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"How very good and pleasant it is when
kindred live together in unity!”
--Psalm 133:1 (NRSV)
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As we weep over the tragedy in Israel, I find myself thinking about an image I saw on social media of three boys, standing together in Jerusalem: a Jew, a Muslim, and a Christian. | |
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I give thanks to God for the potential in youth to change the world. I pray for the bridge-builders and the peacemakers. I ask God to strengthen the millions of people who aren’t extremists and who don’t hate someone of a different religion or ethnicity. I pray that that we will learn to listen to each other and truly love one another.
While praying for peace in the Middle East especially hard this week, I’ve also been reading How Minds Change: The Surprising Science of Belief, Opinion, and Persuasion, by David McRaney. This fascinating and challenging book is the GoBigRead book at the University of Wisconsin this year.
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McRaney tells lots of stories and encourages us to listen to each other, emphasizing that truth is social, and that we can help each other learn new things and see the world in new ways.
While we often get pessimistic, thinking that things don’t change, McRaney notes how quickly a majority of people have changed their minds recently about same sex marriage, and about other things like smoking on airplanes. The chapter on Westboro Baptist Church is fascinating.
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Basically, McRaney encourages listening and dialogue. This might be a good book to read before we sit down with family at Thanksgiving.
The animosity in the Middle East is entrenched and the conflicts go back generations, and won't be solved easily. However I do believe that the way to peace is through listening and mutual understanding. We may not have much influence over peace in the Middle East but we can seek peace in our own lives, trusting that it will ripple out.
In Romans 12:21, Paul writes: Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
I encourage you today to think about how you can bring some good into the world, as a Christian, as a human.
Maybe you reach out to someone with different political beliefs or an estranged family member and just say hello. Maybe you read or listen to some different perspectives, seeking to understand. Maybe you intentionally smile more. Maybe you do a kind deed or a task that one else wants to do. Maybe you invite some neighbors to get together.
May God give us the humility to listen and learn from each other, and may God show us the way of peace, giving us the courage to follow.
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On the journey together,
Charlie
PS--The Presbyterian Outlook shared a prayer for peace in light of the tragic events in Israel.
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Eternal God,
You know our history of complicated conflicts, tense polarization, and situations so politicized that we are afraid to say or pray anything. Yet we know you grieve the violence of war and condemn acts of terrorism. We know you grieve the historical suffering of Jews and Palestinians. May our prayers for peace be uttered out loud for all to hear, our prayers for diplomacy, and for difficult, yet faithful conversation to resume.
God, we groan in grief over the news of this war in Israel and Gaza. Pave a path toward peace in this age-old, tragic conflict. Protect the innocent wherever bombs of destruction fall. Be with those who are captured and the families of those who are captured. Offer a way out for those who are trapped. Awaken us to our common humanity, our common human needs no matter the walls we build.
Amen.
https://pres-outlook.org/2023/10/a-prayer-responding-to-war-in-israel-and-gaza/
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In-Person and Livestream worship - 9:00AM & 11:00AM
- Preaching: Charlie Berthoud | Sermon: "Beyond Charity" | Text: Luke 10:25-37, Amos 5:21-24
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Celebration Choir (Arlene Kennedy, director) at both services!
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Music 9AM: New Day Ensemble; Ben Welch, pianist
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Music 11AM: Covenant Chancel Choir (Melissa Hinz, director); Doug McNeel, organist
- Children's Time with Marge Resan
- Kaleidoscope Kids (during worship)
- Nursey Care: 8:45am-12:15PM
- Bradfield Café: 10:00-10:45AM
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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! | |
Children's & Youth Education | |
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Kaleidoscope Kids
during Sunday worship (9am only)
Sunday School & Children's Choir
10:00-10:50am
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Confirmation (9th/10th graders)
10:00-10:50am
Youth Connection
6:00-7:30pm
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Join us Sunday at 10:00am for the class “Living Out Matthew 25.” At Covenant, we seek not only to learn God's love but also to live God's love - to make what we have learned part of our daily lives. And as a Matthew 25 congregation, we have committed to actively engaging in God's mission in our community and the world around us. Join us for a presentation by one of our partners in that mission - Arturo Ambriz of the Lussier Community Education Center - to learn more about some of the work that Covenant and its mission partners are doing in the world today, and how that work helps make God's love manifest through our actions. | |
We will continue to provide the link in church emails and you can always access classes via our Adult Ed page as well! | |
Want to learn more about Covenant and the possibility of membership? Come join the Inquirer’s Classes! Topics will include what it means to be a Christian, Covenant programs, and membership. Contact Pastor Charlie with questions. | |
The Generosity Campaign asks people to support Covenant’s ministry with their time, talents, and treasures. You should soon receive a packet of info in the mail. As you consider a pledge ("commitment"), we ask that you return your commitment card as soon as possible, but no later than Commitment Sunday (October 29). Visit covenantmadison.org/generosity to learn more, see ministry highlights from 2023, and to fill out your commitment form and serving survey online. Thank you for considering a financial commitment to Covenant. May we “continue encouraging each other and building each other up.” | |
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Sunday morning opportunities
We are in need of some help on Sunday mornings!
Bradfield Café Volunteer:
Click HERE to sign up!
Greeter & Welcome Center Volunteer:
Click HERE to sign up!
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New this week:
Jan Minardi, Covenant member; Charles Hickman, son of Margaret Hickman.
This week's white rose commemorates the life of Carol Bagley, family friend of Marilyn Unruh and Lorie Unruh Raihala.
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.
(Click on the image header for full prayer list on Worship HQ.)
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Our October Spiritual Stroll will be held at Pope Farm Conservancy at 2:00pm. We will meet at the upper parking lot (2D) off Old Sauk Rd. These strolls are part of CONNECT, a program of deacon-sponsored events with the intention of fostering connection between Covenant and the community. We visit a different park/green space every month. | | | | |
