What We Believe

Salem Church is a local congregation of the United Church of Christ. The UCC is a denomination that joins together many of the oldest faith traditions in the United States. As such, we are a very diverse group who find unity in our desire and calling to “do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.” We are bound together by our shared faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Because of this, we recognize our relationships with each other to be covenantal – rooted in Christ and bound together in love. We know that not everyone will agree on every detail of faith and life, and that’s OK. In fact, we like it that way. The work of the Holy Spirit in all of us enriches and deepens our shared experience. We recognize the traditional creeds of the church and the Statement of Faith of the United Church of Christ to be testimonies to faith rather than tests of faith, and we are very concerned that our relationship with God is born out in the way we live rather than just in what we say we believe. As we like to say in the UCC, “No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.”

The Apostle’s Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come again to judge the living 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.

UCC Statement of Faith

We believe in God, the Eternal Spirit, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Father, and to his deeds we testify:

He calls the worlds into being, creates man in his own image and sets before him the ways of life and death.

He seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.

He judges men and nations by his righteous will declared through prophets and apostles.

In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Lord, he has come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the world to himself.

He bestows upon us his Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.

He calls us into his church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be his servants in the service of men, 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.

He promises to all who trust him forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, his presence in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in his kingdom which has no end.

Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto him. Amen.

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