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Statement of Belief and Practice We believe in GOD, the Creator
and Sustainer of all that is.
God is Spirit (John 4:24; Matthew 16:17); all-knowing (Psalm 139),
all-powerful (Psalm 93:1; Romans 1:20) and present everywhere (Psalm
139:5-10). God is without beginning or ending (Genesis 21:23; 1 Timothy
1:17); eternally existing in three persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
(Note: While the word “Trinity” does
not occur in Scripture, it is the name that is given to a doctrine that
is clearly taught, in that the Father = the Son; the Spirit = the
Father, etc.) We believe the greatest expression of
God’s love is found in JESUS CHRIST (Romans 5:8), who, in His
incarnation, was fully God (Colossians 2:9) and fully man, yet lived a
sinless life (Hebrews 2:17; 4:15).
Jesus was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6,
etc.), and born of the Virgin Mary.
According to God’s eternal plan (Acts 3:18), He willingly suffered and
died on the cross (Philippians 2:8), and overcame death for our
salvation (Colossians 1:19-22).
That Christ We believe that the HOLY SPIRIT
indwells (John 14:16; Ezekiel 26:27), guides (John 16:13) and teaches all
believers (John 14:26). The
Holy Spirit is God’s agent of creation (Genesis 1:2), new birth (John
3:1-8; 1 Corinthians 12:3) and the inspiration of Scripture (2 Peter
2:20-21). The Spirit is our ever-present advocate and help in weakness
and strength (Ephesians 2:18). All human beings are sinful by nature
(Romans 3:23). As we
respond to God’s call (John 6:44), we receive SALVATION by faith
(Romans 10:8-9). Salvation
is through Jesus alone (John 14:6; Acts 4:12), which is not earned
through anything we do, but rather it is God’s free gift (Ephesians
2:8-9).
Our good works are a response of thanksgiving for our salvation
(Ephesians 2:10). Through
the reception of Jesus Christ into our hearts as Savior and Lord, we can
be assured that we have eternal life (1 John 5:11-13). We believe the BIBLE is the
only
inspired, infallible Word of God in written form (2 Timothy 3:16-17); and
our only ultimate source of authority for faith and life (Galatians
1:8).
Relevant for all time, it is our guide and guardian from sin
(Hebrews 4:12). The head of the one true CHURCH
is Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:23), who established it (Matthew 16:18) and
remains ever present with all the believers (Matthew 28:20). The church is strengthened and encouraged by the Holy Spirit
(John 14:16) for evangelism and mission, and the uplifting and serving
of one another with the gifts the Spirit provides (1 Corinthians 12:7).
Our Lord calls us as believers to lead a holy life according to the
Scriptures (Romans 12:1; 2 Timothy 1:9) in which we will show our faith
by bearing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). We believe in the power of PRAYER
and that “the prayer of the righteous has great power in its effects.”
(James 5:16b) God bids us to seek Him in prayer, both individually
and corporately, that we might fellowship with Him and be conformed to
His will. We recognize the two Sacraments
established and participated in by our Lord while on earth: Baptism and
the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is the outward sign of the inward
reality of belonging to the body of Christ.
While it is neither necessary for, nor guaranteeing salvation, it
is an act of obedience of the believer to the command of Christ. Also, Christian parents, in the legacy of the covenants of
Israel, may present THE LORD’S SUPPER
(Communion) reminds us of the New Covenant of God’s love for us in the
sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross.
As He promised, Jesus Christ Himself is present with us as we remember
the breaking of His body in the broken bread and the shedding of His
blood in the cup poured out.
The Communion table is not a “Presbyterian table.”
It is the Lord’s table, and so all who acknowledge Jesus as their
personal savior and Lord are invited to partake with us.
(1 Corinthians 11:23-28) Our CHURCH GOVERNMENT is
reformed in nature and connectional in structure.
The local congregation calls pastors and elects elders and deacons
as leadership for the church.
The local church is a part of the Presbytery, Synod and General Assembly
of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), especially for the furtherance of
the mission of the church of Jesus Christ. [Adopted by the Session on November
25, 1997; Reaffirmed 2000; Expanded 2003]
Mission Statement
As Christians we gather together to worship, to pray for the
guidance of the Holy Spirit, to study and apply God’s Word, so that we
might deepen our personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and
Lord, so that in all that we do we would bring Him honor and glory.
As a community of believers, we seek to use the gifts that God,
through His Spirit, has given us. In serving one another and the Church,
we seek to experience and demonstrate His love to family, friends and
strangers; endeavoring to build up one another; forgiving and being
forgiven; seeking to bring healing, reconciliation, renewal and hope in
God’s Spirit.
We are committed to spread the Good News of salvation in Jesus
Christ, and to minister to both the spiritual and physical needs of the
community.
It is our mission and deep desire to know Christ, and to make Him
known.
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