7 Days of Creation

Trinity Sunday May 31, 2026 Genesis 1:1-2:4 7 Days of Creation Year A Prelude Greeting Call to Worship Our gracious God has created us and called us his own. Let us worship the triune God. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, has redeemed our lives. Let us worship the triune God. The Holy Spirit sustains and guides us all the days of our lives. In gratitude and joy, let us worship the triune God(Presbyterian Outlook) Opening Prayer Out of our ordinary, everyday lives, you have gathered us here, Holy God, to this time of worship, to this time of praise. We join with angels and archangels and all the company of the saints to bless you, to listen for your Word, to immerse ourselves in your grace, in your love. Open our hearts And our minds to your presence with us. Take the chaos of the world that has found its way into our hearts — speak your Word and give order and form and new creation. Take the failures and defeats, the guilt and the shame that bind our spirits — speak your Word and set us free. Take our longings for your goodness to shape our lives, this community, the hurting world — speak your Word and infuse us with your courage and your hope and your love. Then, awaken us to your Holy Spirit who is making all things new, even us. We ask in Jesus’ name, who sends us out to speak love and mercy and grace to those who are waiting, longing, hoping, for a sign that they are not alone, that you are a God of love, that you are a Saviour who knows their name, that the Holy Spirit is leading them home. Amen. Adapted from Christine Jerrett, https://christinejerrett.wordpress.com/. Re-posted on the re:Worship blog at https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2019/06/prayer-matthew-28-16-20.html. Song Morning has Broken UMH 145? A Sermon for all Ages Here's a children's sermon you can use for Trinity Sunday: Children's Sermon: "God's Story Is Still Being Written" Object: A picture book or a blank notebook and a marker Good morning, boys and girls! I brought a book with me today. Have you ever read a really good story? Maybe it's a story about superheroes, animals, or adventures. What happens when you get to the last page? The story is finished! But today we heard a different kind of story. We heard the very first story in the Bible—the story of creation. In Genesis, God created the light, the sky, the land, the plants, the animals, and finally people. And after each part, God looked at it and said, "It is good." Can you say that with me? "It is good!" When God made the sun and moon, it was good. When God made the fish and birds, it was good. When God made people, it was very good. Now here's a question: Do you think God's story ended after the seventh day? No! God's creation story is still going on. God is still creating, still working, still bringing new life into the world. Every baby that is born, every flower that blooms, every act of kindness, every person who learns to love God a little more is part of God's continuing creation. And guess what? You are part of that story. Point to yourself and say, "I'm part of God's story!" Sometimes we make mistakes. Sometimes we think we're not good enough. But remember what God said when God created people: "It is very good." On Trinity Sunday we celebrate God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Trinity reminds us that God is always active and always working together in love. God the Creator made the world, Jesus came to save the world, and the Holy Spirit is still working in the world today. That means God is not finished with creation. And God is not finished with you. Every day God is helping you grow, learn, love, forgive, and serve others. God is writing new chapters in your life. So whenever you look at the sky, the trees, the animals, or even yourself in the mirror, remember this: You are part of God's creation. You are part of God's story. And God says, "You are good, and I'm not finished with you yet!" Let's pray: Dear God, thank you for creating this wonderful world. Thank you for making each one of us. Help us remember that we are part of your story and that you are still working in our lives. In Jesus' name, Amen. Affirmation of faith How do you live for the love of God? I love because God first loved me. God loves me in Christ with a love that never ends. Amazed by grace, I no longer live for myself. I live for the Lord who died and rose again, triumphant over death, for my sake. Therefore, I take those around me to heart, especially those in particular need, knowing that Christ died for them no less than for me. Amen. (Presbyterian Outlook, Tara Bulger) Passing of the Peace Prayer for illumination Loving God, open our hearts and minds to what you would say to us this day. By your Spirit, we ask that you would speak, as we, your people, are listening. Amen. (Presbyterian Outlook, Tara Bulger) Scripture Genesis 1:1 – 2:4 Sermon 7 Days of Creation Imagine for a second, you can close your eyes if you want to. But think back to the time in the cosmos when nothing existed. Think back to a time long ago when there was no world, no stars, no animals, no people, no you. – just nothing. Now think about the fact that even when there was nothing – there was still God. God is not a something, or a being, God just is. You can come back now. The bible tells us that is how it was in the beginning. God was like a strange light that shone everywhere, but didn’t come from anywhere. God has an idea – and spoke – let there be light. All of sudden God spoke another idea and life popped up everywhere. God kept having ideas – and things kept