Beliefs
 

In Holy Scripture: The Old & New Testaments as inspired by God and the primary source of faith and guidance.
 

 
 

In Traditions: For example: Baptism and Holy Communion. It is our tradition to baptize both infants and adults. Infant baptism is a covenant promise between God, the parents and the Church. In regards to Holy Communion, we believe in symbolism. That the bread and grape juice are symbols of Christ's Body and Blood. We partake of Holy Communion in three ways: intinction (cup and bread --- the bread is dipped in the cup); in the pews with individual cups; at the altar using both chalice and small cups. At First United Methodist Church, we serve Holy Communion on the First Sunday of the Month. Since Holy Communion is served on the first Sunday of each month, we do not baptize infants or adults on these Sundays.
 

 
 

In Experience: We believe in good works, not to achieve God's favor, but that is what Jesus taught. We also believe your unique experience with God is as valid as those who sit next to you in the pew. 
 

 
 

In Reason. We believe that God has given each of us the capacity to think and that our minds are an asset in formulating and affirming our religious beliefs.
 

 
 

In Jesus Christ. He came; suffered for us; lived to show us an example of how we are to live; died for our sins and rose again from the dead. His life and death and resurrection are a mystery. We do not understand, but have faith in these three.
 

 
 

In the power of the Holy Spirit. We believe God sent the Holy Spirit to guide and direct our lives. We need only to ask. But, we also know, because of our sin, we do not always listen to the leading of the Spirit or can misinterpret the Spirit's guidance.
 

 
 

In the Trinity. This is a mystery. God is three in one. We cannot explain it except to say that God came to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Three ways to communicate to us.
 

 
 

In Grace. That God loves all people regardless of their sin. If we come to God and confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us. God is for us ... not against us. We are loved unconditionally by God. We cannot earn God's love ... it is freely given.
 

 
 

Sin. Everyone sins. No one can live this life without sin. We intentionally and unintentionally hurt ourselves and others. We intentionally and unintentionally go against God's will for our lives. 
   
 

Heaven/Hell. We believe that God provides for us a place after this life. We begin our heaven and hell right now by the way we live here on earth.
   
 

Saved. If we confess our sin, God is faithful and just and will forgive --- giving us eternal life. We need only accept the forgiveness as demonstrated in Christ.
   
 

Evangelical. We believe that we are all called to reach out into our community in an attempt to communicate the good news of Jesus.
   
 

Race. We believe that all races are children of God. We accept all races into the fellowship and membership of the Church.
   
 

Homosexuals. We believe that all persons stand in need of God's grace. One's sexual preference does not exclude one from God's grace. We believe that one who declares they are homosexual is still loved by God and must be treated as a child of God in Christ. However, we do not  condone its practice nor will the United Methodist Church ordain an avowed homosexual.
   
 

Divorce. We believe that divorce is not God's will. However, there are circumstances, we believe, where God would accept divorce as the lesser of two evils.

     
 

Abortion. We believe in the right of choice. We do not debate when life begins.