Send the Light: Affirmations of Faith

These affirmations were created to accompany the Advent sermon series “Send the Light” and are excerpted or adapted from the confessional statements found in the PC(USA) Book of Confessions. The bold text is spoken by the whole congregation. You are welcome to use or adapt these liturgies for worship, acknowledging their confessional source.

Week 1: “Send Hope”
 adapted from the Confession of 1967

God’s redeeming work in Jesus Christ embraces the whole of our life. 
It is the will of God that God’s purpose for human life shall be fulfilled 
under the rule of Christ and all evil be banished from creation. 
Already God’s reign is present as a growing seed* in the world, stirring hope in people
and preparing the world to receive its ultimate judgment and redemption. 
With an urgency born of this hope, the church applies itself to present tasks 
and strives for a better world. 
It does not identify limited progress with the kingdom of God on earth, 
nor does it despair in the face of disappointment and defeat. 
In steadfast hope, the church looks beyond all partial achievement 
to the final triumph of God. Amen.

*the original language is ferment

Week 2: Send Peace
adapted from the Second Helvetic Confession

What is the Gospel? 
The Gospel is properly called glad and joyous news, 
in which, first by John the Baptist, then by Christ the Lord himself, 
and afterwards by the apostles and their successors, 
is preached to us in the world that God has now performed 
what God promised from the beginning of the world, 
and has sent, nay more, has given us the only Son 
and in him reconciliation with our Creator, 
the remission of sins, all fullness and everlasting life. Amen.

Week Three: Send Joy
from the Westminster Confession of Faith

What is the chief end of humanity?
Humanity’s chief end is to glorify God, 
and to enjoy God forever.

Week Four: Send Love
The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, 
maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, 
the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, 
God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, 
begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; 
through him all things were made. 
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, 
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. 
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; 
he suffered death and was buried. 
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; 
he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, 
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, 
who proceeds from the Father and the Son, 
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, 
who has spoken through the prophets. 
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. 
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. 
We look for the resurrection of the dead, 
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Week Five: Send the Light
from the Brief Statement of Faith

We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God.
Jesus proclaimed the reign of God:
preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives,
teaching by word and deed and blessing the children,
healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted,
eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel. Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition,
Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain
and giving his life for the sins of the world.
God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life,
breaking the power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal.