GENERAL
 -It's association formed in 1458 knows as the Brethern.

 -Has it's roots traced back to the 9th century in Moravia and Bohemia. The Moravian Church was organized in 1457 by the followers of the martyr John Hus, as the Unity of Brethren. In the early 1700's, a group of Moravians crossed the border into southern  Germany to seek refuge and    religious freedom on the estates of the Lutheran Count Nicholas Ludwig von  Zinzendorf, a  leader of the Pietist movement. There, they began a village known as Herrnhut, or  "The Lord's Watch."  There followed an intense and powerful experience of  renewal, often described as the "Moravian Pentecost."

   -During a communion service at Berthelsdorf, the entire congregation felt a powerful presence of the Holy Spirit, and felt their previous differences swept away. That date, August 13, 1727, is regarded as the date of the "renewal" of the Moravian Church.

 -The Moravian Church is the oldest Protestant denomination, dating to 1457 in Europe. Moravians first came to America in 1735. They are a mainline Protestant denomination with more than five hundred years of history. Founded before the Lutheran, Presbyterian, or Methodist churches -- even before the discovery of America.

 -First in US in Penna. in 1741.

 -Highly missions oriented.
  -Moravians are encouraged to live out their faith through service to those in need. Our mission work has concentrated on the poor and the powerless, and groups largely unreached by other denominations.

  -They were pioneers of the Protestant mission movement.

  -Led by Zinzendorf, this dedicated band began the first Protestant world mission work with missions to the slaves in the Caribbean and the Indian tribes of North America. Within a few years, Moravian mission stations had been established nearly around the world.

 -The denomination was among the first to publish the Bible in the common language, and the first to print common language hymnals.

 -They were early in their emphasis on educating women as well as men.

 -Ordain both male and female clergy.

 -A strong tradition of ecumenical work.

  -They are founding members of the World Council of Churches and the National Council of  Churches.

 -Church membership requires baptism and a profession of faith as well as confirmation classes .

 -Attendance: Over 720,000 in 1,163 congregations. 60 % in Tanzania and S. Africa. North America  30,000 in 104
   congregations.  288 per in US.   Most in Pa. and NC.

 Moravian Star
  -It testifies to the greatness of the creator who made the stars on the fourth day.

  -It is a reminder of the star that once led the wise men from their distant homes until it came and  stood over the house where the young child was.

  -It points to the Divine Star, fortold by the prophet who said, 'A star shall come out of Jacob.'

  -This star is hung in the hall or front porch before Christmas as the first decoration and is left until  all the decorations are removed.

Glossary of Terms

Agape: Lovefeast (Greek), the fellowship meal of the early Christian church, often held in conjunction with the sacramental ritual of the Lord's Supper (Holy Communion, Eucharist).

Brother: A male member of the Moravian Church, regardless of whether single, married, or widowed. The title signifies close spiritual affection and unity. The term is used among Moravians as a form of address, but does not mean that the person so called is a monk or professed member of a religious order.

Choir: A segment within a congregation comprising members in the same life situation. To promote Christian growth and lifestyle, most congregations were divided into the choirs of Children, Little Boys, Little Girls, Older Boys, Older Girls, Single Brothers, Single Sisters, Married People, Widows, and Widowers. In Moravian communities the Single Brothers, Single Sisters, and Widows lived, worshiped, and worked together in their respective choir houses.

Daily Texts: Since 1731 the Moravian Church has published annually a devotional book known as the Daily Texts. It specifies two scripture verses for each day of the year. The first (called the Watchword, or Losung) is taken from the Hebrew Scriptures and is drawn by lot. The second text (called the Doctrinal Text) is a New Testament verse chosen to expand the thought of the Watchword. Hymn verses and prayers are often provided in the various editions. In 1996 the Moravian Daily Texts were published in 41 languages.

Diener: Servant (German). In the 18th century, the Diener (or Dienerin, the feminine form) was one who held a special office or carried out a specified responsibility with the Moravian community. Among contemporary Moravians the term refers to one who serves the Lovefeast meal.

Hus, Jan (c. 1369-1415): Priest, theologian, reformer and Czech nationalist whose ideas inspired certain of his followers to form the Unitas Fratrum in 1457. Also John Hus, or Huss.

