What We Believe - Hope United Methodist Church

Core Christian beliefs

God

We believe in one God, revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God creates, sustains, loves, redeems, and reigns.

Jesus

Jesus Christ is the Son of God, born of Mary through the Holy Spirit. Through Jesus, God offers freedom from sin and the gift of eternal life.

Hebrews 1:3 · Colossians 1:15–17

Salvation & grace

Salvation is a gift from God. We cannot earn it through good behavior. God’s grace is unmerited, unconditional, and unending love. We receive that gift through faith, trusting God and grounding our lives in that love.

The Bible

We believe the Bible is inspired by God and contains all things necessary for salvation. Read with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, it shapes our faith and how we live.

2 Timothy 3:16–17

Our Methodist roots

Grace at the center.
Love in everyday life.

Rooted in the movement begun by John and Charles Wesley, United Methodists emphasize God’s grace and a faith that grows through love. Here is what that can look like in everyday church life.

An open Communion table

This is Christ’s table. You do not have to belong to Hope or any United Methodist church to receive Communion, and children are welcome. Christ invites those who love him, seek forgiveness, and desire to live in peace with others.

Grace for the whole journey

God’s love reaches toward us before we recognize it. Through Christ, grace brings forgiveness and a new beginning, then continues shaping us to love God and our neighbors more fully.

Baptism at every age

We baptize infants, children, and adults as a sign of God’s grace and welcome into the church. We recognize Christian baptism with water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, including baptism in other denominations, and do not require rebaptism to join.

Scripture, questions, and understanding

The Bible is our primary guide for faith and life. We also draw on Christian tradition, personal experience, and reason as we seek to understand Scripture and follow Christ today.

Love that becomes action

Prayer, worship, and learning belong alongside practical care for others. Feeding neighbors, showing compassion, and working for justice are ways of living our faith.

Growing in faith together

Faith is a lifelong journey. Worship, prayer, Communion, and study help us keep growing in love, supported and encouraged by one another.

Do no harm. Do good. Stay in love with God.
A simple way to remember the Methodist call to everyday faith.

Rooted in grace.Lived out in love.

God