A Moment for Mission
“The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him.” —Luke 2:40, NRSVUE
John Wesley believed that Methodists and all Christians should reaffirm their covenant with God annually, so he created a service in which an individual renews his or her covenant with God.
In 1755, Wesley held his first covenant service using words written earlier by Richard Allen. Wesley published this service in a pamphlet in 1780 and this form was used without alteration for nearly a century in England. It has been modified somewhat in more recent years.
The service is included in The Book of Worship under the title “[A1] Covenant Renewal Service” This covenant service is often used in United Methodism as a Watch Night Service on New Year’s Eve. The covenant service is observed in some local churches on New Year’s Day or on the first Sunday in January. The service focuses on the Christians renewing the covenant of response to the grace of God in Christ.
Source: Alan K. Waltz, A Dictionary for United Methodists, Copyright 1991, Abingdon Press. Used by Permission.
Children’s Message
Repeat today’s memory verse about Jesus as a child: “The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him.” —Luke 2:40, NRSVUE
(show the children the small potted plant) Just as a plant grows from a tiny seed, you will continue to grow in the coming year. One of the ways this happens is by making wise choices in your actions, words and relationships.
The plant needs nourishment from the soil to grow strong. You grow strong physically and emotionally by taking care of your body, eating healthy foods, exercising and being kind to others.
We are about to enter a new year. I invite you to write down one positive choice you want to make this year. It could be related to being kind, helping others, studying hard or showing respect. What is one thing that you can do to help you grow stronger?
You may want to keep your paper in a special place at home as a reminder of your commitment to making good choices throughout the year.
Let’s repeat today’s memory verse:
“The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him.”
The Wesley Covenant Prayer
“I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee,
exalted for thee or brought low for thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things
to thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.”
Newsletter Nugget
“The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him.” —Luke 2:40, NRSVU
Happy New Year! God is working to restore all creation. Through God’s grace, we are offered the possibility of transformation and new life to grow strong and wise.
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