Keywords:
kindergartens, first umc, missionary, family music, faith, after school care, christian education, fellowship, haiti disaster, churche, choir, classes, find a church, gods word, bible readings, earthquake, childcare, toddler nurseries, john wesley, port prince, associations, prayer, programs, unique products, prayer service, gospel, elementary schools, local church service, sanctuary, worship, biblical interpretation, youth choir, nursery ministries, child opportunities, bible studies, memberships, preschools, childcare workers, school, music ministry, affiliations, apostles, chapel, first united methodist, 1st umc, elementary school, adult ministries, preschool, methodist churches, learning, faith in god, god, christians, teacher, portal, events, bible conferences, news service, emotional care, illness, conversational prayer, confirmation, home missionary, umcorg, childrens ministries, haiti, church, marietta, support haiti, first united methodist church, pastor, spiritual care
Detailed description:
The Bible is sacred canon for Christian people, formally acknowledged as such by historic ecumenical councils of the Church. Our doctrinal standards identify as canonical thirty-nine books of the Old Testament and the twenty-seven books of the New Testament. Our standards affirm the Bible as the source of all that is "necessary" and "sufficient" unto salvation (Articles of Religion) and "is to be received through the Holy Spirit as the true rule and guide for faith and practice" (Confession of Faith).We properly read Scripture within the believing community, informed by the tradition of that community. We interpret individual texts in light of their place in the Bible as a whole.We are aided by scholarly inquiry and personal insight, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As we work with each text, we take into account what we have been able to learn about the original context and intention of that text. In this understanding we draw upon the careful historical, literary, and textual studies of recent years, which have enriched our understanding of the Bible.Through this faithful reading of Scripture, we may come to know the truth of the biblical message in its bearing on our own lives and the life of the world. Thus, the Bible serves both as a source of our faith and as the basic criterion by which the truth and fidelity of any interpretation of faith is measured.
