Witness, Mercy, and Life Together describes the work of the Church in every time and place.

This is how she accomplishes her Lord’s commission to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28.19). This three-fold biblical theme, made a focal point for the ministry of our church body, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, has also become the way that we at Faith Lutheran talk about the work of God in our midst.

Here are some brief explanations of each of the three strands; follow the links to learn how we are active in these ministries at Faith, and how you can get involved.

• Witness (Greek, martyria)—Right before His ascension, our Lord gave a word to the disciples that is at once command and promise: “You shall be my witnesses” (Acts 1.8). Christians testify, in word and deed, that Jesus is Lord.

• Mercy (Gk, diakonia)—The first words out of Jesus’ mouth are, “Repent! For the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 4.17). In His ministry, Jesus manifests this kingdom through miracles and acts of mercy to those who are in need. His Church continues this service to her neighbors, caring for body and soul.

• Life Together (Gk, koinonia)—The Greek word signifies “what we have in common,” and is used to describe the Christian’s relationship with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; his relationship to his fellow baptized; and the sacrament by which that two-fold relationship is forged and nurtured, Holy Communion. Our koinonia is cultivated principally through the Divine Service (worship), but also in all the ways in which we share the life of Christ corporately (education, fellowship, etc.).

Taken together, Witness, Mercy, and Life Together constitute the ministry of the Church universal and of our congregation, Faith Lutheran. We invite you to be part of what God is doing in and through us in Seaside!