BELIEFS

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Our foundational beliefs are best expressed through The Nicene Creed:

We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made; of the same essence as the Father. Through Him all things were made. For us and for our salvation He came down from heaven; He became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and was made human. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried. The third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will never end.

And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. He proceeds from the Father and the Son, and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified. He spoke through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look forward to the resurrection of the dead, and to life in the world to come. Amen.

our beliefs

our Values

SCC is part of the historic Christian Church which affirms the core teachings of scripture. We celebrate and adhere to the ancient confessions of the Church, such as the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, as well as the five Solas of the Reformation: scripture alone, Christ alone, grace alone, faith alone, and for the glory of God alone. Below are additional values that we, as a congregation, aspire to embody and live.  

  • We believe that the Spirit of God is the author of the scriptures. The 66 books of the Old and New Testament are God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and His perfect revelation to His people. Therefore, we aspire to be rooted in His Word, allowing it to be our final rule of life and practice. 

  • The Kingdom of God is the central teaching of Christ Jesus (Mark 1:15) and all of scripture (Revelation 11:15). The ministry of the kingdom came through the life of Jesus and now comes through the life of the Church through the power of the Spirit. Therefore, we aspire to join Him in seeing His kingdom come and will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 

  • The Spirit is the agent of the Kingdom of God (Matthew 12:28), the source of life that is bringing the restoration of all things. We can do nothing apart from Him (John 15:5). Therefore, we aspire to discern his work in our midst and join Him in whatever ways He invites us. 

  • Jesus modeled sacred friendships as He broke bread and lived life with His apostles (Mark 6:31). Together they were authentic in sharing struggles, joys, and faith. Therefore, we aspire to become sacred friends who love one another as He loves us (John 13:34).

  • In his letters, the Apostle Paul continually directs his readers toward deep spiritual formation in Christ (Galatians 4:19-20). Accepting Jesus as our Savior is only the first step in the process. Therefore, we aspire to provide new ways to grow and mature in faith as we become more and more like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18).

  • We believe that in the New Covenant everyone gets to experience the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:28-32, Acts 2:17-21). Each and every one of us have been invited into the family business (John 15:14-16) and called to bear fruit that will last. Therefore, we aspire to utilize the gifts, talents, and resources that He has given our entire church body to share His love with the world. 

  • Jesus, the only begotten son of God, humbled himself (Philippians 2:6-11) and became Emmanuel, God with us, full of God's grace and truth (John 1:14-18). Therefore, we aspire to reflect His life in all we do, sharing his truth with the world, while allowing the love and forgiveness we have received to be shared with others.