December  21
 

 
Sunday, December 24
4th Sunday of Advent
Worship 10:00 am

The Christmas Pageant:  Messengers of God
Kaori Hongo, Director & Abraham Ross, Assistant Director
  The fourth Sunday of Advent features our annual presentation of the Christmas Pageant, a tradition that that Covenant has enjoyed for multiple generations. We share the good news of the Christmas story through music, narration, costumes, and acting. We give thanks to our children, youth, musicians, staff, and adult volunteers for their many hours of preparation. 

  
Bulletins are posted at CovenantWeb.org/read/listenwhere you can also read or listen to sermons. Printed  sermons now include the pastoral prayer.  Can you usher, greet, serve communion, provide flowers?  Click here.   
Food collection for the Covenant Food Pantry this Sunday (and next). 

We are collecting food both this Sunday and next Sunday, December 31. Because our children and youth are in the Pageant, please leave food donations in the containers at the sanctuary doors and place financial donations in the offering plate, marked "food pantry." Thank you for your ongoing support!
A Gift of Coloring Books
Ushers have McGaffin Carillon coloring books and crayon sets as gifts to all of the children of the Covenant and children visiting this Christmas Eve, thanks to the nonprofit Friends of the McGaffin Carillon in University Circle. Grandparents and other adults who would like a set for a child back home are welcome to have one, too (while supplies last).
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Christmas Eve Evening Service

Traditional Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols.

 

Carillon Concert, 7:30 pm

Organ, Instrumental Prelude with Congregational Singing, 8:00 pm

Candlelight Service of Lessons & Carols, 8:30 pm
 
We will also receive the Presbyterian Church (USA) Christmas Joy offering supporting active and retired church workers in need and Presbyterian-related racial ethnic education.

Parking available in the Covenant lot and Ford Road Garage
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Introducing  Aisha Newton, Communications Manager
We are very pleased to welcome Aisha Newton to our staff as Communications Manager. Ms. Newton, originally from Ohio, moved to North Carolina to study at North Carolina A&T State University, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in 2014, concentrating in public relations. Aisha earned her Master's degree from Full Sail University in 2016, concentrating in internet marketing. She was a Public Relations Intern with All In PR, INC. and worked as a Junior Publicist for Joy Cook PR Group, both in North Carolina. She recently moved back home to Cleveland, and loves to spend time with her son and dog. 
Welcome Aisha!
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In the Covenant Family
We pray for Randy Bennett, Patrick Monaghan, and Don Norris (relatives of Tom and Cheri Keys), Judy Bourne, Andrew Bullen (Melanie Marsh Baum's cousin), Akeya Clark (Marie Jones' niece), Norma Cowan (friend of Dan and Karin Garland from Boulevard Presbyterian Church), Rich Day (friend of Bill Braun & Cathy Luck), Anne Wombwell deConingh, Marlene Finkenthal (David Finkenthal's mother), Eliseo Hairston (Shirley Thompson's grandson deployed to the Pacific), Greg Madison, Navy Seal Luke McClain (Dr. bert Campbell's nephew, new father of twins, just deployed), Elizabeth Mierke, Ward Porch, Olitana Rika (physician in Albania), Daniel Straffon (Cary Arden's grandson traveling to Myanmar), Robert Schneider (First Baptist Church), Tom Skrout (Stephanie Pennza's father), Liam Stewart (Mindy Stewart's nephew), Doug Weiss (Ann Williams' friend), and those struggling with illness, convalescing, or are homebound; the patients, family, and staff in our surrounding hospitals; and those who have placed prayer requests in our Carpenter's Box.

Our prayers are with Tom Fountain on the death of his brother Prince Fountain on December 18. Visitation is today, Thursday, December 21, from 3-8 pm, at the Calhoun Funeral Home, 17010 Lakeshore Blvd, Cleveland, 44110. Click for obituary.

The following staff will be on vacation after Christmas : Amy Starr Redwine, December 27-31; Jonathan Moyer, December 28-January 2; Kevin Lowry, December 27-December 31; Mindy Stewart, December 29-31; Willie Howard, December 28-29.
Please send prayer requests to Melanie Marsh Baum. Names are generally moved from the bulletin after four weeks unless there is a continuing need. Please let the church know if you or a loved one are in the hospital; HIPAA privacy regulations prevent hospitals from sharing this information.

Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2   
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Christmas Comes to our Sanctuary
The flowers and greens in the sanctuary are presented to the glory of God and in loving memory or in honor of loved ones. We thank Catherine Miller and her amazing crew and our ever-present custodial staff. Thank you to Kate Williams for these pictures.

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December McGaffin Carillon Concerts
Monday - Friday through December 29 (except December 25), 12:15 pm
Hear the McGaffin Carillon in thirty minute programs of winter holiday-inspired music.  This is a gift of the Friends of the McGaffin Carillon.  Go to ucbells.org for more information.
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Candlelight Labyrinth Walk at The Seidman Center Healing Garden
Today, Thursday, December 21, 4:30-5:30 pm
As the darkest day of the year nears, the Seidman Cancer Center's Schneider Healing Garden (across Euclid Avenue from  Covenant) is hosting a candlelight labyrinth walk today from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Covenant and University Circle Carillonneur George Leggiero will play meditative music by classical composers from the Baroque to the 20th century, including J. S. Bach, R. De Visée, W. A. Mozart, J. Brahms, and F. Poulenc, as well as seasonal music. To join the walk and enjoy some hot chocolate, meet in the Seidman lobby at 4:30 p.m. For more information, call 216.286.4636.
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Looking Ahead
The Westminster Choir
Saturday, January 6, 7:30 pm
The Westminster Choir, from Westminster Choir College, Princeton, NJ, will perform Frank Martin's evocative Mass for Double Choir, one of the great masterpieces of unaccompanied choral music. Join this extraordinary ensemble to explore new sound worlds with music that celebrates beauty, peace, and love, including works by Randall Thompson, Edward Bairstow, György Ligeti, Joel Phillips and Timothy Brent. www.rider.edu/westminsterchoir
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Weather-Related Church Closing
According to the church's Personnel Manual, church staff will determine on a case by case basis if the church is to be closed due to inclement weather. In the event that the church is closed, an email notification will be sent to those on our mailing list and a notification will appear on the home page of the church website. If you have a church meeting or event that is affected by a closing, the staff member associated with that event will contact you. 
11205 Euclid Avenue  Cleveland, OH 44106
Wheelchair accessible

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