the dead three days later having conquered sin, death and the devil. The Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of the Father, where he rules as the King of kings and Lord of lords.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is true God with the Father and the Son. We believe that we cannot by our own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord, or come to Him (Hebrews 9:14; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 12:3); but the Holy Spirit has called us by the Gospel, enlightened us with His gifts, sanctified and kept us in the true faith.
Salvation is free. It is a gift (Ephesians 2:8-10; John 1:12) of God that is received through faith in Jesus Christ, whose blood was shed on the cross at Calvary for the forgiveness of our sin.
Membership
Well, first of all it shows one’s commitment to the mission of the church. When our membership increases it gives Epiphany a sense of the support we have from the people involved in our ministry—it shows us you are passionate about what we are doing. It also gives the church an idea of what talents and resources are available among the members, e.g. if we are looking for a Sunday School teacher our membership records can tell us who has indicated an interest in this type of ministry.
We hope membership benefits the individual as well. The only requirement of membership is to be baptized and attend a short membership class wherein the major doctrines of our faith are discussed. It is our hope that this class gives our members an educated and firm foundation upon which to grow their spiritual lives in the Word of God.
Please contact our church office if you are interested in becoming a member at Epiphany. We ask all potential members to attend out new member class. This new member class is also known as the 101 Class and is offered twice a year; it consists of 10 sessions. Attendance in the class doesn’t mean you are forced to take membership at the end.
Below are the topics that are discussed in the 101 class:
• How do we know about God?
• The Bible
• Creation vs. Evolution
• About sin and God’s response
• God’s Law and Gospel
• Jesus Christ: Who He was and why He matters.
• Baptism & Holy Communion
• The work of the Holy Spirit
• What is full-time Christianity?
• Ministry and Serving Others
• Epiphany’s mission and purpose
