|
|
November 17, 2019
|
|
The Creeds (“I believe in. . .”) have different purposes in Christian life depending on the denomination. There’s the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Westminster Confession (Presbyterian), the Augsburg Confession (Lutheran), the Thirty-nine Articles (Anglican), etc.
In many churches, they are the price of admission. First learn and subscribe, then you join. In others, creeds are what you might think of as a very broad circular fence, inside of which anything goes. You join in order to learn. In still others, the creed establishes a kind of magnetic field, drawing people closer to taste and see. No obligation. I find that for secular people, creeds are conversation stoppers. I treat creeds as conversation-starters. Who knows where we will end up? It’s up to participants in Christian communities, I believe, to sort out for themselves who God is and who Jesus is and what they have to do with each other. Do you have a Jesus of your own, or somebody else’s? And have you ever been given permission before to sort that out? Read Colossians 1:13-20 and John 20:27-31, and this Sunday we will sort it out together a little. Rev. Richard Chrisman Mothers’ Helpers are here from 9:30 to 11:30. |
United Church of Christ Statement of Faith
in the form of a doxology
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.
You judge people and nations by your righteous will declared through prophets and apostles.
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.
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.
You judge people and nations by your righteous will declared through prophets and apostles.
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.
Find us!
474 Centre Street
Newton, MA 02458
617-244-3639
Office hours:
Monday-Friday, 7:00 am - 1:00 pm
Newton, MA 02458
617-244-3639
Office hours:
Monday-Friday, 7:00 am - 1:00 pm