Lovefeast: A simple meal (in North America, usually coffee and a roll) shared by the Moravian congregation in the context of worship, especially the singing of hymns. Instituted after the renewal experience of August 13, 1727, when the Herrnhuters ate together in fellowship, it is a revival of the New Testament agape. The lovefeast is not limited to communicants and does not take the place of the Holy Communion, but is rather the "family meal" of the congregation.

Pietism: A renewal movement within European Protestantism in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Pietists emphasized religious experience, personal commitment, and an intentionally Christian way of living at a time when Protestant Orthodoxy was defined by assent to correct doctrine and participation in the institutions and rituals of the Church.

Putz: Literally, decoration (German). Moravians use the term to designate the reproduction in miniature of settings, especially Nativity scenes, as a part of Advent and Christmas celebrations.

Singstunde: Literally, "singing hour" (German). A service in which the congregation united in singing a series of hymn stanzas selected and arranged to develop a specific spiritual theme. This "sermon in song" required no preaching or reading of scripture, although it was opened with prayer.

Sister: A female member of the Moravian Church, either single or married. The term is used among Moravians as a form of address, but does not mean that the person socalled is a nun or professed member of a religious order.

Zinzendorf, Nicholas Ludwig von (1700-1760): German Lutheran nobleman. Zinzendorf received refugee members of the Bohemian Brethren in 1722, allowed them to build a settlement on his land, reorganized them into a society for world mission and spiritual renewal, and eventually became a bishop of the Renewed Moravian Church. Count Zinzendorf resided in Pennsylvania from late 1741 until early 1743. On December 24, 1741, he gave the new Moravian settlement of Bethlehem its name.

DOCTRINE
 -No set of doctrinal statements.
 -Moravians have long focused on faithful living and Christian unity. Rather than concentrating on divisive doctrines, the Moravian Church preaches the basics of the faith which all Christians share in common.

 -'In essentials Unity, in non-essentials Liberty in all things charity'

 -Broadly evangelical, Somewhat fundamental

 -Bible is inspired by God and an adequate rule for faith and practice?

 -Agree with the Apostles Creed and the Westminster Confession.  (reformed)

 -Main emphasis is on the Love of God manifested in the redemptive life and death of Jesus, the  inner testimony of the Spirit and Christian conduct in everyday affairs.

Statement of Faith

1. The Triune God as revealed in the Holy Scripture of the Old and New Testaments is the only source of our life and salvation; and this Scripture is the sole standard of the doctrine and faith of the Unitas Fratrum and therefore shapes our life.

2. With the universal Christian Church, we share our faith in the Triune God, who revealed Himself in the Lord Jesus Christ as the only Saviour of all people. We particularly declare His living presence and Lordship over the Church, joy in the benefits of His life, sufferings, death and resurrection and emphasize a close bond of fellowship with each other in His name. We believe that Christ is present with us in Word and Sacrament.

 We decline to determine as binding what the Scriptures have left undetermined, or to argue about mysteries impenetrable to human reason. In this regard, we hold to the principle, "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; and in all things, charity."
 

3. We thankfully recognize the value of the historic creeds of the Christian Church in calling upon believers in every age to give an obedient and fearless testimony, recognizing Jesus Christ as Lord. A Moravian confession of faith is to be found in the Easter Dawn Liturgy.

4. We believe that as in baptism we have been united with Christ in His death and resurrection, so we have died to sin and should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:1-11)

5. When seeking guidance we find that the simplest expression of Christian living is contained in the earliest of Christian confessions, "Jesus Christ is Lord." This implies that obedience is due Him as the absolute Ruler and Lord of our lives. Not only His teachings (e.g. Matt. 5-7) but, even more, the example of His life (Phil. 2:5; Eph. 4:20) provide an understanding of the obedience that He desires. Although the early Church, guided by the Spirit of Jesus, did not develop a code covering all issues, it offered guidance in various areas of Christian living (e.g. Col. 3:1-46; I Peter 2:11- 3:12; Eph. 4:1-6:20).

6. Living the Christian life depends not only on our own effort but upon God our Father, who in Jesus Christ accepts us as heirs of God (Gal. 4:4-7) and strengthens and sustains us (Phil. 4:13).

