Mission Statement
- To be a covenant people responding to Christ's call to name, nurture, and empower disciples
Vision Statement
In response to God's call, we will be a Church that is attentive to the Word of God by...
- Keeping our hearts committed to Jesus Christ, we will welcome all people into fellowship.
- Having a passion for God burning brightly, we will do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God.
- Putting our faith into action, we will be supportive of one another.
- Being guided by the Holy Spirit, we will nurture and celebrate all of our sisters and brothers.
Responding to Christ's call, our Church will provide meaningful worship experiences by...
- Proclaiming the liberating power of God in Jesus Christ, our Church will provide comfort and counsel.
- Having a passion for God, we will be a beacon for Christ's love.
Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, our Church will be empowered to raise up disciples for Jesus Christ by...
- Being witness of the Christian faith.
- Remaining sensitive to others.
- Encouraging justice and peace.
- Enriching our eternal covenant with God
History & Theology
History
- First church service was in 1842 as the Evangelical Lutheran and Reformed Protestant Congregation
- First official church board was organized on December 30th, 1842
- Construction of the first church building started in the spring of 1844 - total cost was $99.95
- Construction of the second church building started in 1859 at the corner of 4th and Walnut
- Our denomination was called to join the Evangelical Synod of the West in 1860
- On December 26th, 1889, it was decided that the church should be know as the German Evangelical Salem Church
- Construction of the parish hall started in 1928
- On August 9th, 1936, a new constitution was adopted to change the name of the church to Salem Evangelical and Reformed Church of Huntingburg
- In 1957, our church became Salem United Church of Christ
Theology
- The Apostle's Creed: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into hell; on the third day, He rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence he shall judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the one holy universal Christian Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
- The Lord's Prayer: Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
- UCC Statement of Faith: We believe in God, the Eternal Spirit, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Father, and to His Deeds we testify. He calls the worlds into being, creates man in His own image and sets before him the ways of life and death. He seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin. He judges men and nations by His righteous will declared through the prophets and apostles. In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Lord, He has come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the world to Himself. He bestows upon us His Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the Church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races. He calls us into His church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be His servants in the service of men, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ's baptism and eat at His table, to join Him in His passion and victory. He promises to all who trust Him forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, His presence in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in His Kingdom which has no end. Blessing and honor, glory, and power be unto Him. Amen.