Vision Statement: that the greater Merrimac community will live, give and love beyond all expectations as they reflect God’s Kingdom here on earth.
Mission Statement: The Merrimac United Methodist Church exists to help all people know and experience the saving grace found in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Statement of Faith:
- We Confess Jesus Christ “The Son of God”
- We confess, in accordance with Holy Scripture and with the Holy Spirit’s help, that Jesus Christ is the one and only Son of God.
- We Confess Jesus Christ “The Savior”
- We confess, in accordance with Holy Scripture and with the Holy Spirit’s help that Jesus Christ is the one and only Savior of the world.
- We Confess Jesus Christ as “The Lord”
- We confess, in accordance with Holy Scripture and with the Holy Spirit’s help, that Jesus Christ is the one and only Lord of creation and history. Adopted 1/16/2006—Church Council
Merrimac United Methodists Believe:
- The Authority of Scripture…primary source from which we draw our understanding and practice of the Christian faith.
- The Triune God…one God known/revealed in three persons: Father/Creator, Son/Jesus Christ, & Holy Spirit/Spirit of God.
- Human Nature & Salvation…all humanity is separated from God by their sinful ways, but all are offered reconciliation with God through the atoning, sacrificial gift of grace offered by Jesus Christ’s death for our sins. Salvation comes through faith and acceptance of God’s gift of grace and forgiveness.
- The Holy Life…once we accept God’s grace, we are expected to grow in living in ways that please and reflect God to the world. Living moral lives and following God’s commandments.
- Church & Sacraments…fellowship with Christ’s people, all who claim God’s gift of salvation, aids us in experiencing God and growing in our faith. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, affirmed by Christ, are offered to all who are willing to receive them as means for experiencing God’s prevenient, justifying and sanctifying grace.
—Belief Matters, 2001 Charles Yriogeyen, Jr. Pp 124-125
John Wesley’s General Rules for Christian Living
- Do no harm, by avoiding evil of every kind
- Do good of every possible sort, and as far as possible, to all…
- Participate in all the ordinances of God…
~ Worship ~ Reading Scripture and Meditating
~ Prayer ~ Fasting…self-sacrifice
~ Giving ~ Participating in the Sacraments:
resources/time Baptism & Holy Communion
—UMC Book of Discipline – 2004