happening. Until the 7th day and then he rested – and said that it was good. Today we start at the beginning – the creation story in Genesis 1 Every culture, every religion starts with a creation story. There are five common themes in all creations stories – of something developing out of nothing, of someone coming down to earth, of a parent who took care of all of the world, of an egg that hatched, or of a great light that appeared. The story in the bible has all of that. The oldest creation story comes from Mesopotamia – about Gilgemesh who destroyed creatures to form the world. The ancient Hebrews, who were neighbors may have heard this story – and they created a kinder version, not of destruction but of creation. You may not have realized it in reading Genesis, but there are actually two separate stories of creation in the bible. There is the story in Genesis one – where God came upon the waters and created light and everything else in six days and rested on the seventh. And there is Genesis two – where God created the garden of Eden and then Adam and Eve. We usually smoosh these two stories together, even though they are different. In ancient Israel, chapter one of Genesis would have been sung as a worship song. This is a poem that we no longer have the music to. It goes through each day of creation, and then it explains why they were gathered in the temple on the seventh day – Which is Saturday. To rest from their work and to gather in community to celebrate, and remember and to move forward. The story starts by saying that in the beginning, God started creating. Once it started, it has never stopped, the creations story continues today. It ends by saying that God’s creation is good, very good. There is a popular story about A young fish swims up to an older fish and says, "I’m trying to find this thing they call the ocean." "The ocean?" says the older fish. "That’s what you’re in right now." "This?" scoffs the young fish, disappointed. "This is just water. What I want is the ocean!" Often times in life, we as people search for God, and try to identify God, we even want to see a version of God that we can recognize. The creation story reminds of that God is a part of every aspect of our lives. And even though we may not always be able to see God, or point to God – God is still there with us. During World War I, a war that was fought in muddy trenches, a young British soldier was close to mental breakdown. The artillery bombardment ... the stench of death ... the fear, they had driven him to the point of despair. He looked at his captain and asked, "Sir, you said you believed in God. Where is God in all of this?" Just then, two stretcher-bearers climed over the top of the trench and moved out under enemy fire to pick up a wounded soldier lying in no-mans-land. And the Captain said, "Look, private, there goes God now." God is not a spectator looking on from the heavens. God is all of our efforts to bring light out of darkness; God is in every deed of compassion; God is in every act of mercy shown; God is in our hospitals where doctors and nurses minister to those who are sick; God is in every court of law trying to bring justice and righteousness; God is in every human endeavor where kindness and forgiveness are shown; God is in all the events of our time, and we need to constantly remind ourselves that there is something at work in history that is beyond us - and that the destiny of the world is in stronger hands than ours. When President Reagan and the Soviet leader, General Secretary Gorbachev, signed the peace treaty to begin destroying part of their stockpile of nuclear weapons, there was a cartoon in a religious magazine that made a profound point. The cartoon pictured the angel Gabriel, up in heaven, about to blow his horn and end life on this planet. But God, looking down on this earth said, "Hold on, Gabriel. They’re going to have another peace conference." Where is God? He is here in our midst. He is in the conference which move nations toward peace ... He is in the work of missionaries who cross the seas to serve him ... He is in your daily lives as you cross the street to help a neighbor or to be a friend to someone in need. I realize that it is not very spectacular and it won’t make the front pages of the paper, but it tells us where God is. He is here. He is among his people. He is becoming known by the way we, his followers, live our lives every day. Just in the last few months of worship, we have relived the story of Christ – we walked along with he disciples as he taught, we witnessed the crucifixion, we were there for the resurrection, He promised the Holy Spirit – and we became the Pentecost people. And today we go back to the beginning and remember that all of human history came from an idea that God spoke into the universe. Today is Trinity Sunday – the day we put the whole story together, and we remember the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. – the creator, the redeemer, the sustainer. As Protestants – the Trinity is the foundation of our faith. We are always saying in the name of the father, the son and the holy spirit. Having a clear understanding of the power of God in all forms, helps us to understand where we are in creation. It helps us to understand our purpose in life. And how we can continue God’s work. On a pastor’s desk was a sign, "Be patient with me, for God is not yet finished with me." It was a humorous way of telling his people that he was not yet perfect as a Christian. It is a fact that God is not finished creating his universe or his people. Contrary to popular opinion, God