Faith Statements

Our Covenant

We are united in striving to know the will of God
as taught in the Holy Scriptures,
and in our purpose to walk in the ways of the Lord,
made known or to be made known to us.

We hold it to be the mission of the Church of Christ
to proclaim the gospel to all mankind,
exalting the worship of the one true God
and laboring for the progress of knowledge,
the promotion of justice,
the reign of peace,
and the realization of human brotherhood.

Depending, as did our fathers,
upon the continued guidance of the Holy Spirit
to lead us into all truth,
we work and pray for the transformation of the world
into the kingdom of God;
and we look with faith
for the triumph of righteousness
and the life everlasting.

See also the Statement of Faith of the United Church of Christ.

OPEN AND AFFIRMING STATEMENT

Celebrating the Biblical mandate to "love your neighbor as yourself' (Luke 10:27) and aware that "God shows no partiality" (Romans 2:11), First Church welcomes and affirms each person regardless of age, disabling condition, economic standing, gender, nationality, race, or sexual orientation.

Our faith invites and challenges us to live the fullness of the Gospel as we affirm the following:

God creates us to be in community and encourages us to share openly and honestly in our common life and mission.

God blesses the diversity that is a reality in the world.

God calls us to seek justice in our church and world as we guard and celebrate the worth of each person.

God's love empowers us to respect and value each person as a beloved child of God.

Therefore, First Church of Christ, Congregational, United Church of Christ, West Hartford, CT, extends hospitality to each person who seeks inclusion in Christ's Church.

Adopted: October 15, 2006

UCC Statement of Faith

Leader 1: We believe in you, O God, Eternal Spirit,
Leader 2: God of our Savior Jesus Christ and our God, and to your deeds we
testify:
People: You call the worlds into being, create persons in your own image,
and set before each one the ways of life and death.

Leader 1: You seek in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.
Leader 2: You judge people and nations by your righteous will declared through
the prophets and apostles.
People: 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.

Leader 1: You bestow upon us your Holy Spirit,
Leader 2: creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant
faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.
People: 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,

Leader 1: to share in Christ's baptism and eat at his table,
Leader 2: to join him in his passion and victory.
People: 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.
Leaders

1 and 2: Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto you.
All: Amen.

The Statement of Faith in the Form of a Doxology was approved by the Executive Council of the nited Church of Christ for use in connection with the 25th anniversary of the UCC. It was based on an inclusive language version by UCC President Robert V. Moss. It is presented here in an arrangement for congregation and leaders in responsive style.