Sunday Artist Series: March 5, 4:00pm | |
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French organist and composer Jean-Baptiste Robin will play both sanctuary organs in a special concert this coming Sunday afternoon. Mr. Robin is the organist of the Royal Chapel of the Palace of Versailles and a professor of music of the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional in Versailles. Mr. Robin will also be a teacher in residence the following week at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Mr. Robin will play a varied program of music from the 17th through the 20th centuries.
This concert is offered with free admission and parking, sponsored by the Charles Teare and Clifford Kern Fund of the Cleveland Foundation.
To learn more about Mr. Robin, listen to his YouTube performances below and visit his website:
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Update on Former Singleton Choral Scholar DeSean Lawson | |
Desean Lawson was the Jonyrma Singleton Choral Scholar in the Covenant Chancel Choir during the 2018-2019 academic year. He was a student in Cleveland School of the Arts and sang in the R. Nathaniel Dett Concert Choir, which joined us in Sunday worship this past week. DeSean is now in his second year at Oberlin and was recently featured in a segment that aired on Cleveland’s NBC affiliate, WKYC. You can watch that segment below by clicking on the picture below. Jonathan Moyer, Covenant’s Associate Music Director and Organist, shares his recollections of working with Desean, who showed an early fascination with the pipe organ:
“One Sunday after service, I was speaking with some congregants in the sanctuary, when suddenly I heard the organ playing. I thought it was odd, since I had turned the organ off at that point. I quietly went back to the organ, and found a young 8th grader sitting at the organ, enjoying it immensely! I leaned over and introduced myself, and after learning Daesean’s name, I told him that he would be welcome to play the organ under one condition… that he start taking lessons! The rest is history. We are so proud of Daesean’s growth over the years, and it has been a delight to bring him into the Oberlin community.”
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Introducing Our New Church Secretary! | |
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If you are in the church Tuesday-Thursday from 9-3, please stop by and meet Sarah Andexler at the receptionist desk. Sarah is married and the mother of two young adult boys, and she comes with lots of administrative experience and creative ideas. She found us when she was accompanying a family member through surgery at University Hospital, and after a difficult day she felt comfort in the illuminated Rose Window and grew curious about the church. While perusing our website, she found out we were looking for a church secretary and made the connection. Sarah is outgoing, energetic and a wonderful addition to our staff team.
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Worship is in the Sanctuary
and via livestream!
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Rev. MacMillan will be preaching this week, offering her sermon "Blessed Are the Curious", and the scriptures will be Psalm 121 and John 3:1-17. We will also have a baptism and communion during the service!
Our Liturgist is Michael Peters. Michael has sung with the Chancel Choir since moving to Cleveland in 2009. As Associate Music Director, he assists with leading the Chancel Choir, serves as substitute organist, and helps to plan larger services and special musical events. In his role as Technology Coordinator, Michael is working with many different groups of people—staff and congregants—helping to improve the use of technology in the work and life of the Covenant community. Michael has enjoyed being able to serve Covenant alongside his partner, Matthew Garrett.
Ushering this week are Janet Takeyama and Bob Ault.
Photo: The Wind Blows - Hannah Garrity, Inspired by John 3:1-17
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Click the button below to visit our YouTube channel, where livestreams begin automatically on Sunday mornings.
If you aren't able to catch it live, please allow for a few hours of processing time before the complete service is available on the channel.
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Covenant soloist and CWRU doctoral candidate Anna O’Connell opens worship with music from 16th century composer and organist, Giovanni Maria Trabaci (1575-1647). One of the first pieces published for the “Arpa doppia” or the Italian Triple Harp, Trabaci’s toccata demonstrates the huge range of the instrument, which the theorist Agostino Agazzari praises for acting as both fundament and ornament. In this toccata (an Italian musical style, driving from the word toccare, “to touch”) the hands seek through wild harmonies to find a sense of closure. Much like we wander with Jesus through the desert of contemplation and trial during the Lenten season, this piece ultimately ascends to the heavens, and all stumbling blocks of dissonance eventually dissolve into peace and harmony.
