What We Believe

This Church acknowledges as its sole Head, Jesus Christ, the Son of God and our Savior. It acknowledges as sisters and brothers in Christ all who share in this confession. It looks to the Word of God in the Scriptures, and to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, to prosper its creative and redemptive work in the world. It claims as its own, the faith of the historic Church expressed in ancient creeds and reclaimed in the basic insights of the Protestant Reformers. It affirms the responsibility of the Church in each generation to make this faith its own. In accordance with the teachings of our Lord and the practice prevailing among Christians, it recognizes two Sacraments: Baptism and the Lord's Supper.

Expressions of our faith include:


STATEMENT OF FAITH

An adaptation by Robert V. Moss, Jr., President of the United Church of Christ, 1969-1976, as revised in 1976.

We believe in God, the Eternal Spirit, who is made known to us in Jesus our brother, and to his deeds we testify:
God calls the worlds into being,
    creates man in his own image
    and sets before him the ways of life and death.
God seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.
God judges all humanity and all nations by that will of righteousness declared
     through prophets and apostles.
In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Lord,
    he has come to us
    and shared our common lot,
    conquering sin and death
    and reconciling the whole creation to its Creator.
God bestows upon us the Holy Spirit,
    creating and renewing the Church of Jesus Christ,
    binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.
God calls us into the Church
    to accept the cost and joy of discipleship,
    to be servants in the service of the whole human family,
    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.
God promises to all who trust in the gospel
    forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace,
    courage in the struggle for justice and peace,
    the presence of the Holy Spirit in trial and rejoicing,
    and eternal life in that kingdom which has no end.
Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto God. Amen.

COVENANT

(Adopted by founders and members of West Concord Union Church, 1892)

We, as children of God and disciples of Jesus Christ, do unite ourselves in this Christian Church. We desire to worship and serve God, to walk in the liberty of his truth, and to minister to our fellowmen. Feeling our individual and united need of divine aid, we desire, through this communion of the visible Church, to strengthen each other by mutual sympathy, forbearance and helpfulness, and in all things looking to his Grace which is ever ready to help us, to do our part to establish the Kingdom of God in the world.

OPEN AND AFFIRMING STATEMENT

(Adopted May 2, 1999)

We, the members of the West Concord Union Church, are called to love one another as God loves us, freely and unconditionally.

We further believe that diversity enriches our faith community.

Therefore, we welcome persons of any age, gender, race, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, ethnicity and physical or mental ability into full membership and participation in the body of Christ. We celebrate family in all its diverse forms and honor, support, and bless all loving and committed relationships.

As we are one in Christ, we are called to accept and respect one another in the face of our differences. We agree that continued dialogue is necessary as we each grow in learning and understanding.

We commit ourselves to work diligently to end all oppression and discrimination which afflicts God's people in our society. We seek to explore new ways of affirming our faith in community according to the wisdom of the Gospel. We strive, as individuals, to become more Christ-like in our love for one another


 

 

Telephone:  978-369-6309       Email:  Office@WestConcordUnionChurch.org