has not finished his creation, for scientists claim that our universe is expanding at the rate of twenty-six million miles per hour. Likewise, the creation of an individual is a process that involves a continuous creation. Indeed, God is not finished with us. He is continually trying to make us what we are meant to be. When you understand not only that you were created, but why you were created and understand that the Christ of creation wants to personally relate to you both now and forever, that is when life will really begin. God is not finished with us yet. Will he ever be finished with us? The fact is that God never gives up on us. We may fail and disappoint him. We may slip and backslide, but God does not lose patience with us. When life on earth is ended and the earth vanishes, the Bible tells us that God will make for us a new heaven and earth where our creation will continue until we become what he made us - a likeness to him. CSS Publishing Co., Inc., Old Truths For New Times, by John R. Brokhoff The ways we hear the creation story affects how we live our lives, the choices that we make and how we treat other people. The story in Genesis is not so much an explanation of how creation happened, as much as it is an explanation of why it happened. If creation is good, and we are a part of creation then we are good. Good in behavior, but also good in essence, purpose and worth. Good in the eyes of God. We see his presence in the midst of his people. The evidence of God is not only visible in the steady, unfailing order of creation, but he is here among us, working out his will, and moving toward his eternal purpose in our midst. I love the story about the Sunday school teacher who was trying to teach the Ten Commandments to her young students. She thought it would be most helpful if she provided them with some concrete illustrations. “Early one Saturday morning Billy’s parents were going out,” she said to her students. “Billy’s Dad asked him to mow the lawn while they were gone. When his parents returned, however, the lawn had not been touched.” She asked the class which commandment Billy had disobeyed. Instantly the class responded, “Honor thy Father and Mother!” “Good,” said the teacher and she gave another example. “Jessica was in a store with her mother. When her mother wasn’t looking, Jessica slipped a candy bar into her pocket . . . Which commandment?” the teacher asked. Quickly the class answered: “Thou shalt not steal!” “Great,” said the teacher and she continued. “Jimmy had a bad temper and he was mean. One day he got angry with his sister and grabbed her pet kitten. He then threatened to pull its tail off.” This time the students were stumped. Finally one little fellow piped up and shouted, “What God hath joined together let no man put asunder!” Well, that is our job. That’s our place in the creation story – to hold together all of the pieces of God’s world and to get them to work together for the good of the earth. Like any creation story – there is endless symbolism and meaning in this story. There is the mandate for us to be stewards of the earth, there is the declaration of Good, there is the arrival of the light, there is the recognition of God in all areas of our lives. It is the story of how creation began – it makes us a part of a never ending story. What sentence will you add to the story of life? Anything that you do – brings us all closer to God. Light doesn’t eradicate the darkness – it just helps us to see the goodness of God more clearly. After each act of creation God declared that it was good. Very Good. May you know that you are a part of the goodness! Let us pray….. God, whose fingers sculpt sun and moon and curl the baby’s ear; Spirit, brooding over chaos before the naming of day; Saviour, sending us to earth’s ends with water and words: startle us with the grace, love, and communion of Your unity in diversity so that we may live to the praise of Your majestic name. Amen. Consultation on Common Texts, 2002 Song For the Beauty of the Earth UMH 92 Pastoral Prayer (Do Not Print) Invocation and Adoration Eternal and Almighty God—Creator of the heavens, Redeemer of the lost, and Comforter of our souls—we bow before You in awe. You are the one true God, beautifully revealed in three persons. We praise You for the mystery of Your divine community, inviting us to find our rest and belonging in Your perfect, eternal love. Reformed Worship +4 Confession Lord, forgive us for the times we take Your majesty for granted or try to reduce Your boundless nature to our own limited understanding . Forgive us for the times we fail to reflect Your divine harmony, allowing division, selfishness, and discord into our relationships. Cleanse our hearts by the inspiration of Your Spirit, and draw us back into the unity of Your grace. Faithward.org +4 Thanksgiving Gracious Father, we thank You for the gift of life and the beauty of Your creation. We thank You, Lord Jesus, for pouring out Your life to reconcile us to God. And we thank You, Holy Spirit, for dwelling within us, guiding us into all truth, and empowering us to live as a light to the world. Reformed Worship +6 Petitions for the World and Church As You are united in perfect harmony, we pray that You would unite Your Church in mind, love, and purpose. Bind us together with the cords of Your grace so that we might share Your gospel hope. We lift up our broken world to You today. Bring peace to places of conflict, healing to those who are hurting, and justice to the oppressed. Pour out Your Spirit upon all who are struggling, lonely, or in need of Your comfort. Reformed Worship +4 Benediction We bind ourselves to You today. In the strong name of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—we offer You our lives, our worship, and our praise, now and forever. erikanderica.org +3 Amen. Lord’s Prayer Stewardship Moment Matthew’s Gospel ends with a blessing from the resurrected Jesus, framed as “marching orders” for the disciples. Early Christians would have heard these instructions as a job description for every follower. If we seek to follow Jesus, and want to step into action, what shall we do? 1) go make disciples 2) baptize the new believers 3) teach them everything I commanded you 4) remember “I am with you” As we prepare for our offering, we recognize our financial gifts, joined with our gifts of time and talent, make it possible for us to: –make disciples, inviting others through _________ [Describe in ways specific to your setting: advertising? on-line presence? Billboards? License plates? Support of a food pantry? Free classes?] –welcome the newly baptized [Describe specifics: with a reception or lunch? Banners at baptism? Introductory classes to link newcomers?] –teach Jesus’ commandments [Sunday School? Bible study? Book groups?] –remember Jesus will always be with us [communion, small groups who pray together, support groups for those grieving, groups for recovering from addiction?] Know your offering makes a difference for this congregation and for many who yearn for a community with which to identify! Let us share our tithes and gifts. Prayer of Thanksgiving Ever-Giving God, Thank you for all the gifts you pour into our lives. Even in the tough times, we know the gift of life comes by the power of your Spirit at work, blowing like the wind, filling us like a deep breath. Receive the gifts we’ve offered today. Help us use them to build up your Realm on earth as it is in heaven. Draw us close to you, to one another, and to those eager to hear the Good News of your love for each and all, AMEN Announcements Closing Prayer for YouTube Find rest in the love of God Choose rest by the grace of God Embrace rest by the power of God Trust rest because of the provision of God And know that the God of rest goes with you To love and serve God’s creation. (United Church of Christ Worship Ways, Cheryl Lindsay) Community Time – Joys and Concerns Benediction I charge you to live as disciples, empowered by the triune God, this day and forever more. And may you be surrounded with the love of God, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the fellowship of the Spirit. Amen. (Presbyterian Outlook, Tara Bulger) Additional Illustrations Years ago when the model T Ford was made, an owner of a Model T was parked along a road because his car had motor trouble. The driver could not find what was broken and why the car would not run. At length, a fellow-traveler stopped and asked if he could be of any help. In a short time, the stranger had the motor running. The owner was amazed and asked, "How did you know how to fix it? Who are you?" The other man replied, "I am the man who built it. My name is Henry Ford." Likewise, God alone knows how to fix us, how to make life run again. Why? Because he made us and therefore knows us to the very number of hairs on our heads. Have a problem you cannot solve? Have a need you cannot fill? Go to God the Father who will supply all your needs. He is the ultimate answer to the meaning of our existence. Though we have been created physically in the image of God, he is not yet finished with us. In God the Son we have a second creation as a Christian. Our first creation by the Father made us human beings, but we failed to live up to what we were made to be. Since Adam and Eve, we have spoiled the original creation through rebellion and disobedience. We did not and we still do not live up to our first charter: to be good and to do good according to God’s likeness. Because of sin, it is now a fact that by nature we are sinful and unclean and in need of a second creation. We must admit that many modern folk do not agree with what we have just said. They still have the rosy idea that "man" is basically good as the Father originally created him. Kurt Vonnegut, a leading contemporary author, tells of attending the University of Chicago after World War II. He was a student in the Department of Anthropology. At that time, it was taught that nobody was bad or disgusting. Shortly before his father died, he remarked to Kurt, "You know, you never wrote a story with a villain in it." Kurt explained, "That was one of the things I learned in college after the war." Green is the color of life. That fact most assuredly pervades our thinking when we consider the "Colors of Christmas"! In our Ohio outdoors today, there is a marked lack of the color green. The leaves are gone. Most plants have died from frost and exposure. We are in the season of late autumn, early winter. This is a time of dormancy in the life of most of Ohio’s growing things. They hibernate, they go to sleep, they die. Now, of course, there is a highly technical, scientific explanation as to what actually happens. My college biology suggests that the cholorophyll dies and the caroteen takes over, becoming pre-dominant. But we’re not scientists. We simply know that in autumn and winter, the plants die and the leaves fall. That’s all we know, and probably all we need to know about such a subject. We’re just people trying to understand life ... the gift of life given to us by Christ himself. But, one of the important Colors of Christmas is green. We see that "green" and that "greenery" surrounding us at Christmas. Today, we see it