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RECENT SESSION ACTIONS

  1. Session approved entering a three month contract with the Rev. Jon Carlisle to serve Covenant Presbyterian Church as the "Gap Pastor" beginning June 28, 2020. (Look for next weeks e-newsletter for a short bio and introduction of Rev. Carlisle)
  2. Approved: Gathering service take a hiatus until the gap pastor is in place and can evaluate how to move forward. In the meantime Gathering music will be premiered on Facebook, and anyone wishing to participate can do so via chat.

Covenant's Virtual Worship, Prayer and Study

  • Virtual Gathering Service, Wednesdays, 7pm Facebook
  • Traditional Virtual Worship, Sundays, 11am Facebook and YouTube
  • Study and Prayer, Mon., Wed. and Fri., 11am Facebook
  • Daily Centering Prayer, 9am meet.google.com/wcp-xosg-gnd
  • Wednesday Bible Study, 1pm via Zoom Meeting - click on Katie Kinnison's name below and email her if you would like an invitation.
  • Thursday Book Discussion, 7pm via Zoom Meeting - click on Katie Kinnison's name below and email her if you would like an invitation.

NEWS FROM THE PASTOR NOMINATING COMMITTEE (PNC)
Pastor Nominating Committee Update
The Pastor Nominating Committee was approved by the congregation on Saturday, June 6 th and we are already hard at work. The nine of us met with our presbytery liaison, Rev. Kyle Doebler and Rev. Jeri-Lynne Bouterse on Monday, June 8th for an initial training. We met again on Thursday, June 11th to begin reviewing the Mission Study report. This document will serve as our guide for completing the Ministry Information Form (MIF) and will be used to match us with potential pastoral candidates. The PNC will be led by John Griffin, who is serving as the chair of the PNC. We will be meeting weekly to work through each step of the process. We plan to provide periodic updates through various church communications to keep you abreast of our progress. We ask for your prayers of support as we discern God’s will for Covenant’s ministry and mission.
Your PNC: Sara Clark, Bob Cowman, John Griffin, Susan Imel, Terry Kennedy Mancini, Jared McCune, Judy Oeder, Tori Vazquez and Alan Yarletts


Church Building is Closed but...if you have to enter the building to provide a volunteer service or as a staff member please follow theses guidelines to protect one another:

SIGN IN and OUT - there are sign in sheets at each entrance
WEAR A MASK - soon we will have some available at each entrance, for now please bring your own
SANITIZE THE SURFACES YOU TOUCH -disinfectant wipes are available throughout the building.
WASH YOUR HANDS

NEWS FROM THE MISSION STUDY TEAM!


June 3, 2020

Dear Covenant members,

As you may have heard in worship services and in e-newsletters, the Mission Study Report is complete and approved. With this letter, we share two ways for you to access the entire report.  We also thank you, sincerely, for your critical role in the process.  You, the congregation, participated enthusiastically and strongly in our data gathering efforts. You also prayed for us and encouraged us. Our team is overwhelmed with gratitude to you, the priesthood of believers, for all you have contributed to this study. 

The report is over 60 pages long, and we’ve posted the PDF on our website here, under the “News, Events, Forms” tab: 


Please read or download from the website. However, if you need a paper copy, please contact the office, and a copy will be mailed to you. Leave a message requesting a copy with your name and verifying your address on the church voicemail at 614-451-6677, or email your request and information to covenant@covenantpcusa.org   .

We hope that you’ll take the time to read it thoroughly, since the report summarizes what we’ve learned from you, our congregation, on these two topics:
1.      This is Covenant today
2.      What God is calling Covenant to be

We hope you will find the study to be uplifting, introspective, and aspirational.

We’ve been looking forward to this day when you can read this report. While these are times when our church and our entire world suffer greatly, we hope that in reading the Mission Study Report you’ll feel a sense of gratitude and hope. We pray that in reading the report you’ll rediscover how God truly uses our congregation to ease suffering and show Christ’s love. May this report a shine a light on the gifts we share with the world!  Jesus said: ‘No one after lighting a lamp hides it under a jar, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, nor is anything secret that will not become known and come to light.’ Luke 8:16-17 

Faithfully,

Mission Study Team Members:
Charlie Bergmann (co-chair), Cathy Levy (co-chair) Linda Billman, Janet Gross, John Harder,
Karen Hjelm, Megan Koeneman, Bob Lowery, Cassie Lowery, Jennifer LuPiba, John Griffin,
Jeff Roedel.
Mission Study Team Co-Chairs,

