A very happy new year to you and a warm welcome to our online covenant service. Click on the video window to begin listening. Scripture and relevant links are posted below. Also any Church Announcements may be found at the end of this post.

At the start of the new year Methodists make a distinctive resolution. The covenant service, often celebrated on the first Sunday of the year, is at the heart of Methodists’ devotion and discipleship, and their dedication in working for social justice. In the service the Church joyfully celebrates God’s gracious offer that “I will be their God and they shall be my people”.

John 1:1-18

The Word became flesh

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning. ³ Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴ In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome^[a] it.

⁶ There was a man sent from God whose name was John. ⁷ He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. ⁸ He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

⁹ The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognise him. ¹¹ He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. ¹² Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – ¹³ children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

¹⁴ The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

¹⁵ (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, ‘This is the one I spoke about when I said, “He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.”’) ¹⁶ Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. ¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and^[b] is in the closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

Also reference Exodus 3:13-15; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

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EVERY THURSDAY …YOUR PATHWAY TO WELLBEING: Keep spreading the word about this Partnership with our Church in Mossley Methodist.

So far, Melanie Maxwell-McIlroy from Connect North has been able to help local residents with the following issues which have had a positive impact on their wellbeing.

• Access to Transport to attend both appointments and some groups
• Blue Badge application
• Referral to Occupational Therapy for aids to promote independence at home
• Support with a CV to apply for paid employment
• Several benefits checks and applications
• 2 x Home safety checks
• 1 x Fire Safety check