Hello, Bailey-

The report is a collection of reflections by key leaders and staff. We have an active church so the report is long.

If you can't quite read the whole thing, I invite you to pick three reports and read those. My suggestion is to pick two topics that interest you and one that is unfamiliar to you. That would take 5-10 minutes. Then consider thanking a committee chair or a staff member.  

Overall, the report reflects that we had a good year at Covenant. Thanks be to God, and thanks be to wonderful congregational leaders and my hard-working and very capable staff colleagues. Please come to our Annual Meeting on Sunday, February 11 at 10am to learn more. 

One (of several) reasons that we had a good year was because so many Covenant people have a strong foundation in faith, connecting with God on a daily basis through prayer and scripture.  



This past month we focused on the book of Exodus, encouraging daily reading and prayer. Many people told me how much they appreciated it, noting that they had never really read Exodus before. Several people told me how they were grateful for daily reminders (via email) to read and pray.

In my article in “The Caravan,” I offered several suggestions for ongoing daily habits to stay connected to God, with emphasis on scripture and prayer.  Just a few minutes a day can make a big difference.

Daily exercise and good nutrition help keep a human body healthy. Daily scripture and prayer help keep our spirits healthy. When our spirits are healthy, our church has a good year and the world is a better place. To God be the glory! 

Happy reading and praying!

On the journey together,

Charlie

PS - Thursday was the first day for Rev. Jess Scholten, our Associate Pastor of Mission, Spiritual Growth, and Care. We had a lunch of our eight full-time staff to celebrate. Now fully staffed, I am really excited about our future.

There are now four of us on the program/pastoral team. We each have distinct areas of focus, along with areas of overlap. Now seems like a good time to clarify our roles. From left to right in the photo below:

• Charlie: Worship, planning/vision, administration, pastoral care 
• Jess: Mission, adult education/formation, worship, pastoral care 
• Megan: Children, youth, worship, pastoral care 
• Melissa: Music, worship, technology, pastoral care 

• In-Person and Livestream worship: 9:00AM & 11:00AM
• "Word Power" Sermon Series concludes
• Heifer Sunday
• Holy Communion
• Preaching: Charlie Berthoud | "Word and Deeds" | Text: Matthew 7:21-29
• Music: New Day Ensemble; Ben Welch, pianist (9:00) | Covenant Handbell Choir; Doug McNeel, organist (11:00)
• Children's Time with Megan Berry
• Nursery Care: 8:45am-12:15pm
• Heifer Celebration/Bradfield Café: 10:00-10:45AM
• Visit our Worship HQ for everything you need to worship with us online!

If you missed a service or would like to watch a service again, all livestreamed services are saved to our YouTube channel. Or you can give the sermons another listen on our sermon podcast!

Sunday is Heifer Sunday, when we raise awareness of world hunger and poverty, while raising funds to support the development work of Heifer International. In Sunday School, the children have been learning about animals, nutrition, and agriculture. They will wear animal costumes while hosting various games for the rest of us during Fellowship/Sunday School hour (10-11). Bring your coins, checkbook, or give by credit card in person. You can also give below!

With the Heifer Celebration on Sunday, please note the change to regular CYM activities.

Join us in reading "A Sand County Almanac" in 2024. Organized with an essay for each month of the year, the book group will meet on the first Sunday of every month to discuss the essay from the previous month, beginning with our first meeting on Sunday. Join us! Click on the image for more info on this book.

Join us for a Madison Capitols hockey game! Price is $11 - email Emily Lanphear. Ben Welch will be playing organ, so let’s go show our support! This is a CONNECT event, a program that fosters connection between Covenant and the community. The Capitols play at Bob Suter's Capitol Ice Arena.

This week's white roses commemorate the lives of Russell Wright, brother of Don Wright and Linda Wolf, sister of Lee Jones.

Loving God, in your mercy, hear our prayers for each of these your children. We pray for healing, for courage, and for peace, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Bradfield Café Volunteer

Greeter & Welcome Center Volunteer

Women of Covenant are invited to Soul Sisters! Janice Walden will lead this month’s discussion topic: “God's Love - Kindness, Compassion, Joy, and Peace.” Soul Sisters is a group of women who gather on the 2nd Sunday monthly (Sept-May) for interesting discussions and Bible study, always in loving support of each other. For more info, contact Barb Eikenberry. Please bring a lunch!

Registration is now underway for Nehemiah Center’s Black History for a New Day, an eye-opening course that helps us look back at how the African-American experience has shaped who we all are today. Covenant will have their own group led by Jennifer Morgan. With generous support from GMB and our longstanding relationship with Nehemiah, the cost will be a reduced $125 and $50 for alumni of the course. Scholarships also available! No homework necessary. Register below - only 14 spots left, so register now!

Notes: 1) there are no classes on Mar 25 or Apr 22. 2) Please do not register through the Nehemiah website, as we are registering as a group.