What are services like?
We believe that a worship service is not a performance, but a time for all of God's people to gather and worship in song, prayer, thinking, and meditation based on God's Word. Our goal is that we leave every gathering strengthened, encouraged, and better equipped than when we came. We realize that in worship, we have an audience of ONE. We keep the lights on, no blackout shades, fog-machines, bubble makers, beach balls, or disco lights, because we are not there to create a false atmosphere or lead people in "feelings". Our goal is to proclaim the truth as taught in Scripture, worship Jesus Christ, the Son, along with Father-God, and the Holy Spirit, as we grow in our relationship with God and one another. We do not pressure anyone for money or pass a collection plate. As a church, we take the Lord's Supper each week (please see our Statement of Faith for questions about this). We are a friendly group of people who have been redeemed by Jesus, and we hope that you will join us. If you show up early, we do have a coffee pot, but no barista or fancy offerings, because fellowship is our goal and God is our focus.
What is the community like?
We are committed to the truth of God's Word and relationships, first with the Lord Jesus Christ, and then with the fellowship of Christ's people. We believe in expositional bible teaching and have a grow group ministry. We keep it simple on purpose and hope that you will join us.
What if I'm not a Christian?
WE ARE VERY GLAD YOU WANT TO FIND OUT ABOUT SALVATION
Before we say anything else, we want you to know that you are more than welcome to visit. We are happy to help you with whatever questions you have about us, the Bible, Jesus, or anything. We know that the best thing you can do is to seek God. May God bless you as you seek Him. Below is a statement from our website about Christianity.
You must understand:
Being a Christian or getting saved involves knowledge, but it is more than learning or growing.
No one is born a Christian.
True Christianity is not a religion; it is a relationship with God, through Jesus Christ.
It is the most important question of your life.
It involves you, but does not depend on you.
It is independent of any human's ability to will it for you, any church's (regardless of denomination) ability to confer it on you, or even your own effort.
All of this being said, first, you need to answer a question about your question.
Saved from what? What do you believe you need to be saved from? What do you want to change or learn? Do you simply want to wear a "cultural-Christian" badge? Here are a few more things for you to ponder.
If you think that you are a good person, why do you need any saving?
Perhaps you think that you are pretty good, better than many, but you just need a little help?
Do you think that becoming a Christian is like joining a political organization, club, or service organization?
Are you under pressure from your family or someone you are interested in to become a Christian?
Do you think being a Christian is tied to a style of music, patriotism, or a political party?
What is your reason and motive?
If we still have your attention, keep reading:
The gospel is the power of God for salvation (Romans 1:16), The gospel is, first and foremost, God in Christ reconciling the world to Himself (II Corinthians 5:19). The word gospel means “good news.” The good news is that there is good news in Jesus Christ! God has not left us in the dark about how a person can have eternal life. He has told us that the ONLY way a person can have eternal life is through a person, Jesus Christ. God, who is holy, just, and righteous, has made a way for man, who is sinful, lost, and depraved, to know Him and have life!
“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. . .” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)
Jesus died on a cross in our place, paid the penalty for our sins (He actually was punished with God’s wrath that we deserved, see John 3:36), three days later rose and conquered sin and death, and He gives the gift of salvation to all who believe in Him alone, for eternal life. That is good news! Whether you believe this or not, it is true. The wrath of God will be carried out on all people who do not trust in Christ as Savior. That is what a person is “saved” from. To be a Christian is to have been saved from the wrath of God and to live in pursuit of and in relationship with God.
The death rate is 1 to 1. This means that we are all going to stand before God and answer for the life we have lived. How will you answer? Do you trust in your own goodness and good deeds? Who are you living for? Maybe you think that you are a good person because you are nice, contribute money, go to church, have been baptized, have confessed your sins, walked an aisle, said a prayer, or were assured by a priest, parent, or friend that you would make it based on being a good person or making a good decision. Sadly, many people trust in the things I have mentioned above, but they cannot make anyone right with God.
