A Note from the Pastor

Holy Covenant,

As we gather for worship this Sunday, we are reminded once again that our faith is not just something we believe, it’s something we live. Jesus spent his ministry feeding the hungry, tending to those in need, and creating spaces where all were seen, valued, and cared for. This Sunday, we have two opportunities to live out that call in tangible ways: through feeding our neighbors in need and through imagining new ways to care for one another within our church community.

Sandwich Build – March 30th

After worship, we invite you to stay and help us make 100 bagged lunches for the men at the Giles Center, which provides overnight shelter and meals through its affiliation with A Roof Above. This is a simple but meaningful way to extend care to our unhoused neighbors, just as Jesus did when he fed the multitudes with loaves and fish. In breaking bread together, we embody Christ’s love in a way that is nourishing both for those who receive and for those who give.

Cares Team Brainstorming Session – March 30th

Also following worship, at 12:30pm in the conference room, we will hold a brainstorming session about forming a new Cares Team Ministry at the church. This idea, born from our Year of Wellness plan for 2025, envisions a ministry that connects the needs and gifts within our congregation so that we can care for one another in sustainable, meaningful ways. Jesus constantly modeled care, not only for those on the margins but also for his own disciples, ensuring they had what they needed to continue their journey. If you have a heart for building a community of care, we invite you to be part of the conversation.

These opportunities are more than just events; they are invitations to live into the Gospel. Whether through feeding the hungry or shaping new ways to care for each other, we have the chance to embody Christ’s love in real and lasting ways. Join us in this work, because love in action is the heart of who we are.

Peace and Blessings,

Rev. Christopher Czarnecki

Holy Covenant UCC

Senior Pastor

The church office will be closed, Friday, March 28, 2025.

See you this Sunday for worship!

Lenten Season

April 6

On the 5th Sunday in Lent, join us for “Mix-it-up” Sunday,

with a Spring Brunch Potluck following worship.

Pastries, Muffins, Casseroles and Salads

April 13

Palm & Passion Sunday

Let’s celebrate our Confirmands together!

April 17

Maundy Thursday 6pm

April 20

Easter Worship 10:55am

Bring fresh flowers

for the cross

April 27

Celebrate Earth Sunday with the Creation Justice Team

Lenten Devotionals

“YOUNG VOICES: STEPPING OUT OF THE WILDERNESS”

This 47-day devotion walks you through Lent and concludes with the good news of Easter Sunday. All entries were written by UCC youth and young adults between the ages of 12 and 35.

See these daily devotions on our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/HCUCC.Church

https://www.facebook.com/groups/61370940062

We will have a limited number of printed copies available.

Substitute Sunday School Teacher Needed – April 13

We are looking for a substitute Sunday School teacher to step in for Joann Jellison on Sunday, April 13th. This is Confirmation Sunday, and Joann has been a dedicated part of our confirmation journey from the very beginning, we want her to be fully present for this special service.

Our Child Care Assistant, Autumn Holt, will be there to help, so you won’t be on your own! If you’re available to serve in this way, please reach out to Joann Jellison or Pastor Chris. Thank you for considering this opportunity to support our children and our church community!

Confirmation Sunday – April 6 (Palm Sunday)

On Sunday, April 6th, we will gather for a special Confirmation Sunday, which falls on Palm Sunday, a day rich with meaning in our faith. As we remember Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, a moment filled with both joy and deep commitment, we also celebrate six of our youth who have completed their confirmation journey.

During worship, we will honor and bless these six confirmands as they affirm their faith and take this important step in their spiritual journey. This is a time for us as a church family to surround them with love, encouragement, and support as they continue growing in faith.

After worship, we invite everyone to a small reception in the Gathering Room to celebrate our confirmands. If you’d like to share your congratulations, cards are welcome as a tangible way to show them our love. Let’s come together to lift up and bless these young people as they step forward in faith!

