Happy New Year

"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."

Happy New Year! To celebrate this fresh start United Methodists all over the country will be taking part in a Covenant Service.

This unique piece of Methodist liturgy is a nice 'grounder' after all the frivolities and commercialism of Christmas and New Year. It throws the individual open to the workings of God in their life.

This year I've included the 'traditional' version. With the economic crisis continuing the phrase 'let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you" gathers new and permanent meaning.

Whatever the year ahead brings may you find peace and joy while forever challenging yourself and others to life a life extolling the gospel values of peace, love and joy for all.

Every blessing,
Pastor Charles Alkula