here, in God’s house, the church. We find it in our green paraments: on the altar, lectern, and pulpit, in the color of my stole and in my Cross, in the ribbons of life we gave the youngsters a few moments ago. And we also see green in the holly and mistletoe of the yuletide season. Our Advent wreath is green, and our Christmas tree and decorations in the sanctuary themselves will abound with green. A good symbol of this created life we have in Christ - and of our Advent/Christmas season, too, may be found in this branch from a tree ... an evergreen. We use "evergreen" as a name for a certain type of shrub or bush or tree. "Evergreen." But evergreen is also what it is. It is ever-green. We know that this type of tree is a symbol of life, for it never loses its needles or leaves in winter. Rather, this tree remains green - ever green - all year long. It is always filled with life, continually reminding us of the life - the gift of life here and eternally - that is ours in Jesus Christ. Green is the color of life, but the color green can also have some negative connotations. When I mention the color "green" to you, what is the first thing that pops into your head? Do you think of Christmas trees, evergreens, the green leaves, plants, and grass of a summer day? Or do you think of something else that is green, something else that has replaced God in the minds of many, many people? I’m referring, of course, to the "idol" money! The love of money is referred to in the Bible as the root of all evil. Indeed, Paul told brother Timothy that very truth. And it can be true for us, too, if we let money become the "idol" of our lives, that which we worship above all else. But this green money has another side to it, too. Money can be a positive, powerful force in doing God’s will, in helping others, if we will but use it properly. It’s a fact: we cannot live in this world today without money. But we can do a lot of good with it. It’s not meant to be hoarded, but invested for God’s greater glory. We are but stewards of God’s many and varied gifts. II. God is not an absentee landlord, but he is here among us. Consider other perspectives of human development which often translate into practical consequences. God is not finished with us yet. Will he ever be finished with us? The fact is that God never gives up on us. We may fail and disappoint him. We may slip and backslide, but God does not lose patience with us. When life on earth is ended and the earth vanishes, the Bible tells us that God will make for us a new heaven and earth where our creation will continue until we become what he made us - a likeness to him. CSS Publishing Co., Inc., Old Truths For New Times, by John R. Brokhoff If we view human beings solely as highly-developed animals, we can find much to back up our claim. Certainly a biological or anthropological perspective has the weight of research behind it. We humans, indeed, still share 98 percent of our genes with chimps. We are indebted to Homo erectus as our Homo sapien ancestor. Perhaps a magic twist in 0.1 percent of our genes within the past 60,000 years did create the anatomical basis for spoken complex language. Certainly as long ago as Charles Darwin's The Descent of Man, it has been pointed out that we are similar to other animals in being subject to the same laws of development from primitive forms in nature, passing on variations by inheritance from individual to individual, reproducing in greater numbers than can survive, and possessing body parts we no longer use such as a tail bone to carry a tail, an appendix to store food when we ate only plants, and wisdom teeth with which to crush bones.1 If we believe that humankind is solely a part of nature, a species of animal and nothing more, then we are likely to treat the people we encounter as highly-developed animals. Those we like we view as pets. If they love us and remain faithful to us, we cuddle them as we would any friendly and lovable dog or cat. We will bring them into our household circle of friendship and even try to curry the favor of others as we, too, seek to be friendly animals. To those who are unfriendly, we act as if they are a swarm of flies at a picnic or a beast of burden. We ask our school teachers, our police, and our courts to protect us from these pests. We organize our labor force and our economy to enable us to take advantage of these beasts of burden, paying them lower wages and creating social programs to see that they are fed, watered, and sheltered. While all this is quite unconscious, it still reflects an understanding of humankind as animal: pets, pests, and beasts of burden. That is a perspective upheld by many. God speaks through his creation. He speaks through the reading of Scripture. Sometimes he speaks through public worship. Oh, not necessarily through the sermon. Please understand. Each Sunday, I try my best to bring you some word from God. I don’t have a special pipeline, though. I am a human being. Even with my best efforts, on any one Sunday morning I may not be on your wavelength. God’s word for your life may not come from the sermon. It may come from some hymn. Or it may come from the reading for the day. Or it may happen simply in the silence when we are bowed in prayer. But the most important thing that can happen to each of us is that when we leave this place we are able to say, “God spoke to me this morning.” And, you know, if we empty ourselves and surrender ourselves completely to Him, I believe He will speak. God spoke and the world was created. God spoke and a nation was founded. God spoke and humanity was redeemed. God speaks today and we find help for the living of our lives. May God let it be so this day. Amen. OUR BIBLE BEGINS with the story of Creation. It is the first of the Bible’s many resurrection stories. Actually, the Bible begins with two creation stories - one in the first chapter and the second in the next chapter. Both stories, coming to us from those very earliest of speculation about life, grew from the belief that life was orderly, was following a plan, was fulfilling the destiny of a great mind.

