Hello, Bailey-

McEntyre calls us to be good stewards of language for the sake of our collective well-being. My favorite chapter was "Read Well" which, unsurprisingly, concludes with encouragement to read:

"Our lives are lived in relationship to words, written and spoken, sacred and mundane. They are manna for the journey. As embodied beings we take our whole bodies with us into the act of reading, which at its best, is spacious, full-bodied, wholehearted, and infused with the breath of life." (p. 85)

In the spirit of reading, of finding manna and the breath of life, we invite you to read the book of Exodus in January, one chapter day. Exodus tells the story of God's people on a journey into new territory, with God giving them guidance. These ancient words can guide and challenge us as we move forward.

We have compiled a devotional, written by members and staff, to help guide you. Hard copies are available at church, and you can also sign up to get an email devotional every day. And, we're having an in-person Bible study on Thursdays starting January 11, to dig into the key themes of Exodus. More info below.

We usually read a gospel together in January, but in the spirit of trying something new and as we ponder our own congregational journey, we're reading Exodus. I hope you join the reading and continue moving forward in your life and helping Covenant move forward as well.

Merry Christmas and Happy 2024!

On the journey together,

Charlie

PS--We had three delightful Christmas Eve services last Sunday, all of which are available on our YouTube channel.

At 10:00 am, the service featured a Christmas pageant with the children helping us to hear again the story of the birth of Jesus. Click on the image to watch and worship.

In the evening, we shared the light of Christ as we sang "Silent Night." Click above to watch and worship the 8:00 pm service, which features the Chancel Choir and the "Hallelujah Chorus." If you want to watch and worship with the 6:00 pm service, featuring handbell music, click here: 6:00 pm Candlelight Worship

• In-Person and Livestream worship: 10:00AM - ONE SERVICE!
• First Sunday of Christmas
• Associate Pastor candidate Rev. Jess Scholten (click for bio)
• "Emmanuel: God With Us" | Text: Joshua 1:1-9
• Music: Doug McNeel, organ
• Children's Time with Cindy Lovell
• Nursery Care: 9:45am-11:15am
• 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!

There will be a Congregational Meeting to follow worship for the purpose of: 1) approving Ann Larget to be elected as a deacon on January 21, and 2) voting to approve the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee's recommendation of Rev. Jess Scholten. Click on the links to read the hardcopy letter and bio that was sent out earlier this month.

Join the congregational meeting via Zoom here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84427980256

If you are in need of assistance, feel free to contact Pastor Charlie or Melissa Hinz.

In January, we will begin a new devotional on the book of Exodus. There are now hard copies available at the Welcome Center here at Covenant. You may also SUBSCRIBE to receive daily email devotions from this devotional, beginning January 1 and through January.

Bradfield Café Volunteer

Greeter & Welcome Center Volunteer

On December 31 and January 7, we will receive our Epiphany Stars and hear reflections on January 7 from the Covenant community about how their stars impacted them through 2023. Click above for more info.

Join us at church on Sunday, January 7 at 12:15, for a Mexican food fiesta in honor of Charlie’s 60th birthday! Please RSVP below, or on the bulletin board sign up list. No gifts, but please bring 60 cents (60 years!) or any donation (or give on our webpage), and all money received will be donated to the The River Food Pantry. 

Come together to learn and grow! We are reading Exodus as a congregation in January, and we want to help each other learn more about the this ancient text and its contemporary relevance. Never done Bible study before? No worries! Beginners are welcome! Come join us as we explore some major themes in Exodus. Click above for more information.