February  1
 
 
Sunday, February 4
 Worship 10:00 am

This week in worship we continue our journey through the first chapter in Mark, getting a glimpse of a day in the life of Jesus. What is your response when your plans get waylaid by someone else's demands? With all that comes at us in a given day, how do we know what's most important and maintain our focus? Amy Starr Redwine's sermon is entitled "Interrupted." Scriptures are Psalm 147:1-11 and Mark 1:29-39. Our lay worship leader is Lyn Tomaszewski.

Bulletins are posted at CovenantWeb.org/read/listen, where you can also read or listen to sermons. Printed sermons now include the pastoral prayer.

Music Notes: As part of our jazz service this week, we welcome Kathleen Horvath, bass, and Matthew Hadaway, drums, who along with the Covenant choir present the Kyrie and Agnus Dei movements from Will Todd's Jazz Missa Brevis. Will Todd (b.1970) is a British composer and pianist. Two jazz settings for organ round out our service: Be Thou My Vision by the Hungarian/German composer Zsolt Gárdonyi (b.1946) and Entrée from Peite Suite in Blueby the German conductor and organist Johannes Matthias Michel (b.1962).
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In the Covenant Family
We pray for  Judy Bourne, Andrew Bullen (Melanie Marsh Baum's cousin), Akeya Clark (Marie Jones' niece), 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) Mollie Hoar (family friend of Gene and Diane Papp), Elizabeth Mierke, Ward Porch, Sue Salvator, Tom Skrout (Stephanie Pennza's father), Liam Stewart  And Emilee Stewart (Mindy Stewart's nephew), Doug Weiss (Ann Williams' friend), Connie Brand, and Louise Wolfcale. We pray for  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. 

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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Opportunities to Serve

Support Covenant Student Ministries!
As the campus church we support the religious and spiritual life of students at Case Western Reserve Univeristy, Cleveland Insitute of Art, and Cleveland Institute of Music. One of our signature programs is our monthly Student Community Meal. E ach month, during the academic year, Covenant Student Ministries hosts a FREE Community Meal, following  Sunday  worship at  11:15 am.  This meal is open to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, as well as members of the Covenant community. We are looking for church and community members to help lend a hand and provide home-cooked main dishes, sides, salads, and desserts for this monthly meal. Our next Community Meal is on  February 4th. If you are interested in helping to provide food, you can sign up using our online form.
40 Days of Giving!
Beginning  Sunday, February 4th,  Covenant youth will begin a "40 days of Giving" Fundraiser for their Summer Youth Mission Opportunities. You can learn more about choosing an envelope, donating money, engaging in a Lenten activity, and receiving our thanks by talking with Mindy Stewart or a youth in the Reception Room after the service.  With your generous donations, the youth will have the opportunity to partner with Fairmount and Forest Hills Presbyterian Churches this summer by serving alongside "Memphis Youth Mission" in Memphis, TN; engaging in worship and learning at Montreat Youth Conference in Montreat, NC, and reaching out locally during a "Mystery Mission" in Cleveland. Thank you for all the ways you support the our young disciples !

It's Girl Scout Cookie Time! Order Your Cookies Today!
Church of the Covenant hosts a Daisy Troop on Thursday Nights as part of  CWRU's Center for Civic Engagement and Learning's Scholars Program. They are now selling Girl Scout Cookies. If you are interested in purchasing cookies please contact Kevin Lowry at  [email protected]. There are Vegan and Gluten Free options! Help support this community outreach of Church of the Covenant and Covenant Student Ministries!
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Covenant members and friends are invited to attend:
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Enneagram Group 2.0 

The Enneagram is an ancient tool for personal and spiritual growth that has developed into an accessible personality typing system. Learning about the system and the different types offers a pathway to greater self-awareness and deeper compassion for others. A second small group dedicated to learning about and discussing the enneagram and its relationship to our daily lives and faith journeys has recently formed and is still open to any interested parties. Our next meeting is Wednesday, February 7 at 6:30 pm at a member's home. Check out www.enneagraminstitute.com to learn more, and contact Amy Starr Redwine if you are interested in attending the upcoming meeting.
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Communications Survey
Our new Communications Manager Aisha Newton is conducting a survey  help her to serve The Church of the Covenant community better. Your input is welcomed and needed. Thank you in advance. https://surveyhero.com/c/23a6fc9d
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Session Update
  • At the January 22 meeting of the Presbytery of the Western Reserve, Ruling Elder commissioner Jim Tomaszewski helped present a motion from the Church of the Covenant, Fairmount, and Old Stone for the Presbytery to pass a resolution objecting to Ohio House Bill 233. This bill would allow licensed gun owners to carry concealed weapons into prohibited spaces, including schools and churches, without criminal penalty if they leave upon discovery and do not return, weakening protections previously offered by law. In part thanks to Jim's testimony, the Presbytery passed the resolution.
  • At the January 24 meeting of session, elders spent time in small groups considering how innovation applies to the church; discussed a report from the Audit Committee; heard a report from the Personnel Committee regarding the senior pastor's annual review and approved a recommendation to present changes in the  pastors' terms of call to the congregation; and, after discussing the experiment of holding the reception in All Saints' Chapel on Jan. 14, agreed to occasionally hold receptions in this location with additional logistical support for the deacons.
  • The next stated session meeting is Wednesday, February 28 at 7 pm in the office area. At this meeting, the session will continue strategic visioning, receive the 2017 financial report, hear a final report from the Stewardship team regarding the 2018 campaign, and make final adjustments to the 2018 budget.
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