November 2

Remember to set your clocks back one hour this weekend!
Sunday, November 5
All Saints Sunday
Worship 10:00 am

This Sunday we celebrate All Saints' Day, remembering the saints in our lives and in our church community who have died in the past year, as well as those whose absence we continue to feel. We will also begin our commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation as we consider the tenet sola scriptura, or "scripture alone." How did Martin Luther understand the role of scripture in the life of a Christian? How does that understanding play out for us today? Join us for worship and the celebration of the Lord's Supper.

This Sunday's scripture is Matthew 5:1-20. Our  Lay Worship Leader is Ann Harlan. 

Bulletins are posted at CovenantWeb.org/read/listen, where 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.   
Our music for All Saints Sunday is a reflection on human mortality and the hope of the resurrection. The prelude and postlude are two German-baroque settings of the Easter hymn Christ lag in Todesbanden (Christ lay in death's bands) by Heinrich Scheidemann and Johann Sebastian Bach. The choir presents two works: an introit by the English composer John Goss (1800-1880), These are they who follow the Lamb, and an original work composed by Jennifer Conner. My Peace , is a setting of Jesus final discourse to his disciples from the Gospel of John. It was commissioned in the fall of 1991 by the Covenant choir as a memorial for the tragic death in a sky diving accident of the son of long time choir members Jim and Kay Craig. During the administration of communion, members of the Covenant choir present the quartet "Recordare" from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Requiem Mass as an expression of comfort, prayer, and hope in the resurrection. 
The tintinnabulum is used in our  All Saints Sunday worship. In the Middle Ages the tintinnabulum alerted the people of Rome to the fact that the Pope was approaching. Today reformed congregations use it to honor all faithful Christians who have died and now rest from their labors; it represents the priesthood of all believers and brings to mind the cycle of God's redeeming work represented in observance of the church year. It is built on a Tau cross. The colored ribbons represent the church year and the black ribbons represent those who have died since last All Saints Day. The bells on some of the ribbons are an audible symbol of presence, and they create a subtle sound of joy about God's grace in the lives of God's saints living and deceased.
 _____________________________________________________________________
Commemorating  500 Years of the Reformation

Beginning this Sunday, we will be commemorating 500 years of the Protestant Reformation the first three weeks of  November. On these three Sundays, join us at 10:00 am when Amy Starr Redwine will  preach on the Reformation tenets of "Scripture Alone, Faith Alone, Grace Alone."  Then participate in a number of musical and educational opportunities.
 Sunday, November 5
"Martin Luther: A Journey to the Heart of the Reformation" - 3:30 pm, Beckwith Hall
View this one-hour film, followed by a brief question and answer period  facilitated by Dan Garland and Amy Starr Redwine.  We will conclude in time to attend 
the 5:00 pm vespers service.
  Reformation Vespers - 5:00 pm,  Sanctuary
Music and liturgy featuring J.S. Bach's Cantata  "Ein feste Burg ist Unser Gott"  performed  by musicians from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. 

Sunday, November 12
Reformation Hymn Festival - 10:00 am, Worship in Sanctuary
The morning service will feature readings and hymns  that trace the unfolding of the Protestant Reformation over 500 years.
 Marked by Martin (Luther) - 11:30 am, Beckwith Hall
Pastor and Covenant participant Susanne Carter  will share a highly subjective recollection of life  in the family of a Lutheran pastor in post WWII Bavaria.

Sunday, November 19
Music of the Reformation, 11:30 am, Beckwith Hall
Music Director and Organist Jonathan Moyer  will speak about the music of the Reformation.
Reformation Concert, 4:00 pm , Sanctuary
Members of the CWRU Early Music program  present a concert of Reformation themed compositions.
 _____________________________________________________________________
Keys to Our Journey through the Bible - November 12  Memory Verses
As we journey through the Bible, each week the children and youth will be sent home from Sunday school with a memory verse to learn which is related to the upcoming week's lesson. The children will be in worship this Sunday so they have two weeks to learn the verses for November 12!
 