Maundy Thursday Dinner & Tenebrae Service –

April 17 at 6:00 pm

Join us on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 6:00 pm for a deeply meaningful Maundy Thursday Dinner & Tenebrae Service. We will gather in the Gathering Room for a simple meal of soup and bread, sharing in conversation, singing, reflection, and communion together, remembering Jesus’ final meal with his disciples.

Following dinner, we will move into the sanctuary for a Tenebrae service, walking through the Seven Last Words of Jesus as we reflect on the meaning of his crucifixion. This service weaves together the themes of both Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, drawing us into the depth of Christ’s life and death.

If you would like to bring a soup to share this evening, please sign up on the sheet in the Gathering Room (coming soon). We hope you’ll come, bringing your presence and spirit to this sacred evening.

One Great Hour of Sharing

This Sunday, we join churches across the United Church of Christ in receiving the One Great Hour of Sharing offering, a vital expression of our faith in action. As one of the UCC’s five special mission offerings, One Great Hour of Sharing provides critical support to communities facing hardship, funding international programs in health, education, and agricultural development, as well as emergency relief, refugee assistance, and disaster response both globally and here in the U.S.

Through our collective generosity, we extend Christ’s love beyond our walls, reaching those impacted by war, natural disasters, and economic hardship. Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference. By giving, we also help Holy Covenant remain a 5 for 5 Church, faithfully supporting the wider ministries of the UCC.

To contribute, please write "OGHS" on the memo line of your check or envelope. If giving online, select One Great Hour of Sharing from the donation options. To see how your giving makes an impact, please watch the short video.

Thank you for being part of this life-changing ministry!

In Our Community

Sing for the Cure Concert, March 29

This will be a very special, life affirming concert, on March 29, 7:30 at CPCC Halton Theater. Several choruses and choirs will be part of the large 90 member chorus, including 3 HC choir members.

This code will save you $5.00 - SFTC25, good through 3/14. For more info and tickets, use this link: SFTC Tickets

Proceeds of this concert will benefit local organizations that provide critical financial assistance to individuals and families who are battling breast cancer.

Thanks,

Tina Dickens, Meg Houlihan and D Evans

HCUCC members / Women's Chorus of Charlotte

Sound of the Cinema, March 29

Sound of the Carolinas, a new kind of Orchestra, is all about sharing the joy of music with our community! Our vibrant repertoire ranges from classical and Broadway hits to your favorite movie themes and more. We aim to make our performances enjoyable for both our performers and our audiences. Look forward to interactive experiences like sing-alongs, costume dress-up for kids, and exciting collaborations with organizations such as animal rescues and churches.

HCUCC member Kim Tyler, oboist, is a part of this new group!

Holy Covenant Connections

Sojourners Class

Join us for a book study of The Last Week: What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus's Final Days in Jerusalem by Marcus Borg and John Crossan. Amazon has only an "acceptable" paperback plus hardback copies. Another good source is thriftbooks.com where you will find "good: and "very good" paperback copies as well as less expensive hardback copies.

Hope you can join us either in person or via Zoom—no preparation necessary.

We gather Sundays at 9:45am

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89561758099?pwd=d1gvUmh3K2hCNmdidm1QdjllNkF5QT09

Meeting ID: 895 6175 8099 Passcode: 986788

Bagged Lunch Build, March 30

No experience needed! We are making 100 bagged lunches for the Giles Center on March 30, and again on April 27. This center is affiliated with A Roof Above and provides overnight shelter (and bags lunches) for homeless men. Stay after the worship service and join us!

Cares Team Brainstorming Session, March 30

On March 30th, following our worship service at 12:30pm in the conference room we will have a brainstorming session around the idea of forming a Cares Team Ministry at the church. This idea rose out of the proposed Year of Wellness Plan for 2025. The idea of the “Cares Team” was a ministry that would initially work to gather information about the needs and gifts within the congregation and find ways to coordinate and sustainably match those needs and resources. This is an idea in development. If you have a passion for wanting to be part of this ministry please join us. All are welcome!

