About First United Methodist Church of South Bend
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We know you have a lot of great churches to choose from in South Bend, Indiana, and we encourage you to check them out. If in your search you find yourself on our doorstep, we will welcome you with loving arms. Our goal is to be an authentic community of believers who are learning to love Jesus and love others more and more each day. Come as you are - First United Methodist Church of South Bend is a friendly and informal church. There's no need to dress up, unless it makes you feel more comfortable.
We believe that the gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ - God's very wisdom. Utter folly to the world, even though it is the power of God to those who are being saved, this good news is christological, centering on the cross and resurrection: the gospel is not proclaimed if Christ is not proclaimed, and the authentic Christ has not been proclaimed if his death and resurrection are not central. This good news is biblical (his death and resurrection are according to the Scriptures), theological and salvific (Christ died for our sins, to reconcile us to God), historical (if the saving events did not happen, our faith is worthless, we are still in our sins, and we are to be pitied more than all others), apostolic (the message was entrusted to and transmitted by the apostles, who were witnesses of these saving events), and intensely personal (where it is received, believed, and held firmly, individual persons are saved).
About Salvation: Salvation is a gift from God to mankind, received by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can we be saved from sin's penalty. Eternal life begins the moment we receive Jesus Christ into our life by faith.
About Generosity: Give it away - You can give without living, but you can't love without giving. 'The son of God... loved me and gave himself for me.' - Galatians 2:20