"Thank you" is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding.
--Alice Walker
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Greetings!
Do you give thanks to God every day? I mean seriously stop and say "thank you" to God.
Many of us “remember” to be thankful on the last Thursday of November, but we forget much of the rest of the year.
With a week to go before Thanksgiving, I encourage you to begin to cultivate an “attitude of gratitude.” Try this: Every day for the next week, write down three things for which you are grateful, and offer a prayer of thanks.
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It could be as simple as “Thank you God for pecan pie, wool socks, and my family.” (That’s my list for today.)
As I’ve previously shared, I love the way Anne Lamott thinks about prayer.
She writes that the best prayers are simple: "Help me, help me, help me" and "Thank you, thank you, thank you" are both wonderful.
If you want to learn more about her view of simple prayer, check out her book: Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers. Click on the image to learn more.
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Cultivating gratitude is a vital component of being a Christian, and we see this in the Heidelberg Catechism, in our Book of Confessions. The HC has three sections: Misery, Deliverance, and Gratitude, which can be understood as Guilt, Grace, and Gratitude, or Sin, Salvation, and Service. Gratitude (or service, or thankfulness) is how we respond to God's gift of life and love.
Making intentional effort to be thankful reconnects us with God and brings more positivity into our lives and world. Happy Thanksgiving!
Grace and peace,
Charlie
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After 22 years as Children’s Ministries Coordinator, Donna Monson is retiring. Her last Sunday is November 21. Her ministry has been a blessing to Covenant and to hundreds of people. Her ministry helped form a generation of Christians, teaching them of God’s love for them and for the world, and helping everyone to feel welcome at Covenant. |
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Donna asked that we not have a big event at her retirement, so we have a low-key celebration planned for next Sunday, November 21 at 10:00 in Bradfield Hall. Baskets are available Sunday and next week for cards you might want to leave for Donna. We thank God for Donna! |
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To see photos of Donna and of the influence of Donna at Covenant, click on the photo above, from Vacation Bible School in 2013. |
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In-person services at 9:00 (band) and 11:00 (organ), with a livestream at 11:00. (click)
- Pastor Jeff Fox-Kline preaches on John 18:33-37, with a sermon called "Auto-Pilate"
- Children's Time with the Cindy Lovell
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Follow our blog (click) to read Pastor Jeff's weekly reflections.
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There will be NO Sunday School classes this week. Classes resume on December 12!
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Join us on December 5 between services for our Advent Event! We’ll have crafts, music, and some treats for everyone! This event is a wonderful opportunity to welcome Advent with the church community. We rejoice in the opportunity to gather in this way and look forward to spending this time together! |
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Fall Generosity Campaign Continues
The Fall Generosity Campaign asks people to support Covenant’s ministry with their time, talents, and treasures. Please contact the church office if you have not received an informational packet yet.
Here is a quick snapshot of where we currently stand financially as of 11/17/2021:
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2022 Campaign: 179 pledges = $802,958.50
2021 Campaign: 166 pledges = $711,887.22
2020 Campaign: 177 pledges = $800,102.00
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Thank you for your donations for the Guatemala Mission Auction! Preview of the auction donations begins Monday November 22 online. Also visit the Guatemala Auction table just outside the sanctuary! Bidding starts November 29 and goes until December 4.
This annual auction provides scholarships for students of the Monte Hebron Presbyterian Church in Santo Domingo. Visit the Guatemala Auction page for more info!
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COVID Safety
We continue to have in-person worship. To be as safe as possible, the entire left side of the sanctuary is now socially distanced seating, with every other pew taped off. We are also asking people to sing quietly to limit germ spread.
Masks required for all people, regardless of vaccination status.
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