Glastonbury Community Church
GCC was founded in 1977, and is an evangelical free church committed to the truth of the Bible and its application to our lives.
Our worship service incorporates hymns, selected and contemporary choruses and a choir to achieve a blended style that helps our cross-generational congregation focus their hearts on Jesus Christ.
Finally, we are affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of America, a dynamic and rapidly growing association with churches located throughout the United States and with a strong international ministry.
NEDA Website (New England District Association). Please check out our website at www.efcneda.org for the latest information, brochures on upcoming events and even the weekly Friday Facts.
Statement of Faith of The Evangelical Free Church of America
Our doctrinal position is summarized in our twelve-article Statement of Faith.
Mission Statement:
The Mission of the Glastonbury Community Church is to glorify God through worship and obedience to the inerrant Word of God. By God’s gracec, we purpose to reach the unsaved with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, provide an atmosphere for spiritual growth by demonstrating the love of Christ, and equip believers for lives of service.
We Believe:
1. The Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men and the Divine and final authority for Christian faith and life.
2. In one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
3. That Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross, a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further, He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where, at the right hand of the Majesty on High, He is now our High Priest and Advocate.
4. That the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and, during this age, to convict men, regenerate the believing sinner, and indwell, guide, instruct and empower the believer for godly living and service.
5. That man was created in the image of God but fell into sin and is, therefore, lost, and only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained.
6. That the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His Resurrection provide the only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe, and only such as receive Jesus Christ are born of the Holy Spirit and, thus become children of God.
7. That water baptism and the Lord’s Supper are ordinances to be observed by the Church during the present age. They are, however, not to be regarded as means of salvation.
8. That the true Church is composed of all such persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are united together in the Body of Christ of which He is the Head.
9. That only those who are, thus, members of the true Church shall be eligible for membership in the local church.
10. That Jesus Christ is the Lord and Head of the Church and that every local church has the right, under Christ, to decide and govern its own affairs.
11. In the personal and pre-millennial and imminent coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and that this “Blessed Hope” has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer.
12. In the bodily resurrection of the dead; of the believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord; of the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting conscious punishment.
What Does “Evangelical” Mean?
The term Evangelical refers to our commitment to the proclamation of the Gospel and to the authority of Scriptures as being inerrant in the original writings and the only safe and sufficient guide to faith and practice.
What Does “Free” Mean?
The term Free refers to our form of church government as being congregational. Evangelical Free Churches depend upon the active participation of lay people in the decisions and directions.
Leadership:
Pastor: Mat Samuelson
Elders: Tim Wagner (chair), David Cutts (vice-chair), Ed St Louis.
Diaconate: Patti Wagner (Chair), Hilary Cutts, Diane Ficara, Carrie Husted, Bettie Nelson, Bob Muschett, Kristin Muschett and Irma Prokop
Trustees: Dick Kelley (chair), Phyllis Kelley, Carl Schluntz, Jim Sienna, Michael Wrang.
Finance: Janice Cendana (chair), Melinda Smith (treasurer), Phyllis Kelley (financial secretary).
Missions: Michael Wrang (chair), Sal Ficara (treasurer), Rainier Cendana, Kathy St. Louis, Jim Lawrence, Diane Ficara and Ann Garwood
Church Secretary: Patti Wagner
Sunday School Superintendent: Patti Sienna
Assistant Sunday School Superintendent: Diane Sheridan
Worship Leader: Kathleen Thompson