Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Anniversary Prayer

The United Church of Christ turns 50 years old this week. To honor the occasion:

United Church of Christ Statement of Faith in the form of a doxology

We believe in you, O God, Eternal Spirit, God of our Savior Jesus Christ and our God, and to your deeds we testify:

You call the worlds into being, create persons in your own image,and set before each one the ways of life and death.

You seek in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.

You judge people and nations by your righteous will declared through prophets and apostles.

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.

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

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,to share in Christ's baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory.

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.

Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto you.

7 comments:

Maria Tafoya said...

God Bless the United Church of Christ and all her servants this week and always.

Join me in celebration and thanksgiving! My niece received the pathology report followng her lumpectomy - the lymph nodes and the margin of the tumor are all clean! They got all the cancer! SHe still faces chemo and radiation but right now she is celebrating - and giving thanks for all the people who have been praying for her.

Jennifer Garrison Brownell said...

Rejoice!

Terri said...

Prayers of thanksgiving for unity. Prayers of joy for good news.

I ask your prayers for Claire, who is have 8 lumps spread throughout both breasts, biposied today. It will take three hours. If you've ever been through a biopsy of one, you can imagine the intensity of eight and three hours...

I ask you prayers for the firefighters who lost their lives in the tragic fire in SC and for their families, and friends, for that community. May God embrace them all this day.

Jennifer Garrison Brownell said...

Holding Claire, and all touched by tragedy in their families, in the light.

Mary Beth said...

Praise God for the UCC!

Thanks be to God for the RevGals, through which I learned about the UCC! (we don't have those much at all around these parts, and I LOOOOVE the UCC!)

Thanks be for clean pathology report!

Prayers for healing and peace for Claire, families of firefighters, flood victims in Gainesville, TX, and all who are in sorrow or need.

Dr. Laura Marie Grimes said...

Thanks indeed for the UCC and its wonderful service to God's people...and for posting this lovely creed.

Praise God for the good news for Rev. Maria's niece and prayers for Claire....

Unknown said...

Juniper, I wish I were going to see you! My son will be there, one among the thousands.
I'm grateful for finding my spiritual home in the UCC.
I join in the prayers for those coping with illness and/or treatment.