We believe in God, the Eternal Spirit, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Father, and to his deeds we testify:
He calls the worlds into being, creates man in his own image and sets before him the ways of life and death.
He seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.
He judges men and nations by his righteous will declared through prophets and apostles.
In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Lord,he has come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the world to himself.
He bestows upon us his Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.
He calls us into his church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be his servants in the service of men, 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.
He promises to all who trust him forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, his presence in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in his kingdom which has no end.
Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto him.
Amen.
Hancock Church's Statement of Faith
"We believe in God, infinite in wisdom, goodness, and love, known to us in the person, life, death, and everliving presence
of Jesus Christ, in the Bible and through the continuing creative activity of God in history and experience.
We covenant together in our purpose to worship God, to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, to celebrate the sacraments, to
develop a consciousness of our relationships and duties to God and the human family, and we commit ourselves to the fulfillment of these objectives."
Two sacraments -- sacred events established by Christ -- are celebrated.
Baptism: Baptism marks our welcome into the household of faith, and signifies our belonging. Baptism is appropriate for any age, though baptism of infants and young children is most common. One must be baptized before joining the church as an adult. The United Church of Christ honors baptisms from any other Christian tradition and therefore we do not rebaptize.
Communion: Communion (The Lord's Supper) is the central meal of fellowship and remembrance for the Church. Communion is received in individual cups in the pews, served by Deacons. This is an open sacrament, meaning that anyone who seeks new life in Christ is welcomed.
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