Over at RevGals, Sally writes: As I prepare this post I am aware that it will be posted on New Years Day. We stand at the beginning of 2010 looking not only at a New Year, but at a new decade full of promise and possibilities. For some of us this will be exciting, but others will approach it with trepidation and probably most of us stand on this threshold with a mix of emotions and reactions.
It is at this time of year that many (British) Methodist Churches celebrate their Annual Covenant Service, a service that will include this prayer:
I am no longer my own but yours,
Put me to what you will,
rank me with whom you will;
put me to doing,
put me to suffering;
let me be employed for you,
or laid aside for you,
exalted for you,
or brought low for you;
let me be full,
let me be empty,
let me have all things,
let me have nothing:
I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things
to your pleasure and disposal.
And now glorious and blessed God,
Father , Son and Holy Spirit,
you are mine and I am yours.
May it be so forever.
Let this covenant now made on earth
be fulfilled in heaven. AMEN
This prayer is said every year, and offers every member an opportunity to renew their covenant with God. This is no soft or easy prayer, it states in the company of others our willingness to worship God come what may, not that we should become doormats, but that we place God above all else. ( And every year if we are honest we have to acknowledge that we fail).
With this prayer in mind I bring you this Friday Five:
1. What will you gladly leave behind in 2009? For the most part, this has not been a difficult year. We did, however, experience two sets of interviews with congregations as potential new calls for us. Neither process quite followed the defined procedure, leaving us disappointed on many levels. I do not object to having these experiences in my past!
2. What is the biggest challenge of 2010 for you? I suspect that at least one of my biggest challenges will be to find a way to remain spiritually healthy while serving a difficult congregation. It is challenging for me to remember that God's will can be done even in the face of humans who resist it.
3. Is there anything that you simply need to hand to God and say "all will be well, for you are with me"? Yes and it includes everything connected to the call process for Don and me.
4. If you could only achieve one thing in 2010 what would it be? I'm hoping to re-commit myself to my weight-loss plan. I've stuck with Weight Watchers so I haven't re-gained any of my pounds, I haven't been consistent in counting points and losing weight.
5. Post a picture, poem or song that sums up your prayer for the year ahead....
A video and the song lyrics
You are Mine
By David Haas
I will come to you in the silence
I will lift you from all your fear
You will hear My voice
I claim you as My choice
Be still, and know I am near
I am hope for all who are hopeless
I am eyes for all who long to see
In the shadows of the night,
I will be your light
Come and rest in Me
Chorus:
Do not be afraid, I am with you
I have called you each by name
Come and follow Me
I will bring you home
I love you and you are mine
I am strength for all the despairing
Healing for the ones who dwell in shame
All the blind will see, the lame will all run free
And all will know My name
Chorus:
Do not be afraid, I am with you
I have called you each by name
Come and follow Me
I will bring you home
I love you and you are mine
I am the Word that leads all to freedom
I am the peace the world cannot give
I will call your name, embracing all your pain
Stand up, now, walk, and live
Chorus:
Do not be afraid, I am with you
I have called you each by name
Come and follow Me
I will bring you home
I love you and you are mine
365 - Day 2
5 hours ago
