What We Believe

A Song of Faith

Scripture is our song for the journey, the living word
passed on from generation to generation
to guide and inspire,
that we might wrestle a holy revelation for our time and place
from the human experiences
and cultural assumptions of another era.
God calls us to be doers of the word and not hearers only.

We believe that scripture was inspired by God. It remains our source of understanding God. We acknowledge that the writing of the Bible was conditioned by the language, thought, and setting of its time. The Bible must be read in its historical context. Our role is to interpret Scripture faithful to reveal God’s message to us in our time. 

Both the Presbyterian and United Church celebrate two sacraments: baptism and communion.

A sacrament is a symbolic action in which people of faith encounter the presence of God. Through the sacraments, ordinary things like bread, wine, and water are used to point us towards God’s love. They remind us of the sacred aspects of life. 

Baptism

Baptism is a symbolic action which signifies the new life God gives us as a community of faith. The sacrament of baptism is the rite of passage for both the Presbyterian and United Church into the Christian community, and the wider church. We offer baptism to all ages, as baptism represent an outward sign of what God has already done for us. Those who are baptized as infants are later called to make a Confession of Faith. Baptism is not a requirement of God’s love, nor is it a way to buy your way into heaven. Those who die without baptism are in no way condemend, lost, or damned.

Baptism in both the Presbyterian and United Church is recognized by all denominations of the Christian church that practice infant baptism. Similarly, if someone has already been baptized in another church at any age, they are recognized and welcomed. 

Communion

In Communion Christ places his table in this wrold to feed and bless his people. Communion is a joyful mystery where Jesus takes the ordinary elements of bread and wine to represent the deepening union between himself and the church. In Communion Christ is present in the world, proclaiming the good news of hope and salvation. 

At Centreville-Harmony Church we practice an open table. All are invited to who seek Jesus to share in this meal. 

The Christian Church exists for others. We believe that our faith is alive through our actions of service. We believe that Jesus came into the world to demonstrate God’s love and concern for creation. We are called to care for one another. We are also called to care for the world. This takes a variety of forms and activities, which include: politics, economics, social structures, and the enviornment.

Caring for one another was central to the teachings of Jesus. We strengthen one another to do God’s work in the world, recognizing that God’s kingdom exists here and now. We partner with other churches, faith traditions, and people of good will to eliminate poverty and injustice, and protect the vulnerable. Both the Presbyterian and United Church do this work in their local communities and throughout the world. 

Christian stewardship is everything we think, say, and do after we say “I believe.”

God is creative and self-giving,
generously moving
in all the near and distant corners of the universe.
Nothing exists that does not find its source in God.
Our first response to God’s providence is gratitude.
We sing thanksgiving. (A Song of Faith)

Stewardship and discipleship reflect how we spend our time, care for ourselves, set priorities around money and possessions, and how we manage our relationships both with one another and the world we inhabit.

Centreville-Harmony Church is an open and welcoming community. Just as Jesus did, all people are welcome regardless of age, race, class, gender, orientation, identity, or ability.