Our Faith and Spirituality 

We recognize that the world is a complicated place to live and it can be difficult to keep up with the constant change. The church is a community of persons who strive to make sense of things through the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. We do this by engaging in spiritual practices or disciplines… in worship, celebrating God’s grace through the sacraments of Holy Communion and Baptism, in prayer and study of scripture, and by creating a welcome space for all people.  

At Bethel Church you won’t be told what to believe.

You will be invited to share a journey of faith exploration, discipleship and hospitality.

You will be encouraged to discover, nurture, and share the gifts and talents God gives you.

You will be challenged to share the good news of God’s love, grace, peace and justice.

Together we will celebrate the message of hope that is found as a follower of Christ.

 

We believe... 

We strive to be in fellowship with others in the United Church of Christ, representing a portion of the Body of Christ in the world. We seek partners in the greater church and the local community to make a difference in people’s lives, to be the hands and feet of Christ in making God’s presence known and embraced. 

We believe in the triune God: Creator, resurrected Christ, the sole Head of the church, and the Holy Spirit, who guides and brings about the creative and redemptive work of God in the world. 

We believe that each person is unique and valuable. It is the will of God that every person belong to a family of faith where they have a strong sense of being valued and loved. 

We believe that each person is on a spiritual journey and that each of us is at a different stage of that journey. 

We believe that the persistent search for God produces an authentic relationship with God, engendering love, strengthening faith, dissolving guilt, and giving life purpose and direction. 

We believe that all of the baptized 'belong body and soul to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.' No matter who – no matter what – no matter where we are on life's journey – notwithstanding race, gender, sexual orientation, class or creed – we all belong to God and to one worldwide community of faith. All persons baptized – past, present and future – are connected to each other and to God through the sacrament of baptism. We baptize during worship when the community is present because baptism includes the community's promise of 'love, support and care' for the baptized – and we promise that we won't take it back – no matter where your journey leads you. 

We believe that all people of faith are invited to join Christ at Christ's table for the sacrament of Communion. Just as many grains of wheat are gathered to make one loaf of bread and many grapes are gathered to make one cup of wine, we, the many people of God, are made one in the body of Christ, the church. The breaking of bread and the pouring of wine reminds us of the costliness of Christ's sacrifice and the discipleship to which we are all called. In the breaking of bread, we remember and celebrate Christ's presence among us along with a 'cloud of witnesses' – our ancestors, family and friends who have gone before us. It is a great mystery; we claim it by faith. 

We believe the UCC is called to be a united and uniting church. "That they may all be one." (John 17:21) "In essentials–unity, in nonessentials–diversity, in all things–charity," These UCC mottos survive because they touch core values deep within us. The UCC has no rigid formulation of doctrine or attachment to creeds or structures. Its overarching creed is love. UCC pastors and teachers are known for their commitment to excellence in theological preparation, interpretation of the scripture and justice advocacy. Even so, love and unity in the midst of our diversity are our greatest assets. 

We believe that God calls us to be servants in the service of others and to be good stewards of the earth's resources. 'To believe is to care; to care is to do.' 

We believe that the UCC is called to be a prophetic church. As in the tradition of the prophets and apostles, God calls the church to speak truth to power, liberate the oppressed, care for the poor and comfort the afflicted. 

We believe in the power of peace, and work for nonviolent solutions to local, national, and international problems. 

We are a people of possibility. In the UCC, members, congregations and structures have the breathing room to explore and to hear ... for after all, God is still speaking, ...