The ancient trinitarian Apostles and Nicene Creeds are foundational for the church’s faith. But through them believers cannot confess all that is important to them. Affirming biblical statements of faith helps Christian tradition remain alive and vibrant.

The following statements are formatted and adapted for worship by John.

“God is Love” from 1 John 4

P          Who is our God?

C         God is love! 

God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him.

P          What is love?

C         In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.  

Since God loved us so much,

we also ought to love one another.

P          How do we experience God?

C         No one has ever seen God;

if we love one another, God lives in us,

and his love is perfected in us.

God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God.  

So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. 

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.

We love because God first loved us.

All       Amen.

“Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace”  from Ephesians 4

P          People of God, what is your calling?

C          We are called by God to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

            There is one body and one Spirit, just as we were called to the one hope of our calling:

One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

P          How does God empower you to work for unity?

C          Each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

The gifts he gives us are varied,

but all are to be used for the work of ministry,

for building up the body of Christ.

Speaking  the truth in love, we grow up in every way into Christ,

who knits us together, and equips us to work together,

and grow together in love.

All        Amen. 

“More Than Conquerors”  Romans 8:31-39

P          If God is for us, who is against us?

C          God, who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not also give us everything else?

P           Who will bring any charge against God’s elect?

C          It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.

P          Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

C          No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  

Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, Nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

“What Does the Lord Require?”   (From Micah 6:6-8)

P          With what shall we come before the Lord,

and bow ourselves before God on high?

Shall we come before God with burnt offerings,

with calves a year old?

      Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,

with ten thousands of rivers of oil?

Shall we give our firstborn for our transgression,

the fruit of our bodies for the sins of our soul?”

C    God has told us mortals what is good.

The Lord requires of us

 to do justice, and to love kindness,

and to walk humbly with our God.

“Hear O Israel”   (From Deuteronomy 6:4-9)

P          People of God, will you hear the commandments of the Lord, and observe them diligently, so that it may go well with you, as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has promised you?

C          The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.

We will love the Lord our God with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our might.

We will keep these words in our hearts. 

We will recite them to our children and talk about them when we are at home and when we are away, when you lie down and when we rise.  

Amen.

“Have the Same Mind as Christ”  from Philippians 2

P          People of God, will you live your faith by encouraging, consoling, loving, and sharing with one another in the Spirit of Christ?

C          We will do nothing out of selfishness, but regard others as better than ourselves. We will have the same mind as Christ Jesus…

      who, though he was in the form of 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 also 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 should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

Amen.

            “The Greatest Commandment”  from  Matthew 22.37-40

P          What is the greatest commandment?

C          The first and greatest commandment is this:

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,

and with all your soul,

and with all your mind.’

 And a second is like it:

You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Amen.

“Clothed with Christ”  From Galatians 3:26 to 4:7

P          People of God, who have you become by God’s grace through faith and baptism?

C          In Christ Jesus we are all children of God through faith.

We have all been baptized into Christ Jesus.

We have all clothed ourselves with Christ.

P          What divides you now from one another?

C          We are no longer Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female.

            All of us are one in Christ Jesus.

            All of us belong to Christ, so we are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.

P          How has all of this come to pass? What has the power to unite you?

C          The fullness of time has come.

            God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

                        to redeem us, so that we might receive adoption as children.

            God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba Father!”

            We are no longer slaves, but children of God.

P          People of God, live free, live courageously, live in hope, and live united with one another.

Amen.

“Ministry of Reconciliation” from 2 Corinthians 5

P          People of God, how are we to look at others?

C         We regard no one from a human point of view. We once knew Christ that way, but now Christ has changed us.

P          How has Christ changed us?

C         If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; everything old has passed away; behold, everything has become new!

P          So, people of God, what is your ministry in this world?

C         God has reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.

            In Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their sins against them.

            And God has entrusted the message of reconciliation to us.

P          People of God, we are ambassadors for Christ.  God is making his appeal through us.

            Let us call upon all people, on behalf of Christ:  “Be reconciled to God!”

            Amen.

“The Greatest Commandments”  from Matthew 22:34-40;  Mark 12; and Luke 10

P          People of God, which commandment is the first and greatest of all?

C         Jesus taught us, the first is “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is One;

            you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.”

P          People of God, which is the second commandment, but like the first?

C         Jesus taught us that the second is this, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

            There is no other commandment greater than these.

On these two commandments hang all of the law and the prophets.

P          And Jesus added, “This is the right answer. Do this, and you will live.”

