Trinity’s Life and Purpose
​
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church is a confessional Lutheran congregation building an enduring Christian community. The people of Trinity live from Jesus' Word, build up the body of Christ, and serve in our Christian vocations so that we and our households may endure in the faith to the Resurrection.
​
We live from the Father’s Word, His Son the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the power of the Holy Spirit; this life is given and strengthened by the Scriptures, Holy Baptism, Holy, Absolution, and Holy Communion.
“ … continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:14-17
[Jesus said:] “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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19–20
“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
“Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, even so I am sending you.” 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 20:21-23
“… let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25
The Holy Spirit creates and sustains faith in us by means of the Scriptures, Holy Baptism, Holy, Absolution, and Holy Communion so that we may receive forgiveness of sins and salvation, and also walk in life’s newness now and inherit eternal life at the Day of Resurrection. These are what define us as Christ’s Church. So that our faith would endure to the Day of Resurrection, the life of this congregation is grounded in the Word of God lived and received in liturgical worship by:
-
Providing a rich weekly Divine Service with the Lord’s Supper;
-
Providing regular opportunities for Bible Study and spiritual growth;
-
Centering our social life and events around our liturgical life;
-
Aiming for full attendance for each family;
-
Planning for members regular visitation and communication with the pastor;
-
Planning for visitation and care for “withering” members and families; and
-
Providing an integrated study route for lifelong catechesis.
We Build Up the Body of Christ
“… speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” Ephesians 4:15–16
“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10
“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” Hebrews 13:16
“… let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” Romans 14:19
In the Church God joins us as one family and one body so that we would serve one another in love. By being attentive and attending to each other’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, this loving service also protects the faith He has created in us by His Word and Sacraments, so that faith would endure to the Day of Resurrection. Accordingly, we foster strong and enduring relationships between all members and families and use our unique gifts to support and build up each other and our households by:
-
Sharing meals regularly;
-
Providing for a regular congregational social life, centered around our liturgical life;
-
Offering skills and resources for mercy work within Trinity’s family; and
-
Accommodating logistical needs of families and people of all ages and ranges of ability.
We Serve in Our Christian Vocations
“… present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.” Romans 6:13
“… I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
Our faith in the truth of God’s Word is lived in holy and active service in our congregation, homes, and community. Each of us serves within the distinct roles—vocations—God has given us as Christian men and women with the strengths, talents, resources, and opportunities He provides. Each generation mentors the next to understand and to live in their vocations in light of God’s Word. Through our faithful service in vocation, God makes our congregation, homes, and community more whole, wholesome, and holy. Such service fosters, cultivates, and protects faith that endures to the Day of Resurrection. We live our vocations at Trinity by: ·
-
Recovering and emphasizing distinct Christian vocations, especially within the family;
-
Cultivating distinct intergenerational men’s and women’s gatherings and activities;
-
Utilizing men’s and women’s gatherings to train up boys and girls in their Christian vocations; and
-
Providing means for community engagement in mercy work and Christ-grounded education.
So That We Endure to The Day of the Resurrection
“And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Matthew 24:12-13
“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:1-5
“Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Revelation 2:10
“… He commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments.” Psalm 78:5-7
All that we do as a congregation is to serve this ultimate purpose: to endure together in the faith to the Day of Resurrection. We cultivate our community and build our congregational structures to support this purpose and prune practices that hinder it, recognizing that these may change over time. We recognize that the most potent practice that supports the faith that lives from Jesus' Word and Sacrament, builds up the body of Christ, and strengthens service in our Christian vocations is the discipline of life-long catechesis and strong family devotional lives. We cultivate our community and congregational structure to thrive in every generation, resilient throughout changes to culture and resources, by:
-
Training congregational leadership to understand and defend orthodox doctrine and practice;
-
Fostering a culture that pursues lifelong catechesis and rich family devotional lives;
-
Prioritizing retention of youth by caring for whole families; and
-
Building enduring organizational structures and practices.
We live from Jesus' Word and Sacraments so that we and our children would endure in the faith to the Day of the Resurrection. The faithful preaching of the Word and administration of the Sacraments are the heart of this congregation’s life.