Unison Reading B

We believe in God,

Creator and Sustainer of the universe,

who in love and holiness has called forth a people of faith,

who has spoken to us in Jesus Christ,

the Word of God become flesh, in whom Scripture has its center,

the one crucified, resurrected, and exalted for our sake,

our Savior from the dominion of sin and evil,

our peace and our reconciliation,

our Lord and the head of the church,

through whom God sends the Holy Spirit,

the source of our life and the guarantee of our redemption.

We renew our covenant in Christ’s church,

the new community called to proclaim

and to be a sign of the reign of God,

the assembly of those who have responded in faith to Jesus Christ,

the society established and sustained by the Holy Spirit,

to interpret Scripture, the trustworthy standard for faith and life,

to carry on Jesus’ ministry in word and deed,

to call for repentance and make disciples of all peoples,

to baptize believers and to share the Lord’s Supper,

to offer God’s forgiveness and restoration to those who sin,

to use our gifts and abilities for God’s service,

to live in mutual love, order, and unity,

so that the church may become one new humanity, a light to the world.

We commit ourselves to follow Jesus Christ

in his path through suffering to new life,

relying on the power of the Holy Spirit and the gift of God’s grace,

becoming conformed to Christ rather than to evil in the world,

being transformed into the divine image in which humanity was created.

As Christ’s community of disciples, faithful to his covenant, we are called

to life in the Spirit and relationship with God through Christ,

to chastity and loving faithfulness to marriage vows,

to right stewardship of all that God has entrusted to us,

to the way of peace, loving enemies and practicing justice,

to deeds of compassion and reconciliation in holiness of life.

We are the people of God,

gathering to worship the one true God, who is three-in-one.

We are God’s holy nation,

giving our allegiance to Jesus Christ as Lord of lords,

living now according to the pattern of God’s future.

We place our hope in the reign of God and its fulfillment,

in the resurrection of the dead,

in God’s final victory over evil,

and in that day when Christ will come again in glory and judgment

to gather his church to reign with him in righteousness and peace.

To God be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus

to all generations forever and ever! Amen!