About UsAn Introduction to Bellevue First Congregational Church

For more than 100 years, as Bellevue has grown from a rustic farming community to a bustling city with skyscrapers in every view, “the church on the corner” has ministered to the needs of a growing and ever-changing community. The same neighborly openness that once allowed multiple denominations to share the same rural church building in harmony is now represented by a congregation that openly welcomes attendees from as far away as Gig Harbor and Issaquah. And the same community focus that once allowed farmers to rely on one another in hard times is now represented by an outreach program that actively strives to address social issues locally and around the world, wherever there is need for compassionate action.

Our theology is simple, yet powerful. God’s world is an amazing place, full of mystery and miracles. No one has all the answers, so discussion is good; together we can explore, appreciate, and find meaning in our own and each others’ lives through a faith journey with the Bible as our sourcebook. We recognize that the Bible was written in a cultural setting far different from today, but the lessons in it, combined with our increasing knowledge of the world around us, give us a time-tested perspective on a life well lived. Our faith and gratitude give us the strength to carry out that life with purpose, grace and humility.

As a faith community, and a member of the United Church of Christ (UCC) Church, we emphasize:

• God as more a mystery to be enjoyed than a furnisher of answers. Faith is more about exploring meaning than finding absolutes.
• People as beloved more than sinners, and justice issues claiming our attention more than “being saved”. Faith is an expression of gratitude, rather than a “help me” strategy.
• Salvation having more to do with wholeness, health, and perspective than rescue. Faith gives us the courage and strength to make the most of our lives.
• Worship as a celebratory, meditative reverence more than a person-centered emotional performance. The shared faith of a diverse congregation gives us the opportunity to offer gratitude in a variety of ways.
• The Bible as a guide to God’s Shalom within a cultural setting more than a literal, infallible word from God. Our faith gives us the interest and the freedom to bring inquiring minds to the Bible, prompting individual faith journeys that evolve and mature over time.

As an open and affirming congregation, we partner with parents, children and individuals in an effort to draw closer to the compassionate Jesus and be the corporate Christ in the world.