7.We realize that our Christian faith must continually be nourished if it is to remain living and vital. Therefore, we desire to grow in our Christian lives through family devotions, personal prayer and study, and the opportunities for spiritual development offered by the Church.

8. Recognition of Authority
 As members of the Moravian Church we will abide by the decisions made by the official boards of our congregations, and agree to be governed, both as individuals and as a congregation, by the enactment's of the Unity Synod of the Moravian Church and of the Synods of the Province to which our congregation belongs.

9. Stewardship
 We deem it a sacred responsibility and genuine opportunity to be faithful stewards of all God has entrusted to us: our time, our talents, and our financial resources. We view all of life as a sacred trust to be used wisely.  We will support, according to our ability, the financial needs of the local congregation, the District, the Province, and the Unity. We will consider the support of the benevolent causes of the Moravian Church, both at home and abroad, as a privilege, an opportunity, and a responsibility.  We will also recognize the support of worthy causes outside of the Church as part of our stewardship.

10. Personal Relationships
 Since disciples of Jesus are to be known by the love they have to one another (John 13:35), we will cherish Christian love as of prime importance.  We will be eager to maintain the unity of the Church. Realizing that God has called us from many and varied backgrounds, we recognize the possibility of disagreements or differences. Often these differences enrich the Church, but sometimes they divide. We consider it to be our responsibility to demonstrate within the congregational life the unity and togetherness created by God who made us one. How well we accomplish this will be a witness to our community as to the validity of our faith. We will endeavor to settle our differences with others in a Christian manner (Gal. 6:1), amicably, and with meditation, and if at all possible avoid resort to a court of law (Matt. 18:15-17).

11.Worship and Sunday Observance
 Remembering that worship is one of our proper responses to Almighty God, an experience designed for our benefit, and a part of our Christian witness, we and our children will faithfully attend the worship services of the Church. We, therefore, will be careful to avoid unnecessary labor on Sunday and plan that the recreations in which we engage on that day do not interfere with our own attendance or that of others at divine worship.

12. Holy Communion
 In the celebration of this Sacrament we receive the renewed assurance of the forgiveness of our sins, and of our fellowship with Christ; unite with one another as members of His Body; and rejoice in the hope of His return in glory. Therefore, we will commune faithfully and thus renew our pledge of allegiance to Him.

13. We will have fellowship, in all sincerity, with children of God in other Christian churches, and will carefully avoid all disputes, respecting opinions and ceremonies peculiar to one or another Church. In this fellowship we will cooperate with other churches in the support of public charities or Christian enterprises, which have a just claim upon us as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.

14.  MARRIAGE
 We regard it as a sacred obligation to hold to the ideal of Christian marriage given by our Lord in His teaching. We consider it essential, therefore, that all persons contemplating marriage should receive premarital counseling and that our young people should be instructed, beginning in adolescence, in the meaning and obligation of true Christian marriage; this instruction to be given through the Church and the home.

 We regard Christian marriage as an indissoluble union, which requires the life-long loyalty of the man and the woman towards each other. Because any breaking of the marriage bond involves sin against God and causes human suffering, it is the duty of husband and wife to meet all frictions, offenses, and disagreements with a forgiving spirit that persistently works for reconciliation. Furthermore, if at any time the stability of their marriage is threatened, they are to seek the counsel of their pastor or of other spiritual leaders in the Church as soon as possible and before any other action is taken.

15. FAMILY LIFE
 As parents, remembering that our children are the property of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:28, I Peter 1:19), we will bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4) and take all possible care to preserve them from every evil influence. For this reason we will seek to approve ourselves as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, setting an example for our children. We will give faithful attention to the spiritual development of our children, both in the home and in the church. We will endeavor to conduct regular family devotions.

16. RECOGNITION OF CIVIL AUTHORITY
 We will be subject to the civil authorities as the powers ordained of God, in accordance with the admonitions of Scripture (Rom. 13:1; I Peter 2:13-14) and will in nowise evade the taxes and other obligations which are lawfully required of us (Rom. 13:7).

 Considering it a special privilege to live in a democratic society, we will faithfully fulfill the responsibilities of our citizenship, among which are intelligent and well-informed voting, a willingness to assume public office, guiding the decisions of government by the expression of our opinions, and supporting good government by our personal efforts.

