FAQ
What is Messiah Lutheran and what do we believe?
How do I become a Christian?
How do I become a member of Messiah Lutheran?
How do I:
Arrange for baptism?
Arrange for a wedding?
Arrange for Confirmation?
Contact a pastor?
Receive help in an emergency?
Receive Emergency financial and other assistance?
What is Messiah Lutheran and what do we believe?
Messiah Lutheran is a Christian congregation of over 1000 believers who gather together to worship and follow Jesus Christ, and to spread His Name and forgiveness to everyone. We believe the Bible is God’s Word, given as a gift by Him to direct our lives and ultimately to show us the way to heaven. As sinners, we believe people can be saved only by the grace of God. We believe in a Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We are called “Lutheran” not because we worship Martin Luther – we worship and serve only the living God. But with this16th century German monk, we believe that God’s Word is the only source of unfailing direction for daily life, and of the life to come.
How do I become a Christian?
Salvation Begins With God:This call to salvation (being saved from our sins) begins with God. He initiates it by wooing or drawing us to come to Him.John 6:44 "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him ..." (NIV)Revelation 3:20 "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in ..." (NIV)
Human Efforts are Futile:God desires an intimate relationship with us, but we cannot obtain it through our own efforts.Isaiah 64:6 "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags..." (NIV)Romans 3:10-12 "...There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." (NIV)
Separated by Sin:We have a problem. Our sin separates us from God, leaving us spiritually empty.Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (NIV)It is impossible for us to find peace with God through our own efforts. Anything we try to do to obtain God's favor or gain salvation is worthless and futile.A Gift from God:Salvation then, is a gift from God. He offers the gift through Jesus, his Son. By laying down his life on the cross, Christ took our place and paid the ultimate price, the penalty for our sin -- death. Jesus is our only way to God.John 14:6 "Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." (NLT)Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (NIV)Responding to God's Call:The only thing we must do is respond to God's call. But how? How do I become a Christian?Receiving God's gift of salvation is not complicated. The response to God's call is explained in these simple steps found in God's Word:1) Admit you are a sinner and turn away from your sin.Acts 3:19 says: "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." (NIV)Repent literally means "a change of mind that results in a change of action." To repent, then, means to admit you are a sinner. You change your mind to agree with God that you are a sinner. The resulting "change in action" is, of course, the turning away from sin.2) Believe Jesus Christ died on the cross to save you from your sins and give you eternal life.John 3:16 says: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." (NLT)Believing in Jesus is also a part of repenting. You change your mind from unbelief to belief, which results in a change of action.3) Come to him by faith.In John 14:6 Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." (NLT)Faith in Jesus Christ is a change of mind that results in a change of action—coming to him.4) You may pray a simple prayer to God.You may want to make your response to God a prayer. Prayer is simply communicating with God. Pray using your own words. There is no special formula. Just pray from your heart to God, and believe that he has saved you. If you feel lost and just don’t know what to pray, here’s a prayer of salvation you can pray:"Dear Lord, I admit that I am a sinner. I have done many things that don’t please you. I have lived my life for myself. I am sorry and I repent. I ask you to forgive me. I believe that you died on the cross for me, to save me. You did what I could not do for myself. I come to you now and ask you to take control of my life, I give it to you. Help me to live every day in a way that pleases you. I love you, Lord, and I thank you that I will spend all eternity with you. Amen."5) Now, be confident and assured.Salvation is by grace, through faith. There’s nothing you did, or ever can do, to deserve it. It’s a free gift from God. All you have to do is receive it!Ephesians 2:8 says: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." (NIV)6) Tell someone about your decision.Romans 10:9-10 says, "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." (NIV)You have begun a special walk with Jesus! Please continue that walk by reading your Bible on a regular basis. Talk to God in prayer regularly, as you would your best friend. And join others in a special time of worship each week. If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to talk to a pastor or staff member at Messiah. (Messiah@Messiah-Lutheran.org or (763) 784-1786) We want to talk to you! And may God bless you.
How do I become a member of Messiah Lutheran?
Membership is a process, rather than a momentary event. Those desiring to become “members” of our congregation are invited to “date” the congregation through a series of orientation sessions, called “Hearts Ablaze.” We deal with such ordinary daily struggles as “Why am I here?” “Why baptism?” “What about my money?” These sessions are taught several times each year. During this time of “dating” you will also begin to demonstrate your sincerity to become an active member of Messiah by regular worship, Bible study, and participating in activities within our community. Finally through an application process, a membership interview and a public welcome, you will become a member of Messiah! If you have questions, contact a staff member at Messiah, by calling the church office, 763-784-1786 or by e-mail at Messiah@Messiah-Lutheran.org.
How do I:
Arrange for baptism?
If you desire baptism for your infant or child, you and your spouse are asked to attend a Baptism orientation class, taught once every other month, and then schedule a date for baptism. Adults who desire to be baptized are invited to attend the “Questions of Life” classes, to learn more about baptism and your readiness. In any event, please contact a pastor to schedule your attendance at the Baptism class and to schedule a baptism date. Messiah@Messiah-Lutheran.org
Arrange for a wedding?
The privilege of being married at Messiah is reserved for those who publicly practice their Christian faith. Those desiring to be married at Messiah participate in a series of Pre-Marriage sessions held on the first two Thursday evenings each January, May or September. Couples then meet with a pastor for a number of private sessions leading up to their special day. Please contact a pastor well in advance to begin the process of marriage preparation, and reserve your spot on the church calendar. You may call 763-784-1786 or email Messiah@Messiah-Lutheran.org
Arrange for Confirmation?
Baptized young people who desire to be “confirmed” attend a series of Wednesday evening sessions ordinarily held each September through April during their 6th, 7th and 8th grade years in school. These sessions are held each year from September through April, and the “rite” of confirmation ordinarily takes place the first Sunday in May. If you have questions about confirmation, please contact a pastor or confirmation staff at 763-784-1786 or e-mail Messiah@Messiah-Lutheran.org.
Contact a pastor?
Although our pastors are not always in their offices when you call, if you have need of a pastor or other church staff, we are always happy to meet and talk with you. Feel free to e-mail or call the church office during regular business hours, M-F, 9-4:30, 763-784-1786 or Messiah@Messiah-Lutheran.org.
Receive help in an emergency?
A member of our staff is always available to provide pastoral assistance. Simply call the church office. When someone answers the phone during business hours, M-F 9-4:30, simply indicate that you have an emergency and need the assistance of a church staff. If someone isn’t available in the office to speak with you, you will be directed to a special telephone “voice mail box,” in which you may leave your name, a brief message and telephone number where you can be reached. Immediately as you hang up your phone, the “on-call” staff member will automatically be paged, and will respond to your need as quickly as possible. This emergency “paging” system is available for you to contact a pastor 24 hours a day. Simply phone the normal church phone number and listen to the “prompts.”
Emergency financial and other assistance can be requested by coming into the church office during regular business hours, M-F 9-4:30, and completing a special request form provided for that purpose. We work within our own community of faith, and with other agencies throughout our community to provide the best and most effective assistance possible. Please be advised, we do not have cash, gas, grocery or other vouchers on hand and the process of receiving help can take a few days.
