The Nicene Creed (AD 325)

 The Nicene Creed (AD 325):

 

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

 

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again with glory to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

 

And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spake by the Prophets. And I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

 

Source: https://bookofconcord.org/ecumenical-creeds/nicene-creed/

(1) Let us strive for and appreciate unity, even in the midst of diversity of traditions. 

(2) Let us rejoice over the truths concerning Jesus Christ and his Gospel which have been maintained throughout history. 

(3) Let us celebrate what God has done in the world through his Son and our Savior. 

(4) Let us continue to open ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in our congregation and in the Church worldwide.

Invocation for Little League 2025

Invocation at the Opening Day Ceremony of the North Forsyth Little League 2025

Our Father in heaven, may your name be praised in the highest. You are the great God, the Creator of all things, and the Savior of our souls.

We come to you with thanksgivings—for family, for community, for good weather, for sport. As these families look forward to another season of ball, I ask that you bless every household. We pray that many lessons are learned, that community is built, that physical exercise is gained, that protection from injury is given, and that there is a whole lot of fun. Bless this league and all who are involved.

Father, we ask that your grace be on every practice, on every game, on every player, on every team, and on every family.

And we pray all of these things through Christ Jesus the Lord, Amen.

Rural Hall, North Carolina

A Brief Summary of Maundy Thursday

A Brief Summary of Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday marks the night during Passion Week when the Lord Jesus gathered with his disciples in the Upper Room to observe the Passover. This gathering became known as the Last Supper. During the meal, two significant events happened that Christian churches throughout the centuries have remembered: the Lord washed his disciples’ feet, foreshadowing his voluntary and atoning death, and he instituted the Lord’s Supper, which we observe weekly to this day, eating bread and drinking the fruit of the vine in remembrance of his body and blood given for us.

 

Maundy is from the Latin word mandatum from which we get words like mandate or command. This is based on Christ’s new command which he delivers in the Upper Room on the night of the Last Supper. The Lord said in John 13:34, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” Maundy Thursday is a time to remember the events of the Lord’s last evening with his disciples in the Upper Room and the spiritual meal that he instituted. During this evening service, we consider the Passover, the love command, the Lord’s Supper, our own sinfulness, the holiness of God, the suffering and atoning death of our Savior and Lord, and the depths of the love of God.