The name of this church shall be Samuel’s Church, located in Decatur Township, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania.

The avowed purpose of this church shall be to worship God, to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to celebrate the sacraments; to realize Christian fellowship and unity within this church and the Church Universal; to render loving service toward mankind; and to strive for righteousness.

The government of this church is vested in its members, who exercise the right of control in all its affairs, subject, however, to laws of the state of Pennsylvania relating to religious corporations.

FAITH - This church acknowledges as its sole head, Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Savior of man. It acknowledges as brothers in Christ all who share in this confession. It looks to the Word of God in the Scriptures and to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to prosper its creative and redemptive work in the world. It claims as its own the faith of the historic Church expressed in the ancient creeds and reclaimed in the basic insights of the Protestant Reformers. It affirms the responsibility of the Church in each generation to make this faith its own. In accordance with the teaching of our Lord and the practices prevailing among evangelical Christians, it recognizes two sacraments: Believer's Baptism and the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion. This faith may be expressed in the accepted Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds and in the Statement of Faith.

1. We believe the Scripture of both the Old and New Testaments is the Word of God, given by verbal inspiration without error, and that it is the final authority in faith and practice. (2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
2. We believe in a Triune God, eternally existing as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 1:21, 22)
3. We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary and is true God and true man. (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 1:26-35, John 1:1-18)
4. We believe man was created in the image of God, that he sinned and thereby incurred not only physical death, but also spiritual death; that all human beings are born with a sinful nature and are incapable of pleasing God, and that only through regeneration through the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained. (Genesis 1:26, 27; Romans 3:10-12; 5:1:2, John 3:1-21)
5. We believe that God so loved this world that He gave His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for the sins of all; and that all who believe in and receive Him are justified through His shed blood, are born again by the Holy Spirit, and thus become children of God. (John 3:3, 6; Romans 3:24-26; 5:8; 8:16; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:12, 22; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 1:7)
6. We believe that all believers are reproved of sin and are sealed by the Holy Spirit, causing them to rest on Christ for salvation, and are kept by the power of God through faith unto the redemption of the body. (Ephesians 1:13, 14; 2 Corinthians 1:21, 22; 2 Timothy 1:12; Ephesians 4:30)
7. We believe in the bodily resurrection, the ascension and the present High Priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; Acts 1:9; Hebrews 4:14-16)
8. We believe in the imminent, bodily return of our glorified Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. (Acts 1:11, John 14:3, Titus 2:13, 1Thessalonians 4:13-17)
9. We believe that at death all men continue in conscious existence awaiting the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust; the saved to everlasting blessedness and the lost to everlasting torment. (Luke 16;19-31, 2 Corinthians 5:1, 1 Corinthians 15:42-57, Luke 23:42, Matthew 25:46, 2 Thessalonians 1:8, 9)
10. We believe that the true church is composed of all such persons (regardless of their denominational affiliation) who through faith in Jesus Christ have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are thus united together in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. (Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:41; 1 Corinthians 12:12, 13; Ephesians 1:3-6; 22, 23; 5:23-32; Colossians 1:18-29)

1. Membership in this church shall be open to any person who has had believer's baptism, has been confirmed, or made public confession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord an Savior.
2. Members shall pledge themselves to attend the regular worship of the church and the celebration of the Lord’s Supper; to live the Christian life, to share in the life and work of the church, to contribute to its support and benevolences, and to seek diligently the spiritual welfare of the membership and the community.
3. Any member may, on his own written request, be granted a letter of transfer. If wishing to join a body not in fellowship with this church, he may be dismissed with a certificate of church membership. If because of change of faith or for other reasons not involving unchristian conduct, a member requests in writing to be released from his membership obligations, the church shall patiently endeavor to secure his continuance in its fellowship, but failing in such efforts the church may grant the written request and terminate his membership. Written requests for letters of transfer and written requests for termination of membership shall be considered by the council and, when approved, the appropriate letter of release shall be issued.
4. Members who have moved from this community shall be encouraged to affiliate with a church in their new community.
5. If any member of this church shall unite with another church without a letter of transfer, the council shall erase his name from the church register.