Jesus backs our Covenant Prayer

January 4, 2025 John Wesley Covenant Service John 1:1-18 Year A Prelude Greeting Pastoral Introduction to the Covenant Renewal Service Today, we step into the footprints of giants. Nearly three centuries ago, a movement swept across England, a movement marked not by power or wealth, but by humble hearts ablaze with a holy fire. This was the Methodist movement—a revival that shook the very foundations of society, igniting a passion for holiness, justice, and devotion to God. Farmers and merchants, laborers and scholars, young and old alike gathered in homes, fields, and chapels, united by one singular cry: "Take my life, Lord, and let it be consecrated wholly to Thee." These were men and women who understood the cost of following Christ and embraced it with joy. They preached in the open air, endured ridicule, faced persecution, and yet persisted, driven by the unshakable conviction that their lives were not their own—they belonged to God. It was this commitment, this covenant with God, that fueled their courage, transformed their communities, and changed the course of history. John Wesley, the founder of this movement, knew the importance of renewal. He knew that the human heart is prone to wander, that even the most fervent soul can grow cold. And so, every New Year’s Day, he called his people together for a Covenant Renewal Service. It was a moment to remember their calling, to recommit their lives, and to declare once again, “We are Yours, Lord, wholly and completely.” Today, we gather in that same spirit. On the brink of a new year, we look back with gratitude and look forward with resolve. This is not a mere ritual or a tradition for tradition’s sake. It is a holy moment—a chance to reset, refocus, and reorient our lives around the One who gave everything for us. So let us prepare our hearts. Let us lay down our burdens, our ambitions, and our sins at the feet of Jesus. Let us, with generations of believers before us, declare our love, allegiance, and obedience to the God who has called us into His everlasting covenant. May this be a day of transformation, a day of fresh surrender, a day when heaven meets earth in the prayers of God’s people. Now, let us enter into this sacred time together, inviting the Holy Spirit to renew us, restore us, and equip us for all that lies ahead. (A John Wesley Covenant Renewal Service, Darrell Stetler II) Opening Prayer O God, Searcher of all our hearts, you have formed us as a people and claimed us for your own. As we come to acknowledge your sovereignty and grace, and to enter anew into covenant with you, reveal any reluctance or falsehood within us. Let your Spirit impress your truth on our inmost being, and receive us in mercy, for the sake of our Mediator, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (DAVID TRIPP, ENGLAND, 20TH CENT.) Song Love Came Down at Christmas UMH 242 THE INVITATION – Just print the title Dearly beloved: the Christian life, to which we are called, is a life in Christ, redeemed from sin by Christ, and consecrated to God through Christ. We have entered upon this life, having been admitted into that new covenant of which our Lord Jesus Christ is mediator, and which Jesus sealed with his own blood, that it might stand forever. On one side of the covenant is God’s promise to fulfill, in and through us, all that God declared in Jesus Christ, who is the author and perfecter of our faith. We are sure that this promise still stands, for we have known God’s goodness and proved God’s grace in our own lives day by day. On the other side, we promise to live no more for ourselves, but for Christ, who loved us even to death. He called us to serve God so that the purposes of Christ’s coming would be fulfilled. From time to time we renew our vows of consecration—especially when we gather at the Lord’s Table. But today we meet expressly, as generations of our ancestors have met, to joyfully and solemnly renew the covenant which bound them and binds us to God. ( A John Wesley Covenant Renewal Service, Daniel Stetler II) WORDS OF ASSURANCE – Just print the title This is the message we have heard from Jesus and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we walk in the light, as God is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ( A John Wesley Covenant Renewal Service, Daniel Stetler II Scripture John 1:1-18 New Year Message For centuries, the new year started in March – in the springtime. That would make sense, since that is the time that nature comes back to life with new blooms, babies and green grass. It is believed that Jesus would have been born in early spring, so his birthday is in March. Originally, John Wesley celebrated his covenant service in the spring. The Roman calendar had 10 months for centuries, March was the first month. Every year there were roughly 55 days between December and March where time did not exist. It was winter and it was just too darn cold and dark to think about anything. You were just supposed to stay inside and wait for planting season. You made no plans, and kept no schedule. Finally in 700 BC, some Emporer