Who We Are
We are diverse in the particularities of theological beliefs, but we are united in our inclusivity of all people as sacred creations. We recognize that we are all on a spiritual journey, and our paths have brought us together through a variety of landscapes. We do not say a single creed or insist that everyone has to believe the same thing.
The diversity we bring is a beautiful reflection of the vastness of God. Therefore, questions are valued more than absolutes. Together, we strive to live out the fullest expression of love, justice, and care for all people and all creation. Jesus calls us to grow our awareness and deepen our experiences of the Holy within and beyond all.
Our Vision
Saint Paul United Methodist Church will be a fertile place of personal growth and transformation; a downtown center of prayer, song, joy, and hope-filled spirit; a diverse and caring people of grace and compassion.
What We Believe
We believe we are called to live the way Jesus lived, to live with love, compassion, and justice in all that we do and say. We believe that all of us are loved and valued and welcomed by God, who calls us to “love God with our heart, mind, soul, and strength; and to love our neighbors as ourselves.”
The United Methodist Church believes God’s love for the world is an active and engaged love, a love seeking justice and liberty. We cannot just be observers. So we care enough about people’s lives to risk interpreting God’s love, to take a stand, to call each of us into a response, no matter how controversial or complex. The church helps us think and act out a faith perspective, not just responding to all the other ‘mind-makers-up’ that exist in our society.
What We Believe:
- We affirm our unity in Jesus Christ while acknowledging differences in applying our faith in different cultural contexts as we live out the gospel.
- All creation is the Lord’s, and we are responsible for the ways in which we use and abuse it.
- As United Methodists, we profess that all we are and all that we possess belong to God.
- As United Methodists, we affirm that human beings are made for God and for one another.
- We support structures in the church and in civil society that honor the basic freedoms and rights of all human beings and protect God’s creation.
Progressive Christianity
The United Methodist Church is rich in diversity and beliefs. At Saint Paul, you will find that diversity. There is not one statement or creed that all must ascribe to in order to be a part of our community. Much of our teachings reflect the following:
- Following the path and teachings of Jesus can lead to an awareness and experience of the Sacred and the Onesness and Unity of all life.
- The teachings of Jesus provide but one of many ways to experience the Sacredness and Oneness of life, and we can draw from diverse sources of wisdom in our spiritual journey.
- Our community is inclusive of ALL people, including but not limited to:
- Conventional Christians and questioning skeptics
- Believers and agnostics
- Women and men
- Those of all sexual orientations and gender identities
- Those of all classes and abilities
- The way we behave towards one another is the fullest expression of what we believe.
- Find grace in the search for understanding and believe there is more value in questioning than in absolutes.
- Strive for peace and justice among all people.
- Strive to protect and restore the integrity of our Earth.
- Commit to a path of life-long learning, compassion, and selfless love.
Membership
We welcome you to worship with us and participate in our many opportunities for spiritual growth, learning, fellowship and ministry to the community. Membership is not required to participate, but if you are ready to go to the next level in your faith walk and make a deeper commitment, we invite you to consider becoming a member of Saint Paul United Methodist Church.
Members commit themselves to be Christ’s representatives in the world and participate in their church by:
- Praying for the church and for the world, and participating in opportunities to grow in the spiritual life.
- Attending worship, participating in fellowship and learning opportunities and caring for others in the Saint Paul community.
- Giving regular financial support to the church, as you are able, and supporting the church with your time and talent.
- Being involved in ministries of compassion and justice, either sponsored by Saint Paul or with community partners.
Sacraments
The United Methodist Church recognizes two sacraments: Holy Communion and Baptism.
- Holy Communion is served on the first Sunday of each month in our regular worship services. All are invited to share in this means of experiencing God’s grace. You do not need to be a United Methodist or a member of Saint Paul. There are no prerequisites for receiving communion. Simply come forward when the pastor indicates it is time to do so. You will be given a piece of bread and the server will say something akin to, “The grain of God’s love” or “the bread of new life”. You will be offered a small cup of juice and the server will say something akin to “the cup of God’s love for you” or “the cup of hope”. We serve grape juice for communion in solidarity with all who may have difficulties with alcohol consumption. Gluten-free wafers are also available. Holy Communion is a recognition of our connection to all persons in all time in all places who share in the grain and cup, the fruits of the earth. It is a remembrance of who we are as God’s beloved and God’s love poured out for all.
- Baptism is naming and claiming the grace of God already present in the life of all people. It is a sacrament of initiation into the church, which joins the new member to all Christians everywhere. It is a vow of commitment to live out God’s love, justice and mercy, to resist evil in the world, and to grow in faith and service. All ages are baptized in the United Methodist Church. Adults who come for baptism claim the grace and make the vows for themselves. When children are brought for baptism by their parents, the parents pledge to raise the child in the faith by example and participation in the church. When the child reaches middle school age, a class of confirmation will prepare them to make those vows for themself. We observe the sacrament of baptism during Sunday worship services so that the entire faith community can welcome and join in their vows to support the newly baptized. Parents who desire to have a child baptized should contact the pastor to schedule a meeting.
Firearm Resolution
Adopted by Church Council August 29, 2023.
Whereas, we believe the Peaceable Kingdom is God’s vision whereby:
The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den. They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. – Isaiah 11:6-9
Whereas, we believe God’s desire is for peace on earth:
They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. – Isaiah 2:4
Whereas, we are a people following the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, whose birth was heralded by angelic voices singing “peace on earth”, who when confronted by armed assailants called for his defenders to put away their weapons:
Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, ‘Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. – Matthew 26
Whereas, we believe all life is sacred and all people are children of a loving God.
Whereas, we believe all people shall have a safe place to gather for worship and spiritual growth.
Therefore, be it resolved that Saint Paul United Methodist Church prohibits all weapons including firearms on its property at 1144 M Street, Lincoln Nebraska in accordance with Nebraska Revised Statute 28-1202.01.