Covenant Words - 7th January 2007
 On the first Sunday of 2007 we shared in some significant words seeking to affirm our commitment to God and each other through the coming year. We don't know what the year will hold but we do know that it will be a better year if we place our trust in our faithful God and travel through 2007 together, as God's people. We reproduce them below to remind us of the unity and common purpose we experienced as the words were shared :
WE BELIEVE
Together with all God’s people, we proclaim our faith and celebrate the story of our salvation.
ALL: I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ
God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
born of the virgin Mary
suffered under Pontius Pilate
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy universal Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen
WE SERVE
We baptise those who repent and trust in Christ as Lord and Saviour.
In baptism, we are called to be disciples, sharing in Christ’s death and resurrection.
Through baptism, we are received into the church,
the body of Christ, immersed into the fellowship of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
To know Christ is to follow him; to name him Lord is to obey him.
WE COVENANT
As a Gospel people, let us covenant together before God and each other:
Creating and redeeming God,
we give you thanks and praise.
Your covenant of grace
was made for our salvation
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
We come this day
to covenant with you
and with our companions in discipleship:
to watch over each other
and to walk together before you
in ways known and still to be made known.
Pour down your Spirit on us.
Help us so to walk in your ways
that the promises we make this day,
and the life that we live together,
may become an offering of love,
our duty and delight,
truly glorifying to you,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
WE PRAY
Lord, how strange it is that you should call us to be your Church,
yet you have always worked through women and men in the working out of your purpose.
Through prophets and disciples, leaders and followers, preachers and listeners,
you have called your people, that your redeeming love might work through them.
Above all, in Jesus your Word has become flesh and a human being has lived your will.
He has died for us and you have raised him for us,
that he might be our foundation and our head.
Fill us with his love that we might truly be his disciples.
We dedicate ourselves now to being your people.
Accept our worship and our prayers, our intentions and our gifts.
All has come from you and now, as we pray, your Spirit prompts us and empowers us.
Grant us your grace that we might be faithful to our calling as your Church.
Deepen our faith, strengthen our love, and increase our hope that we might be an offering acceptable to you and available for your will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Words taken from 'Gathering For Worship' published by the Baptist Union of Great Britain | 
