“We in one covenant are joined, and one in Jesus are…”
– Hymn 527, Moravian Book of Worship
A covenant is an agreement which brings about a relationship of commitment between God and God’s people and among members of a faith community. Biblical covenants always begin with God’s action on behalf of humanity and then articulate tangible ways persons of faith can and should respond to God’s freely given, unmerited favor – i.e. to God’s “grace.”
Christian faith is based on covenants made between God and Abraham, Moses and David (the basis of Jewish faith) and the new covenant embodied in Jesus Christ. Whenever we celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion, God reaffirms the foundational covenant of our Christian faith as we recall Jesus’ words to his disciples: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this … in remembrance of me.” (1 Corinthians 11:25) These sacred words invite us into relationship with God and challenge us to commit our lives to Christ.
As the Rev. Kevin Frack observes, “Good intentions alone are not enough to build a healthy Christian community.” Our action must follow as faithful response to God’s action if we wish to experience the full blessings of the New Covenant. For this reason, the presiding pastor asks those joining the church to affirm their commitment to God and Christ’s church:
Do you in this faith turn away from sin, evil, and selfishness in your thoughts, words and actions; and do you intend to participate actively in Christ’s church, serving God all the days of your life?
An elaboration of how this commitment to follow Christ might be realized in one’s daily life can be found in The Moravian Covenant for Christian Living. The church office has paper copies available.
Each year on or around September 16, Moravian Clergy gather for their annual “Covenanting Day.” It is a time for them to reaffirm their call, renew their vows of ordination and enjoy the blessings of fellowship which unites the church in service to Christ. Whether ordained or a layperson, each of us is called into committed relationship with God and each other through the establishment of covenant in the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion.
I invite you to take a moment on Friday, September 16, to celebrate and renew your commitment to the covenant relationship that links you to God and other believers through Jesus Christ.
- Pastor Derek French