New Creation Lutheran Church

New Creation Church – About Us
What We Are and What We Aren’t


What We Are –

Loving, Welcoming, and Generous.

We are welcoming. Wherever you are along your spiritual journey, you have value. Some of our members have been Lutheran since birth. Many come from other branches of Christianity, and still others from other faith traditions or no religious background at all. New Creation is a Lutheran church, and we operate from that perspective, but we all get along and value each other’s points of view.

We are Inclusive. This means all are welcome and lovingly included in all we do. This includes those in the LGBTQA community. You are welcome as you are, and we aren’t going to try to “fix” you.

New Creation Church is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

The “Evangelical” in our name has its roots in the Greek word euangelion meaning “gospel” or “good news.” This means that we believe in the Good News of God’s saving love. Jesus brought us this joyful message. “Evangelical” is often used in current media to mean “fundamentalist.” This does not apply to New Creation Church or the ELCA.


What We Are Not –

Our faith in God does not make us blind or closed-minded to the 2000 years of exploration and scientific discovery since the last of the Bible was written. God’s artistry in creation is ancient and brand new. We see God’s blessings every day and know we are continually re-created. We are charged with caring reverently for God’s creation.


How Does New Creation Church Relate to the Bible?

The Bible is a collection of writings, spanning several centuries, penned by many different people, which relate the over-arching story of God’s relationship with the Hebrews and early Christian people. The oldest parts of the Bible began as oral traditions, stories that were handed down through generations of Jews, relating the earliest parts of their story and the laws that bound them together as a people. There are also accounts of the life of Jesus (“The Gospels”) and his followers, written in the first and second century after his death. There are prayers, songs, and letters. ELCA Lutherans believe in the holy inspiration of the Bible’s authors – and also consider a historical perspective when studying Biblical passages. Who wrote the text? What world were they living in? Who was the intended audience? And what were they hoping to convey to that audience?

The earliest Christians were a ragtag bunch of congregations, struggling with differing ideas, challenges, and goals. At the Council of Nicea, in the year 325 AD, a group of church leaders from varying locations gathered to establish a common theology – and decided together which books would be included in the Bible, and which ones wouldn’t. Even today, there is disagreement about what constitutes the “official” holy text. For the most part, New Creation Church and the ELCA (and many other “mainline” churches in the US) use the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). While the language may not be as “flowery” as, say, the King James Version that some of us grew up with, the translation (from the original Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic) is scholarly, yet clear and easy to understand. Occasionally, at the discretion of the Pastor, we may use other translations in our services at New Creation. These might be the New Living Translation, The Message, or the Good News Bible, among others.


What is a Sacrament?

A sacrament is an act wherein the presence of God is brought palpably into the humanity of us. (One might say it’s where Heaven and Earth collide.) Lutherans observe two – Baptism and Communion.

Baptism – In baptism, the Grace of God is freely given, and the Baptized are lovingly brought into the full community of the Church. In the Lutheran Church, people of all ages are baptized. At New Creation Church, we baptize with a basin of holy water, during a Sunday church service. Baptisms are a permanent gift from God and never “wear out” or expire – an infant or childhood baptism lasts forever.

Communion – In Holy Communion (also called the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist), those who come to the table experience the real presence of God’s forgiveness and mercy in the bread and the wine. Tradition holds that all those who have gone before us gather in spirit at this table, in this ancient practice spanning centuries and crossing the geographical, cultural, and political boundaries that may otherwise separate us. At New Creation Church, there are no restrictions on who may take Communion. Jesus would include everyone at the table, and so do we. If there is any reason you prefer not to take the bread and wine, you may come up in the line for a blessing, or you may simply remain in your seat. The choice is yours. Gluten-free, low-allergy, and non-alcoholic options are always available.


What is Important to New Creation?

Jesus gave us a mandate to love and care for one another. This is as simple and as important as listening to a friend and being there for a neighbor in need. New Creation is small but mighty, and actively engages in several charitable efforts. We directly support dozens of families each fall with our Thanksgiving food drive, providing each with a large box of food and household items. We provide socks, toiletries, and food for the homeless and shoes for needy children. We send handmade quilts all over the world through Lutheran World Relief. Our annual backpack drive supports local elementary students with many school supplies, and our work with Help One Child provides Christmas gifts and other support for foster children. Other efforts include a water project which funded the building of a well in Africa and the support of small business cooperatives in Uganda, Tanzania, and Guatemala, a school in Tanzania, and bridges in Kenya.


What is Church Like at New Creation?

Our church services are casual, with mostly-contemporary praise music and an occasional traditional hymn. Some people dress up for church and others wear jeans or shorts. We sing a few songs, and then hear a few Bible readings, an encouraging and relevant message from the pastor, and some prayers. Communion is served, and we share a few announcements. There are cookies and lots of hot, fresh coffee every week.

New Creation Church is rooted in a strong tradition of reform and progress – a tradition begun with Martin Luther five centuries ago, and carried forward in our continuing efforts to live out our mission, doing God’s work – caring for one another and the world God has given us.

And How Does All That Relate to Me?
Come see!