Introduction

In the old covenant God chose Israel to be his people and to obey his laws. God then declared a new covenant, through Jesus Christ for the salvation of everyone who believes, both Jew and Gentile.

As a company of men and women who have individually experienced new birth, receiving Christ as our Saviour and thereby becoming children of God, we stand within that new covenant, made by the death and resurrection of Jesus whose name we bear.

We say together:

We declare our allegiance to God's covenant by confession and by baptism, dying with Christ, being buried with Christ and rising with Christ to a life of faith and hope and love. We renew this covenant every time we meet at the Lord's table.

We promise ourselves anew to God who has so graciously promised himself to us. We commit ourselves again to take the teachings of Christ upon us and to seek his will above all other motivation.

We commit ourselves to follow Christ's lead in all things, wherever we may go, whatever we may do, in all that we may endure; when there is work for us and when there is none; when we are troubled and when we are at peace.

We pledge ourselves to strive for Christ's way at all times whatever may occur, when we are valued and when we are disregarded; when we find fulfilment and when it is lacking; when we have all things and when we have nothing.

Pause for reflection

Glorious and Loving God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we offer afresh all that we have and are, to serve you as and where you choose and to live always as your people.

Amen.