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WELCOME
to The First Congregational Church of Mansfield where a group of warm-hearted people will help you to feel comfortable and at ease.
As a congregational church, First Congregational embraces a threefold emphasis:
FAITH – a genuine faith in God as revealed in Jesus Christ but without a creed to which an individual must subscribe. Opportunities are provided to develop a personal journey of faith fitting the needs, understanding and experience of the individual.
FREEDOM – a church standing on its own, operating under the Lordship of Jesus Christ without denominational pressure or rules. The congregation itself is the ruling body of the church.
FELLOWSHIP – a group of men and women making covenant with each other in a community of faith, and sharing that fellowship with other churches in the community and beyond. The fellowship is expanded through a national association of churches sharing the same faith and religious culture.
The First Congregational Church is active in the community, aware of our responsibility and obligation to be a good neighbor. Many members serve the local community in a variety of ways:
· Serving on boards of local agencies
· Volunteering time in ministry through non-profit agencies
· Supporting organizations that serve the community population
· Meeting needs that arise in Mansfield, Richland County and our larger state, national and international world
Instead of a specific creed, individuals unite with the church by making covenant with the congregation. The covenant is made in a regular worship service on Sunday.
CHURCH COVENANT - We, the members of the First Congregational Church of Mansfield, covenant together in a shared belief that Jesus revealed God as being present among us: showing God’s intentions for us, unfolding God’s hopes for us and expressing God’s love for us. We therefore embrace the ways and the teaching of Jesus and seek their fulfillment. To that end we commit ourselves to creating a church fellowship that will reflect God’s presence in our individual lives, in our community, and in our world. Together we seek to share relevant worship experiences, to encourage spiritual growth, and to nurture our faith in God. We are determined to grow in our knowledge of God and in our vision of God’s will for us, hoping thereby, to find the strength to sustain us for living our lives in a Christ like manner.
Local Church Constitution
AFFILIATION OF OUR CHURCH: National Association of Congregational Christian Churches www.naccc.org
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