Our Beliefs
As a United Methodist Congregation we hold strong beliefs about our faith in Almighty God. Below you will find some of our Christian Beliefs as a United Methodist Congregation.
On Sin and professing One's Faith
We refuse the spiritual forces of evil intent,
We reject the evil powers of the world,
We repent and are sorry for our sins and ask forgiveness!
On Professing the Christian Faith
About God:
We believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of
heaven and earth.
About Jesus Christ:
We believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he decended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
He ascended into heaven,
is seated at the right hand of the Father,
again to judge the living and the dead.
About The Holy Spirit:
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic (universal) church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.
On Becoming A Member of the United Methodist Church
Individuals can become a Member of the United Methodist Church
in one of several ways:
1) Making a Profession of Faith in Jesus Christ
(Usually Associated with Christian Baptism)
2) By Reaffirmation of Faith
3) By Transfer of Letter from Another United
Methodist Church
4) By Transfer of Letter from Another Denomination
(We acknowledge Christian Baptism and we do not
require re-baptism as a condition of church membership.
New members as well as transferring members are asked to acknowledge their intent as a member of the United Methodist Church and as a member of First United Methodist Church-Haleyville, to be loyal to the United Methodist Church, and do all in their power to strenthen its ministries, as well as, to faithfully participate in the ministries of the local church (F.U.M.C.-Haleyville, AL) by their prayers, their presence, their gifts, their service and their witness.
Baptism and The Lord's Supper
The United Methodist Church acknowledges two Sacraments ordained of Christ Our Lord; the Sacrament of Baptism and the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper (Holy Communion)
On the Sacrament of Christian Baptism
First United Methodist Church practices the belief that through the Sacrament of Baptism we are initiated into Christ's holy church. We believe in and practice infant baptism, and as United Methodist we believe in the mystery of God's work and love that is available to an infant in the Sacrament of Baptism. We believe that the work of God in and through the Sacrament of Baptism incorporates us into God's acts of salvation and that we are given new birth. We also believe that the work of God in and through the Sacrament of Baptism is God's gift to us, a gift offered without price. United Methodist accept and practice three modes of baptism: sprinkling, pouring and immersion. We believe in and practice that Baptism is performed in the worship service as a Christian community celebration. Baptism is a powerful witness that the Living God is transforming lives in a lost and hurting world.
On the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper
First United Methodist Church participates regularly by receiving the Sacrament of The Lord's Supper. We believe that God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are the host of the table to which the children of God are called too. It is the Justifying Act of Jesus Christ in His suffering, death and resurrection that makes it possible for us to come to receive Holy Communion. As Christians we believe that the table to which God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are the host, the table is open to all who have confessed their sins and accept the forgiveness of those sins in the act of Jesus Christ. We believe that participating in the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper draws the Body of Christ together in oneness with Jesus Christ.
