St. Matthew's Lutheran Church; North Hollywood, CA

We, an inclusive congregation of the people of God:

Acknowledge:

That we, as people, are sinful by nature in thoughts and actions which we cannot fully understand, but which are all known to God;

That we are called upon to minister to all the people in our world which is frequently a hostile place, a place of alienation and brokenness;

That Christ brings us to reconciliation and wholeness;

That Christ admonishes us that as we fail to minister to one of the least of His brethren, we fail to minister to Him (cf. Matthew 25:45);

That we are challenged to be agents of his healing within our community and our society;

Affirm:

With St. Paul, that in Christ, "There is neither Greek nor Jew, Bonded nor Free, Male nor Female" (Galatians 3:28);

That Christ has made us "as One" in Himself;

That, herein specifically, as with matters of culture, ethnicity, and gender, Christ's inclusivity extends to those whose affectional orientation is toward a person of the same sex;

Because Gay and Lesbian people are often subjected to hostility in society, and feel alienated from the Communion and from the Community of the Church, we further:

Declare:

That gay and lesbian people share, with all others, the worth that comes of being created, unique and individual, the children of God;

That gay and lesbian people are welcomed to the Communion and to the community of this congregation upon making the same affirmation of faith which has defined our beliefs since the Ecumenical Council of Nicea in a.d. 325;

That as members of this congregation, gay and lesbian people are encouraged to share in the sacraments of the Church, and in the general life of the congregation;

That we are set free by our faith to celebrate the diversity and the commonality which binds us to one-another; to the greater Church, and to the whole people of God;

Pray:

That, by the power of the Holy Spirit, God will increase in us the true knowledge of Him and of His will, of ourselves, and of true obedience to his Word;

That as we flee for refuge to His mercy, we may be guided to true and full love, acceptance, understanding and support of all our brothers and sisters in the true faith that, "to all who believe in His name, He gives power to become the children of God, and bestows upon them Him Holy Spirit";

That by God's grace we may be reconciled to His will, to ourselves, our brothers and sisters, to our Church, our community and our world.

Reconciled in Love . . . Reconciled in the Gospel . . . Reconciled in Christ.