Covenant Sunday
Living
Wholeheartedly
“I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things to your pleasure and disposal.”
As a Connexion, and through Conference we have committed ourselves to “Living wholeheartedly as followers of Jesus for the transformation of the world”. That phrase and the commitment to which it points was inspired by both the language and the depth of commitment seen in the Covenant prayer.
The Covenant Service, often celebrated on the first Sunday of the year, is an opportunity to commit ourselves wholeheartedly to God.
The video below from the Rev David Nixon, President of the Methodist Church in Ireland has been produced for use in worship for Covenant Sunday 2023.
Resource Video
COVENANT SUNDAY 2023
The Rev David Nixon shares the importance and significance of the Covenant Service, encouraging all Methodists to pray the Covenant Prayer as we seek to live wholeheartedly in the year ahead. For use in worship.
The Covenant Service
THE START OF A NEW YEAR GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY OF STARTING AFRESH.
From the earliest days of the Methodist movement, John Wesley invited the Methodist people to an annual service for the renewal of our Covenant with God, normally on the first Sunday of each year.
Much of the original material for this service was sourced from 17th century Puritans and there have been several revisions since. The high point of this service comes as we say the Covenant Prayer together.
We undertake this renewal relying on the grace of God and trusting his promises. When we say "put me to suffering", we are not asking God to inflict pain on us, but rather that we would be strengthened by his grace through patient endurance.
Additional Resource
COVENANT SUNDAY 2022
This resource video from the General Secretary, Rev Dr Heather Morris, serves to inspire and encourage Methodists across the Connexion, to have a faith in God that isn’t limited to a Sunday, but that’s lived out wholeheartedly every day, in every situation.