Our Church Values
1. The Transforming Power of Scripture
God’s authoritative Word, the Bible, is the Holy Spirit’s primary means to transform lives. Our passion is to help people understand and apply the Scriptures in a manner that shapes the way they live life in today’s world. We seek to take seriously our call to “make disciples” by “teaching them” the truths of Scripture (Matthew 28:19-20), as well as how to study Scripture for themselves. In this way they “will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).
2. God Centered Worship
True worship is the right response to whom God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – has revealed himself to be in the Scriptures. Because worship is a response, our ministry will seek to engage hearts and minds in order to encourage faith and love in increasing measure.
3. Cultural Engagement
The way we do ministry must reflect our commitment to bridge the gap that often seems to separate the church from the culture of our day in unnecessary and damaging ways. This means that our language, forms, and styles of ministry must resonate with our culture, while at the same time never compromising the timeless truth of the biblical message.
4. The Sacraments at Emmanuel
Sacraments are holy signs and seals of the Covenant of Grace, representing Christ and all His benefits. They confirm our relationship to Him and represent a visible difference between those who belong to the church and the rest of the world. There is a spiritual or sacramental relationship in the sacraments between the sign (water and bread and wine) and what is signified. The power revealed in the sacraments does not resign in them or in the one administering them, but is in the work of the Holy Spirit and in the promise of God who gives benefits to those who worthily receive them. Thus, the sacraments are powerful and effective in the life of the recipient because of God's Word which instituted them. For this reason the sacraments should not be neglected or omitted. (EPC - Book of Worship, 3-1)
5. The Sacrament of Baptism
By the act of baptism, a person becomes a part of the visible Church, for it is a sign and a seal of the Covenant of Grace for believers and their children. As a sign it proclaims God's forgiveness and our redemption in Jesus Christ. As a seal, God marks us as adopted children of our heavenly Father. It indicates our in-grafting into Christ, our rebirth, the remission of sins, and our ability by the power of the Spirit to walk in newness of life. Also, believing parents are encouraged to present their children for the sacrament of baptism, which should not be unnecessarily delayed. (EPC-Book of Order, 3-2 G)
6. The Sacrament of the Lord's Table
The Lord's Supper is a seal of all those benefits of Calvary for believers, and signifies their spiritual growth and nourishment. It is a bond and pledge of the communion of believers with Jesus Christ and with each other as parts of the Church. We celebrate the Lord's Supper at Emmanuel on the first Sunday of each month and on other special occasions throughout the year.
