Faith and Covenant Documents
As expressed in Lischey’s Constitution and By-laws of the United Church of Christ
FAITH The church, as part of the United Church of Christ, acknowledges as its sole head, Jesus Christ, Son of God and Savior. It acknowledges as kindred in Christ all who are in this confession. It looks to the Word of God in the Scriptures, and to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to prosper its creative and redemptive word in the world. It claims as its own the faith of the historic Church expressed in the ancient creeds and reclaimed in the basic insights of the Protestant Reformers. It affirms the responsibility of the Church in each generation to make this faith its own in reality of worship, in honesty of thought and expression and in purity of heart before God. In accordance with the teaching of our Lord and the practice prevailing among evangelical Christians, it recognizes two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion.
COVENANT We covenant with one another to seek and respond to the Word and Will of God. We purpose to walk together in the ways of the Lord, made known to us previously but still to be revealed to us in larger measure. We hold it to be the mission of the church to witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ in all the world, while worshipping God, and striving for truth, justice, and peace. As did our fathers, we pray for the coming of the kingdom of God, and we look with faith toward the triumph of righteousness and eternal life.
The following Vision and Mission Statements were developed by the Long Range Planning Committee of Lischey’s Church in the year 2000.
VISION STATEMENT St Peter’s Lischeys Church is to enthusiastically share the love of God and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We seek to grow in our spiritual community as we reach out as Christians to serve humanity.
MISSION STATEMENT With the Bible as our central guide along with the United Church of Christ traditions, the historical proclamations of the Church, and the Reformed traditions, we seek to develop a strong faith in God. We shall be open to God’s new revelations as we acknowledge we are stewards of God’s world. We shall continuously pursue righteousness, justice, and peace.
Through God’s love, we seek to establish Christian unity through a loving, caring family. We do this by:
Providing a welcoming Christian atmosphere for all ages through programs and activities of the church.
Developing a strong worship program through word, sacrament and music.
Promoting Christian growth through Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and Bible studies.
Developing strong leadership.
Developing an environment of supportive morality through respect, trust, and faith.
The Statement of Faith of the United Church of Christ as 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,
And 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.
