CHORDS
August 13, 2020
Dear Covenant Family,

I am so thankful the opportunity to be preaching this sermon series “(How To) Keep Calm and Carry On” for you this August. I find that as I am immersing myself in God’s word and praying for our church that I am continually encouraged by the Holy Spirit. Even though times are hard, God has a plan for us and he is walking beside us through this crisis.

How has your nighttime routine been going? If you missed it – check out my sermon from last week “Last Things First.” I encourage you to pay careful attention to how you END each day if you want to START the next day with the resilience to “keep calm and carry on,” through our ongoing challenges.

There are lots of healthy ways to wind down at night even when your mind is racing in a time of crisis. One big one for me has been to stop reading my phone late into the night. I solve a chess puzzle (shout out to Roland Walker’s son (also Roland), who works for the awesome company chess.com!) and then that’s my signal to put the phone away for the night. Then I pull out a paper book. Right now I’m reading a history of economics called “More,” by Philip Coggan. It’s the perfect “wind-down book.” It’s just interesting enough to make me willing to put my phone away; but just boring enough to make me sleepy!

The final thing I do is also my challenge for you this month: I read Psalm 4.

Sometimes Alison and I read the Psalm together aloud as a couple. If you’ve never done that before with your spouse, I challenge you to give it a try this week.

As I close my eyes I recite in my mind the last verse – which I’ve memorized this last week:

“I will lie down and sleep and peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.”

It’s a great final prayer to say to God right before drifting off.

I challenge you to memorize this verse. I don’t find it practical to do a ton of devotional work right before bed. So that means that reciting the scripture you have memorized is the most sustainable way to meditate on God’s word before you fall asleep.

I hope this helps you to “keep calm and carry on” this month! Tune in this Sunday to learn how you can “Eat Crisis For Breakfast!”

In Christ,
David
Outdoor Reservations for Small Groups are Now Available
Want to reserve a space for a meeting at Covenant? The Elders created a new policy for making reservations on a limited basis - read the policy and procedures by clicking below:
Spotlights from our Church Family
Thank you for all of your donations! We had so much food we had to do two deliveries this week!
The Thursday Women's Bible Study had a great first meeting in the Narthex at Covenant!
Hi from the Covenant staff! Our staff are working hard both on campus and at home to serve our church community!
Cecil "Buddy" Lanier, Jill Grace's father, who is undergoing intensive chemotherapy; Stuart Turner; Mike Carden on the death of his sister; Jean Neibert on the death of her brother; Earl Eastin; Ouida Clark, and Alicia & Ray Faulwetter on the death Jim Clark; Marlene Parker on the death of her husband, John; Karen Garrett and the family of Jim Prefling on his death; The family of Anne Cannon on her death; The family of Helen Davison on her death; Sue Nichols on her recovery from surgery; John Hogan on the death of his mother; Bruce Mowery; Tim Powell in rehab; Leora Strong; Claire Doering; Christelle Lidner, a friend of a member as she battles cancer; Susan Meyer for her lymphoma diagnosis; Stella Miller; Louise Halbert; Carroll & Grace Dailey; Marve Black; Betty Sprinkle; Roy Nichols; Marjorie Martin.
Upcoming Events
Giving
Thank you for continuing to give to the work of the church as our normal operations have been disrupted. If you need assistance in online giving please contact Susan Pendergrass: susan.pendergrass@covhsv.org or call the church office at 256-881-4501.
Covenant Youth
Covenant Youth Ministry Schedule:

Contact Steven Herriott (steven.herriott@covhsv.org) with any questions or to get more information about how any youth can join in.
 
Sundays:
High School Youth Group starts at 7PM. How we meet will be changing. Sometimes we will be using Zoom, other times we will meet in person using the outside youth areas. Contact Steven Herriott for details.
 
Wednesdays:
Middle School Youth Group starts at 6PM on Zoom.
High School Bible Study starts at 7:30PM. We meet on the basketball court at church.
 
