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At
Trinity Lutheran
Congregation we
dream...
. ..of being a
humble,
open, community; where people at every age and stage of spiritual
life are welcome; where questions are valued and
doubts are welcomed; where practicing the
faith is learning to be for others, just as Jesus was for others.
(Philippians 2:6-8; Luke 5:5 and John 3:16)
.. .of being a
people willing to grow! We are convinced that God
wants us to be more than we presently are, and that God has endowed each one
of us in baptism with spiritual gifts. We seek ways to uncover those
Spirit-given gifts, open ourselves to them, and offer them in willingness to
God. Together, we'll learn to forgive, develop programs, keep disciplines
and learn from failures.
(I Corinthians 12:7; Ephesians 4:15)
...that
others will know the Good News
of God's love in and from us! In all
parts of congregational life we attend to the visitor, curious, unchurched
and non-participant. "Others" are at least as important here as "members"
are, as they were to Jesus. Further, we seek ways to take the kindness and
welcome of Jesus to those beyond our doors. Acts of kindness, large or
small, regular or random toward family, friend or stranger have the power to
transform
others and us! (Matthew 28:19-20;
John 13:12-17, 34-35)
. ..of being a
people who watch out for each other
and know that we need
others
to watch out for us. We allow ourselves
to be gently and lovingly
accountable to one another. Small
intentional communities (i.e. small
groups, organizations, circles, Bible
studies) help us keep balance in life
and encourage us on the journey. These
small communities take time
to point to the triad of worship, stable
platform for life in faith (Acts 2:46-47; Hebrews 10:24-25; James
2:14-16; Matthew 18:20)
.. .of being a peop/e
where tradition is appreciated and where
we are enthusiastic about keeping the
faith relevant and contemporary in practice.
The substance of God's love never changes:
the styles of offering such
love can. We hold to historic Lutheran
understandings, especially to ideas
like: "Only Grace," "Only Faith," "Only
Scripture," and "The Priesthood of all
Believers.'' Whatever it takes to
communicate the essentials of the faith, we're willing to do. (Acts 11:1-18;
Lutheran Confessions)
We
are intentional and purposeful about
our faith and our lives. Each existing
ministry and current member is expected
yearly to measure progress against this
vision, mission and
dreams.
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