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Worship is in the Sanctuary
and Livestreams are Back!
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After service, there will be a Reception/Potluck Picnic on the Lower Patio and/or Dowd Commons beginning at 11:30! | |
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The scriptures this week will be Psalms 96 and 98 (selected verses), and Luke 15:1-10.
Pastor Jessie will offer her sermon "Searching (Part 2)"
Our Liturgist this week is Matthew Garrett. Matthew has been making music with Covenant for more than ten years, and he became a member of the church in 2011. Originally from South Carolina, he moved to Cleveland in 2009 with his partner, Michael Peters. Matthew is Professor of Music Education, and Director of the University Center for Innovation in Teaching and Education at Case Western Reserve University. He serves the church as an Elder, working primarily with the Ministry of Faith Formation. This is Matthew’s fifth year as Covenant Music Director, and he is grateful to collaborate with a talented group of church members and music professionals.
Ushers this week are Janet Takeyama and Tracy Blake.
Picture: Copyright Shutterstock
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Now that we're back in the sanctuary, service livestreams are BACK! 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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This week, we celebrate the return of our Chancel Choir and Beckwith Handbell Choir! To celebrate Covenant’s launch of the Glory to God hymnal, the choir will open worship services this fall with hymns familiar and new.
Felix Bartholdy Mendelssohn (1809-1847) was one of the most prolific composers of choral music during the 19th Century. His first oratorio, St. Paul, was heavily influenced by Mendelssohn’s love for the Passion settings of J.S. Bach. Set in six scenes, this large choral-orchestral work chronicles the conversion of Saul, the disciples preaching Christ’s Gospel, and the final days of Paul’s ministry. “See What Love” is one of the more tender moments in the work, expressing the compassionate love of our Father, in Heaven.
Philip Ledger (1937-2012) was a well-respected church musician who held the esteemed position, Director of the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge for eight years in the late 70s. In this week’s offertory, we experience the text of 19th Century poet
Jane Leeson (1807-1882), set as a hymn-like anthem. The story echoes Pastor Jessie’s message this week of Jesus’s care for all members of his flock.
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Our Website's Giving page is up and running. You can now make online donations and pledges from your phone or computer. Check it out! | |
This Week at Covenant (Sep 11 - Sep 17, 2022) | |
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Sunday: Cragin Peal, Carillon and Organ Prelude, Live, 9:45 am;
Worship Service, Sanctuary, 10:00 AM
Pot Luck Picnic, Dowd Commons/Lower Patio, 11:30 AM
Carillon Performance, McGaffin Carillon, 12:00 PM
UPCaM Dinner, Dowd Commons, 6:00 PM
Monday: Carillon Performance, McGaffin Carillon, 12:00 PM
Ministry of Faith Formation Meeting, by Zoom, 7:30 PM
Tuesday: Staff Meeting, Office Area, 9:30 AM
Cache, Lower Level, 10:00 AM
Carillon Performance, McGaffin Carillon, 12:00 PM
Ministry of Finance Meeting, Office Area, 3:00 PM
Personnel Committee Meeting, by Zoom, 5:30 PM
Wednesday: Carillon Performance, McGaffin Carillon, 12:00 PM
Mid-Day Prayer Service, Sanctuary, 12:15 PM
12 Steps to Freedom, Activities Room, 5:30 PM
Ministry of Service Meeting, Office Area/Zoom, 6:30 PM
Thursday: Carillon Performance, McGaffin Carillon, 12:00 PM
Beckwith Handbell Choir Rehearsal, Handbell Room/Beckwith Hall, 6:15 PM
Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary, 7:30 PM
Friday: Carillon Performance, McGaffin Carillon, 12:00 PM
Carillon Concert, McGaffin Carillon, 12:15 PM
Saturday: Building and Grounds Meeting, Office Area, 9:30 AM
Saturday Tutoring Program, Lower Level, 9:00 AM
Carillon Performance, McGaffin Carillon, 12:00 PM
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Announcements and Information | |
All Church Potluck Picnic | |
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The Deacons are hosting a Potluck Picnic on Sunday, September 11th. The picnic and the flowers are in memory of Thelma Everhart’s passing on September 5th, 2021, by the Everhart family. The picnic will be held on the lower patio or Dowd Commons immediately after worship.
Please bring a side dish for everyone to share. Bring your food to the kitchen on Sunday morning BEFORE the service!
