The Moravian Star is a common Christian symbol in many parts of Europe. Image by: Jason McKim/flickr Image by: GBGM Administration

Hope linked with peace was a prominent theme in the 2008 Christmas celebration at the General Board of Global Ministries. The greeting card incorporated a verse from Romans 15:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace
in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the
power of the Holy Spirit.

Hope linked with peace continues in our mission vision for 2009.

Hopefulness is rooted in faith in the love and saving promises of God in Jesus Christ. Peace is a gift of grace to believers and a social goal that beckons from God's future. Hope and a peaceful heart that longs for global peace are based in the covenant God makes with the faithful and the church--the covenant of love that keeps us on course in doing God's mission. A new year calls us to covenant renewal, as we pledge ourselves wholly to the hope and peace of God.

John Wesley adapted a covenant renewal service from Moravian practice, and his observance came to be associated with the end of one year and the start of the next. This "Watchnight" observance would become strongly identified with the Methodist piety that stresses personal and social holiness.

As United Methodist Christians, we are watching prayerfully in mission as 2008 turns into 2009:

• For opportunities to proclaim the Good News of God's love to those who have never heard it or those who have heard but failed to heed it the first or second time. Second and more chances are possible in God's arena.
• For places where we can follow God's grace in strengthening the church, the community of faith, by starting new congregations and shoring up those that are weak.
• For ministries that serve the poor and dejected, offering welcome to all into the blessed family of hope.
• For ability and capacity to serve the health needs of people around the world, including our own communities.

These are corporate responsibilities, representing four focus areas for The United Methodist Church in the new quadrennium beginning on January 1, 2009. In response to these Gospel mandates, and all other gifts of grace, let us individually confess a prayer of obedience to God from the Watchnight service of covenant renewal:

Let me be your servant, under your command.
I will no longer be my own.
I will give up myself to your will in all things.*

(*Covenant Renewal Service: The United Methodist Book of Worship, 1992, p. 291.)

This meditation was written by Elliott Wright, information officer of Global Ministries.

	See Also... Topic: Christian love |  GBGM programs |  United Methodist Church |  Methodism |  Geographic Region: World |  Source: GBGM Administration
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Date posted: Dec 29, 2008