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Emanuel Church’s
Rules of Life
This community of faith affirms that the best way to pursue being a disciple of Jesus is to embrace and live into the following Rules of Life to the best of our ability.
Serving
We are committed to being “salt and light” in our world, we are the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. As a community of faith we work together, care for each other, and spread the love of God throughout our village, state, nation, and world.
Spiritual Formation
Spiritual Formation is a process, but it is also a journey through which we open our hearts to a deeper connection with God. We will seek to discover and nurture this deeper connection through engaging in personal and communal discipleship. We recognize the value in pursuing and participating in the spiritual disciplines of prayer/meditation, bible study, discovering and using spiritual gifts, worship, giving, serving, and fellowship. The personal and communal development of a deeper connection to God prepares us to hear and to do the will of God.
Generosity
Every time we as disciples of Jesus are generous with our time, money, talents, energy, and resources, we are displaying Godly character. We believe we can be generous knowing that God keeps his promises and will bless us abundantly, so that in all things at all times, we will have all that we need. Because we believe this we cheerfully give out of the abundance in which God had blessed us.
Build Significant Relationships
We strive to be an example of Christ in the world, being just, merciful and honest in our dealings and faithful in our commitments with all people. We will extend ourselves to know and love other members of this community of faith and will be willing to be known and loved by them. We respect the right of all to express their beliefs. Although we will not always agree, we will work for unity of spirit and purpose as fellow Christians and others in our greater community.
Welcoming/Affirming
We affirm that all people are created and loved by God. At Emanuel Church we commit ourselves to accept and welcome each person as God shapes them. To offer a warm and welcoming place to worship and serve God wherever they are in their journey of faith. At Emanuel there is a place for all who are seeking to know and serve God.
Meaningful Worship
Sunday mornings should be a Sabbath experience where we set aside this time to come together for worship and fellowship with our community of faith. For worship to be a meaningful experience disciples should commit themselves to make the weekly service a priority and prepare their hearts and minds for worship.
New and Progressive Ministry
God tells us in Isaiah 43:19, “See, I am doing a new thing!” We claim that promise. We will strive to not be confined by long standing ways of thinking. We will strive to carry out ministry so we do not limit the creative, modern, and innovative avenues to which God may be leading us. We will trust God and be open to embracing new and progressive ministry opportunities while also honoring our rich and traditional heritage.
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“The Church is not a building, The Church is not a steeple, The Church is not a resting place, the Church is the People! I am the Church, You are the Church, We are the Church together! All who follow Jesus, All around the world! Yes we’re the Church together!”
The words of the above hymn remind us that the church is, indeed, a people. God has brought us together to be Emanuel Church. In our worship experiences, in our times of fellowship, and in our service to God and the community, we follow Jesus Christ. We are not a building; we are not a steeple; we are not a resting place; we are a people! We are eager to have you join in the exciting journey God has set before us. We are eager to have you become, with us, “the Church together!” At Emanuel United Church of Christ, we gather as a Church family. We offer something for everyone. We thank you for taking the time to see what Emanuel Church is all about and we hope to see you on Sunday. |
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