January 17, 2019
Covenant E-news
January 17, 2019
Phone: 216.421.0482 | Fax: 216.791.2228 | Open Wi-Fi: COTC-guest
Worship this Week: Sunday, January 20, 10 am in the Sanctuary  
How did the work of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement fit into the larger story of God's promises to God's people? Join us as we worship and reflect on where we are and where we are going. Amy Starr Redwine's sermon is entitled "No Longer." Scriptures are Song of Solomon 8:6-7 and Galatians 3:27-29 . Please note: Elders will be available to answer questions or address concerns about the pastoral transition before and after worship in the library.

Children, Youth, and Families:  Children and Youth will remain in the service. Join us in the Worship Center or sit towards the front where it’s easier to see what is going on.
Music Notes
 This week, we welcome the Cleveland School of the Arts, R. Nathaniel Dett Concert Choir to our worship service.

Cleveland School of the Arts R. Nathaniel Dett Concert Choir
Robert McCorvey, director
Dr. William Woods, director emeritus
Jinle Glover, president
Jaylen Thomas, vice-president

The R. Nathaniel Dett Concert Choir, an elite choral ensemble of 75 singers under the auspices of the motto, “Sing to express, not to impress,” has delighted the hearts of many music lovers from the Greater Cleveland area to Europe and Japan. The choir is known for its ability to render outstanding performances in many styles. 

Sanctus
Carlos Simon

Simon is a versatile African American composer who combines the influences of jazz, gospel and neo-romanticism. This choral work begins with the choir singing in a staggering style, whispering "Sanctus" at random times throughout the opening measures, followed by staggered entrances by the choir sections. The music proceeds to move calmly, with a mixture of harmonic chromatics and a beautiful flowing piano accompaniment. The work concludes with a soft and breath-taking ending.

Lift Every Voice and Sing
Words by James Weldon Johnson, Music by J. Rosamond Johnson

James Weldon wrote the following about his composition: "A group of young men In Jacksonville, Florida arranged to celebrate President Lincoln's birthday in 1900. My brother, J. Rosamond and I decided to write a song for the exercise. I wrote the words and he composed the music. It was taught and performed by a chorus of five hundred African American school children.” The combined choirs perform a choral arrangement by Dr. Roland M. Carter.

Listen to the Lambs
R.Nathaniel Dett

Dett understood the tension between the injustices of this world and what it meant to rely on God's protection. This anthem begins in a minor key exhibiting crying and sorrow. The first section ends on a very, very soft d-minor chord. Then, in F major, Dett emphasizes that all will be well as he extracts a passage from the book of Isaiah with the most beautiful poetry and melody, "He shall feed His flock like a shepherd."

Betelehemu
Michael Olatunji, arr. Wendell Whalum

This music was written for the Morehouse Glee Club and is based on a song Dr. Whalum received from a Nigerian student named Michael Olatunji. It is based on a Yoruban (Nigerian) folk text. Nigerian diction for this presentation was taught by Idayat Sambo. The Nigerian choreography was taught by Kenya Cooper.
Upcoming Pastoral Transition
Click here to read Rev. Amy Starr Redwine's letter to the congregation about her new call. Click here for a letter from the Session addressing this transition.

Questions or concerns about the pastoral transition should be directed to the Clerk of Session, Will Klein: clerk@covenantweb.org . Elders will be available to answer questions or address concerns in person on Sunday, January 20 before and after worship in the library.

The Session has called a congregational meeting for Sunday, January 27 at 9:15 am in the Dowd Commons for the purposes of dissolving the pastoral relationship with the Rev. Amy Starr Redwine and receiving a motion from the Nominating Committee to elect a new slate of officers, and to vote on changes to Rev. Melanie Marsh Baum's terms of call. Please plan to attend.

One of the session’s first tasks in this time of pastoral transition is to appoint an Interim
Pastor Nominating Committee. If you have an interest in serving on this committee, which will review and interview candidates and recommend an interim pastor to session, please contact Clerk of Session, Will Klein before session’s January 23 meeting. 

On Sunday, January 27th , we will be honoring Rev. Amy Starr Redwine on her final Sunday as our Pastor and Head of Staff. We will also be commissioning Jonathan and Kaori as they depart for Jonathan's sabbatical in Germany. We will hold a special reception after worship in the Reception Room to celebrate and send good wishes to the Moyer & Starr Redwine families as they depart. Boxes to gather cards and letters of support, thanks, or good wishes to Amy and Jonathan & Kaori will be located in the church office for the next two weeks. If you would like to contribute in any way to the reception for these three staff members, please contact Deacon Moderator, Matthew Garrett.
In Our Church Family
We pray for  Judy Bourne, Sylvia Clapp (Sandy Ammon’s mother), Akeya Clark (Marie Jones's niece), Marlene & Paul Dirksen, Rob Engel & Lynne Hoffman-Engel, Anthony Frank, Rolf (Crunch) and Marilyn Krotseng, Greg Madison, Barbara McGhee, Nicole Murray, Newton/Clay Family, Gene Papp, Jean Sacatsh, Emily Carson Williams, and Gabriel (Jenny Conner's grand-nephew). We pray for those struggling with illness, convalescing, or homebound; patients, family, and staff in our surrounding hospitals; and those who have left prayer requests in our Carpenter's Box.


Please send prayer requests to  Melanie Marsh Baum . Names are generally removed from the bulletin after four weeks unless there is a continuing need. Please let the church know if you or a loved one is 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
Outreach
Deacons Seeking Christmas Tree Donation
Do you own a lovingly-used artificial Christmas Tree? Are you looking at artificial Christmas Tree clearance sales? The Deacons are seeking a new or lovingly-used artificial Christmas Tree. If you would like to make a donation, please email Matthew Garrett , or call the church office with your contact information. Thank you!
Music

Friday Lunchtime Carillon Concerts resume on Friday, January 4 and will run until November 22, with the support of Cuyahoga Arts and Culture. 
Community Events
The Enneagram is a remarkable tool for psychological and spiritual growth and healing. This ancient wisdom tradition has much to teach us. Join us at Jennings in Garfield Heights for a workshop led by Richard Groves, a 30 year student of the Enneagram and compelling presenter. Jan 28-29, 2019 9am-5pm. Click here for a flyer.
To honor the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, North Church together with the Cleveland Non Violence Network, will host a talk and discussion by Michael Bibler. Michael is a long time member of Bethany Presbyterian Church. From 1965-1968 Mike was a member of the Field Staff of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), working in Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, and Cleveland on voter registration, school integration, open housing, and economic development.

Where: North Presbyterian Church, 4515 Superior Ave, Cleveland.

 When: Saturday, January 19, 2019, 
4-5 meet and greet

 5pm talk and discussion

6pm light supper (soup and bread)
216.421.0482
11205 Euclid Avenue | Cleveland, OH 44106
Wheelchair accessible

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