GIVING TUESDAY IS ALMOST HERE! | |
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An Open And Affirming Community Of Faith -
We Welcome All Beliefs!
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Sage meets every Friday at 1 PM. Check here for the church calendar for the link.
- Meditation with Mary Ann on Wednesday, December 6th, 7 pm - All are welcome.
- Thrive With Pride large group meeting November 28th 11 am via Zoom!
- Thrive With Pride small group meeting, Thursday, December 7th, 7 pm via Zoom.
- Decorate Holy Covenant for the Holidays, Saturday December 9, 11 am
- Longest Night Service is December 21st. More information to follow.
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Click here to view the Advent Message from Rev. Elder Miller Hoffman,
MCC Council of Elders
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GIVING TUESDAY - NOVEMBER 28TH | |
On November 28, 2023, people all around the world are coming together to tap into the power of human connection and strengthen communities and change our world. Will you be one of them? Holy Covenant will be participating in Giving Tuesday, and we need your help!
By joining the Giving Tuesday movement, you’re proving that in times of uncertainty, generosity can bring the whole world together.
Here is how you can get ready to give:
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Mark your calendar by clicking on this link HC Calendar
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Give. On November 28, go to Holy Covenant GivingTuesday and give. You can also support our organization in these ways Amazon Wishlist, and volunteering at Sign-Up Genius.
- Spread the word. Encourage your friends and family to join you in creating real impact on November 28 by sharing what our mission means to you and why you support our organization. Please share our post on Facebook to your page!
Let’s rally together to build stronger communities.
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Support Holy Covenant MCC
with Your Generosity Today!
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At Holy Covenant, we rely on the generosity of our community to keep our church running and continue serving our members. We are reaching out to you today to ask for your support, as we need to raise at least 4,672 every month to meet our obligations for bills and salaries.
There are multiple ways you can donate to Holy Covenant. You can donate through PayPal, which you can access through our website or by sending your donation to [email protected]. However, please note that PayPal charges a fee to the church, so if possible, please consider helping us cover that fee.
Alternatively, you can use Zelle to send your donation directly to the church at [email protected]. This option has no fees attached to it, and your donation will go directly into our general account.
You can also send an electronic check from your financial institution or send a personal check to our address at 9145 Grant Ave, Brookfield, IL, 60513.
Every little bit helps, and we are grateful for any support you can offer. Together, we can keep our church going and continue providing a welcoming community for all who seek it. Thank you for your generosity!
November 2023 Giving
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Giving Needed Weekly
(5 WEEKS) $936
The monthly difference is -$2,184
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Our bills are listed for the month of October 2023.
Your generosity helps us pay the bills. Any amount helps us meet our obligations.
If you would like to pay one of the bills,
please designate that in your donation.
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MEDITATION IN PERSON! WEDNESDAY,
DECEMBER 6TH! MEDITATION IS OPEN TO ALL!
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The next meditation is on Wednesday, December 6th, at 7 pm at the church.
Mary Ann will be leading the meditation upstairs in the church. This event is
open to all men and women.
Please be prompt at 7 pm so there are no distractions. We ask that you use hand sanitizer as you enter the building.
For more information about meditation please contact Mary Ann Latsaras at [email protected].
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UPCOMING EVENTS OF INTEREST | |
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PINTS WITH THE PASTOR
DECEMBER 14TH!
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Join us at Pub 78 in beautiful downtown Brookfield for no-host dinner and/or drinks. conversation and good times from 6 pm - 8 pm.
Time: 6 pm, Thursday, December 14th.
Pub 78
3733 Grand Ave
Brookfield, IL 60513
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LGBTQ+ WEEKEND FOR FAMILIES
Sharing information about the upcoming Midwest LGTBQ+ Family Weekend, taking place December 1-3 in Chicago.
ABOUT THE EVENT:
Family Equality is hosting a vibrant and inclusive weekend filled with exciting activities for LGBTQ+ families. Our goal is to create a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ families to connect, have fun, and make lasting memories together. Some of the fantastic events planned include family ice skating, attending a Chicago Wolves game, and the premiere of a special documentary.
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PASSING THE PEACE - SOMETHING NEW! | |
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Something new! For the Passing of the Peace moment in the service, we would like to create a video montage of members sharing greetings—“Good morning, peace to you!” and so on. It doesn’t need to be long, about 5-10 seconds. Roxann will create a video of the greetings to play during the passing of the peace.
It's not too late! If you haven't sent Roxann a video of your greeting for the Passing of the Peace, you can still do that! It doesn’t need to be long, about 5-10 seconds. Whether you are usually with us in person or online, we would love a greeting from you to share with the congregation! Send your videos to Roxann at [email protected] in the next eek or so. If this works well, we will be updating them for holidays—Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, etc.