Game Night, April 6

All are welcome! We start around 6:30pm.

Join us in the Gathering Room for fellowship and fun!

Coming Soon...

New Pictorial Directory!

Save a date - May 1st to 4th

Details coming soon :) Smile!!

Compassion Closet

Compassion Closet is a non-profit organization that collects and distributes clothing and linens to asylum-seeking migrant families here in Charlotte. Please donate new or gently used (& laundered) men’s, women’s and children's shoes and clothing, as well as towels and sheets. You'll find the collection box in the gathering room. Thank you!

Mark Your Calendars –

Charlotte AIDS Walk, May 31

Join us for the Charlotte AIDS Walk on Saturday, May 31st, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Truist Field. This annual walk is an opportunity to show support, raise awareness, and help make a difference in the lives of those affected by HIV/AIDS in our community.

You can walk with our team, sponsor a participant, or make a donation by visiting: Holy Covenant UCC Team Page

Let’s come together in love and solidarity, hope to see you there!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

We are hoping to have a group from the church go to the Charlotte Knights game on Saturday, July 19. We always have a lot of fun! The game starts at 6 pm and is against the Gwinnet Stripers. Tickets should be $20 each and if we have over 20 people or $27 if we have fewer than 20. Right now availability is good for a block of seats so please sign up soon if you want to attend. The goal is to have a firm count on number of tickets to order by April 20. Payment info will be sent in an email then. If you have questions please contact Martha Bomely, martha.bomely@gmail.com.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C44ACAD23A2FE3-48668551-charlotte

Please consider these invaluable ministries, which play a big part in our extravagant welcome to newcomers, as well as a meaningful part of our congregational family!

Worship Volunteer Sign-up

Greeters and ushers are needed starting at 10:30am every Sunday. Liturgists and readers roles are also available. Please sign up in the Gathering Room or at

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C44ACAD23A2FE3-ushers.

Fellowship Hour Hosts Needed

Please sign up in the gathering room for light refreshments after worship on Sundays, plus set-up and clean-up.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C44ACAD23A2FE3-sunday1#/

We welcome all in our congregation to participate in worship leadership. Download the app to make signing up even easier!

https://www.signupgenius.com/mobileapp

Prayers

Please Remember in Prayer

Members

Mel & Christine Andersen, Liz Colton, Kevin Decker, Tina Ettesen, Jana Harrison, Laura Hankins, Jim & Faye Humphrey, Sharon Landis, Sue & Bill Pascucci, Isabelle Reedy Powell, Beth Sharp, Anita Taylor, Darline Warren, Sally Young & Alice Phelan

Friends & Family Members

Family & Friends in the recent death of Carl Farrow (Jeff Edwards-Knight)

Sandra (Carl & Phyllis Johnson), Beth, Michael & Julian Bliss (Robert Shepherd), Gary Bomely (Martha Bomely), Melissa Brown, Reva Dixon, Kim Dixon VanFleet (Diane Neese), Tina Ettesen, Kent Hansen (Kristen Fuchs), Jeanne Hord (Diane Neese), Pam McGill & Pam Culp (Melissa Noll), Deby Gumpper (Dawn Simmons), Cindy Hedrick (Barb Schneller), Henry Hildebrand (Bill & Connie Hildebrand), Charles Jernigan (Lee Parrish), Dave Johnson, Richard Lease (Barb Schneller), Earl & Susie Morgan (Ed Vickery), Larry & Karen Roark (Ed Vickery), Michelle Sharp (Beth Sharp), Janet Wakefield (Linda Burby), Brian Weddell (Jon Weddell), Kim Wiggs-Gamblin, Scott Whitley (Jay Whitley)

If you wish to add someone to the list, please send a note to

prayers@holycovenantucc.org.