The governing body of this church shall be the membership assembled in church meeting. The vote of a majority of members present at the meeting shall be the action of the church. A quorum shall consist of 10% of the members.

1. The council shall be the executive body of this church. It shall be composed of the pastor, six elders, six deacons and four trustees. One-third of its members shall constitute a quorum.
2. Three elders, three deacons and two trustees shall be elected by majority vote cast at a church meeting. They shall be elected for two years and shall be limited to a maximum of two consecutive terms or four years as a member of the Council. Having served two terms (4 years) no one shall be eligible for re-election to the council until a period of one year has elapsed. To be eligible for the office of elder, the candidate shall have served as Deacon for at least one term.
3. Nominations shall be made for the offices of elder, deacon and trustee by a nominating committee appointed each year by the Council. The nominating committee shall consist of one active elder, one active deacon and one nonmember of the Council. The elder shall be the chairman of the committee. Acceptance or rejection of the nominations for the offices of elder and deacon shall be made by the Council. The nominating committee is charged with the responsibility of having a personal interview with all prospective nominees to receive their consent to the nomination.  Public notice of such nominations shall be given from the pulpit or by bulletin or letter at least two weeks before the election. Additional nominations may be made from the floor at the time of the congregational meeting held for the purpose of the election.
4. Elections shall be held annually on a Sunday in December, and the term of office shall begin on the first day of January in the following year.
5. When elected, the elders and deacons shall be publicly ordained to or installed in their respective offices. The trustees shall be installed at the same service .
6. Vacancies on the Council shall be filled by the Council for any unexpired terms.
7. The Council shall be the policy-making body, and shall transact the business of the church, make provision for the determining an raising of the current expense budget as for our Christian world mission and benevolence, and to provide for the auditing of financial accounts and for adequate support of the staff. It shall keep a complete and accurate record of its proceedings, be the custodian of all church records including baptisms, confirmations, church memberships, marriages and deaths, and report to the church at its regular and special meetings, or by means of the bulletin published by the church.
8. Matters dealing with the auxiliaries, including the Church School, Youth Fellowship groups, and men's and women's organizations shall be the concern of the Council. All acts and deliberations of the Council are subject to the will of and revision by the governing body.
9. The Council shall organize itself each year at the first meeting of the new year, electing a president, vice president, recording secretary and treasurer.

1. The duties of the president shall be to preside over all meetings of the Council and Church, and to abide by and uphold all requirements of this Constitution. He is empowered with the Treasurer to sign all contracts loans, bonds, mortgages or deeds of conveyance in the name of the Church.
2. The duties of the vice president shall be to assume the duties of the president in the latter's absence, or in the event of his inability to serve.
3. The duties of the financial secretaries shall be to receive all monies from the offering plates and envelopes and other contributions, pay them to the treasurer, and take a receipt for the same. They shall also maintain an accurate account of all monies received each Sunday.
4. The duties of the recording secretary shall be to keep a record of all Council and church meetings and attend to all correspondence to him.
5. The duties of the treasurer shall be to have charge of all monies received from the financial secretaries, give them a receipt therefore, and make payment of all bills by check signed by the treasurer. He shall prepare a quarterly report to the Council and an annual report to the Church.

10. The Council shall appoint such committees or boards as will serve to further the purpose of the Church. The Pastor and the President of the Council shall be ex-officio members of all committees.
11. The Council shall instruct the proper officers on all fiscal matters including the payment of bills and the support of the general synod, the conference and association within whose boundaries this church is located, and the instrumentalities established by the general synod to accomplish the mission of the church.
12. Should the Council plan to use or borrow more than $1000.00 for anything other than ordinary expenses of the church, the matter must be brought before the church for its approval at a duly called meeting.
13. The Council shall meet at least once every two months, except in the summer, for the transaction of such business as may properly come before it. Special meetings are subject to the call of the President or Pastor.

