News from Arlesey Methodist Church

New Year , New Agreement

We each may be looking at the new year with hope or dread, with joy or sadness, with positive or negative thoughts. I have hope, especially in the younger generations. But I feel sadness at the unfairness of the deal that young people appear to be left with, as the Western World confesses its sins of greed and carelessness for the rest of humanity and for nature. Recurring regret for past failings or betrayal can also cast a negative shadow over life. At the same time, hope in God’s love can drive that shadow away.

January is often a time of resolutions to move our lives in right directions. Across the country, Methodist Church congregations will be using the words of the Covenant Prayer. Covenant means “Agreement” . In the service, we remind each other of the generous deal that God gives humanity through the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In this agreement, God forgives our sins of the past and present and offers faith in Christ to enable us to agree to follow God’s way of love for God, neighbour and each other. It is the most solemn and important of all Methodist services, yet joyful in the hope that it brings. It places the believer’s life into God’s hands, for whatever the future will bring, but also holds God to God’s own promises.

The Covenant Prayer finishes with: “And now, glorious and blessèd God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are mine and I am yours. So be it. And the covenant now made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen. ”* That sounds pretty positive to me! May this New Year mark a new and energising and hopeful agreements for our lives, and for the generations to come.

We are holding our monthly lunchtime bible study on 19th January 12:30. Sunday worship: 2nd : Sarah Peacock at Baldock Methodist Church 10.45am 9th : Rev Bob Forrest at Baldock Methodist Church 10.45am 16th : Rev Graham Claydon-Knights (Covenant service) at Baldock Methodist Church 10.45am 23rd : Rev Val Reid at Baldock Methodist Church 10.45am 30th : Rev Bob Forrest at Baldock Methodist Church 10.45am

Arlesey Methodist Church is available for lettings. Please contact Rev Graham.

Rev. Graham 07340 857386 Graham.Claydon-Knights@methodist.org.uk *(Methodist Worship Book, 1999, p.290)

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