Covenant Services across the Peak Circuit

Covenant Services across the Peak Methodist Circuit

At the start of the new year Methodists make a distinctive resolution. The Covenant Service is at the heart of Methodists' devotion and discipleship, and our dedication in working for social justice. In the service the Church joyfully celebrates God's gracious offer that "I will be their God and they shall be my people".

The Covenant is the means of grace by which we accept our relationship with God and then seek to sustain it.

It is in Jesus Christ that we discover the supreme example of what it is to live in relationship with God. The New Testament suggests that as we join the group of those seeking to follow the way of Jesus, we respond to God's challenge with him and begin to share his relationship with God as Father. Within the group of disciples, this leads to his Spirit bubbling up in us as individuals, encouraging and enabling us to live out our side of the relationship.

From the earliest days of Methodist societies, John Wesley invited the Methodist people to renew their covenant relationship with God. The emphasis of the whole service is on God's readiness to enfold us in generous love, not dependant on our deserving. Our response, also in love, springs from penitent joy from thankful recognition of God's grace.

All are welcome

All are welcome to share in a Covenant Service. You may be sharing for the first time or have done it annually for many years, or simply want to watch what others do without taking part yourself.

A number of Covenant Services are taking place across the Peak Methodist Circuit during January and February, and can be viewed by clicking on the adjacent poster, or viewed here: Worship – Covenant services

The information above is taken from The Methodist Church website and the Methodist Church Worship Handbook.

If you would like to read more about the Covenant Service, please visit The Methodist Church website: The Covenant Service.