Our Beliefs


 


Friedens United Church of Christ

Statement of Faith

We believe in You, O God, Eternal Spirit, God of Our Savior Jesus Christ and our God, and to Your deeds we testify:

You call the worlds into being, create persons in Your own image, and set before each one the ways of life and death.

You seek in holy love to save all people, from aimlessness and sin.

In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Savior, You have come to us, and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death, and reconciling the world to Yourself.

You bestow upon us Your Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.

You call us into Your church, to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be Your servants in the service of others, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ's baptism and eat at His table, to join Him in His passion and victory.

You promise to all who trust You, forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, Your presence in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in Your realm which has no end.

Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto You.

Amen.

 

Christian Unity

As Christ prayed “that they may all be one” John 17:21, so we work to heal divisions in the Body of Christ. Regardless of the labels society may place upon us, all are welcomed into fellowship. The unity we seek in church membership is a gift of God, undergirded by love of our fellow members and of God. We accept the historic understanding of Christian fellowship which states: In essentials unity, in non-essentials diversity, in all things love.

 

Authority of Scriptures

The Bible is our ultimate rule of faith and practice. It is our primary source for understanding the good news we know through Christ. At Friedens Church we use the tools of modern biblical scholarship to seek more light and truth from the scriptures, which are a living witness to faith. We take the Bible seriously, approach the text eagerly, and seek to discern together the meaning of God’s message for our lives today.

 

Service

As individuals we are urged to act in accordance with our understanding of God’s will for our lives. As a community of faith, guided by the Holy Spirit, we also work together to establish God’s realm of justice, love, and peace. Our work together will include helping those in need, building up, reconciling, healing, supporting, and teaching.

 

Sacraments

We recognize two sacraments as instituted by Christ: baptism (through which we are joined in faith to Jesus Christ and welcomed into fellowship of the church) and Communion (the meal of broken bread and shared cup, taken in remembrance of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, and with the promise of his return.)

 

Growth in Faith

With the freedom we claim in Christ comes the responsibility to continue to grow in faithfulness. We offer many opportunities for growth including: worship (in varied styles), Bible studies, Christian education for all age groups, Confirmation, and other opportunities.


Our Beliefs