My friend Chuck, and James Baldwin |
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Greetings!
Last night, we changed our TV between the Packers game, CNN, and Fox News.
It was all good news with the Packers. But elsewhere, it was a stark reminder of our division, with Fox highlighting the president's allegations of voter fraud, and CNN denouncing the allegations as dangerous lies.
Regardless of the election results, we have work to do. Our nation is deeply divided. As we seek strength and wisdom for the days ahead, I am inspired by memories of my childhood friend Chuck and his family.
Chuck and I spent a lot of time with each other until we went to separate middle schools. I remember his parents being warm and gracious and kind. One year near my birthday, his mom asked me what my favorite foods were. A week later, they had me over for a birthday dinner of steak, artichokes, salad, and baked potatoes, with cake for dessert! Super nice people.
Last week on social media, Chuck shared a photo of his mom with a donkey mask and his dad with an elephant mask.
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With the photo, he wrote:
"My Mom would've turned 91 today. This is one of my favorite photos of my parents. Mom was a liberal Democrat and proud feminist. Dad was a Chamber of Commerce Republican. They taught us that it's ok to disagree, just as long as you're not disagreeable."
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We need people like this in our world today.
As Christians, we're called to be peacemakers, to be ministers of reconciliation, to love our neighbors. This is not easy. It requires us to be deliberate, purposeful, and prayerful.
And sometimes we have to do more than politely disagree. Sometimes we have to stand firm, with love.
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Author and playwright James Baldwin probed deep issues of race, sexuality, and class. One of his best known quotes seems relevant today:
"We can disagree and still love each other unless your disagreement is rooted in my oppression and denial of my humanity and right to exist."
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As we journey through the challenging days ahead, I hope we can find the wisdom and courage to work for peace, to seek justice for everyone, and to work together for the common good. |
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Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.
--1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Dear God, yes we pray for the world, for all your children, but this week we especially pray for the United States. We give thanks for our strong democratic traditions, and we pray for the future of our country as we face this challenging time. Help us to tear down the walls that divide us and to work for the common good. Heal us and free us from bitterness or arrogance. Help us to stand firm in the face of injustice, corruption, and hypocrisy, while seeking to be humble and faithful. Remind us every day of our calling to follow Jesus who came to turn us around so that we could find the way of love. Hear our prayers O Lord. Amen.
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I repeat my encouragement for you to do what you need to do to stay rooted and grounded in God's love. Worship info is below, including the options to listen or read sermons if you're not up for a 45 minute video. Scripture and prayer are good habits to cultivate, and breathing fresh air is always good.
God bless you, and may God bless our nation.
On the journey apart but together.
Charlie
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Calling All Writers!
Words of Wisdom, Words of Faith Congregational Devotional
We will begin 2021 thinking about WORDS—with a congregational devotional and a sermon series. You are invited to reflect on a word for our devotional (for example, some words that have already been chosen are star, baptism, disciple, gospel, least, bread, and listen).
Click here to sign-up for writing a devotional. The form will prompt you to choose a word and accompanying scripture for your devotional writing, which should be no more than 350 words and include a short prayer. Please submit your devotionals to Lexie Ofe (lofe@covenantmadison.org) by November 30. Thank you, and happy writing!
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We have high hopes for the ministry of Covenant in 2021!
Making a financial pledge to support Covenant helps us to continue making a difference together. Click on the logo to make a pledge and/or fill out the Serving Survey now.
While it is still very early, we have received 145 commitment cards totaling over $656,793 (combined operating and per capita totals). Amazing! Thank you, Covenant!
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The Great Puzzle Exchange:
A Lending Library of Puzzles for Adults and Children!
We've got a long, cold winter ahead of us. Why not cozy up with some cocoa and a puzzle?
Stop by the church courtyard to take a puzzle and leave a puzzle.
Look for the cabinet under the overhang by the picnic tables.
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A Weekly Series Celebrating Covenant Members' Most Beloved Hymns
This week's hymn, "For All the Saints," was chosen by John Guequierre. Watch here, and read his reflection here!
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November Drive-Thru Donuts & Devotionals
(We hope you join us for another DDD on Dec. 6!)
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Love Your Neighbor Yard Signs
If you'd like a double-sided yard sign featuring both of the images below, please email Communications Coordinator Lexie Ofe by Wednesday, November 11. Delivery is expected to take 5-7 business days. We are asking for a suggested donation of $15 at receipt to help with cost. Thank you!
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Advent & Christmas
Church Carry Out Sunday School Lessons
The church building is closed, but Sunday School continues at your home with one Church Carry Out bag filled with four lessons celebrating the Advent and Christmas season. Learn more and find a sign-up link here!
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"Science, Religion, & the Protestant Tradition” |
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Adult Education
Sunday, November 8 and 15 at 10:00 am
Dr. James Ungureanu, Historian in Residence at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, will present this two-part series. The story of the “conflict thesis”—the notion that there exists some fundamental and irrevocable conflict or warfare between science and religion—is part of our modern self-understanding. And yet, despite its resilience in popular culture, historians today have largely debunked the conflict thesis.
Part I: Dr. Ungureanu will discuss some of the most commonly cited moments of conflict between Christianity and science and show how such perceptions are misleading, if not entirely false.
Part II: Dr. Ungureanu will discuss the origins, development, and popularization of such narratives where it becomes evident that the “conflict thesis” was just one of the many unintended consequences of the Protestant Reformation.
Check out past Adult Ed resources on our webpage!
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Soul Sisters Small Group
Soul Sisters will gather remotely this Sunday, November 8. The Zoom chat will begin at 7:00 pm. If you are not currently on the mailing list for Soul Sisters but would like to join us, please contact Nan Schaefer so that you can receive the Zoom link.
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Worship
Sunday, November 8
- Pastor Charlie preaching on Joshua 24:14-15: "Choosing Our Leaders"
- Children's Time with Jeremy
- Special Music with Steve Royalton and Ken Yuska
- Hymn singing with Covenant's Music Ministry
We'd love to see you at the Sunday morning
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This week, this year...
they have been exhausting.
We understand if you're feeling video'd out. If you don't have the time or energy to worship with our 45-minute videos each week, you can read sermons and listen to sermon podcasts here. Take care, Covenant! |
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(Please)
Subscribe to Covenant's YouTube Channel!
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May you help our Covenant YouTube channel reach 100 subscribers?
If 100 people subscribe to our channel, we can change from having this wacky URL:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnIvgIUfnJOwWSpz6Rd96QQ to having this nice, easy-to-share URL:
www.youtube.com/covenantmadison.
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