Whether you are usually with us in person or online, we would love a greeting from you to share with the congregation! Send your videos to Roxann at [email protected] in the next week or so. If this works well, we will be updating them for holidays—Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, etc.
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THRIVE WITH PRIDE - LEGISLATIVE UPDATES FROM EQUALITY ILLINOIS | |
Mike Ziri is Director of Public Policy at Equality Illinois, the state's LGBTQ+ civil rights organization. At a time of unprecedented, hateful, and harmful attacks on the rights of LGBTQ+ people across the country, Mike will present about the challenges LGBTQ+ people experience in Illinois; how this state continues to advance pro-equality, pro-family policies that support and affirm LGBTQ+ people; and ways that community members can engage in advocacy to build a better Illinois.
Join us on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at 7 pm (Central) by clicking https://us06web.zoom.us/j/96661294106 or dialing (312)626-6799, then enter ID 966 6129 4106 at prompt.
This event is free and open to all. Registration is not required.
Download the EVENT flyer here..
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HOLY COVENANT BOARD MEETING - DECEMBER 20th | |
The next Board meeting will be on December 20th, 7 pm at the church.
You can find all the Board agenda, minutes and financials on our website. They are also posted on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall.
You can find a PDF of the past Board Meetings Agenda, Minutes and church financials here
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WEEKLY SERVICE INFORMATION | |
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HYBRID - IN PERSON AND ON YOUTUBE
REV. MARTHA DANIELS PREACHING
10:00 AM CST
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Our worship celebration is every Sunday at 10 am CST. If you would like to join us you may join us in person or go to our Facebook page at Holy Covenant Facebook Page and click on the LINK to YouTube to watch the service.
Sunday, November 26, 2023
Matthew 25:14-30
Rev. Martha Daniels
Sermon: "Sharing"
Have a candle ready to light, a cookie or bread, and a glass of your favorite libation for communion if you are watching online.
You can also find previous services on our YouTube Channel here.
Rev. Martha is available by email, phone, Facebook Messenger, and text for any pastoral needs you may have [email protected]
DO YOU WANT TO HELP WITH WORSHIP?
Do you feel a call to help with worship? To read a prayer, or a reading, or to usher or serve communion? Whether you are here in person or virtually, we need and want your gifts! Contact Rev. Martha or Roxann at [email protected].
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AGING WELL NOVEMBER PROGRAMS | |
Join us all month long for informative seminars, health programs, fitness, entertainment, and more!
Hello Neighbors! Below is our June schedule. Join us all month long for informative seminars, brain health programs, fitness, history, entertainment, and more online and in person! Just click here for the list of classes.
We encourage you to share our class schedule with friends, family, and neighbors, near & far, of any age – everyone is welcome to join us! All of our classes are free & no advance registration is required. We hope to see you soon on Zoom!
Thank you all for being a part of the Aging Well Neighborhood!
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Know Any Older Adults who Need Home Repairs? |
We have an incredible gift/program to be able to bring to our clients. Please think of anyone you know who might meet the eligibility requirements and can benefit from this service – anyone with safety concerns or issues, poor lighting, no handrails near stairs, no grab bars in the bathroom, no smoke detectors or carbon monoxide detectors, is there a need for a lock box, etc.? Are there any areas in need of repair – cracks, uneven flooring, broken doors or locks etc.?
If you know of someone, please contact Jan Walch to see if they can help.
Jan L. Walch Ӏ Director of Philanthropy and External Affairs
Aging Care Connections
She/her/hers
111 W. Harris Avenue, La Grange, IL 60525
D: 708-603-2243 Ӏ P: 708-354-1323, Ext 243
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SHARE FOOD, SHARE LOVE
FOOD PANTRY NEEDS YOUR HELP!
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Food insecurity has become a public health crisis that continues to affect our communities, with an alarming increase of 19 in the number of households facing hunger compared to pandemic levels. The situation is even worse for Black households, as the number has risen by 37. With the recent cancellation of extra money in the SNAP program, it is now more vital than ever to support organizations like Share Food Share Love.
By donating to the Share Food Share Love Food Pantry, you can make a real difference in the lives of those who are struggling to put food on the table. With just a $1.00 donation, you can help provide 3 meals for a family in need. Your generosity can help ensure that our neighbors do not go hungry.
We are calling on all members of our community to help us fight food insecurity by donating to the Share Food Share Love Food Pantry. There is a food box located in front of Tischler's where you can drop off your non-perishable food items 2/47 or bring your food donations to the church and we will take it over. Let's come together to support each other during these challenging times. Thank you for your support!
