Several years ago, I received the following email and book chapter from Br. Steve Nicholas who visited New Philadelphia in conjunction with research on a book. He was among us because he wished to see for himself what we were doing to help produce growth. He included us in his book on evangelism, along with several other Moravian Churches. He has given me permission to post it what he says about NPMC in the context of the chapter. (more…)

Baptism is the sacrament of initiation. It is through baptism that believers and their children are embodied in the covenant of grace and become a part of the fellowship of the Church. There are some important facts that every Moravian should know about baptism. (more…)

This Moravian Covenant for Christian Living is an attempt to state in clear arrangement and contemporary form a document which has long served the Moravian Church. The Church today has need of a clear statement of its faith and life through which each member may become aware of the nature of his/her Christian commitment. Such a document can become an invaluable aid in the instruction of both new and present members and a meaningful guide in the expression of the Christian life. (more…)

The Ground of the Unity is the only doctrinal statement adopted by the Moravian Church (Unitas Fratrum). First crafted in 1957, it has proven its continued usefulness for more than fifty years. (more…)

That first Christmas Eve is populated with players. There is no Santa Claus, no Elves, and no reindeer; but there are angels, shepherds, a Carpenter named Joseph, an innkeeper with a full house and full pockets (off-stage), and a cast of animal characters who are at least as famous as the Beanie Babies. But these are all just bit players. At the center of the drama is the babe, Jesus, whom we Christians believe to be the Eternal Son of God, the Incarnate Word. Then, of course, there is Mary, the wide-eyed little girl who would spend a lifetime pondering these things in her heart and trying to understand the miracle of which she was a major part. (more…)

Every time the church confesses the Apostle’s Creed, we add our testimony to the testimony of Christians in every time and place that the LORD God who revealed himself to Moses, and to the prophets of Israel, has, in these last days, not only spoken to us by, but revealed himself in and through a Son. Jesus Christ is, “(God’s) only Son, Our Lord.” (more…)

The Apostle’s Creed has three divisions. The 1st is concerned with “God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth.” The 3rd is concerned with the person and work of God the Holy Spirit. It is the 2nd article of the creed that astounds us, for it is concerned with the historical person, Jesus of Nazareth, who is described as “Jesus Christ, (God’s) Only Son, Our Lord.” (more…)