God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; 
God looks into the heart. 
- I Samuel 16:7

Indeed, you are my lamp, O Lord, the Lord lightens my darkness. - 2 Samuel 22:29

Then Elijah was told, "Go, stand on the mountain at attention before GOD. GOD will pass by." A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before GOD, but GOD wasn't to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but GOD wasn't in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but GOD wasn't in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper. 
- I Kings 19:11

The Lord says, I have heard your prayers and seen your tears. I will heal you. - 2 Kings 20:5
 _____________________________________________________________________
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), Thelma Everhart, Gabe (son of Liz Roccoforte, CWRU), Eliseo Hairston (Shirley Thompson's grandson deployed to the Pacific), Anne Marie Haiss (mother of Fritz Haiss), Greg Madison, Elizabeth Mierke, Patrick Monaghan (relative of Tom Keys), Don Norris (friend of Tom and Cheri Keys), Olitana Rika (physician at our mission partner health clinic in Albania), Robert Schneider (First Baptist Church), Aidan Scott, 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 placed prayer requests in our Carpenter's Box.

Our prayers are with Laury Larson on the death of his 98-year-old mother, Louise "Billie" Larson, on October 15 in Galena, Illinois. You may share condolences by email or mail to his home.  Our prayers are also with Beth Kean and her family on the death of her father, the Rev. Albert O. Kean, October 23 in Cleveland.  

Lyn Tomaszewski is on vacation through November 17.
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   
 _____________________________________________________________________
Thanks to everyone who made Trunk or Treat a success!



 _____________________________________________________________________
Thank you to everyone who has committed to supporting the work of the Covenant in 2018.  Haven't had an opportunity to make your financial commitment?  There are blank cards in the narthex and the office. You can also make your commitment online through the link at  covenantweb.org/donate o r mail in your card. Join us in proclaiming the joy of life beyond scarcity!
 _____________________________________________________________________
Weren't able to attend the Ellen Goodman lecture?  Here are resources you can download. 
  • The Conversation Project: www.theconversationproject.org - Find conversation starter kits and more . . . Copies are available in the office.
  • Courage in Conversation: www.hospicewr.org/decisions - This workbook will walk you through the process of considering your wishes, and includes documents you need as an Ohio resident. 

For assistance in completing advanced directives or with questions, call Hospice of the Western Reserve, 216.430.0955.
 _____________________________________________________________________
Opportunities
Friday Lunchtime Carillon Concerts Through November 17
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 will play Friday, November 3.
Life After Hate featuring Tony McAleer
November 15, 2017 at 7:30 pm
The Temple-Tifereth Israel, 26000 Shaker Blvd., Beachwood, Ohio 44122
Don't miss a unique opportunity to hear Tony McAleer, Co-Founder of Life After Hate, an organization founded by former members of the American violent far-right extremist movement. No charge but registrations requested.
Presbyterian Women to Gather Saturday
November 4, 8:30 am-1:30 pm
Noble Road Presbyterian Church,  2780 Noble Road, Cleveland Heights
Speakers from God Before Guns , Live Recovery Ministries , and Freedom Rising  
Click here for more information and a registration form. 
 _____________________________________________________________________
Looking Ahead!
Community Thanksgiving Dinner
Sunday, November 19, 11:30 am

The Ministry of Service is calling for volunteers, financial donations, and food.
Please sign up in the church office.

Here's how you can help!
Bring food:                     Bring a side dish, salad, or dessert.
Financial Donations      Donate to buy turkeys by November 12.  
for Turkeys:                    Mark your check  "dinner" or go online at  CovenantWeb.org/donate .
Volunteer:                       Help the Covenant Chefs with set-up, serve, or clean-up.
Come!                              Be a part of this annual Thanksgiving tradition!
 _____________________________________________________________________

Giving Tree Tag Selection
November 19 & 26 and December 3
Reception Room
This year you may select gift tags for Cleveland School of the Arts students, participants in the Ernest J. Bohn Senior Center, and for 23 second graders at Daniel E. Morgan. Then Sunday, December 10, we will have our Giving Tree Celebration. Please bring your gifts to the Dining Room before our service. 
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