Charlie Bergmann 
Cathy Levy
Virtual Worship
June 14, 2020 @ 11am
“Rooted and Grounded in Love”
Ephesians 3:14-21

Now is the time to trust God with your future and to trust the servant God sends to lead you into this future.
      Together remember that you can trust God with your past and then learn to let go of that past. Together you can trust God with your present. You can discover how to develop and exercise the gifts of everyone as you learn to share leadership.
       Together you can trust God with your future. Share your hopes and fears and dreams. God will provide you with the pastor especially called to lead you in your mission and vision for ministry. Pray for that and for the members of the pastor nominating committee.
       The end of one pastorate and the beginning of another is an experience of death and resurrection. And like the first resurrection, the promise is that of new life! Thank you for the privilege of serving with you in ministry this past year! It has been a time of growth for me and I hope for you as well.
May God continue to help you not to get stuck in history. May God offer to us comfort in our grieving the end of a beautiful time of ministry together. May God take us and melt us and mold us and fill us that our life reflects the saving love of Jesus Christ!
And now my Covenant Presbyterian Church friends:
     Stay rooted and grounded in love and go into the world and be that… accepting, welcoming community sharing the glory of God’s love with all! (Mission Statement of CPC 2020)

Christ's Peace,
Pastor Jeri-Lynne


Opportunity for Study and Prayer, Mon., Wed., Fri.,
11am Facebook
Each Monday, Wednesday and Friday I will be live streaming a study of the book of Acts and time of prayer. Join me by reading the scripture selection before the study and prayer service. Follow this simple method of study. Read once. Read the passage again underlining words or phrases that stand out for you, that make you think. How does this passage of scripture inform your life as a Christian. I will share my thoughts and I hope you will share yours!

June 12- Acts 7:17-29 Stephen's Speech to the Council
June 8 - Acts 7:30-43 Stephen's Speech to the Council
June 10 - Acts 7:44-53 Stephen's Speech to the Council
A NOTE FROM THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Serving the Lord, Serving the Church, Serving Each Other

Covenant’s Church Officer Nominating Committee is about to begin the process of nominating candidates for the offices of Elder, Deacon, Youth Deacon, and members of the Church Nominating Committee, to begin serving in 2021.  Elders and deacons are needed for three-year terms; Youth Deacon serves one year; new members of the Church Officer Nominating Committee will serve one-year terms.

The committee would appreciate input from Covenant members to help them nominate persons to serve in these positions. Please submit names of those you consider willing and able to serve to Nan Davidson, Nominating Committee Chair/Elder (614-893-8824) by June 21st. 

If anyone has any questions about the positions or responsibilities, please contact Jeri-Lynne Bouterse , or Nan Davidson. Either of them would be happy to talk with you about these important offices. 

By serving on Session, the Board of Deacons, or the Nominating Committee, one can meet new friends or strengthen existing relationships, learn more about how the church works, and, most importantly, one can help the church operate more effectively and, therefore, strengthen the community of faith and fellowship in service of our Lord.

Thanks, Nan Davidson

Gathering Live on June 10 at 7pm,
Covenant's Facebook Page
Ephesians 4, Selections
More Than a Slogan
Katie Kinnison preaching
Virtual Communion will be served: have bread and/or juice handy*


Just Do It. Just Say No. We Try Harder.  A few words meant to paint a picture of what life might be for you. A few words that are trying to sell you something.
           
Speak the truth in love.  It’s a bible verse a lot of us know. Some of us have used the verse to beat ourselves up a bit:  look how far short of this I fall.   Some of us use the words to goad ourselves into better ways of being:  there is the goal, way up ahead, see it?
           
But what in the world does it mean to speak the truth in a world so vastly complicated and ever-changing, and how can we possibly say hard things and speak without self-serving motives when we ourselves are needy and afraid?
           
One more time, my friends. One more time. Join me as we plunge into the hard with joy and curiosity, with vulnerability and passion, with commitment and compassion. We will feel so alive together – the glory of God.


Yours on the Journey,
Katie

*There is absolutely no need to go to the store: a cracker will meet your needs. We receive the full presence of Christ in either element. Be safe and know yourself beloved, welcome at Christ’s table .

