We are a community of faith that seeks to love God and serve our neighbors. We often describe ourselves as Protestant, yet Catholic —preserving the ancient traditions of the historic church while embracing the open-minded spirit of the Reformation.
If you are new to the Episcopal Church, you do not need to check your questions or uncertainty at the door. Here is a guide to what we believe and how we live out our faith.
We balance our understanding of God through three essential sources, often called the three-legged stool of Anglicanism:
Scripture: The Bible is the inspired word of God, containing all things necessary for salvation.
Tradition: We build upon 2,000 years of Christian history, wisdom, and practices passed down through the centuries.
Reason: We believe God gave us minds to think, question, and explore our faith in the context of modern life.
Our central theology is rooted in historic Christian orthodoxy, summarized in the ancient statements of faith called the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed.
The Trinity: We believe in one God who exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ: We believe Jesus is fully divine and fully human, showing us God’s love through his life, death, and resurrection.
The Sacraments: We recognize Holy Baptism and the Holy Eucharist (Communion) as primary sacraments. Baptism
initiates us into Christ's body, and Communion sustains our spiritual lives.
Open Communion: We believe the altar belongs to God, not the church. All people are welcome to receive Holy Communion at St. Luke’s.
Our worship is structured, participatory, and beautiful!
The Book of Common Prayer: This treasured book shapes our prayers, liturgies, and services. It ensures that when Episcopalians worship, we do it together using the same shared language.
Liturgy: Our services include singing, praying, reading Scripture, and celebrating Communion. We engage our senses through music, symbols, and often times, physical postures like kneeling or standing.
The Revised Common Lectionary: We follow a structured, three-year cycle of weekly Bible readings shared with millions of Christians worldwide. Every Sunday, we read from the Old Testament, the Psalms, the New Testament Letters, and the Gospels. This ensures our community hears the full breadth of the biblical story over time, rather than just a few favorite passages.
We believe our faith is meant to be active and visible in the world around us.
Inclusion: We believe every person is a beloved child of God. We celebrate diversity and fully welcome all people regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status, or sexual orientation.
The Baptismal Covenant: We promise to "seek and serve Christ in all persons" and "strive for justice and peace among all people, respecting the dignity of every human being."
Grace over Guilt: We emphasize God's unconditional love and forgiveness, focusing on spiritual growth rather than judgment.