October 5
Sunday, October 8
Worship 10:00 am

We live in a culture that sends us relentless messages about the scarcity of resources. We are steeped in the belief that life, success, and finances are all zero sum games -- if one person gains, someone else has to lose. This Sunday, as we consider God's promise of life beyond scarcity, we hear two stories that offer a different perspective. Ruth 1:1-18 and John 21:4-12 suggest that the presence of God is revealed by experiences of unexpected and illogical abundance. Join us for worship as we dare to imagine a life beyond scarcity.

Amy Starr Redwine's sermon is entitled, "Life Beyond Scarcity: Surprised by Abundance." Our Lay Worship Leader is Nancy Smekal.  Bulletins are posted at  CovenantWeb.org/read/listen where you can also read or listen to sermons. Can you usher, greet, serve communion, provide flowers?  Click here.
Our music this week emphasizes the imagery of Psalm 42, which likens God's providence to an ever-flowing stream or fountain of water. The introit alludes to this passage, saying "I just come from the fountain," as the jubilant music reflects one's excitement at receiving the God's many gifts. As in much of the African American spiritual tradition, the question-and-answer style of singing affirmed the sung text, renewing the promise of God's stewardship over us all. At the offertory, we hear Palestrina's setting of Psalm 42. The prelude and postlude comprise Italian music from around Palestrina's lifetime.

Life Beyond Education Forum, 11:30 am, Beckwith Hall
At this week's  Life Beyond  forum Cathy Luck and Jill Siddiq will talk about advanced directives.
Children will leave for Sunday School after a Time for Young Disciples.
As we journey through the Bible, each week the children and youth are sent home with a memory verse to learn which is related to the upcoming week's lesson. This Sunday's memory verse is  " Keep yourselves holy, because I am the Lord your God. Obey my laws, because I am the Lord and I make you holy." Leviticus 20:7-8
 _____________________________________________________________________
In the Covenant Family
We pray for 
Judy Bourne, Andrew Bullen (Melanie Marsh Baum's cousin), Akeya Clark (Marie Jones' niece), Rich Day (friend of Bill Braun & Cathy Luck), Gabe (son of Liz Roccoforte, CWRU), Eliseo Hairston (Shirley Thompson's grandson deployed to the Pacific), Anne Marie Haiss (mother of Fritz Haiss), Hawthorn Lowry and Rachel Lowry (Kevin Lowry's son and sister), Olitana Rika (physician at our mission partner health clinic in Albania), Robert Schneider (First Baptist Church), Tom Skrout (Stephanie Pennza's father), Rory Smith, Liam Stewart (Mindy Stewart's nephew), Doug Weiss (Ann Williams' friend), and for those who are 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. 
 
Jonathan Moyer is away giving a concert at Epiphany Episcopal Church in Timonium, MD (his former parish church) and a lecture on sacred music at The Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore.  Melanie Marsh Baum will be in Louisville, KY this week attending the Symposium on Christian Formation at the PC(USA) National Offices. 
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   
 _____________________________________________________________________
Pray for those impacted by gun violence
Since a gunman opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012, killing 26 people, 20 of them children; 834 people in Cuyahoga County have been killed by guns. Since last month, 19 more individuals have died by gun violence in Cuyahoga County.  Seven of those who died were by suicide. A three year old accidentally shot himself. We also offer prayers for all who lost their lives and were injured in Las Vegas.
 
Believing God calls us to be peacemakers, by Session action, each  month we pray for people affected by gun violence and to reduce the evil of gun violence in our nation, marked by the tolling of the tower bell. Join us in this time of increased concern over deadly gun violence in our county, country, and world, in remembering and praying that God will show us the way to a new commitment to Peace on Earth. 