14. The Office of Elder

1. An elder is a member of the church who is chosen by the church and ordained and installed to his office. 
2. An elder shall assist and support the Pastor in the spiritual affairs of the church. He shall take heed to himself that he may be an example unto others. He shall watch faithfully over the spiritual interests of the church, maintain order in the house of God, aid in visiting the sick, and minister according his ability to the edification and comfort of all members.

15. The Office of Deacon

1. A deacon is a member of the church who is chosen by the church and ordained and installed to his office.
2. A deacon shall aid in securing the funds necessary for the support of the church in its various activities, foster the principles of stewardship, and dispense the charity of the church.

16. Trustees

1. Trustees are members of the church elected by the church and installed in their office.
2. They shall have the care and custody of the property of the church as a sacred trust, whether real or personal, in accordance with the provisions of the articles of Incorporation and the Constitution of this church.

1. It shall be the responsibility of a Pulpit Committee appointed by the Council to seek a candidate for a vacancy in the office of Pastor.
2. As soon as a pastoral vacancy occurs, it may be reported to the Conference Executive.
3. In filling a vacancy or in securing supply ministers for the period of vacancy, the Pulpit Committee may seek the counsel of the Conference Placement Committee.
4. The Pulpit Committee may request the Conference Executive to secure relevant information about any minister whom it wishes to consider for the vacancy.
5. Any minister may confer with the Conference Executive concerning a pastoral vacancy. At the minister's request, his name shall be submitted by the Conference Executive for consideration by the local church committee.
6. The Pulpit Committee shall present to the church the candidate it recommends to fill the vacancy. A favorable vote of the church constitutes a call.
7. In the call, the terms of the relationship shall be stated, including the agreement of the church to participate in a pension fund, a health insurance program, and other terms agreed to between the candidate and the Committee. The minister, the church, the Association, and the Conference Executive shall each receive a copy of the call.
8. When a minister accepts a call to this church, the church and he may join in requesting the Association to arrange for a service of installation or recognition. A report of this service shall be signed by the proper officer of the Association and by the Conference Executive, and copies shall be sent to the Secretary of the United Church of Christ and to the Council for Church and Ministry.
9. The Pastor shall be elected for an indefinite period. In order to terminate this relationship, three months' notice shall be given by either party, unless both parties agree upon a shorter period.
10. When either party decides to terminate the relationship, the termination shall be by action of the Church Council, and notice of such termination may be sent by the President of the Council to the Conference Executive and to the Association for appropriate action.
11. Brotherly discipline of the Pastor shall be in conformity with the Word of God.
12. The church may at its discretion choose an Associate or Assistant Pastor.

1. The church may in its corporate name sue or be sued, acquire by purchase, gift, devise, bequest or otherwise and own, hold, invest, reinvest or dispose of property both real and personal for such work as the church may undertake; and may purchase, own, receive, hold, manage, care for and transfer rent, lease, mortgage or otherwise encumber, sell, assign, transfer and convey such property for the general purpose of the church; it may receive and hold in trust both real and personal property and invest and reinvest the same and make any contracts for promoting the objects and purposes of the church.
2. Upon dissolution of the church and congregation, no member of the congregation shall receive directly or indirectly, any benefit or reward from the dispersal of the assets and interests of the church. All assets shall be given to missionary organizations as determined by the congregation at the time of dissolution. 

1. The Annual Meeting of the church shall be held in the month of December. At this meeting the officers of the Council, the Pastor, and all church organizations shall submit their annual reports in writing or otherwise.
2. Special church meetings may be called by the Council or by a petition to the Council singed by not less than ten percent of the members. The Council shall call such a meeting within three weeks receipt of the petition, and adequate notice of such meeting shall be sent to the membership by the Recording Secretary or by bulletin.

The latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order shall be the parliamentary authority for all matters of procedure not specifically covered by this Constitution.
 

Amendments to this Constitution and/or By-laws may be made at any duly called church meeting by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the members present, a public announcement or announcement in the bulletin of the text of the proposed amendments having been made two weeks prior to the meeting.

Amendment 1.