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UCC History and Statement of Faith |
The UCC is an American denomination which was created in 1957 with the merger of the
Congregational Christian Churches and the Evangelical and Reformed
Church. We currently have about 1.4 million members, and about 5,700
congregations.
Congregationalists had an impressive history of opposition to
discrimination based on race, gender and sexual orientation. They
provided leadership in the abolition of slavery, the fight against
racial segregation. and the current battles for equal rights for
homosexuals.
The symbol of the United Church of Christ (on your left) is composed of:
-- A crown, which represents the sovereignty of Christ
-- A cross, which represents the suffering of Christ and
-- An orb "...divided into three parts, reminds us of Jesus' command to
be his 'witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the
ends of the earth' (Acts 1:8)."
The component symbols are surrounded by a double oval
which contains the name of the denomination and a prayer from the
Gospel of John: "That they may all be one" (John 17:21).... The verse
from Scripture reflects our historic commitment to the restoration of
unity among the separated churches of Jesus Christ."
United Church of Christ Statement of Faith
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.
Amen.
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