Oct. 29, 2023 - Holy Communion Service at 5pm

Join us this Lord's Day at 5pm for Holy Communion Service, followed by Fellowship, Refreshments and Catechism at 6pm. See below for our Liturgy and Catechism Review planned for the day.  -- 203 N. Jefferson Avenue

Catechism: To Be A Christian
Part II: Believing In Christ
The Apostles Creed, Part III
“the holy catholic church”
92. What is the Church?
The Church is the whole community of faithful Christians in heaven and on earth, called and formed by God into one people. The Church on earth gathers to worship God in Word and Sacrament, to serve God and neighbor, and to proclaim the Gospel to the ends of the earth. (Exodus 19:4–6; Psalm 22:22–23; Matthew 28:19–20; Ephesians 2:11–22; 1 Peter 2:4–10; Articles of Religion, 19)
93. How does Holy Scripture teach you to view the Church?
Holy Scripture teaches me to view the Church as God’s family, as the Body and bride of Christ, and as the temple where God in Christ dwells by his Spirit. (Isaiah 54:5–8; Hosea 2:16–20; Matthew 12:46–50; 1 Corinthians 3:16–17; 2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1; Revelation 5:9–10; 19:6–10)
94. Why is the Church called the Body of Christ?
The Church is called the Body of Christ because all who belong to the Church are united to Christ as their Head and source of life, and are united to one another in Christ for mutual love and service to him. (Romans 12:4–5; 1 Corinthians 12:12–27; Ephesians 1:22–23; 5:25–30) 
95. What are the “marks” or characteristics of the Church?
The Nicene Creed expands upon the Apostles’ Creed to list four characteristics of the Church: it is “one, holy, catholic, and apos- tolic.” (see Articles of Religion, 8)
96. In what sense is the Church “one”?
The Church is one because all its members form the one Body of Christ, having “one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all” (Ephesians 4:5–6). The Church is called to embody this unity in all relationships between believers. (Psalm 133; John 17:11, 20–23; Ephesians 2:11–22; 4:2–6)
97. Why is the Church called “holy”?
The Church is holy because the Holy Spirit dwells in it and sanctifies its members, setting them apart to God in Christ and call- ing them to moral and spiritual holiness of life. (Exodus 19:3–6; Leviticus 19:1–2; 20:22–26; Psalm 15; John 17:17–19; Acts 26:16–18; 1 Corinthians 3:16–17; Colossians 3:12–15)
98. Why is the Church called “catholic”?
The Church is called “catholic” (“according to the whole”) because it keeps the whole faith it has received from the Lord, in continuity with the whole Church, in all times and places. (Micah 4:1–4; Acts 2:1–11; 1 Corinthians 15:1–8; 2 Timothy 1:13–14; Jude 3; Revelation 5:9–10)
99. Why is the Church called “apostolic”?
An apostle is one who is sent. The Church is called “apostolic” be- cause it holds the faith of the first apostles sent by Christ. In continu- ity with them, the Church is likewise sent by Christ to proclaim the Gospel and to make disciples throughout the whole world. (Matthew 10:1–4, 40–42; 28:18–20; Acts 2:42; 13:1–4; Ephesians 2:19–21) 
100. Who are the saints?
The saints are all those in heaven and on earth who place their faith in Jesus Christ, who are set apart, holy to God in Christ, and transformed by his grace. (Leviticus 19:1–2; Deuteronomy 7:6; Psalm 16:1–3; 1 Peter 2:4–10; Revelation 7:9–17)
101. What does the word “communion” mean?
“Communion” means being “one with” someone in union and unity. For Christians, it refers to the unity of the three Persons within the one Being of God, to our union with God through our union with Christ, and to our unity with one another in Christ. (Psalm 85; Ezekiel 37:24–28; John 17:20–26; 2 Corinthians 13:11–14; 1 John 1:1–3)
102. What is the “communion of the saints”?
The communion of the saints is the fellowship of all those, in heaven and on earth, who are united in Christ as one Body, through one Spirit, in Holy Baptism. (Psalm 149; Ephesians 2:13–22; Hebrews 12:1–3)
103. How do you participate in the communion of the saints?
I live as a member of the communion of saints through faith in Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit by gathering to worship God with my fellow Christians, by praying for and encouraging one another, and by coming to one another’s aid in times of trouble, sickness, or grief. (Psalm 133; Acts 2:42–47; Colossians 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:11–18; Hebrews 10:24–25; James 5:13–20)
104. How are the Church on earth and the Church in heaven joined in worship?
Through union with Christ, as celebrated in the sacrament of Holy Communion, the Church on earth participates with the Church in heaven in the eternal worship of God. (Exodus 24:9–11; Psalm 148; 1 Corinthians 10:16–17; Hebrews 12:18–29; Revelation 19:1–9)