Covenant soloist and Oberlin student Melody Prater offers music for Communion by French composer Cécile Chaminade (1857-1944). Chaminade composed over 400 works during her lifetime, which included works for piano, chamber music, art song, opera, and orchestra. She was the first female composer to be awarded the Legion of Honor. This piece is a quiet entry into the season of Lent, encouraging peace and holy meditation.
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You can make online donations and pledges from your phone or computer. | |
This Week at Covenant (March 5 - 11, 2023) | |
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Sunday: Carillon and Organ Prelude, 9:45 am;
Worship Service, Sanctuary, 10:00 am;
Reception, Reception Room, 11:00 am;
Cleveland Guitar Orchestra Rehearsal, Van Horn Choir Room, 1:15 pm;
Artist Series: Jean Baptiste Robin, organ, Sanctuary, 4:00 pm.
Monday: Backs Against The Wall: The Howard Thurman Story, Movie, Meeting Room, 12:00 pm.
Tuesday: Staff Meeting, Office Area, 9:30 am;
Cache, Lower Level, 10:00 am;
Tuesday Noon Organ Plus Concert with Teddy Cheng, organ, Sanctuary, 12:00 pm;
Liturgical Arts – Creating Holy Space, Library, 1:00 pm;
Nominating Committee Meeting, by Zoom, 7:00 pm.
Wednesday: Midday Prayer Service, Sanctuary, 12:15 pm;
Liturgical Arts – Creating Holy Space, Library, 4:00 pm;
12 Steps to Freedom, Beckwith Hall, 5:30 pm;
Ministry of Service Meeting, by Zoom, 6:30 pm.
Thursday: Beckwith Handbell Choir Rehearsal, Bell Room, 6:15 pm;
Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary, 7:30 pm.
Friday: Carillon Concert, McGaffin Carillon, 12:15 pm;
Young Adult Bible Study, Library, 3:00 pm;
You Are Beloved – Claiming Queer Space, Library, 4:00 pm.
Saturday: Building and Grounds Meeting, Office Area, 9:30 am;
Mary’s Song, Library, 10:00 am;
Cleveland Community Guitar Orchestra Rehearsal, Van Horn Choir Room, 10:00 am;
Annual String Competition, Yost Chapel, Beckwith Hall, Herrick Room, 12:45 pm.
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Announcements and Information | |
Check out these photos from last Sunday's service featuring the Cleveland School of the Arts Choir and from our Soul Food Brunch. | |
A new member class will take place after worship on three consecutive Sundays from 11:30 to 12:30 - April 16, April 23 and April 30. Please contact Pastor Jessie at pastor@covenantweb.org if you would like to participate in these enjoyable gatherings as we talk about faith and Covenant. | |
Nominating Committee Announcement | |
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The Nominating Committee is beginning the discernment process for new Covenant community leaders and we are requesting your prayers and your suggestions. The 2023 Nominating Committee includes: Matthew Garrett (Elder & Moderator), Anne Wombwell de Coningh (Elder & Vice Moderator), Jean Ganger (Deacon), Ron Neill (Trustee), John Bourne, Kathy Farkas, David Keltner, Nancy Matz, and Ron Szafraniec.
Please contact any member of the committee to share your ideas about persons who might serve Covenant as faithful shepherds. Self-nominations are welcome! You are also welcome to email Matthew with your suggestions: mgarrett@covenantweb.org.
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An Update From the Covenant Hunger Fund | |
As this winter blows its storms our way we need to consider the plight of those who don’t have the resources to feed themselves adequately. The Covenant Hunger Fund provides resources to the food pantry and thus directly to those who most need these supplies. As inflation has raised the price of food across the board, it is becoming more expensive to provide a basic bag of groceries to help people feed themselves. Please remember to donate to the Covenant Hunger Fund this month and in the future. Your money is used directly to pay for groceries with no other expenses involved. Please give so that people in our neighborhood are not hungry this winter.
