Covenant Renewal Service - January 3rd
Sunday Worship - January 3
(click to download the bulletin)
A Service of Covenant Renewal in the Wesleyan Tradition
Greeting, Announcements, and Explanation of the Service Adam White
Prelude: “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need” arr. Dale Wood
Call to Worship
“This covenant that we make, not only in heart, but in word; not only in word, but in writing; and that we would with all possible reverence spread this writing before God and others, as if we would present it to God as our act and deed: and when we have done this, may we set our hands to it: keep it as a memorial of the solemn experiences that have passed between God and us, that we may have use for it in times of doubt and uncertainty.”
O Most Holy God, for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves to you as prodigals at your doorstep.
We have fallen short in many ways throughout our lives and are prone to the falling ways of this world…
But you have promised mercy to us in Christ, and you call us to turn to you with all of our hearts.
Therefore, by the call of your Gospel, we come now, without reluctance, to offer ourselves to your love and mercy.
Hymn: “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing” vs. 1-3, 5 and 7
1. O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer's praise,
the glories of my God and King, the triumphs of his grace!
2. My gracious Master and my God, assist me to proclaim,
to spread through all the earth abroad the honors of thy name.
3. Jesus! the name that charms our fears, that bids our sorrows cease;
'tis music in the sinner's ears, 'tis life, and health, and peace.
5. He speaks, and listening to his voice, new life the dead receive;
the mournful, broken hearts rejoice, the humble poor believe.
7. In Christ, your head, you then shall know, shall feel your sins forgiven;
anticipate your heaven below, and own that love is heaven.
1. WE CONFIDE IN GOD
“Having a full, life-giving relationship with God means putting away things that draw us away and distance us from God. Therefore, we renounce those things from the bottom of our hearts, and in full covenant, use all the means that we know to refuse sin and corruption in our lives.”
O God, though we once were of the world, we now resign our hearts to you, humbly bowing before you in body and spirit, with firm resolution in our hearts.
Scripture Readings:
Jeremiah 31: 31-34 http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=476185003 Mark Petersen
1 Peter 1:13-25 http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=476363197 Jacquelyn Elbel
Hear what the Spirit is saying.
Thanks be to God.
2. WE COMPOSE OUR SPIRITS
Prayer of Confession and Assurance of Pardon
“Let us pray:”
O God, we wholeheartedly desire your grace, so that we might follow your call with resolve, forsake the world, turn away from sin, and turn to you.
We will guard against all temptations, in good times and bad, lest they draw us away from you.
We acknowledge our own human limits, and rely on your righteousness and strength.
(Silent Prayer of Confession)
“God is boundless in mercy and great grace, and offers us again to be our God through Christ. Therefore we solemnly pledge ourselves to God, bowing before God in body or spirit.”
We take you as our Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We yield our whole selves, body and soul, for your service, promising and vowing to serve you in holiness and righteousness every day of our lives.
Passing the Peace
3. WE CLAIM THE COVENANT
Homily: “Renewing Hope” Adam White
Electronic Offering
(Give Here - https://www.graceumcdallas.org/donate)
Offertory: “I Need Thee Every Hour” arr. Dale Wood
Doxology
Prayer of Dedication
Prayers of the People Bonni Brophy-King
Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever, Amen.
Prayer of Commitment
“We solemnly accept Jesus as the new and living way, by which we come to serve and follow God. We are called to join in covenant with our God.”
O blessed Jesus, I come to you hungry, frail, tired, blind, and naked. I am left burdened by my mistakes and mourn the distance that they cause, keeping me from being in relationship with you.
But your love for me is unparalleled, so with all my heart I accept you, and take you to be my Lord, for richer and for poorer, for all times and conditions, to love, honor, and to follow before all others, until my death.
I embrace you in every way, renouncing my sinfulness, my wisdom, and my will, offering myself fully to you and your grace as guides to my life.
And since you told me that I will struggle if I try to do this alone, I enter into a covenant with you, come what may.
Your grace will assist me when I run into trouble, and I know that nothing in life or death will ever separate me from you and your love.
The Wesley Covenant Prayer
“Let us pray this covenant prayer in the Wesleyan Tradition.”
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 service.
Glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are mine and I am yours. So be it.
And this covenant now made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.
Birthday Blessings: Adam White
Paul Nesenke 1/1
Chris Ozley 1/2
Lisa Taylor 1/4
Sylvia Bayer 1/4
Cap Pannell 1/6
Eric Markinson 1/7
Lisa Tully 1/7
Benjamin Depew 1/8
Anniversary:
Ellen Kitchell/ Ryan Holliman 1/5
4. WE CHOOSE FAITHFULNESS
Prayer of Commitment
O God, Because you have been pleased to give direction and purpose to our lives and the way we should walk in your kindom, we willingly commit ourselves to you, set our shoulders to your burden, and subscribe our hearts to follow you as devout, just, and good.
We solemnly take these vows, as the sacred path for of our words, thoughts, and actions, promising that though our humanness might contradict and rebel, we will try to order and mirror our full lives according to your direction, and we will strive to not neglect any of our commitments to serving others as we follow and serve you.
Now, Almighty God, searcher of hearts, you know that we make this covenant with you today sincerely, without reservation, asking you to continue guiding our paths by your holy and sacred love.
5. WE CONNECT TO GOD IN PRAYER
Benediction
“And now, glory be to you, O God the Father.”
From this day forward we look upon you as our God, knowing that you are always looking for ways to reconcile us in love by your grace.
“Glory be to you, O God the Son.”
You have loved us and washed us clean to receive new life through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer.
“Glory be to you, O God the Holy Spirit. By the power of your Spirit, you have turned our hearts to follow you.”
O holy and loving God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, you are now our Covenant-Friend, and through your infinite grace, we are your Covenant-Stewards. Amen. So be it. And the covenant which we have made on earth, now let it be ratified in heaven.
Postlude: “How Firm a Foundation” arr. Gilbert Martin