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Voter Information and Registration at the Church Picnic | |
Erich Stubbs, Session member Erica Stubbs' father, from the Board of Elections will be available at the church picnic this Sunday to answer any questions that students, young adults and others may have about registering for the upcoming elections in November. The deadline to register is October 11. There will also be a Hip-Hop VOTER Registration Bus on site in the parking lot for those who would like to register on Sunday. Come eat, enjoy the company of others and get ready to participate in our democracy this fall! | |
Child care is provided for infants, toddlers and children in pre-K in our Crèche, located in the education wing. See an usher for directions. Children from first through fifth grade may join this group after the Blessing of the Backpacks in the worship service. Older students from sixth through twelfth grade will join in the worship service every Sunday and will look forward to youth events on future Sundays. | |
Though we are sad to see her go, we are happy she is beginning a new chapter in her life. Let’s send her off with a memory book of our Covenant family. June has requested you include a photo with your favorite bible verse and farewell message. All will be gathered in a scrap book to give to June. Send electronically to Jean Ganger at jean.ganger@juno.com or drop in the deacons’ mail box in the church office. Sizes up to 8 1/2”x 11” will fit in our book. We can take a photo of you if you’d like or leave out - the Bible verse and personal message are most meaningful. | |
The Saturday Morning Tutoring program kicks off Saturday September 17 at 10am | |
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For those not familiar with our tutoring program this is how it works. Students, grades 1-12, from the greater Cleveland area come to the Church on Saturday mornings for tutoring from 10-12. How can you help? First, we need tutors. You decide what grade and subject best suit you and then you are paired with a student with those needs. First timers should arrive at 9 for a brief orientation.
If you are not sure you are interested in tutoring, we need people to help in the parking lot from 9:15 – 10 and for a short stint at noon. We also need people from 10:30-11:30 to distribute snacks.
Finally, we can use gently used books for elementary age students and school supplies (Spiral notebooks, Mechanical Pencils and Binders). Some of our students do not have all the supplies they need.
Monetary donations are also welcome. There is a box in the church office where items can be dropped.
Tutoring will run September 17 – October 15 and October 29 -November 19. Thank you for helping to make this another great year for the Saturday Tutoring Program.
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Blessing of the Backpacks and more! | |
Join us on Sunday, September 11th for 10 am worship and bring your backpacks to receive a special blessing at the start of the school year. The choir will be back and we will be dedicating the new hymnals. Afterwards, the deacons are hosting an all-church picnic. Let’s start this academic year off with vibrant worship and warm fellowship. See you there! Rev. Jessie | |
Tuesday Noon Organ Plus Concerts will resume on September 20. Can't wait to see you there! | |
A September Birthday Bash | |
Take a look at Sonia Golden and Gale Bromelmeier celebrating their September birthdays with some of their Covenant friends! | |
Believing God Calls Us To Be Peacemakers | |
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Since a gunman opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012, killing 26 people, 20 of them children; 1,960 people in Cuyahoga County have been killed by guns.
Since last month, 20 more individuals have died by gun violence in Cuyahoga County.
The names of those at least 18 years of age are: Norbert Joseph Novak, Gideon James Porter, Jonathan Robert Rios, Theo Vance Echols, Thomas Jefferson Gilliard, Ardell Houi, Gerald Loper, Emmanuel Davonte D. Gray, Ladan Babb, Cardell Deron Hawthorne, DeAndre Christopher Spearman, Major P. Whitley, Robert Dave Curry, Kevonte M. Smith, Rohan Anthony Smith, Marcus Young, Victor Huff, and Maurice E. Petrak. Three of the victims were suicides. Two homicide victims were under eighteen.
Go to godbeforeguns.org to see how to become engaged.
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SINGING and RINGING: Musical Opportunities for ALL! | |
We are excited to resume music ensembles at Covenant in September including the Covenant Choir, Beckwith Handbell Choir, and Music for Children and Youth. Choir and Handbell rehearsals will resume on Thursday, September 8 (handbells, 6:30pm; choir, 7:30pm). This is the perfect time to join. If you are interested in participating in these ensembles, would like more information, or would like to share another musical gift, please reach out to any of our music staff members, Matthew Garrett, Michael Peters, or Jonathan Moyer. | |
Covenant is Looking to Fill Two Part-Time Positions | |
Are you looking for a part-time position doing meaningful ministry with children, youth or young adults? The Church of the Covenant is looking for a Coordinator of Ministry to Students and Young Adults, as well as a Christian Educator of Children and Youth. Please check our website CovenantWeb.org or the buttons below for more information. Spread the word to anyone you know who might be a good fit for the Covenant staff! | |
Glory to God Hymnal Dedication THIS Sunday, Sep 11 | |
The Ministry of Faith Formation (MoFF) is excited for the dedication of our NEW Glory to God hymnals this Sunday, September 11th! Thank you to all the Covenant community members who dedicated hymnals in honor and in memory of special people. A list of dedications for this Sunday may be found below. If you would still like to dedicate one or more hymnals, we will continue to take those requests, and another formal dedication opportunity will be scheduled later this fall. Contact music@covenantweb.org or call the church office (216) 421-0482 for more information. | |
Opportunity to Join a Bible Study Using the Presbyterian Women's Horizon Curriculum | |
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What does the Horizon Curriculum entail: The topic is Celebrating Sabbath:
In the nine lessons of this Bible study—as a celebration, not a day of dreary formality as God’s intent for all of creation and that includes busy women too as one day of the week, perhaps a Sunday as a time to surrender unhealthy striving and frantic busyness, and instead trust God will provide as a reminder that life is precious and working too much is against God’s plans for our precious lives as a day devoted to community and justice and not exclusively to self-care. Ultimately, Sabbath reminds us to honor God who honors us by giving us a day each week to reset our pace, our priorities, and our lives.
