Today we had a fabulous covenant service at our church, City Road Methodist Church, in Birmingham. I wasn't preaching so I was on the back bench and could enjoy every minute of it. I love the covenant service and it is one of our little gems that I think will be part of every denomination long after Methodism has completed our mission. A couple of years ago even the normally secular Guardian praised it!
The service got off to a cracking start with the welcome of two new members. After several difficult years it feels as if things are beginning to come together.
Our Minister Paul gave a fascinating sermon that drew on well chosen scripture, blended with an excellent illustration (about how many it takes to help just three or four people to climb Everest), couple with some interesting detail about the Apostle Paul's use of the original Greek.
As we celebrated communion we spontaneously broke into "He is Lord" and felt the Spirit move.
For me the high point of the covenant service is the solemn moment when we make the commitment. As it happens, my wife and I read these very words together at our wedding service substituting the word "we" for "I", "us" for "me" and "ours" for "mine".
Sadly my wife Claire wasn't with us today as she was preaching elsewhere in the circuit. However she was a little taken aback when someone in the congregation asked if she was Methodist Preacher's daughter!
A great day, and something of a turning point.![]()
The service got off to a cracking start with the welcome of two new members. After several difficult years it feels as if things are beginning to come together.
Our Minister Paul gave a fascinating sermon that drew on well chosen scripture, blended with an excellent illustration (about how many it takes to help just three or four people to climb Everest), couple with some interesting detail about the Apostle Paul's use of the original Greek.
As we celebrated communion we spontaneously broke into "He is Lord" and felt the Spirit move.
For me the high point of the covenant service is the solemn moment when we make the commitment. As it happens, my wife and I read these very words together at our wedding service substituting the word "we" for "I", "us" for "me" and "ours" for "mine".
'I am no longer my own but yours.
Put me to what you will,
rank me with whom you will;
put me to doing,
put me to suffering;
let me be employed for you,
or laid aside for you,
exalted for you,
or brought low for you;
let me be full,
let me be empty,
let me have all things,
let me have nothing:
I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things
to your pleasure and disposal.
And now, glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
you are mine and I am yours.'
Put me to what you will,
rank me with whom you will;
put me to doing,
put me to suffering;
let me be employed for you,
or laid aside for you,
exalted for you,
or brought low for you;
let me be full,
let me be empty,
let me have all things,
let me have nothing:
I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things
to your pleasure and disposal.
And now, glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
you are mine and I am yours.'
Sadly my wife Claire wasn't with us today as she was preaching elsewhere in the circuit. However she was a little taken aback when someone in the congregation asked if she was Methodist Preacher's daughter!
A great day, and something of a turning point.
