As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:34b-35
We are a faith community of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America celebrating creation’s diversity as it’s united in Christ.
Lutherans are famous for asking, “What does this mean?”
Brand loyalty today among church-goers is recognized as a thing of the past – at least for the most part. With “warehouse” churches proclaiming a non-denominational label, what is one to make of what we call ourselves? With our growing emphasis on Outreach, new folks trying out LCR and friends and neighbors being informed by this or that church, it’s important to understand who we are and the distinctive voice we bring to the ecclesiastical banquet table.
The ELCA chose to use the term, “evangelical” in its biblical sense. That means we are people who intentionally live out the gospel in word and deed; proclaiming, announcing and showing the gospel faith that has grabbed our lives. This is VERY different from how contemporary culture views that term. So there can be some confusion in the neighborhood then, when people hear LCR is part of the “E” LCA. Our biblical view of life partners with other disciplines like science, archaeology, cosmology, etc. Being part of the ELCA is about living life in such a way that every day, every encounter, every decision we make, word we utter or behavior we express can be a reflection of our identity as children of God gifted with the gospel and sharing that good news in every way possible – just by the way we live.
LCR Mission Statement:
Centered in Christ. Growing in faith. Joining God in the world.
LCR Core Value Statements:
- This church belongs to Christ. We live as partners accountable to him. All people matter to God and to us.
- We are an ELCA congregation deeply rooted in grace, Word and
sacrament. “Our faith is a busy, living, active, mighty thing” (Martin Luther). At the center of our life together is worship, where God gathers, feeds, teaches and then sends us to share his grace. - We seek to draw closer to Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. We are in the faith formation business; not to get more members, but to know Christ crucified risen.
- Our relationships with each other and with God’s world are important to us. God calls us to share his boundless love and bring healing, hope and strength to the world. We count ourselves blessed to be part of God’s ongoing work of creation, and ask God to show us where we can do more.
- We are committed to rolling up our sleeves and getting to work. God’s work. Our hands. God uses our hearts, hands and voices to serve, restore and reconcile the world.