Hello, Bailey-

I'm hoping we all find one (or more!) that rings true for us right now.

I’m working on LISTENING. This morning I sat outside with a cup of coffee for about five minutes, enjoying the blue sky and relatively warm weather. It was a great way to start the day.

I’m also thinking a lot about decluttering—as a spiritual practice.

We begin Lent hearing Psalm 51, with an invitation to be cleaned up: "Create in me a clean heart O God…" (Psalm 51:10)

Lent seems like a good time to “clean up” our lives, our hearts, and maybe our homes too.

Our five spiritual practices are essentially invitations to get rid of the junk in our lives so that we can focus on God and what is really important—spiritual decluttering if you will.

I’m aware that my mind and heart and life (along with my desk and my files and my online documents) have gotten a bit cluttered over the last few years, so I’m trying to clear space, get rid of junk, and remember what is most important.

My wife and I realize we need to do some decluttering at home, especially in our basement. And I’m realizing I need some decluttering and prioritizing in my heart and spirit. Our Lenten disciplines have been helpful for me. And I’m very grateful to the Session for approving a five week sabbatical for me, which will go from April 5 through May 10. (More on that later.)

For now our Lenten journey continues, as we seek to make space for God and God’s love.

All forms of spiritual discipline help us to make more space for God in our lives. Fasting and prayer, the traditional disciplines of Lent, seem to be two of the most effective tools in clearing away our self-preoccupation so we can be more responsive to God’s life in and through and around us.

--Marjorie Thompson, in Soul Feast: An Invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life

I pray that the remaining weeks of Lent will help you to clean up whatever needs to be cleaned up and to prioritize what is truly important for you.

On the journey together,

Charlie

• In-Person and Livestream worship: 9:00AM & 11:00AM
• "The Discipline of Discipleship" Sermon Series
• SIMPLIFYING | Preaching: Jess Scholten | Text: Matthew 6:19-21
• Welcome New Members (11:00)
• Music (9:00): New Day Ensemble (Ben Welch, leading)
• Music (11:00): Covenant Chancel Choir (Melissa Hinz, leading); Doug McNeel, organist
• Children's Time with Marge Resan
• Nursery Care: 8:45AM-12:15PM
• Kaleidoscope Kids: during 9:00AM worship
• Bradfield Café/Pi Day Celebration!: 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!

This Lent, we are reflecting on five Christian practices to help us become more faithful Christians and followers of Jesus. Sermons will present biblical foundations, and (along with Adult Ed and Lenten Suppers) will offer ways to implement practices, with the goal of a deeper faith.



Click below for everything you need to know about Lent at Covenant.

Join Adult Education Sunday at 10:00am for this series called “Practice Spiritual Disciplines.” We will be using the Follow Me curriculum that focuses on biblical practices for faithful living. Each week, facilitators will lead a conversation and/or have participants reflect on a specific spiritual practice. Each class stands alone so participants do not need to have attended a previous class to join in.

March 14 is National Pi Day! We are celebrating with a different kind of pie for fellowship hour in Bradfield Hall on Sunday. Come try a variety of delicious pies!

Women of Covenant are invited to Soul Sisters! Nan Schaefer will lead our discussion: “What does being a Matthew 25 congregation mean to you?” Please bring a lunch for the first part of the meeting! To learn more about Soul Sisters, click HERE!

This Lent, come join us for supper, fellowship, and worship in Bradfield Hall. Supper and fellowship time starts at 5:30pm and at 6:15pm, we move into a time of intergenerational and casual worship together. All are welcome to attend dinner and/or worship. Please RSVP below. Though RSVP’ing is helpful, it is not required. We ask $5 for suppers, but it’s FREE for first-timers! Note: Lenten worship on Wednesdays will not be livestreamed.

Click on the photo to see more from our first three Lenten Suppers!

Help us fill the chancel with color on Easter! Questions? Contact the office!

Covenant Church has been diving into what it means to be a Matthew 25 Church. Part of that effort has been our ongoing Racist Anonymous Fellowship, which continues weekly via Zoom, 7:00pm Thursday evenings (no meeting on Maundy Thursday). Click HERE or above for more info on RAF and info on upcoming book studies, including one coming up in April!

The Peace & Global Witness was collected in November and went to RIP-Medical Debt. Laurie Jones has an update on this offering from the John Knox Presbytery.

New this week:

Shirley Lesure, sister of Eric Eikenberry

Deri Cattelino, Covenant member

Sally Nesser, Covenant member

This week's white rose commemorates the life of Dick Pearson, Covenant member.

This week's red rose celebrates the birth of Asher Adam Voss, grandson of Bob & Lori Voss.

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

Mark your calendars! On Sunday, March 17, we will be holding an installation service for our Associate Pastor for Mission, Spiritual Growth, & Care Jess Scholten! Light refreshments will be provided afterward.