What We Believe

The Bible is God's word for humankind. It teaches us how to live in peace, joy, and harmony in this world and also gives us instruction on how to attain life with Jesus in heaven after our time here is over. Scripture is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. This church recognizes that it cannot bind the conscience of individual members in areas where scripture is silent. Rather, each believer is to be led in those areas by the Lord, to whom he or she alone is ultimately responsible.

We are made in the image of God, to be like Him in character. Although we have tremendous potential for good, everyone is marred by an attitude of rebellion toward God called sin. Sin separates people from God.

People are created to exist forever. Every person will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with Him is heaven. Heaven and hell are places of eternal existence.

Living Hope celebrates two divinely ordained sacraments: Baptism and the Lord's Supper. In conscious dependence on the work of the Holy Spirit, we practice believer baptism by immersion, as an act of obedience, following Christ's instruction and example. We accept the baptism of those who have been immersed into Christ in other settings. Living Hope practices open communion, welcoming all who seek to celebrate the memory of our risen Savior and even the promise of eternal life with him. Following the model of our master Jesus who shared communion with Judas the betrayer in his last hours (John 13). We share these symbols of Jesus' life and death with everyone. Communion is a regular part of our 10:00 am service .

Jesus tells us that we can know our heart is focused by how we give or spend our money. God's word teaches that it is important to set aside a portion of our income on a regular basis and dedicate it to ministry. He clarifies that we should give him the first portion as a reminder that it is all His anyway. Many people at Living Hope are committed to this ministry as they have experienced its power in their lives and in the lives of others. We encourage you as a first time guest to fill out a guest card and drop it in the basket when our offering is taken. We would love to get to know you and give you a gift!

There is only one God, creator and designer of Heaven and Earth. He exists as three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is a personal God who came to live with us in the form of the Son, Jesus. Jesus willingly became a human so He could give His life as a substitute for human sin. Because of His sinless life on earth His death can be exchanged for ours and pay the price for our sin. The Holy Spirit dwells with Christians here on earth to give them comfort and power in their battle against the kingdom of darkness.