Eternal life can only come from Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God. He is fully God and fully man; He died for our sins and rose again so that there is no condemnation for those who believe in Him. That is the good news of the gospel in one sentence.
So much more can and must be said, but the gospel is also a simple message. The Bible says it like this, "He made Him who knew no sin to become sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21) In other words, Jesus exchanged His perfection and life for your sin, and you are the beneficiary. It is a message for everyone, not for the good, privileged, wealthy, or religious. The gospel is for you. That’s right. No matter what you have done or thought; no matter where or how you grew up; no matter what you haven’t done or should have done, it is for you. The gospel is for murdering, thieving, lying, sexually immoral, idolatrous, greedy, violent, religious, proud, self-absorbed, and ____________ people (you fill in the blank). Do any of these adjectives describe you? If so (and they describe every human ever), there is hope. The hope is the gospel; the hope is Jesus. Jesus Christ came to give life to dead souls, and apart from Jesus no one can be made alive. This means that eternal life is not religion + Jesus or Jesus – anything. Eternal life is given by God alone, through Christ alone. While God alone gives eternal life, it is your responsibility to believe (trust/have exclusive faith) in God’s mercy, goodness, and grace, and not in yourself.
Theologian Martin Luther said that people are prone to pursue a relationship with God in one of two ways. The first is the way of religion/spirituality; the second is the gospel, which leads to life. These two different ways are opposed to each other in every way. What or who are you trusting in? Do you believe the gospel or religion? Jesus said that He is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). There is forgiveness, hope, and life in Jesus for all who believe. Will you trust Him? Will you follow Him?
Do you want to know what to do now or what you must know?
Here are a few things that you do need to know:
Jesus was born of a human mother (Mary), by way of a miracle through the Holy Spirit, unlike every other person. Without a biological earthly father, Jesus had no sin nature, and He led a sinless life, making Him uniquely qualified to be the savior of those who trust Him. Jesus was fully God and fully man and is the only way of salvation.
Jesus Christ was killed by human hands on a cross. Then He was buried, and He rose again on the third day. Forty days later, Jesus ascended into Heaven and now sits at the right hand of God.
Jesus' death and the events administered by human hands that led up to it were painful, but were nothing in comparison to the wrath of God being poured out on Jesus by God the Father, the wrath which has been earned by every other person who ever lived.
God had to pour His wrath out on Jesus to pay for the sin debt of all people who did and would trust Him as their Savior (Messiah, Christ). The sin debt owed by all who would trust in others' saviors, idols, or self to the death will be paid through an eternity of personal punishment.
All people are accountable to God for their lives, behavior, thoughts, and sins. God knows everything, and there is nowhere to hide. Every person will have to pay for the sin they commit, without exception or exemption. The good news is that if you trust in Jesus Christ for your salvation, then your sin debt has been paid by Him.
If you are still unsure of what to do, maybe this will help.
Here is a story told by Jesus in the book of Luke (18:9-14) that might help:
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
We want to help you understand one more time in simple terms.
First, know that there is forgiveness, hope, and life in Jesus for all who believe. What will you do with what you know? Will you trust Him? Will you follow Him? Will you make pursuing God a priority?
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)
We encourage you to pursue God and trust Him. Look to Jesus, turn yourself in to God, confess your sin, and trust in His mercy. Then follow him, turn away (repent) from any known sins you have, pray, read the Bible, His Word, and obey His teaching. When you are a new creation (another word for a Biblical Christian) you will have new desires and a calling to live a new life. The work of salvation has been done by Him. Pursuing God and making Him your priority is now your life. We encourage you to join a church where you can receive help and encouragement, and further instruction from other believers.
We would love to talk to you and help you in your pursuit of God. Our prayer is that Jesus Christ would become your Lord, savior, and treasure.
If you live within a 25-mile radius of Neenah, WI, please reach out to us or come visit.
