HE annual Crediton Methodist Church Covenant Service held on Sunday, January 28 was led by Rev Alison Richardson. 

John Wesley led the first Covenant Service on August 11, 1755 at the French Church, Spitalfields, London, when there were 1,800 people present.

Ever since then, Methodist people have held a Covenant service at the beginning of each year at which we celebrate all that God has done for us and we affirm that we give our lives and choices to God.

The Covenant prayer makes it clear that this affirmation is a serious one and embraces the whole of our lives in all its parts.

Alison showed a print of Rembrandt’s Prodigal Son. The son has frittered away his inheritance and came home because he knew that his father would welcome him.  Alison said that God always welcomes us with His steadfast love.

In Jeremiah we read that God made a new covenant and had written His law on our hearts.

In Romans we were encouraged to consider our motivations today – are we living sacrifices?

In John, are we as branches nourished and spiritually healthy or spiritually dry, easily overwhelmed by worldly things and easily distracted from God. 

Alison challenged us (and herself) to examine ourselves fully before we say the Covenant prayer. What are our motivations for attending church this morning?

Have we come ready to worship God? Have we come for fellowship? We should not have come to be entertained – worship is not entertainment.

Our motives come from deep within us. Alison had come today happy and content with the privilege of leading us.

Everything she shared today was for herself too. The Covenant should challenge us – it is given to us by the grace of God alone. 

We then made our Covenant with God - some of the words are: “I am no longer my own but yours. I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things to your pleasure and disposal…”

Bronwyn Nott