This fall our Wednesday morning Bible Study began a study of the Apostles’ Creed, that ancient Christian statement of faith. For sixty years I have said that creed, first in Bethel Methodist Church where I was baptized into God’s family and grew up with my father, mother, and sister, and in First Presbyterian Florence with my grandmother and cousins, then in Morristown, NJ’s Presbyterian Church on the Green as a young bride, then in Myers Park Presbyterian as a young wife and mother, and now blessedly here for 36 years as a wife, mother, grandmother, Deacon, and Elder. The Apostles’ Creed is a statement of faith that I’ve said my whole life, sometimes too young to understand, sometimes distracted, sometimes heart-broken, sometimes rejoicing, but it has always been woven into my worship life. And now this fall I dug into it, studying it intensely and the Creed became new again. Albert Winn says in his commentary that ‘Every time we say it, lightening should strike!’

I believe in God the Father, Who made heaven and earth. His Majesty is awesome. God’s steadfast love and mercy endures forever! He is ‘my Rock and my Shield’. In His Amazing Love He sent His Son, Jesus Christ.

I believe in Jesus Christ, His Only Begotten Son. He is my Savior and Redeemer. Through Jesus Christ we are able to come to our Father. Because Jesus took my sins upon Himself on the cross, my sins are forgiven. I remember many years ago leaving a Good Friday service in our chapel and being overwhelmed with the extraordinary knowledge that Jesus had done this for me. The only possible response to this amazing gift of grace is gratitude greater than I’ve ever known, and the need and desire to serve, as best I can, my Shepherd, who will ‘never leave me or forsake me’. (Hebrews 13:5) In Communion I hear Jesus asking me to partake of the bread and wine ‘in remembrance of Him’. I feel Him holding my hand and I know I trust Him with my life. The most humbling service that I participate in is the serving of Communion.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, and my Comforter. In many dark times, I have felt the strength of the Holy Spirit hold me so tightly. There is a great and beautiful mystery in the triune God we worship. Yet I can know the Father, Jesus, and the Spirit through His gift of faith and His Word.

I believe that the Bible is the God-breathed words of God that guide, instruct, and comfort me every day. The Bible is my anchor or as Corrie Ten Boom says ‘my telephone pole in those yellow slicker days’. It is my joy in Hallelujah days.

I can affirm in the statements of the Apostles’ Creed today as if they are new again to me - with lightening striking all around me.