 Though giving our loyalty to the state of which we are citizens, we do recognize a higher loyalty to God and conscience (Acts 5:29).

 For the sake of the peace which we have with God, we earnestly desire to live peaceably with all people and to seek the peace of the places where we dwell.

17. LOVE TOWARD ALL
 We will not hate, despise, slander or otherwise injure anyone. We will ever strive to manifest love towards all people, to treat them in a kind and friendly manner, and in our dealings with them to approve ourselves upright, honest, and conscientious, as becomes children of God. Together with the universal Christian Church, we have a concern for this world, opening our heart and hand to our neighbors with the message of the love of God, and being ever ready to minister of our substance to their necessities. (Matt. 25:40)

 We will at all times be ready cheerfully to witness to our faith (I Peter 3:15,16) and if need be, to suffer reproach for Christ's sake (Luke 6:22,23). Being aware that our witness is made both by what we do and what we avoid doing, we will endeavor to let our manner of life "be worthy of the gospel of Christ," (Phil. 1:27) "not being conformed to this world." (Rom. 12:2) But in our yearning for the redemption of the whole creation, we will seek to meet the needs of the world in self-giving love, and as true yokefellows of Jesus Christ, willingly share in the fellowship of his sufferings, walking in his strength, by whom all things "are given us that pertain to life and godliness." (II Peter 1:3)

 Remembering the admonition of Scripture to be temperate in all things (I Cor 9:25), we shall endeavor to look upon our bodies as temples of God's spirit (I Cor. 6:19). We must also remember to respect the welfare of others who may be affected by our actions (Rom. 14:20,21). We are aware of the problems that can be caused by the intemperate use of such things as alcoholic beverages, food, tobacco, drugs, and other things. We consider it the responsibility of every Christian to decide most carefully how they can be used in good conscience. We regard intemperance in any area of living as being inconsistent with the Christian life.

 Christian: We recognize no distinction between those who are one in the Lord. We believe that God in Jesus Christ calls his people out of "every race, kindred and tongue," pardons them beneath the Cross, and brings them into a living fellowship with himself. We regard it as a commandment of our Lord to bear public witness to this and to demonstrate by word and deed that we are one in Christ.

 Universal: Because we hold that all people are God's creatures (Gen. 1:27) and that he has made of one blood all nations (Acts 17:26) we oppose any discrimination based on color, race, creed or land of origin and declare that we should treat everyone with love and respect.

 We realize that all areas of Christian life and conduct cannot be covered in this statement of principles by which we live and bear our witness, and we call attention, therefore, to the Christian's responsibility to follow Christ as Lord of all area of life.

18.  DISCIPLINE
 We make it a duty of the Board of Elders, which is charged with the spiritual welfare of the congregation, to see that this "Moravian Covenant" be adhered to and faithfully observed; and we will cooperate with the Board of Elders in its efforts to maintain the discipline of the congregation. As a redemptive community we will be much more concerned in aiding than censuring those who falter, being conscious of our own need for correction and forgiveness.

WORSHIP:
Sacraments
 -Baptism: infant,  and adult by sprinkling or pouring

  -Infant baptism has adult sponsors (parents)  like dedication yet it states that Christ will live in the Child.

  -Adult baptism for someone who has not been baptized as a child. Profession of faith is  required.
       -In some congregations, sponsors are given to the newly baptized adult to help him along with their Christian walk.

 -Lord's Supper: Celebrated about 6 times per year.  Special presence but not like Catholic or Lutheran. Love feast accompanies this. Open table.

Style
 -Known for prolific hymnody.

 -Services are primarily devoted to hymn singing.

 -Liturgical
  -Liturgy varies from church to church.

 -Scripture reading, prayer, both public and private, message by pastor or lay elder.

 -Kyrie Eleison (Lord have mercy on us), Prayer of confession, Apostles creed, Gloria Patri (Glory be to    the father), The Lord's Prayer, Sing 'Most Holy Lord and God',  Angus Dei (O Thou Lamb of God).

 -Follow the liturgical year.

 -Moravians wer the first to use choirs during the service.

GOVERNMENT:
 -Episcopal form of government