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink” Matthew 25:35
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Friday Lunchtime Carillon Concerts Have Resumed! | |
Join us in person or online for a 30-minute eclectic concert of music on the unique
McGaffin Carillon in our tower presented by The Friends of the McGaffin Carillon and The Church of the Covenant. Listen from your car, the grounds around the tower, or online. Programs at https://www.ucbells.org/events. Live Streaming and past videos on the FMC Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@mcgaffincarillon. 2023 concerts are presented with the support of the residents of Cuyahoga County through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture.
Upcoming Concerts: March 10, 12:15 pm, Kieran Cantilina, Carillonneur
| Celebrate Lives with Flowers | |
Want to honor a family member or friend? Each week our sanctuary flowers are donated by generous members. Sometimes the flowers celebrate members' life events like birthdays; at other times they are given in memory of a friend or family member. Donations can be given for specific Sundays, when an announcement is printed in the bulletin or to the general flower fund. Any amount is greatly appreciated by the Deacons, who arrange and deliver flowers to members who are homebound, grieving, in recovery, or celebrating. Each week flowers reach 3-4 recipients .
A calendar for sign up is on the Office Desk, or call the church office. The cost for one Sunday’s flowers is $85, but any amount can be donated to honor someone on a particular Sunday.
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Monday Bible Study Update
There is a monthly Bible Study taking place the 3rd Monday each month at 7pm by Zoom. We are following the Presbyterian Women's Horizons Bible Study. Anyone interested in joining can email maryannebromelmeier@yahoo.com.
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Saturday Tutoring Volunteers Needed
Saturday Tutoring is happening from 10-12 in the church basement. If you are interested
in tutoring any grade, 1-12 or subject, please join us at 9:15 for orientation or email maryannebromelmeier@yahoo.com for more information.
| Enhance Your Worship Listening Experience | If you would like to enhance your listening experience, feel free to use one of our personal earphone devices to enjoy additional clarity of sound. Personal listening devices are available from our ushers, just inside the narthex entrance (near Euclid Ave.). | |
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Come to the Lower Level and support the church’s resale shop, every Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. Please bring your donations of clothing, household goods, jewelry, etc.
The Cache is now accepting credit cards and contactless payment for purchases.
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Sunday March 12, 11:30 am in Beckwith Hall
Kait McNeeley, Executive Director, The Metanoia Project
A safe place for shelter and growth. The Metanoia Project was incorporated in 2007 after outreach workers and community members noticed an increase in the amount of people sleeping outside. At Metanoia we serve Cleveland’s vulnerable homeless population by providing them a warm and safe place to sleep throughout the coldest months of the year. We are operational 7 days
a week from November 15th - April 15th. On average, we serve 30 individuals every night.
Our guests get a hot meal provided each night by volunteers in the community and receive outreach services such as housing assistance, medical assessments, and substance use treatment. Interested in learning more or becoming one of our volunteers? Check us out online at www.metanoiaproject.org
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Sunday March 19, 11:30 am in Beckwith Hall
Professor Kenneth F. Ledford, What the U.S. Taught the Nazis: Pulling the Threads of Nazi and American Race Law. Recent U.S. legal scholarship has focused renewed attention on how the National Socialists in Germany used American racial law of the first third of the 20th century as models and guidance to enact race laws aimed to exclude German Jews from citizenship and membership in the national community. How did this work, and what does it portend for current political debates and legal developments in the United States?
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Backs Against The Wall: The Howard Thurman Story | |
... explores the extraordinary life and legacy of one of the most important religious figures of the 20th century.
The Monday book group that has been discussing Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman, is extending our series by one week to watch a film together. If you are available, please join us at 12:00 pm on March 6 in The Meeting Room located in the Education wing. The film will be one hour long and popcorn will be provided.
Born the grandson of slaves, Thurman became a “spiritual foundation” for the Civil Rights Movement, inspiring many of its leaders including Martin Luther King, Jr, Jesse Jackson and Congressman John Lewis. In the mid-1930s, Thurman was the first Black American invited to meet Mohandas Gandhi who shared his strategy of non-violent resistance. Gandhi suggested it would be through the African-American experience that the non-violence resistance movement could take on global significance. When Thurman returned to America, his writings and speeches planted the early seeds for the non-violent Civil Rights Movement.
