WHAT WE BELIEVE
I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are saved...
1 Corinthians 15:1-2
THE APOSTLES' CREED
On a typical Sunday, we affirm our faith by reciting the ancient and foundational Apostles' Creed.
This is our standard for faith and a confession our members make when joining the church.
I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*"The church universal", "the body of Christ", the universal fellowship of the Church": this affirms that regardless of denomination, century, or geography, all of God's people are bound together as the people of God into one church.
At special seasons during the year, we usually use one of the following professions of faith:
THE NICENE CREED
at Advent
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy [universal] and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
THE CHRIST HYMN
at Lent
Let us affirm our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Christ Jesus, though being in very nature God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death--even death on a cross.
Therefore God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father. Amen.
--from Philippians 2:6-11
RESURRECTION
at Eastertide
This is the good news that we have received, in which we stand, and by which we are saved:
Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, was raised on the third day, and appeared first to the women, then to the Twelve, and then to many faithful witnesses.
We believe Jesus is the Christ, the Anointed One of God, the image of the invisible God, firstborn of all creation, firstborn from the dead, in whom all things hold together, in whom the fullness of God was pleased to dwell by the power of the Spirit.
Christ is the head of the body, the church, and by the blood of the cross reconciles all things to God. Alleluia! Amen.
--from Matt 28:9-10, 1 Cor 15:3-7, & Col 1:15-20
THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Middlesettlements is a United Methodist Church, which means we are part of a vibrant, world-wide denomination that has a rich heritage of discipleship, worship, & faith in action. Check out the links below for more information about what United Methodists believe.
Our Roots: God
God, who is one, is revealed in three distinct persons. READ MORE >>
Our Roots: Jesus
We believe in the mystery of salvation through Jesus Christ. God became human in Jesus of Nazareth; and his life, death, and resurrection demonstrates Gods' redeeming love. READ MORE >>
Our Roots: Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is God's present activity in our midst. When we sense God's leading, God's challenge, or God's support or comfort, it's the Holy Spirit at work. READ MORE >>
Our Roots: Human Beings & Sin
We believe that God created human beings in God's image. We believe human beings turned away from their Creator, a move that not only turned them away from a relationship with God, but also life itself. READ MORE >>
Our Roots: Human Beings & Salvation
God never gave up on His people; He was and is never unfaithful. When we turned away, he worked to rescue us from sin, darkness, and death. READ MORE >>
Our Roots: The Church
The Church is is the body of Christ, an extension of Christ's life and ministry in the world today. READ MORE >>
Our Roots: Scripture
We believe the Bible is God's Word and is the primary authority for our faith and practice. READ MORE >>
Our Roots: The Kingdom of God
The kingdom of God is both a present reality and a future hope. READ MORE >>