All About Grace

A helpful acronym for grace is God's Riches At Christ's Expense. This reminds us that grace is when God gives us something we don't deserve to our benefit. The greatest form of grace is the life won for us by Jesus at the cross! This is where we receive God's riches at Christ's expense. The other side of the coin is mercy, where God withholds what we deserve for our benefit.

Baptism and the Lord's Supper (also called Communion) are the Means of Grace. These are the methods Jesus specifically said grace and forgiveness are given. Because they have a physical aspect to them (water in baptism, bread and wine in the Lord's Supper) we call these elements the means of grace because they are the physical means chosen by Jesus to convey His grace.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," - Matthew 28:19

"There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." -Ephesians 4:4-6

If you have never been baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, then speak with Pastor about being baptized. If you have an infant or child too young to speak for themselves, you can talk about baptism for them as well. If you have a child old enough to reason, Pastor can talk to them about being baptized.

If you have been baptized but have fallen away from faith, have no fear! In your baptism you were adopted into God's family. There's no need to be re-adopted but rather take comfort in knowing God's grace has and always will be with you. 

If you would like to make a public profession of faith, speak with Pastor for arrangements.

" Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. " -Matthew 26:26-28

Remember the Lord's Supper is not a reward for the faithful, but a meal to strengthen the weak and doubting.

All those who are baptized into Christ's body and able to discern by faith the grace given in the Lord's Supper are welcomed to take Communion. For this reason, it is typical to speak with Pastor or an Elder prior to taking the Lord's Supper. Confirmation students receive the Lord's Supper at the end of their first year.

We celebrate the Lord's Supper on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month in addition to special occasions. There are information cards in the chairbacks to help prepare your heart to receive. Gluten-free bread is available on request and non-alcoholic juice is placed in the center ring of the tray.

"And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.'" -John 20:22-23

When the Pastor announces that your sins are forgiven, this isn't because he possesses a greater power or faith than anyone else. In that moment, he stands in the place of Jesus and announces the forgiveness already won by Jesus for you. It is not by the Pastor's authority, but by the authority of Jesus entrusted to him that your sins are forgiven.