Thurman is also remembered for helping launch The Fellowship Church for All People in San Francisco, a pioneering venture to create the nation’s first interracial, intercultural church community. Thurman was a gifted and prolific writer who authored more than 20 books and celebrated as one of the great preachers of his era.
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College and Young Adult Ministries | |
Winter/Spring 2023 - January 10 - May 30 | |
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Liturgical Arts - Creating Holy Space - Tuesdays 1-3 pm and Wednesdays 4-6 pm –Library
Our workshops are open to people of all skill levels to create visual art for worship and witness. We believe artistic practice is an important part of expression of our faith. Artwork created in our open studios can be taken home for your prayer life and shared in our gallery. Community-based projects for outdoor, public art exhibitions will also be explored.
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Young Adult Bible Study - Fridays 3-4 pm–Library
What does it mean to live by the Christian calendar? From Advent, Christmas, Lent to Easter, scripture brings meaning to our lives. Come explore the meaning of the weekly scripture, in relevant and inclusive ways. Explore questions in the scripture, explore your faith, and deepen spiritual practice.
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You Are Beloved - Claiming Queer Space - Fridays 4-5:30 pm – Library
You Are Beloved is a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community to explore faith and questions of spiritual life. We are a welcoming, inclusive, affirming, and loving space to thrive. Whether you are looking for an affirming church, are skeptical of faith, or are still fearful after the hurt non-affirming churches may have caused, you are beloved here! You Are Beloved, is an opportunity to build friendships, explore questions, and be affirmed in your identity and faith.
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Mary’s Song - Saturdays 10-12 am – Library
Are you a mom looking for space to meet other mothers? Mary’s song is a spiritual social group about celebrating motherhood, making connections with other moms, and experiencing God’s love through relationships.
Meet up with neighbors to de-stress, unwind, and make new friends. Coffee and snacks are provided. Childcare assistance and safe play space provided for a break in the day.
This meet-up coincides with our drop-in tutoring program for 1-12 students.
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Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill
the law of Christ. ~ Galatians 6:2
We Keep in our Prayers:
Cary Arden, Venerine Branham, Marilyn Demeter, Jim Greene, Karen Hack (Russell Hack’s sister), Julia Haiss, Bill Hoover (Julie Mailey’s father), Patrick Hoover (Ann Williams's nephew), David Keltner, Tim MacMillan (Rev. Jessie’s father-in-law), Reathel McWhorter, Cathy Miller, Richard (Dick) Miller, Lois Miller (Nessa Gressley’s mother), Nancy Miller (Nessa Gressley’s sister), David Nelson, (Suchi Nelson’s brother), Diane Papp, John Repasi (Frank Repasi’s brother), Arthur Tiroly, Jenny Watson, Gabriel (Jenny Conner's grand-nephew), Echo, (grandson of Barb Clint’s friend), North Presbyterian Church, and ALL teachers, students, and parents. We pray for those struggling with illness, convalescing, or homebound and patients, family, and staff in our surrounding hospitals.
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We pray for those struggling with illness, convalescing, or homebound;
patients, family, and staff in our surrounding hospitals.
Names are generally removed from the bulletin after four weeks unless there is a continuing need. Please let the church know if you or a loved one is in the hospital; HIPAA privacy regulations prevent hospitals from sharing this information.
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Child care is provided for infants, toddlers, and pre-K children in our Crèche. The Crèche is located on the second floor of the Education Wing, and staffed by Hayden Ma and Elizabeth Wolff, from 9:30 to 12:30 on Sunday mornings. Infants and toddlers can be dropped off prior to the service. Children pre-K through 5th grade are welcome to start in worship with their parents and leave after A Time for Young Disciples to go to the Crèche for their lessons, crafts and other activities. Older students from 6th through twelfth grades will join in worship every Sunday and youth events after worship. | |
Seeking the full participation of LGBTQIA+ people of faith in the life, ministry and witness of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Go to www.mlp.org for more information. | |
Announcements for the Weekly Enews and Sunday Bulletin are due by 6:00 pm on Tuesday! You can submit your announcements to Dmatz@CovenantWeb.org.
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