decided to add winter to the calendar. January and February were added to the end of the calendar. That is why September which means 7th month is our ninth month. In 46 BC Julius Ceasar developed a new calendar with January and February at the beginning of the year. January become that time that you took account of your life and made resolutions. Janus is the two faced God with one eye on the past and one eye on the future. That was the time that you made plans for March and new life. February is named after the god Februa – who was a god known for cleansing the heart by destroying the old to make way for the new. So from the beginning of the calendar the new year resolutions made in January were destined to be destroyed by February. Eventually, the Christian Church stepped in and reclaimed and redefined all of the old Roman traditions. Our modern calendar was invented by Pope Gregory in 1582- with a lot of improvements like leap year to keep time on track. Catholic countries adapted the new calendar quickly. The protestant countries like the US and Britain didn’t adapt the calendar until 1752. So when John Wesley started the covenant service, it was March 25th. His first service was in 1755, and it was widely practiced by 1762. By that time it was moved to January 1st. John Wesley’s point was for us to use the spirit of January not so much to make personal plans, but to reconnect to God. To realize that our future is in God’s hands. It is not us who makes the covenant, because we are destined to break our promises. But to look the promises that God makes to us in the bible. The bible gives us countless stories where God kept God’s promise in the most questionable of circumstances. Today we say a Covenant Prayer acknowledging God’s power over our lives. The scripture for today is John 1 – a fitting scripture for the new year. It repeats the words of Genesis 1 – in the beginning was God. Only John adds Jesus to the mix. Jesus is the word that brings us grace. The new Testament means the new covenant. It is through grace of Christ that God fullfills the promise to us. Jesus words create life, so that our words create faith. John Wesley’s covenant acknowledges how grace create our future. If advent is about seeking, Christmas is about finding. Our answers to life come through prayer and preparation. And finding God in strange places. I know I have told this story before, but it fits. It is a story of a baby bear all alone playing in the snow. Unbeknown to him, there is a mountain lion stalking him. When we see the lion, he runs. He runs through the mountains, through the fields and even through the water. Finally when we reaches familiar territory he has the courage to stand up to the lion. He stands his ground and starts to roar. The mountain lion attacks and injures him. But this time he is not afraid and roars with all that he has. The mountain lion retreats and runs aways. The baby turns around and sees his father. The lion ran because of the bigger bear’s presence. The bigger bear was protecting the baby, and even licked his wounds. In the spirit of January – there is nothing wrong with making plans, resolutions and expressing hopes and dreams. When we renew our covenant with God- we know that God has our back and God will bring the future to life. Let us pray…… Children’s Sermon: “In God’s Hands” Object lesson: A soft piece of clay or Play-Doh (or a small ball of dough) Scripture connection: Romans 12:1 / John Wesley’s Covenant Prayer ________________________________________ Pastor: Good morning, friends! Have you ever made something with Play-Doh or clay? (Allow responses.) Look at this. (Hold up the clay.) Right now, it can be anything—a snake, a heart, a cross, or even a cookie! But here’s the important part: the clay doesn’t decide what it will be. It’s shaped by the hands that hold it. That’s a lot like us. A long time ago, a pastor named John Wesley wrote a very special prayer called the Covenant Prayer. In that prayer, we tell God something very important. We say: “I am no longer my own, but yours.” That means we are saying, “God, my life belongs to you.” Sometimes the prayer says things that sound a little tricky, like: • “Put me to doing” • “Put me to suffering” • “Let me be full” • “Let me be empty” But here’s what it really means—listen carefully: It means we are saying, “God, whatever happens— happy days or hard days, busy days or quiet days— I trust you.” Just like this clay trusts my hands. (Gently shape the clay into a simple heart or cross.) God promises something wonderful: When we put our lives in God’s hands, God shapes us with love, uses us to help others, and never lets us go. So when we pray the Covenant Prayer, we are saying: “God, help me love you. Help me serve you. Help me trust you.” Let’s practice together. I’ll say a line, and you repeat it after me. Call and Response: • Pastor: God, I belong to you. Children: God, I belong to you. • Pastor: Use me to love others. Children: Use me to love others. • Pastor: I trust you with my life. Children: I trust you with my life. Pastor: Friends, you are always in God’s hands— on the playground, at school, at home, and here in church. And God is shaping you into something beautiful. Let’s pray. Prayer: “Loving God, thank you for holding us in your hands. Help us trust you, follow you, and love others. We belong to you. Amen.” (ChatGPT version six) Song Go Tell it on the Mountain UMH 251 Prayer Lord’s Prayer *COVENANT HYMN – print the words Come, Let Us Use the Grace Divine (quoted) (Written by Charles Wesley in 1762 for Methodism’s Covenant Service) Come, let us use the