Bible Study: Wednesdays at 1:00
If you are not already receiving emails about how to participate in our study of  Acts , please email Katie Kinnison for more informaton.
 
Book Discussion: Thursday Nights at 7:00 on Zoom
We begin Glennon Doyle's  Untamed . If you are not already receiving emails about how to join us, please contact Katie Kinnison for more information.
Covenant's Virtual Order of Worship
Sunday Worship Service @ 11:00 AM Facebook and YouTube
Rev. Dr. Jeri-Lynne Bouterse Preaching
This is a special virtual bulletin. There are clickable links on all of the icons words that are underlined and in blue.
Virtual Worship
June 14, 2020 @ 11am

Opening Music  
Sweet Hour of Prayer arranged by Hayes     
                                         
Greeting                                                                                                                               
Leader: The peace of Christ be with you.
People: And also with you.

Prelude
O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus arranged by Sorenson

Call to Worship                                                                                                                   
Leader: Praise God, from whom every family in heaven
and on earth takes its name.
People: May we be strengthened in our inner beings
with power from the Holy Spirit.
Leader: May Christ dwell in our hearts through faith,
as we are rooted and grounded in love.
People: May we be filled with the fullness of God.
Amen.

Opening Prayer
All-powerful God, you hold this world in your hands. Storms and sunshine,
new growth and decay are all part of your creation. All reflects your glory,
and all lies out of our control. Be present among us this day,
and teach us how we may worship you in all your complexity. Amen

Hymn #318 vv.1-3
In Christ There is No East or West
Verse 1
In Christ there is no east or west, in him no south or north,
but one great fellowship of love throughout the whole wide earth.
Verse 2
In Christ shall true hearts everywhere their high communion find;
his service is the golden cord close binding humankind.
Verse 3
Join hands, disciples of the faith, what e’er your race many be.
All children of the living God are surely kin to me.

Call to Confession
Leader: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves,
and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins,
he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins
and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-9).
In humility and faith, let us confess our sin to God.

Prayer
Gracious God, our sins are too heavy to carry,
too real to hide and too deep to undo.
Forgive what our lips tremble to name,
what our hearts can no longer bear,
and what has become for us a consuming fire of judgment.
Set us free from a past that we cannot change;
open to us a future in which we can be changed;
and grant us grace to grow more and more in your likeness and image, through Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. Amen.
—PCUSA Book of Common Worship (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1993), 88.

Assurance of Pardon
Leader: The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger
and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always accuse,
nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us
according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far he removes our transgressions from us. —Psalm 103:8-12.

Leader: Friends, believe the Good News of the Gospel!
All: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Amen

Message for Young Christians                                                                                
                       
Soloist   
Softly and Tenderly arranged by Wood                       
                                   
Scripture Reading   
                                                                                
Sermon                           
Root and Grounded in Love”
                                                                                   
Video Illustration – “Change Happens”

Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer   
                                                           
Invitation to Offering – Please continue to give to Christ’s ministry by mailing your checks to the church office or through a wide variety of online giving opportunities. Go to:
Prayer of Dedication
Offertory
The Greatest Gift is Love by Hayes

We All Are One in Mission
Verse 1
We all are one in mission; we all are one in call,
our varied gifts united by Christ, the Lord of all.
A single, great commission compels us from above
to plan and work together that all may know Christ’s love.
Verse 2
We all are called for service to witness in God’s name.
Our ministries are different; our purpose is the same;
to touch the lives of others by God’s surprising grace,
so every folk and nation may feel God’s warm embrace.
Verse 3
Now let us be united and let our song be heard.
Now let us be a vessel for God’s redeeming word.
We all are one in mission; we all are one in call,
our varied gifts united by Christ, the Lord of all.

Charge and Blessing                                                                                               

Postlude       
All Hail the Power of Jesus Name arranged by Nix                           

Special Thanks to:
Cherie Brooks-Music Director/Social Media Support/Video Production
Soloist- Whitney Dodds
Erin Wise Director of Children’s and Youth Ministries
Katie Wynkoop-Assistant Music Director/Pianist

Our Mission
Covenant Presbyterian Church is an open, accepting community awakening to God's life-giving love together.
Our Vision
Covenant Presbyterian Church glorifies God and builds relationships with Christ and each other through: worship that inspires, nurture that embraces, education that challenges,
fellowship that energizes, ministry that responds.