Mill Plain UMC Sunday January 1,2023 The Entering into Covenant
Scripture:
Romans 12:1-2, 9-21
Songs:
Come let us use the grace divine
Once in David’s Royal City
Go Tell it on the Mountain
give.millplainumc.org
Mill Plain UMC
January 1 2023 10 am
Prelude
Count down Announcements
Greeting
Call to worship
Worship Assistant: O sing to the Lord a new song!
People: As we begin a new year we come with a new song of joy in our hearts.
Worship Assistant: Sing to the Lord, all the earth!
People: In a day of new beginnings, we renew our covenant with God.
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 of 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 forever and ever. Amen.
(Reprinted from The United Methodist Book of Worship, 1992, by permission of The United Methodist Publishing House)
Hymn
Come, Let Us Use the Grace Divine #606
Young Disciples
Silent Prayer
Pastoral Prayer
Offertory
Presentation of Offerings
Doxology
Scripture
Romans 12:1-2, 9-21
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Once in Royal David’s City #250, verses 1 and 4
Sermon: Entering Into Covenant
Introduction
Pastor: Commit yourselves to Christ as his servants.
Give yourselves to him, that you may belong to him.
Christ has many services to be done.
Some are easier and more honorable.
Others are more difficult and disgraceful.
Some are suitable to our inclination and interests,
others are contrary to both.
In some we may please Christ and please ourselves.
But then there are other works where we cannot please Christ except by denying ourselves.
It is necessary, therefore, that we consider what it means to be a servant of Christ.
Let us, therefore, go to Christ, and pray.
People: Let me be your servant, under your command.
I will no longer be my own.
I will give up myself to your will in all things.
Pastor: Be satisfied that Christ shall give you your place and work.
People: Lord, make me what you will.
I put myself fully into your hands:
put me to doing, put me to suffering,
let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you,
let me be full, let me be empty,
let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and with a willing heart give it all to your pleasure and disposal.
Pastor: Christ will be the Savior of none but his servants.
He is the source of all salvation to those who obey.
Christ will have no servants except by consent.
Christ will not accept anything except full consent to all that he requires.
Christ will be all in all, or he will be nothing.
Confirm this by a holy covenant.
to make this covenant a reality in your life listen to these admonitions.
First, set apart some time, more than once, to be spent alone before the Lord;
in seeking earnestly God’s special assistance and gracious acceptance of you;
in carefully thinking through all the conditions of the covenant;
in searching your hearts whether you have already freely given your life to Christ.
Consider what your sins are.
Consider the laws of Christ, how holy, strict, and spiritual they are,
and whether you, after having carefully considered them, are willing to choose them all.
Be sure you are clear in these matters, see that you do not lie to God.
Second, be serious and in a spirit of holy awe and reverence.
Third, claim God’s covenant, rely upon God’s promise of giving grace and strength, so you can keep your promise.
Trust not your own strength and power.
Fourth, resolve to be faithful.
You have given to the Lord your hearts, you have opened your mouths to the Lord, and you have dedicated yourselves to God.
With God’s power, never go back.
And last, be then prepared to renew your covenant with the Lord. Fall down on your knees, lift your hands toward heaven, open your hearts to the Lord, as we pray:
Covenant Prayer
People: O righteous God, for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, see me as I fall down before you.
Forgive my unfaithfulness in not having done your will, for you have promised mercy to me if I turn to you with my whole heart.
Pastor: God requires that you shall put away all your idols.
People: I here from the bottom of my heart renounce them all,
covenanting with you that no known sin shall be allowed in my life.
Against your will, I have turned my love toward the world.
In your power I will watch all temptations that will lead me away from you.
for my own righteousness is riddled with sin, unable to stand before you.
Pastor: Through Christ, God has offered to be your God again if you would let him.
People: Before all heaven and earth, I here acknowledge you as my Lord and God.
I take you for my portion, and vow to give up myself, body and soul, as your servant, to serve you in holiness and righteousness all the days of my life.
Pastor: God has given the Lord Jesus Christ as the only way and means of coming to God.
People: Jesus, I do here on bended knees accept Christ as the only new and living Way, and sincerely join myself in a covenant with him.
O blessed Jesus, I come to you, hungry, sinful, miserable, blind, and naked.
Unworthy even to wash the feet of your servants.
I do here, with all my power, accept you as my Lord and Head.
I renounce my own worthiness,
and vow that you are the Lord, my righteousness.
I renounce my own wisdom, and take you for my only guide.
I renounce my own will, and take your will as my law.
Pastor: Christ has told you that you must suffer with him.
People: I do here covenant with you, O Christ, to take my lot with you as it may fall. Through your grace I promise that neither life nor death shall part me from you.
Pastor: God has given holy laws as the rule of your life.
People: I do here willingly put my neck under your yoke, to carry your burden. All your laws are holy, just, and good.
I therefore take them as the rule for my words, thoughts, and actions, promising that I will strive to order my whole life according to your direction, and not allow myself to neglect anything I know to be my duty.
Pastor: The almighty God searches and knows your heart.
People: O God, you know that I make this covenant with you today without guile or reservation. If any falsehood should be in it, guide me and help me to set it aright.
And now, glory be to you, O God our Creator, whom I from this day forward shall look upon as my God.
Glory be to you, O God our Savior, who have loved me and washed me from my sins in your blood, and now is my Redeemer.
Glory be to you, O God the Holy Spirit, who by your almighty power have turned my heart from sin to God.
O mighty God, you have now become my Covenant Friend.
And I, through your infinite grace, have become your covenant servant.
So be it. And let the covenant I have made on earth be ratified in heaven.
Amen.
Communion
The great Thanksgiving
Call & Response
The Lord be with you.
AND ALSO WITH YOU.
Lift up your hearts.
WE LIFT THEM UP TO THE LORD.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
IT IS RIGHT TO GIVE OUR THANKS AND PRAISE.
Pastor Sue prays ………….
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY LORD, GOD OF POWER AND MIGHT, HEAVEN AND EARTH ARE
FULL OF Y OUR GLORY.
HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST.
BLESSED IS THE ONE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD.
HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST.
The Lord’s Prayer
Breaking Of the bread
Giving of the brad and Cup
Prayer after Communion
Gracious God, you come to us in bread and cup. Grant that we may carry your love into the world. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Hymn
Go, Tell It On the Mountain #251
Benediction: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the presence of the Holy Spirit be with you. Amen.
Postlude
Walk Out slides