Our Beliefs

The First Orthodox Congregational Church of Merrimac, or Pilgrim Congregational Church as it is more commonly known, exists to meet the religious needs of the community. We encourage our members' faith to grow through worship, fellowship and service to our fellow man. Our primary goal is to make God's will the dominant force in our day-to-day living. We also recognize that each member shall have the undisturbed right to follow the Word of God according to the dictates of his own conscience, through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit.

We acknowledge Jesus Christ as the head of our church. His will is made known to us by reflection upon his life, teachings, death and resurrection. We hold that the true test of fellowship is in striving to live in accordance with his teachings. In matters of faith and discipline, we are guided by the Holy Scriptures, as interpreted by the Divine Spirit through reason, faith and conscience.

Our church is an integral part of the Essex Association of the Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ. However, the governing of our affairs is vested in its members, who exercise the right of control by vote of the body. We accept the obligations of mutual council, comity and cooperation involved in this form of government, and pledge to share in the common aims and labors of the congregation.

Statement of Faith of the United Church of Christ, Adapted

We believe in God, the Eternal Spirit,
who is made known to us in Jesus our brother, and to whose deeds we testify:

God calls the worlds into being,
creates humankind in the divine image
and sets before us the ways of life and death.

God seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.

God judges all humanity and all nations by that will of righteousness declared through prophets and apostles.

In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and Risen Lord, God has come to us and shared our common lot,
conquering sin and death and reconciling the whole creation to its Creator.

God bestows upon us the Holy Spirit,
creating and renewing the Church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.

God calls us into the church
to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be servants in the service of the whole human family, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ's baptism and eat at His table, to join Him in His passion and victory.

God promises to all who trust in the gospel forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, the presence of the Holy Spirit in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in that kingdom which has no end.

Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto God. Amen.

Our commitment to the church, our Lord and one another can best be expressed in our Covenant:

Covenant of Pilgrim Congregational Church

Believing God's promises and accepting His love made known through Jesus Christ, we, the members of Pilgrim Congregational Church, respond to God's call to obedience, and do covenant to support the mission of our church by worshipping faithfully with fellow members, by participating in the sacraments, and by using our skills and possessions to share God's love with one another.