The Church of the Covenant partners with God Before Guns, a multi-faith coalition of individuals and faith communities created in the wake of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School, to reduce gun violence. Go to GodBeforeGuns.org to learn more.  
 _____________________________________________________________________

Last Sunday at Covenant














The Rev. Dr. James Atwood was the keynote speaker for the God Before Guns Symposium which included three breakout panels and a reception. God Before Guns is a Covenant Mission Partner. Thank you to Bob Ault for these pictures.
David Eggert, Rev. Kristine Eggert, Rev. Dr. Jim Atwood, & Bob Ault


Oberlin Choir 
Last Sunday night, October 1, the Covenant sanctuary was filled with the heart-warming sounds of the Oberlin College Choir led by Dr. Gregory Ristow, presenting Sergei Rachmaninoff's Vespers or All-Night Vigil. Thank you to Jonathan Moyer for this picture.
 _____________________________________________________________________
Session Update
At the stated session meeting on Wednesday, September 27, your session:
  • designated 25% of the Peace and Global Witness Offering, taken on October 1, to the PC(USA)'s Freedom Rising initiative, of which Cleveland is a recipient.
  • received into membership Cary Arden, Maureen Gesing, Libby Panhorst, and Jeanne and Greg Sorrell
  • discussed the possibility of pursuing legal action to prevent gun violence on the church's property
Please direct all session-related emails to the attention of the clerk of session at Clerk@CovenantWeb.org . The clerk will ensure that the moderator and all elders receive the information.

Will Klein, Clerk of Session
 _____________________________________________________________________
We are currently gathering information for Amy Starr Redwine's annual review. If you have any affirmations or suggestions related to Amy's work, we will consider them in our process. Please submit them to us by email,  Review@CovenantWeb.org . For fairness in the process, any comments received must be signed.  Thank you.  

Elizabeth  Hagen Moderator and Lou Stark, Vice-Moderator,  Personnel Committee
 _____________________________________________________________________
Covenant 8's Tea Group enjoy a beautiful day!
Beth, Pat,  Helen, Jules, Renee, Portia, and Karen.
 _____________________________________________________________________
Opportunities
Friday Lunchtime Carillon Concerts & Tuesday Noon Organ Recitals
 
Friday Lunchtime Carillon Concerts  are performed by Covenant and University Circle Carillonneur George Leggiero and guests on the 15,000 lb McGaffin Carillon of 47 bronze bells. Tours of the tower during the concerts. For more details go to  ucbells.org/events .   George Leggiero, Covenant and University Circle Carillonneur, will play Friday, October 6.
 
Tuesday Noon Organ Recitals  feature organists from throughout greater Cleveland and beyond on Covenant's two magnificent pipe organs.  On October 10, 
Donald Verkuilen, 
Old Stone Presbyterian Church's Director of Music & Musical Arts, will play.
 
Both are free and open to the public -  Free parking in the Covenant parking lot.
 _____________________________________________________________________
Underground Railroad Historic Marker Dedication
Sunday, October 8, 3:00 pm
CWRU Amasa Stone Chapel, 10940 Euclid Avenue
Reception to follow - Open to all
We invite you to join us in celebrating freedom and history at Case Western Reserve University through spoken word and song as we dedicate the newest historic marker on our campus.  
 _____________________________________________________________________

Trunk or Treat
Friday, October 27, 6:00-8:00 pm, Covenant Parking Lot
Decorate your car  -   Donate chili and candy
Come for a family-friendly good time!
Contact Mindy Stewart, MStewart@CovenantWeb.org  to learn how you can get involved.
 _____________________________________________________________________
2017 Covenant Lecture with Ellen Goodman
"The Most Important Conversation America Isn't Having"
Sunday, October 29, 2017 at 2:00 pm
Pulitzer Prize winning syndicated columnist Ellen Goodman founded The Conversation Project as a public health movement to change the way people talk about and plan for their end-of-life care. Hear her passionate call to engagement and find the resources to help your families and communities engage in this important discussion. 

Sponsored by the Church of the Covenant and Cleveland Clinic Spiritual Care, Cleveland Clinic Palliative Medicine,  University Hospitals Palliative Medicine and Hospice of the Western Reserve.

Free / Open to the Public - Register at: www.EllenGoodmanatCovenant.eventbrite.com.
11205 Euclid Avenue  Cleveland, OH 44106
Wheelchair accessible

Have items for the e-news? 
Something fun to share with the Covenant community?
Email    Covenant@CovenantWeb.org.  

Centered in the Circle - Open to the World