We all have in us the desire to “belong” to something larger than themselves. 

When we come to Christ and let him cleanse us from our sins and create in us a new heart, the Holy Spirit puts the desire in our new hearts to be around other believers of like faith to live out the new Christian life together. When we do this we make certain covenant statements, or promises as you will, that guide us in living in community with one another.

When we united ourselves with a particular body of believers in the United Methodist tradition we covenanted, or promised, to support that body of believers with our prayers, presence, gifts, and service.

Our prayers simply means we pray for one another regardless whether we feel like it or not. We don’t wait around for someone to ask us first because our prayers flow out of our love for Christ.

Our presence simply means we show up regardless whether we feel like it or not. We don’t wait around for someone to ask us first because our presence flows out of our love for Christ.

Our gifts simply means we give our tithes and offerings whether we like it or not. Sometimes we forget that gift, by definition of the very word, is to be freely given. In other words, no strings attached. We don’t wait around for someone to ask us first because our gifts flow out of our love for Christ.

Our service simply means when there is something that needs to be done we simply volunteer to do it whether we feel like it or not. We don’t wait around for someone to ask us first because our service flows out of our love for Christ.

“And so dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?” Romans 12:1 NLT

Something to think about!