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At First UMC we believe the following:

 

  • Triune God: God is one God in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
     

  • Scripture: The writings in the Old Testament and New Testament are the inspired word of God.
     

  • Sin: While human beings were intended to bear the image of God, all humans are sinners for whom that image is distorted. Sin estranges people from God and corrupts human nature such that we cannot heal or save ourselves.
     

  • Salvation through Jesus Christ: God's redeeming love is active to save sinners through Jesus' incarnate life and teachings, through his atoning death, his resurrection, his sovereign presence through history, and his promised return.
     

  • Sanctification: The grace of sanctification draws one toward the gift of Christian perfection, which Wesley described as a heart "habitually filled with the love of God and neighbor" and as "having the mind of Christ and walking as he walked."
     

  • Sacraments: We recognize two sacraments: Holy Baptism and Holy Communion. Other rites such as Confirmation, Ordination, Holy Matrimony, Funerals, and Anointing of the Sick are performed but are not considered sacraments.
     

  • Free will: We believe that people, while corrupted by sin, are free to make their own choices because of God's divine grace enabling them, and that people are truly accountable before God for their choices.
     

  • Social Justice: We oppose evils such as slavery, inhumane prison conditions, economic injustice, child labor, racism, and inequality.
     

  • Grace: We believe that God gives unmerited favor freely to all people, though it may be resisted.

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