Sunday, February 3, 2019
The Fourth Sunday in Epiphany
Holy Communion Sunday 
10:30 am
This Sunday at Covenant
10:30 Sunday Worship in Bates Hall

Preacher - Rev. Rob Mark
Liturgist - Arnold Rots
Lectors - Tori Surette, Joseph Jewett
Communion Servers - Arnold Rots, Nancy Hollomon, Debbie Howland and Wendy Woodfield
Minister of Music - Tom Handel
Ushers - Evelyn Kimber, David McKinney, Betty Rots
Sexton - Fred Lopes                                                                    


Scripture Readings :     
Hebrew Bible: Jeremiah 1:4-10
New Testament: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Gospel Reading: Luke 4:12-21

This Upcoming Week at Covenant

THE ANNUAL MEETINGS OF THE CORPORATION AND CONGREGATION: This  Sunday, February 3, 2019 at 11:45 AM at Church of the Covenant for the purpose of adopting the 2019 budget, electing 3 members to the Covenant Council for a 3-year term, 1 member to the Covenant Council for a 2-year term, 1 member to the Covenant Council for a 1-year term, 4 members to the Board of Deacons for a 3-year term, 1 member to the Board of Deacons for a 2-year term, accepting 2 members to the nominating committee as elected at the denominational meetings, and to vote on a proposed amendment of the By-Laws regarding the size of Council classes. Lunch will be served!
 
COTC SNOW CANCELLATION PROCEDURE:  In the event of a snowstorm over a weekend, please check our website or Facebook page to find out whether or not a service or event has been cancelled. We will also send an email over our "This Week at Covenant" email list in the event of a cancellation.
 
COTC OFFICE HOURS:   Covenant Office Hours are Tuesday - Thursday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.  The office is closed Mondays and Fridays.  Any questions may still be submitted to our Parish Administrator, Hillary Gabbidon at info@cotcbos.org or our Buildin g Manager, Bill Brown at bill.brown@cotcbos.org Thanks!

 
KNITTERS AND WOULD-BE KNITTERS FEBRUARY 13, 6:30PM  Gather at the home of Nancy Hollomon in Brookline for an evening of knitting together.  Expert Linda Pursley will show a few of her products while we knit.  One can start from the beginning whether to learn to knit or bring a project or problem that you want to work on.   We expect to gather once a month. There is free parking on the street.
 
WELCOME TO PLEASURES:  A musical banquet about Cecilia the patroness of music. Music by Henry Purcell, Isabella Leonarda, and others. This is a program of early music with harpsichord, viola de gamba, violin, woodwinds, soprano and baritone. The program is one hour in length with a reception following. All are welcome to attend to hear this beautiful music ~February 10, 3pm in the Sanctuary.
 
WON'T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR? SCREENING OF MR. ROGERS MOVIE SUNDAY FEB. 10: Join us following worship in Bates Hall for this screening of this film in anticipation of St. Valentine's Day. Child Care and popcorn will be provided.  
 
BOSTONWARM / COMMON CATHEDRAL NEEDS YOU! Our dear friends at BostonWarm need more volunteers on Monday mornings in their kitchen, chopping, washing, or cooking, in slots of either 8am-1pm, or 10-1pm (most needed). If you are interested speak to Rev. Rob or email our colleague and friend Amanda Grant Rose at amanda@commoncathedral.org - THANKS!
 
JOIN THE WINTER WALK WITH COMMON CATHEDRAL:  The Winter Walk is a walk to raise awareness and funds to help end homelessness in Boston. Join the team and walk 2 miles around the streets of Boston on February 10th, 9am the coldest month of the year, and end at Copley square in time to come to worship at 10:30am!  Read more about it at  www.winterwalkboston.org 
 
CHANGES TO BATES HALL: Please note, in our ongoing effort to create and maintain Safe and Welcoming Spaces in our church building, we have designated our Bates Hall fellowship space fully to our children, youth, parents, caregivers and teachers, during the worshiping hour (approximately 10:30 -11:30am). We ask congregants and visitors to refrain from descending into Bates Hall (the fellowship hall in our "basement") during this worship time. As always, our two all-gender restrooms on the first floor will remain open and available to all during the service (one located near the elevator, one just outside the "secret door" in the sanctuary, just past the baptismal font). Also, the small bathroom just in front of our Nursery will now only be used for children and youth on Sundays. Please ask Rob or ushers if you have questions - thanks!
 
SCOTTISH SONGS CONCERT "BURNS SINGS BURNS": Sunday, February 24, 2pm, join us in the COTC sanctuary for another concert in a series by our own and deeply talented Austin Burns who will sing some Robert Burns poetry. Concert is free, but donations are greatly appreciated and will go to our church's work around housing/homelessness.
 
SUPPORTING OUR BELOVED SIBLING IN CHRIST ELSA ABELE: Our beloved Elsa LOVES simple "thinking of you" cards - address: Elsa Abele, Havenwood Heritage Heights, 33 Christian Ave., Room 152, Concord, NH 03301
 
20-30s GROUP AT COVENANT: We have an active young adult group that meets regularly to share meals, visit sites around New England, and discuss how our faith motivates and guides us to live through this unique life stage. If you'd like to join us, or be added to the email listserv, email Tom Reid at tomtdr@bu.edu, or speak to Rev. Rob.

The January  issue of Covenant News  can be read online  here . 
 
 
Every Sunday at Covenant
click on the links to learn more:   
  • NURSERY CARE FOR CHILDREN:  Nursery Care is provided by our wonderful caregivers each Sunday from 9:15 am onward. Please ask an usher for directions if you need help finding it. 
Upcoming Events
 
EXCITING UPDATES FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES:  A new year is in full-swing with new and inspiring opportunities for children of all ages to grow in faith and community. Our nursery continues to be open and staffed from 9:15 am - 1:00 pm each Sunday. In addition, there are two classes for kids each Sunday (each begins at 10:30 am with a circle time for all ages):
 
*      Godly Play for children ages 3-9: A multi-sensory, Montessori based curriculum focused on Bible stories and children's spirituality.
*      Youth classes for children ages 10-13: A class that engages a monthly focus-scripture and includes opportunities for service, art, and worship around the focus scripture.
   
EVENT SEXTONS AND OPEN SANCTUARY HOSTS NEEDED:  Church of the Covenant looking to expand our team of  Open   Sanctuary  hosts and Event Sextons. Both hosts and sextons are so important in helping us make Covenant a welcoming place for the wider community. OS hosts staff our  Open   Sanctuary  program that opens our building to the public, welcoming visitors and telling them about our building. Event sextons work with outside groups holding events here,  opening  and locking up the building, assisting with set-up (must be able to lift/carry moderately heavy objects), and making sure that events run smoothly. If you think you or someone you know would be a good fit for either of these positions, please email Bill Brown at bill.brown@cotcbos.org to set up an interview! Please note that these are both paid positions.
 
UPCOMING SUNDAYS (WORSHIP / AFTER WORSHIP)
February 10 - Reflection on the Word, Installation of New Officers / Mr. Rogers Movie (most likely date) 
February 17 - Guest Preacher Liz Heinzel-Nelson, Executive Director of Villages in Partnership / Potluck
February 24 - Rev. Rob preaching / 4th Sunday Deacons & CYCE Meetings / Austin Burn's Concert 2pm / Housing & Homelessness Forum 4pm
March 3 - Seminarian Tom Reid preaching
March 6 - Ash Wednesday, 6:30pm service