            Amen.            

“Abounding in Steadfast Love”  from Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18; and Psalm 103:6-8

P          People of God, how did God first reveal himself to Moses?

C         God said, “I am the Lord. A God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

P          When Israelites rebelled in the wilderness, how did Moses cool the Lord’s anger?

C         By reminding the Lord of his true nature. He said, “Let the power of the Lord be great in the way that you promised when you said, “I am the Lord, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.”

P          Is the Lord not also a God of justice?

C         The Lord works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed. Yet the Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

P          As the heavens are high above the earth, so great is God’s steadfast love toward those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who keep covenant with him.

Amen

Biblical Statement of Faith: “Times and Seasons”  from 1 Thessalonians 5

P          Now, concerning times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you need not have anything written to you.

C         We know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

            When they say, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come as labor pains on a pregnant woman.”

P          But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief.

C         We are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness.

P          Let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.

C         Let us put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

P          God destined us for salvation. Jesus died for us, so that whether awake or asleep we may live with him.

C         Therefore we will encourage one another and build up each other.

Biblical Statement of Faith: “Fruits Worthy of Repentance” inspired by Luke 3

P          We commit ourselves to bear fruits worthy of repentance.

C         We will not say to ourselves, “We have Abraham as our ancestor.”

P          We know God is able from stones to raise up children to Abraham.

C         What shall we do? 

When we have two coats we share with anyone who has none.

            When we have food, we do the same.

            When we do business we will be fair.

            We will not our power over others to rob or do harm.

BIBLICAL STATEMENT OF FAITH: “How Blessed”

from the New English Bible, Matthew 5

P       And this is the teaching Jesus gave:

 ‘How blest are those who know their need of God;

the kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

 How blest are the sorrowful;

they shall find consolation.

C          How blest are those of a gentle spirit;

they shall have the earth for their possession.

 How blest are those who hunger and thirst to see right prevail;

they shall be satisfied.

P       How blest are those who show mercy;

mercy shall be shown to them.

How blest are those whose hearts are pure;

they shall see God.

C        How blest are the peacemakers;

God shall call them his sons.

How blest are those who have suffered persecution for the cause of right;

the kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

P    ‘How blest you are, when you suffer insults and persecution and every kind of calumny for my sake.  Accept it with gladness and exultation, for you have a rich reward in heaven; in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.

C       We are the salt of the world. We are light for all the world.

All    Amen and Amen.

Biblical Statement of Faith: “The Greatest Among You” (from Mark 10:42-45 and Luke 2:25-27)

P       You know that among the nations those whom they recognize as rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them.

C       But it is not to be so among us. Whoever wishes to be great, or to lead us, must be like one who serves. Whoever wishes to be first must be slave of all.

P       For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

All    Amen.

Biblical Statement of Faith: “So I Send You”

P          When Simon Peter had been fishing all night and caught nothing, Jesus said, “Put out into the deep water.”

When he saw the great catch of fish and was in wonder, he said “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man.”  Jesus answered, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” When the disciples were fearful and locked themselves in, Jesus came to them and said, “Peace be with you.” He showed them his hands and his side—the wounds he had suffered for them. The disciples rejoiced that he was alive.

C         But Jesus had something wonderful in store for them. He said again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”

P          Then Jesus breathed o them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

BIBLICAL STATEMENT OF FAITH: “We have heard that it was said….but Jesus says…”  from Matthew 5:38-48 and Acts 5:29

P       My people, you have heard it was said, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

C       But Jesus tells us not to resist an evildoer, and if struck to turn the other cheek.

          Jesus tells us if someone wants to take our coat, to give our cloak as well.

          He tells us to go the second mile.

          He tells us that we should not refuse those who beg or borrow, but to give generously.

P       My people, you have heard you should love your neighbor, but hate your enemy.

C       But Jesus tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.

          He tells us this is the way to live as children of our Father in heaven, who makes the sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

P       My people of the resurrection life, it won’t be long before death is finally defeated, and the fear and hatred death feeds upon will be no more. But even now we will try to witness.

We will try not to live as though death has power over us.

Even now, with the Spirit, we can choose to obey God rather than human authority.

C       Even now we will live in Jesus’ victory. 

All    Amen.

STATEMENT OF FAITH   “The Freedom of the Christian” from Galatians 5 and Martin Luther

P       When God gave us trust in Christ, God also called us to freedom.

C       We will not use our  freedom as an opportunity for self indulgence, but through love we will become servants of one another.