The Church of the Covenant has a long standing Women's Bible Study the first Wednesday of the month at 10:30, at the church and by Zoom. Beginning in September we will also offer a monthly evening bible study the 3rd Monday of the month at 7pm. This will also be offered at the church and by Zoom. All people are welcome to this Traditional Women's Bible Study. The first meeting of this group will be Monday, September 19. Please contact Mary Anne Bromelmeier (maryannebromelmeier@yahoo.com) if you would like to learn more or to join this group.
Participants can pick up their materials at the church, have them mailed to them or order them directly on line through this link. https://www.presbyterianwomen.org/product/celebrating-sabbath-accepting-gods-gift-of-rest-and-delight-english-edition/
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A brief service of midday prayer is held in Christ Chapel on Wednesdays from 12:15-12:30, open to everyone. Pastor Jessie will be reading the scriptures for the day and offering a brief reflection and prayers. | |
Enhance Your Worship Listening Experience in the Sanctuary | |
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.). | |
McGaffin Carillon Friday Concerts | |
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All concerts are available to be enjoyed live or streamed at 12:15 on Fridays!
September 9 George https://youtu.be/IMnR4cMfN88
September 16 George https://youtu.be/ejoalSKKvtI
September 23 George https://youtu.be/FEmAIgKfTyo
September 30 George https://youtu.be/Z47H0UggouM
Performances of Cory Arcangel’s “Hail Mary” happen DAILY at noon through October 2. The work was commissioned by FRONT 2022: Cleveland Triennial for Contemporary Art. The five to ten minute work is generated anew daily via Twitter bot and creates a framework for the performer’s improvisation. Friday performances are streamed. See www.ucbells.org/events for links to the streaming schedule.
Past concert videos are available on the Friends of the McGaffin Carillon YouTube channel where you can also subscribe and be alerted when the carillon performances are streaming. https://tinyurl.com/FMCStreams
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McGaffin Carillon Friday Concerts | |
Covenant's McGaffin Carillon is premiering a series of short (5-10 minutes), original, and playfully "written" musical compositions EACH DAY throughout FRONT's 70-day run from July 14 thru October 2nd. These experimental pieces arrive in our carillonneur George Leggiero’s Twitter Feed at 5 a.m. in something resembling closer to Twitter iconography than standard musical notations @hail_mary_bells. George's job is to make sense of the symbols and equally non-conventional time signatures (i.e., think of a turtle to denote the musical notation adagio) and then be ready to play it to his very public audience by noon. Composer Cory Arcangel;s series of 70 daily compositions is called "Hail Mary" not to conjure the Catholic prayer of the same name but rather the football euphemism for a long, all-the-luck-in-the-world-is-needed-to-complete-it pass, with George being our metaphorical quarterback in this instance. | |
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September 18th, 11:30 am in the sanctuary
Sing Your Heart Out at Covenant Hymn Sing!
Gather with our Covenant Community to raise your voice in songs of faith, prayer, hope, and praise. Join music staff members Matthew Garrett and Jonathan Moyer as we sing, uncover Presbyterian hymnody leading up to our new Glory to God hymnals, sing, hear the soul-filled words of great American composer and song-leader Alice Parker, and—you guessed it—sing! We’ll incorporate beloved favorite hymns, try some newer tunes, and you’ll have an opportunity to make requests from the new hymnals. Join us this Sunday and sing your heart out!
September 25, 11:30 am in Dowd Commons
Americans Making Immigrants Safe (AMIS)
The mission of AMIS is to inspire hope and contribute to the well-being of immigrants and families as they seek legal status in the United States by assisting with resources for legal services, education, basic living expenses, and self-sufficiency. Anne Hill, President of AMIS, and Brian Hoffman, Immigration Attorney, will give the presentation and lead the discussion.
