A NOTE FROM PASTOR TIM 

 

 A New Year's Thought: We Deserve God's Condemnation!

 

Got your attention, didn't I? Actually, this line comes from the 1983 "Brief Statement of Faith" adopted by the Presbyterian Church. It is one of the cornerstones of our faith and of Faith Church.

 

This statement on condemnation was not received without considerable debate. Some felt it too strong, too negative, that it negates the message of grace. Others argued that without condemnation, salvation is empty.   Only when we accept that we are completely and totally undeserving of God's love can we embrace the cross as good news for those who would otherwise perish. Rather than negating grace, our sin is the context for God's grace. (As George Bernard quipped: 'the good thing about sin is that it is evenly distributed.')

 

Not that I want to be a downer as you begin the New Year - but it is healthy to keep in mind that we are all sinners, standing in the need of grace!

 

  

In Faith,

 

tim-sign

Pastor Tim

 

 

 

THE FAITH ARCHIVES


     
JANUARY 7, 2013 

Service Times
8:15, 9:30, and 11:15AM

 

MINISTRY FAIR   

  

The Ministry Fair is on January 13th, 9:15 - 11:00 in Fellowship Hall. 

 

 

 

CLICK HERE to see the current Calendar! 

FAITH PONDERING  

  

We trust in God, whom Jesus called Abba, Father.
In sovereign love, God created the world good and makes everyone equally in God's image, male and female, of every race and people, to live as one community.
 

But we rebel against God; we hide from our Creator. Ignoring God's commandments, we violate the image of God in others and ourselves, accept lies as truth, exploit neighbor and nature, and threaten death to the planet entrusted to our care.

We deserve God's condemnation. Yet God acts with justice and mercy to redeem creation.

In everlasting love, the God of Abraham and Sarah chose a covenant people to bless all families of the earth. Hearing their cry, God delivered the children of Israel from the house of bondage.

Loving us still, God makes us heirs with Christ of the covenant. Like a mother who will not forsake her nursing child, like a father who runs to welcome the prodigal home, God is faithful still.


Section 10.3
A Brief Statement of Faith