P       The law of God is summed up in this: We shall love our neighbors as our selves.

C       We are freed to love as we live by the Spirit.

P       As Christians we are completely free, lord of all things, subject to no one.

C       As Christians we are completely dutiful, servants of all, subject to all.

BIBLICAL STATEMENT OF FAITH: “Strive for the Kingdom” from Matthew 6 and Luke 12.

P       People of God, in what do you trust?

C       We put our trust in our God, who knows what we need, and who feeds and clothes us.

P       And what will you strive for?

C       We will not store up treasures on earth,  where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal.

We will not worry about life. We will not serve two masters.

We are free to strive first for the Kingdom and its righteousness. 

P       People of God, let us be rich toward God, and all these things we need will surely be added to us as well.   Amen.

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

We believe.

We believe Jesus is today, not just yesterday.

We believe Jesus fills us by emptying himself.

We believe Jesus is a refugee.

We believe Jesus is a prisoner.

We believe Jesus is spat upon and tortured.

We believe Jesus is executed.

We believe Jesus is rising from the dead within us.

We believe Jesus is rising from the dead all around us.

We believe Jesus makes us love our enemies.

We believe Jesus brings peace.

We believe Jesus is today.

Amen.

BIBLICAL STATEMENT OF FAITH  Who is worthy?

P     Jesus says those who are worthy enter into the Age of the Resurrection. What, then, does Jesus say makes you worthy?

C     Jesus is teaching. Like Mary, do the “one thing needful” and listen to his teaching. 

A    God forgives the repentant. Repent of your sins.

C     Jesus wants to gather you like a hen gathers her chicks. Let Jesus gather you.

P     When you are a lost sheep, Jesus searches for you. Let Jesus find you.

C     When you are sick, like the ten lepers, Jesus heals you. Be thankful as the Samaritan who was healed.

A    The Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like children. Accept the Kingdom like a little child.

C     Jesus invites you to God’s great banquet. Accept the invitation.

P     Jesus stands at the door and knocks. Open the door.

BIBLICAL STATEMENT OF FAITH: “Dying and Rising with Christ” from Romans 6

P       Children of God, do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

C       We have been buried with him by baptism into death. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so too we might walk in newness of life.

P       Our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. Whoever has died is freed from sin.

C       We have died with Christ. We trust we will also live with him. We are dead to sin, and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

P       The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

C       Amen.

BIBLICAL STATEMENT OF FAITH: “The Fast God Chooses”, from Isaiah 58

P       People of God: There are times when we think, “Why do we fast and God does not see?” There are times when we ask, “Why do we humble ourselves in prayer and God does not answer?” But what is the fast and the humble prayer that God chooses?

All    The fast that God chooses is to loose the bonds of injustice,

to undo the thongs of the yoke,

to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke.

The fast God chooses is to share our bread with the hungry,

to bring the homeless poor into our homes,

when we see the naked, to cover them,

and not to hide ourselves from our own brothers and sisters.

P       Then we will call and the Lord will answer.

Then our healing will spring up quickly.

Then our light shall break forth like the dawn, and rise in the darkness.

This we believe and trust!

All    Amen

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BIBLICAL STATEMENT OF FAITH(Based on Deuteronomy 7:7-8; 9:6 and Genesis 12:1-4)

P       People of God: Why have we been chosen and blessed?

C       We have been privileged to live in a land of plenty, in a nation of wealth and freedom, and in the family of faith, not because we were greater or stronger than other people, and not because we were more righteous; but because the Lord loved us and kept his promises to us.

          God has blessed us to be a blessing to others.

          When we go in God’s name, and when we bless others, all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

P       God grant it, in Jesus’ name.  Amen.     

BIBLICAL STATEMENT OF FAITH (Based on Matthew 5:17; 9:13; 10:34; 20:28; 5:13-16)

P       People of God, what was Jesus’ mission? What did Jesus come to do?

C       Jesus said he came to fulfill God’s law—to teach us by his words, and show us by his life, how God wants us to live.

          Jesus said he came to call not the righteous, but sinners. He taught that those who are well have no need of a healer, but those who are sick. He came to be the healer of sins, and not only other people, but we too are sinners.

          Jesus said he came to bring not peace, but a sword. He came to make us light for the world, but also salt that stings when we must reprove others for their lack of humility and mercy.

          Jesus said he came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life for others.

P       This is what Jesus came to do. Let us open our hearts so that Jesus may do all these things in us today and always.

C       Amen.