Right from the beginning of the Bible, the Scriptures use the language of covenant - the practice of God reaching out to an individual, a family or a nation and inviting them very intentionally into relationship. There are a series of these formal covenants in the Old Testament, which ultimately culminate in the New Covenant that is mediated by Jesus in the New Testament.
We're also familiar with the language of covenant in the Methodist Church. In 1775, John Wesley held the first Methodist Covenant Service and it has become an annual practice for Methodists worldwide, where we have an opportunity to renew our covenant with God, usually at a service held early in the new year.
This year, our covenant service will be on 5 February, and we will prepare for that significant day by using the next three Sunday services to reflect on this covenant-making God who calls us into friendship with Him. This Sunday we begin with the covenant that God entered into with Noah.
We're also familiar with the language of covenant in the Methodist Church. In 1775, John Wesley held the first Methodist Covenant Service and it has become an annual practice for Methodists worldwide, where we have an opportunity to renew our covenant with God, usually at a service held early in the new year.
This year, our covenant service will be on 5 February, and we will prepare for that significant day by using the next three Sunday services to reflect on this covenant-making God who calls us into friendship with Him. This Sunday we begin with the covenant that God entered into with Noah.