Authority of the Scriptures:
the Bible is the ultimate rule of faith and practice

God:
acting in love, God is ever active in the world

Jesus Christ:
In christ, the only head of the church, God has come, conquering sin and reconciling the world to Divine love

the Holy Spirit:
God sent the Holy Spirit as the Eternal One's continuing presence and activity in the world

Doctrinal Freedom:
Different covenants and confessions of faith are accepted in different congregations

Christian unity:
All Christians are sisters and brothers in Christ, and must help each other

the Trinity:
Creator, Christ and Holy Spirit are one God

the Church:
The church consists of a group of people united in Christ through worship, work and witness

Salvation:
Forgiveness, grace and eternal life are promised to all who have faith

Bearing Witness:
We must each be disciples, in word and in deed - the strength of our faith

Redefining Faith:
Each generation is responsible for re-thinking its beliefs, as God's word unfolds and conditions change

Serving Others:
The mission of the church is to work for justice for all and to establish God's rule in the world

These beliefs are summed up in the Statement of Faith, which was originally approved by the General Synod in 1958, but has been adapted. Following is the UCC 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 in 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

SACRAMENT
The United Church of Christ recognizes two Sacraments instituted by Christ: Baptism and the Lord's Supper

Baptism
Through Baptism, persons are joined in faith with Jesus and accepted into the fellowship of the church. The church acknowledges God's grace shwon in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and present in the new life of a person among us. We recognize all three modes of Baptism: sprinkling, pouring and immersion. At St. Peter & St. Paul UCC, we traditionally Baptize infants.

The Lord's Supper/Communion
The breaking of bread and pouring of "wine" are done in remembrance of Christ's death on the cross. We receive the symbols of God's gift in Christ's sacrifice and welcome the power of God's Holy Spirit into our lives. We are forgiven, refreshed and made whole as individuals and as members together, in Christ's body. At St. Peter & St. Paul UCC, we celebrate the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion monthly during Liturgy and weekly at the altar following Worship.

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