October 2, 11:30 am in Dowd Commons
Understanding Mental Illness – Matt Gesicki, NAMI Greater Cleveland
Did you know that 1 in 4 adults experience a diagnosable mental health disorder in a given year? Mental illness can happen to anyone regardless of age, race, religion or income; it often strikes individuals in the prime of their lives. The presentation covers stigma and misconceptions about mental illness, self-care and caregiving, and strategies for communicating better with individuals with mental illness.
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Dougbe River School Gala! | Ministry of Service has reserved a table for the Dougbe River School 2022 Gala. The Gala is Sunday, September 25th, from 5-8pm at St Noel Banquet Center in Willoughby Hills. If you would like to reserve a seat at the table, please call the office at 216-421-0482, each seat is $60. | |
Habitat Faith Build - Thursday, October 6, from 9 AM to 3 PM | |
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Join us again this year (our eighth!) to help rehab houses through the Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity's Faith Build. Our second workday this year is fast approaching. We will be working to help rehab a house in the Buckeye-Woodhill neighborhood on the east side of Cleveland. The Faith Build house is one of over 20 houses scheduled to be built or rehabbed in Buckeye-Woodhill in 2022. In response to COVID-19, Habitat is limiting volunteer groups to 6 people instead of 8. If you are interested and feel comfortable working on the house any of these days, please contact Jim Prince at princeco4@aol.com for further information.
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Join us for the YIMBY event! | |
Join us on September 10th, for YIMBY (Yes! In My Backyard!), an event over two years in the making, brought to you by the Ministry Advocating with Homeless Persons. This is a day to focus on the challenges facing people experiencing homelessness, and individuals and agencies that are offering solutions.
Visit www.preswesres.org/yimby for more info and to register!
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Be a Mentor! Change a Life. | Ready to witness God’s transforming spirit? Be a mentor with UPCaM’s Rebekah's Circle! Welcome young women from Tri-C Metro Campus and Cleveland State University and celebrate their hopes and big dreams. Each circle is a fast six weeks, Tuesdays, Sept. 13 – Oct. 18, 6-7:30 pm at Trinity Cathedral, Cleveland. A required Mentor Training is Sept. 6, 5-7 pm. Learn more at www.upcam.org. | |
The Theological and Religious Studies department at John Carroll is sponsoring a conversation with scholars from the Jewish, Muslim and Christian traditions. How do their traditions understand abortion and how do we live as people of faith in a diverse and pluralistic society? Monday, September 19 at 7:00 p.m. | |
Contemplative Prayer Practice | |
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You are invited to attend talks given by Fr. Laurence Freeman, a Benedictine monk and Director of the World Community for Christian Meditation. Fr. Freeman will be in Cleveland October 9 - 12 for a retreat and talks on how contemplative prayer can make a difference in our work, ministry and stressed and fractured world. He will be offering three talks on October 12, two of which will be at Church of the Covenant.
Authentic Leadership: Cleveland Institute of Music, Mixon Hall, 7:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Spirituality in a Secular Age: Church of the Covenant, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Unified Consciousness: Church of the Covenant, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
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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, Marilyn Demeter, Jim Greene, Julia Haiss, Veda Harris (Jenny Conner's niece), Patrick Hoover (Ann Williams' nephew), David Keltner, Helen Kunsman, Reathel McWhorter, Cathy Miller, Richard (Dick) Miller, Lois Miller (Nessa Gressley's mother), Nancy Miller (Nessa Gressley's sister), Diane Papp, Gene Papp, John Repasi (Frank Repasi's brother), Steve Taylor (son of Rev. Dr. Harry B. Taylor), Arthur Tiroly, Julia Wadsworth, Gabriel (Jenny Conner's grand-nephew), Suse, and ALL teachers, students and parents.
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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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Sunday Worship Services and Organ Concerts on YouTube | |
You can access livestreamed and archived service videos on YouTube, as well as past Tuesday Noon Organ Plus Concerts. | |
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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Come to the Lower Level, join us, and support the church’s resale shop, every Tuesday from 10:00 am through 3:45. pm. Please bring your donations of clothing, household goods, jewelry, etc. | |
Food Pantry Update from Ministry of Service
You can support this important ministry by making a monetary donation to the COTC hunger fund. Your generosity will help those in our neighborhood who are hungry and need help during this pandemic. Thank you!
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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. | |
Connect with Rev. MacMillan or Rev. Begany | |
Please sign the red guest register pads in the pews. This will help us keep track of visitors’ and members’ current emails, addresses, and phone numbers. Thank you. | | | | | |
