January 2024 Letter
Dear Friends:
As we move forward into 2024 some of us may consider what this new year can look like. It seems that there is an endless amount of possibility lying before us. A blank page, a new chapter. As Christians we should consider what God’s plans for us will be in 2024.
Both Pastor Amy and I have led Wesleyan Covenant Renewal Services in the past in our Five Point churches. During these Covenant Renewal services, we have intentionally set time aside to remember and renew the promises made at our baptisms; promises to renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject evil and repent of our sin. We acknowledge the power that God gives us to resist evil, injustice and oppression and we confess Christ as our Savior, putting trust in His grace and promise to serve Him as our Lord.
These promises are the backbone of our faith. They are the foundation of our belief systems and the rock upon which we make all of our decisions.
As we begin 2024, we remember who we are and we, once again, promise to try and live into the promises we have made. The Wesleyan Covenant Prayer is a meaningful prayer tradition in our faith, having been developed by John Wesley and used by Methodists in Britan regularly since 1755. UMC discipleship sums it up beautifully saying, “The prayer is a description of what is required of people who take up Jesus’ challenge when he said, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
Consider placing this prayer in a space that you will see every day and pray these words daily:
Blessings- Pastor Charlene
Wesleyan Covenant Prayer (Traditional)
I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to what thou wilt,
rank me with whom thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed for thee
or laid aside for thee.
Exalted for thee or brought low for thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things
to thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
thou art mine, and I am thine.
So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven.
Amen.
Wesleyan Covenant Prayer (Contemporary)
I am no longer my own, but yours.
Put me to what you will,
place me with whom you will.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be put to work for you
or set aside for you,
Praised for you or criticized for you.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and fully surrender all things
To your glory and service.
And now, O wonderful and Holy God, Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer,
You are mine, and I am yours.
So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth, Let it also be made in heaven.
Amen.