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First Congregational Church Our Church Covenant As a Congregational Church, our heritage is a faith covenant community heritage. From the earliest Congregationalists to today, the actual manner in which faith is lived out in community is just as significant as what we state we believe. For as the Apostle James puts it, "faith by itself, if it does not have works is dead."(James 2:17). For though our salvation is by grace alone, received through faith alone, it is not a faith that is to remain isolated, separated and alone from daily life. Thus the covenant is meant to put life to our beliefs. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- As a Christian Church, associated in accordance with the teaching of the New Testament for public worship, mutual edification and the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom, we declare our union in faith and love with all who love our Lord. We confess our faith in God, our Heavenly Father, Creator, Preserver and Ruler of the universe, and in Jesus Christ His Son, our Lord; Who became man, and by Whose life, suffering, death, and resurrection, we, by faith, have redemption from our sins. We believe in the Holy Spirit, Who is sent from the Father through the Son, to be the constant Companion of those who will be servants of God. We confess our faith in the Old and New Testaments as God's revelation to men, which interpreted by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is our only rule of faith, worship and conduct. Having been led as we believe, by the Spirit of God, angels, and this assembly, we most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ. We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all nations. We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting and excessive anger; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior. We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, securing it without delay being mindful of the rules of our Savior. We moreover engage that when we remove from this place, we will as soon as possible unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word.