As a people of the covenant, we, the members of First Congregational Church/United Church of Christ in Las Vegas, Nevada, welcome all people into the full life and ministry of this church. We recognize, celebrate, and give thanks for the many diverse gifts of God among us.
In covenant, we declare ourselves to be open and affirming of all God’s children, and thus we celebrate God’s love for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, races, ethnicities, ages, and abilities. Our Mission Statement calls us to embrace an ever-expanding community and a lifestyle of generosity and service.
In covenant, we pledge to do our part in proclaiming that all may know that any unjust discrimination is incompatible with Christ’s Gospel of unconditional love.
“Let Your light shine, O God,” that all may see.
From our bylaws as a Nevada Corporation since 1931:
ARTICLE
IV. FAITH AND COVENANT
A. Faith. This church acknowledges as its sole head, Jesus Christ. It acknowledges as brothers and sisters in Christ all who share this confession. It looks to the Word of God in the scriptures and to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to enlighten its creative and redemptive work in the world. It claims as its own the faith of the historic Church expressed in the ancient creeds and reclaimed in the insights of the Protestant Reformers and in the Statement of Faith of the United Church of Christ. It affirms the responsibility of the Church in each generation to make this faith its own. This church recognizes two Sacraments: Baptism and Holy Communion (Lord's Supper).
No creed is held to be binding upon individual members. Each member shall have the undisturbed right to follow the Word of God according to the dictates of his own or her own conscience under the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit.
.B. Covenant. We covenant with one another to seek and respond to the Word and the will of God. We propose to walk together in the ways of the Lord, made known or to be made known to us. We hold it to be the mission of the Church to witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ in all the world, while worshiping God and striving for truth, justice, and peace. As did our fathers and mothers, we depend on the Holy Spirit to lead and empower us. We pray for the coming of the Kingdom of God, and we look with faith toward the triumph of righteousness and eternal life.
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 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.