What We Believe

We believe we are called to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God.  

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We believe the church’s mission is to change lives – individually, systemically, and globally. We work to make transformation possible, and trust in God’s grace. We believe we are the hands and feet of the Body of Christ.  We strive to be a place of vital worship, learning, and advocacy. We invite all to belong, believe and become. 

The United Church of Christ embraces a theological heritage that affirms the Bible as the authoritative witness to the Word of God. We practice covenants not creeds. The UCC has roots in the "covenantal" tradition—meaning there is no centralized authority or hierarchy that can impose any doctrine or form of worship on its members. Christ alone is Head of the church. We seek a balance between freedom of conscience and accountability to the faith. The UCC therefore receives the historic creeds and confessions of our ancestors as testimonies, but not tests of the faith. 

 

Sacraments

Sacraments are ritual actions in worship which, according to Scripture, were instituted by Jesus. In the sacraments of baptism and communion we ask the Holy Spirit to use water, bread, and wine/juice to make visible the grace, forgiveness, and presence of God in Christ. In the United Church of Christ, we celebrate two sacraments including Communion and Baptism.

 

Communion

“I love Bread Day” Logan, age 4

In the sacrament of Holy Communion, also called the Lord’s Supper or Eucharist, meaning “thanksgiving,” we hear, taste, touch and receive the grace of God revealed through Jesus Christ in a unique way.

  • Communion is a joyous act of thanksgiving for all God has done, is doing, and will do for the redeeming of creation; a sacred memorial of the crucified and risen Christ, a living and effective sign of Christ’s sacrifice in which Christ is truly and rightly present to those who eat and drink;

  • An earnest prayer for the presence of the Holy Spirit to unite those who partake with the Risen Christ and with each other, and to restore creation, making all things new;

  • An intimate experience of fellowship in which the whole church in every time and place is present and divisions are overcome;

  • A hopeful sign of the promised Realm of God marked by justice, love and peace.

In our celebration of this feast, we welcome everyone to table.

We believe that Christ prepares the meal and sets the table so that anyone who seeks a relationship with Jesus is invited to participate fully in this meal. We most often share in this meal on the first Sunday of each month.

We sometimes serve in the pews with small cups and cubes of bread, and other times we serve by intinction, where everyone comes forward to tear off a piece of bread and dip it in the cup, or take an individual cup.  We serve adults and children. Everyone is invited to the table.  Everyone is included. Everyone. No exceptions.

 
 
 

Baptism

“I would like to splash everyday!” Brayden, age 3

This is an outward sign of an inward grace. We baptize both adults and children. All Christian churches and denominations appreciate what the Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians (4:4-5): There is one body, and one Spirit… one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God…” Anyone baptized in any Christian tradition is recognized as baptized here at FCCE.

Community is key.

Baptism is never only an individual event. Baptism is the beginning of a person’s Christian faith life, and that life is inherently communal. Baptism is always meaningful for the individual, but it is essential for the community also, a reminder to us of God’s gracious love. At the time of   baptism the congregation will offer their promise to love and support and teach the one being baptized.  We invite you and your children to become a part of the community, at your own pace, so we can best keep our covenantal promises