Thursdays:
College Bible Study starts at 7:30PM on Zoom
 
Other Events are Happening! Join us on GroupMe for more details:
Contact Steven if you want to join the groupme!
Covenant Kids
We are excited to be working on a weekly Sunday School program! Each week, families will receive videos, activies and a simple and helpful study guide! Links will be in the worship email each Sunday!
Our Outreach team invites you to Fill the Pantry at HAP this August. HAP (Huntsville Assistance Program) provides resources to families in need throughout our community and they are seeing a significant growth in need. Their critical area of need is food for families dealing with loss of income during this time. Please partner with us to fill their pantry. The drop off bin is located outside of the main church office doors. Thank you Covenant for working together to support your community!
Our mask team continues to work hard on getting masks to Huntsville Hospital and is also partnering with the Neighborhood Store to make small, medium and large masks. Thank you to this team for everything you are doing!
A Ridgecrest Update from Jane Sucic: Returning to school will be a difficult transition for parents, students and teachers. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to read with students this year. The school needs our support especially this year. We will kick of the year by delivering doughnuts to the staff. We plan on furnishing two restaurant deliveries twice this year for lunch. We will leave goody baskets throughout the year. Bottle caps will still be collected. A bin has been placed outside the church office door for collecting them. Thank you for your support of this ministry. Any questions? Please contact Jane Sucic
How to Attend Worship
I want to reemphasize to you the key steps to take before attending in-person worship this Sunday at 10am:

  • Please read the below guidelines and make an informed decision about whether in-person worship is the right choice for you and your loved ones
  • Take your temperature before leaving home
  • Use the restroom before leaving home
  • Wear a facemask
  • Doors open at 9:30 to permit staggered arrivals
  • Park in the lower parking lot
  • Use the Fellowship Hall & Narthex Portico entrances
  • Follow the marked path
  • Enter together as a family to receive your assigned seat
  • Be mindful about maintaining at least 6-feet distance at all times from other participants




Please read this information carefully so that you can make an informed choice about where you will worship. Thank you!

Please reach out to me anytime at 941-961-0121 with your comments or questions.

In Christ,
Pastor David
Check out this 2-minute video to learn how to safely attend worship at Covenant
Resources
Tech Support

If you need help accessing our online resources on facebook or our website one of our resident tech experts, Lucas Tobin has volunteered to be "tech support" - you can feel free to call him at 407-949-2465 - he would be delighted to assist you or someone you know needs assistance.
Viewing our Worship From Home

  • Facebook Broadcast
  • Worship services are uploaded at 8:30 on Sunday mornings as a video on Facebook. Simply navigate to the Covenant Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CovenantPresbyterian/ and scroll down a little bit
  • You do not need a facebook account to be able to view the services.
  • If you have a Facebook account and you click the "Follow" button on the Covenant Facebook page, you will have the option of receiving a notification on your phone when we are broadcasting live so that you never miss a service.
  • Website Sermon Archive
  • All sermons are uploaded to our website once they have been edited at https://www.covhsv.org/sermons/
  • This is a great option if you just want to watch the sermon
  • YouTube Sermon Archive
  • Following each worship service we will be uploading just the sermon to our YouTube channel at the link here. Or you can type in CovenantHuntsville into the search bar on YouTube to find us. This is a great way to catch up on just the sermon.
  • There's a ton of other great videos from the last several years if you'd like to catch up on sermon series that you missed.

Financial Giving From Home

  • You can give tithes and offerings online by visiting our website at: https://www.covhsv.org/giving/
  •  You can mail checks to our address at 301 Drake Ave, SE 35802

Contacting Church Leaders
Support:
Covenant cares. We would love to support you at any age and stage.

Deacons: Our deacons are here to support you during times of sickness or hospitlization. Contact (256-881-4501).

Stephen Ministers: If you need someone to listen about a situation you are going through contact Pastor Dave (256-881-4501), Rita 256-924-8083) or Vicki (256-653-8113).

Covenant Grief Group: If you need a safe place to deal with grief, please contact Jan Neighbors 256-883-5837.
Do You Know Who Stephen Ministers Can Help?
Stephen Ministers use a variety of skills. They know the questions to ask, how to listen to the emotions behind the words, and how to help you understand your options and your relationship with God. If you would like to meet with a Stephen Minister, please contact Rita Icenogle, 256-924-8083, Dave Hunsicker, 256-881-4501, or Vicki Cape, 256-653-8113.
For more information on upcoming and recurring events visit our website.
256-881-4501 - www.covhsv.org