grace divine, and all with one accord, In a perpetual covenant join ourselves to Christ the Lord; Give up ourselves, through Jesus’ power, His Name to glorify; And promise, in this sacred hour, for God to live and die. The covenant we this moment make be ever kept in mind; We will no more our God forsake, or cast these words behind. We never will throw off the fear of God Who hears our vow; And if Thou art well pleased to hear, come down and meet us now. Thee, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, let all our hearts receive, Present with Thy celestial host the peaceful answer give; To each covenant the blood apply which takes our sins away, And register our names on high and keep us to that day! Stewardship Moment Radiant God, the light of your wisdom and love shines for all who seek you, guiding us not with force, but with grace. Like the magi, we come bearing gifts, not to earn your favor, but in response to the gift of Christ you’ve given us. Use these offerings to reflect your light into dark places, so that others might be drawn to your love, your justice, and your joy. Keep us faithful in our seeking, generous in our sharing, and willing to be led wherever your star shines next. In Jesus’ name, Amen. (Matthew 2:1-12) (United Methodist Board of Discipleship) THE COVENANT: (Congregation please stand) And now, beloved, let us bind ourselves with willing bonds to our covenant God, and take the yoke of Christ upon us. This means that we are heartily content that Christ appoint us our place and work, and that Christ alone will be our reward. Christ has many services to be done. Some are easy, others are difficult; some bring honor, others bring reproach; some are suitable to our natural inclinations and temporal interests, others are contrary to both. In some, we may please Christ and please ourselves; in others, we cannot please Christ except by denying ourselves. Yet the power to do all these things is assuredly given us in Christ, who strengthens us. Let us engage our heart to the Lord, and resolve in God’s strength never to go back. Being thus prepared, let us now, in sincere dependence on God’s grace and trusting in God’s promises, yield ourselves anew to Christ. (A John Wesley Covenant Renewal Service, Daniel Stetler II) THE COVENANT PRAYER I am not my own self-made, self-reliant human being. In truth, O God, I am Yours. Make me into what You will. Make me a neighbor with those whom You will. Guide me on the easy path for You. Guide me on the rocky road for You. Whether I am to step up for You or step aside for You; Whether I am to be lifted high for You or brought low for You; Whether I become full or empty, with all things or with nothing; I give all that I have and all that I am for You. So be it. And may I always remember that you, O God, and I belong to each other. Amen. (Rev. Jeremy Smith, HackingChristianity.com) Communion Page 13 – Don’t need to print May the Lord be with you. And also with you. May your hearts be lightened and filled with God’s love! We lift up our hearts and praise God above. Let us give thanks to the Lord, God our Father. We thank God and praise Him – it isn’t a bother! It is right and good-ful; holy and wonderful; blessed and joyful; To give thanks to you God, Almighty and faithful. For it’s you that has given us this worship time, Filled with laughter, some holy humor and rhyme. It’s you that has shown us your holy love, That you have sent from heaven high up above. And so, with your angels who first sang your song, We proclaim your goodness by singing along: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven is filled with your marvelous glory; Earth is filled with your light. Blessed is he who comes in your name – “Hosanna on high!” we loudly proclaim. Holy God, it’s your Son we remember today, Jesus Christ, the anointed, whom we try to obey. He encouraged the poor and freed the oppressed, And taught us that you care about the distressed. Through his suffering, death, and resurrection, He taught that Your grace beats out our imperfection. He ascended to Heaven and sits there beside you, But still remains with us in all that we do. On the night he was taken, he lifted some bread, He blessed it, and broke it, and here’s what he said: “Dear friends, this is my body to you that I give. Take it; share it: in you I will live. From now on, whenever, wherever you meet Remember our time when this bread here you eat.” When supper was over, he then took the cup, With praise and thanksgiving he lifted it up: “For the New Covenant, this is my blood; A sign of the Lord’s continuing love. For God has forgiven your every mistake, So trust in God’s love when this drink you partake.” May we offer ourselves for God’s greater glory, And proclaim what we know of this fabulous story: Christ Jesus: he died, but then rose again! He’ll return here on earth: Hallelujah! Amen. Holy Spirit, come down on us gathered here, With this bread and this fruit of the vine please appear. Make holy this food, fill us with your grace, So we proclaim gospel to the whole human race. We love you, Lord Jesus, we’ll shout out again Your glory and honor: Amen and Amen! (Allie Scott, HackingChristianity.com Announcements Closing Prayer for Facebook Go now, beloved, as people bound by the covenant of grace, redeemed by Christ, and empowered by the Spirit. May your hearts remain steadfast, your hands ready for service, and your lives reflect the light of God’s love. Walk boldly into this new year, knowing that the One who calls you is faithful and will strengthen you for every step. Community Time – Joys and Concerns Benediction