The congregation welcomes all people – friends, neighbors, visitors – to worship here and participate in our programs and events. The congregation encourages those who feel God’s call to become a member of the congregation to do so when the time is right. The congregation welcomes all persons who respond in trust and obedience to God’s grace in Jesus Christ, regardless of race, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or worldly condition.

Membership for All

Whatever your faith background may be, membership in the church is available to you. When you are ready to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and join His congregation, talk to one of our pastors to get started. If you have not been baptized, you may receive the sacrament of baptism and become a member. If you are a member of another church, you can transfer your membership here. If you can’t remember if you have been baptized or are on the membership roll of another church, we can work that out and you can become a member. Children of members become members by attending confirmation class as teens, typically at age 13-14.

Becoming a Member

Generally, becoming a member is a four-step process:

  1. Visit – Participate in worship and other events for some time and listen for God’s call.
  2. Inquiry Class or Confirmation Class – The pastors provide new member inquiry classes for adults as needed and confirmation classes for youth – typically every other year.
  3. Meet the Session – The church board (Session) will meet with you briefly to welcome you.
  4. Profession of Faith – During worship you will be baptized (if not already baptized) and will profess or affirm your faith in Jesus Christ, and then, you will be a member.

Youth Confirmation Class

Youth, ages 13–14, are invited to attend a nine-month confirmation class to become members of the church. Classes are held twice a month and provide a rich background of the meaning and purpose of having faith in Jesus Christ. A pastor leads the class and the youth ask lots of questions. Upon completion, youth are much more able to make a sincere, personal, and public profession of faith.

Profession or Affirmation of Faith

Becoming a member marks the beginning or the continuation of a faith journey begun at baptism. The church does not have a long list of specific beliefs or doctrine that members must vow allegiance to. However, we do require that members profess or affirm the very basic and historic claims of the Christian faith. The baptismal vows we use and the Apostles’ Creed are common professions of faith affirmed by many mainline denominations. You will be asked to affirm these to become a member.

Baptismal Vows

Trusting in the gracious mercy of God, do you turn from the ways of sin and renounce evil in the world?

Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Lord and Savior, trusting in his grace and love?

Will you be Christ’s faithful disciple, obeying his Word and showing his love?

Will you be a faithful member of this congregation, share in its worship and ministry through your prayers and gifts, your study and service, and so fulfill your calling to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. One the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Baptism

Baptism marks the beginning of one’s spiritual journey as a disciple of Jesus Christ. We baptize infants, children, and adults. We believe in one baptism for the remission of sin and as a divine welcome into the family of God. We honor baptisms received in other churches in the name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and do not “re-baptize.” We baptize by the sprinkling of water and not by immersion. Baptism is a sacrament celebrated in public worship and is not provided in private settings. Baptism is administered by ordained pastors.