If you live in the surrounding area of Brookfield, you may qualify to be our neighbor at Share Food, Share Love. You can stop in on Tuesday evenings 7pm to 9 pm and Saturday mornings 10 am to 12 pm to apply and gather up some food for you and your family. If you do come, please try to bring your own reusable bags but if you forget, we will have bags for you.
The food box located in front of Tischler's where you can drop off your non-perishable food into this box 24/7!
Thank you!
SHARE FOOD, SHARE LOVE GIVING PAGE
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WSSS (SAGE) CALENDAR, EVENTS & MENU |
West Suburban Senior Services (previously known as West Suburban SAGE) a social support group for LGBTQ seniors, meets both via ZOOM and in person on Fridays at 1 pm. We hope to resume our lunches in July. Please contact Eric Eugenio Vironet ([email protected]) if you plan to attend in person as space is limited. Click here to join the meeting
West Suburban Senior Services website click here
WSSS Facebook Page click here
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PASTOR'S PICK CORNER -
Rev. Daniels Reading/Listening/Watching Suggestions
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With Thanksgiving behind us, preparations for Christmas begin! Here are some movies and books that not only celebrate Christmas but lead us to ponder on the deeper meanings of Christmas.
A Christmas Carol: There are several wonderful movie adaptations available (my two favorites are the 1954 Alistair Sims version and The Muppets Christmas Carol with Michael Caine). If you haven't already, find and read Charles Dickens' novella on which they are all based. While Dickens celebrates the festive aspects of Christmas--the feast, the punch, the games--he makes the point that our well-being is not based on our bank ledger, but our love and care (or lack thereof) for others.
It's a Wonderful Life--an old favorite for the holidays, and again focusing on the value of friendship over worldly possessions. Who doesn't want to live in Bedford Falls when George Bailey is around?
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever--What happens when the "wildest kids in town" want to be part of the church Christmas pageant, even though they don't know much about Jesus? The questions they ask make the adults around them question themselves--and maybe their hearts grow a bit too.
Speaking of hearts growing,
I'll close with another Christmas classic--How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Of course, the Grinch didn't steal Christmas, did he? Which is the point of this wonderful Dr. Suess story, which has contributed to our Christmas vocabulary. "Don't be a Grinch!" we say, and my family still calls the main course at Christmas dinner "roast beast."
Yours Adventfully,
Rev. Martha
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AMAZON HAS OUR LIST OF NEEDS!
UPDATED LIST!
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We have updated our "needs" list online at Amazon. We ask that you look at our list of what items we are in need of and purchase something for the church.
This list is available to see here HC Need List and is updated as needed. You can order and pay for anything off this list and have it shipped directly to the church. We appreciate anything you can order for us!
We thank you for your continued support of Holy Covenant!
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NEED POWER OF ATTORNEY OR WILL? | | | |
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We mourn and pray for all the families who have suffered personal losses from gun violence at our schools, churches, and hospitals. public venues and other places.
Prayers for Joyce who had another stroke.1
Prayers of thanksgiving that Tony's heart surgery was successful.2
Prayers that Barbara R's stress test will be successful so she can have her knee replacement surgery.2
Prayers of thanksgiving that Patti & Laura's friends Bernadette & Jeff found a new place to live.2
Prayers that God relieves Laura of her depression.2
Prayers of healing for Colin, Barb, Kim, Juan and Marion, Karen and Michael, Naomi.3
Prayers of thanksgiving for the life of Gloria, and prayers of comfort for her wife Barbara R. who is recognizing her birthday with a bittersweet sorrow.3
Prayers for the Skokie residents who were victims of a hate crime for their "Support Israel" signs being vandalized.3
Prayers for Kimber and Chris's move goes smoothly.3
Prayers for those with harden hearts that feel the need to deface places of worship.
Prayers and strength for Ukraine, for those who are relocating, and to end the war and unnecessary deaths.
Prayers for all our first responders that they stay safe while helping others.
Prayers that God will provide for those who are hungry, unemployed, and homeless,
or in financial difficulties.
All those affected by HIV/AIDS, breast cancer, COVID-19, and other life-threatening illnesses.
All communities of faith.
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LINKS AND OTHER INFORMATION | |
There is a universal help line 211 for Cook County. They can help residents with housing, food, health services and more. It is a 24 hour seven day a week operation and have trained professionals answer the phone and are able to help you | |
Missed a sermon?
Click here to catch up and watch on the Holy Covenant YouTube channel!
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If you or someone you know is in an emergency call 911 for help.
Need someone to talk to? Call the suicide lifeline by dialing 988.
NAMI - National Alliance on Mental Health
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Every day brings something new—
and God is with us always!
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9145 Grant Ave
Brookfield, IL 60513
Phone: 708.387.1611
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