CHORDS
August 27, 2020
“What About Bob?”

That’s what Covenant Trustee Bill McDowell demanded of me after I preached last week’s sermon.

He was (jokingly) upset that I had not made the PERFECT reference in my sermon to the 1991 hit movie “What About Bob?”

The movie follows the travails of a psychotherapist (Richard Dreyfuss) with his client (Bill Murray). Want to know Richard Dreyfuss’s key psychological advice?

“Baby Steps!”

That was the title of my sermon last week, when I encouraged you that “you can take baby steps through adult problems.” I heard from several of you this week that you were able to take a baby step through a difficult situation that you’re facing right now. Well done! The Holy Spirit is at work in all of our lives, encouraging us to take the next tiny step forward, not in our own strength, but in His strength.

This has also been the approach of our Session (our board of elders) as we continue navigate a course for Covenant through the pandemic.

Each month we have taken a small “baby step” forward to increase your opportunities to connect, serve and worship.

In June we opened the sanctuary for Sunday worship at 10AM. This joyful service has averaged about 30 people weekly and has even welcomed a number of regular new visitors. I look forward each week to the chance to be in our sanctuary and to listen to the AMAZING live music from our musicians.

In July we opened the outside of the campus to small group meetings. (click here to read instructions on how to reserve a space).

This month, we are opening up the fellowship hall to our first small indoor gatherings. Beginning next week, we will be offering two small 45-minute “prayer and share” meetings for 10 people wearing masks in the fellowship hall, supervised by a pastor.

This will allow us to take a “baby step” forward towards opening the campus while we evaluate the safety of our church family. Steven Herriott is similarly at work organizing several small-scale indoor gatherings for youth in the Garage.

If you’d like to reserve a spot to visit and pray with me, in the Fellowship Hall this coming Tuesday, September 1st at Noon, please email me at david.kling@covhsv.org

If you’d like to reserve a spot to visit and pray with Dr. Hunsicker, in the Fellowship Hall this Coming Thursday, September 3rd at 6pm, please email him at david.hunsicker@covhsv.org

Meanwhile I have spoken to many of you who continue to prefer to “Keep Calm & Carry On” at home while you share in the online worship experience. Please know that you are loved as well!

We have even more opportunities around the corner. I’m excited to see the many creative ways the whole staff continues to use their gifts.

This Sunday tune in for another episode in our sermon series to encourage us that “no matter how big our problems, there’s always a bigger picture."

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:
Indoor Reservations to Pray with the Pastors Now Available
Want to meet with 10 Covenant members for 45 minutes of prayer and fellowship with a pastor? That's now available! Pastor David Kling is leading a prayer meeting at Noon on Tuesdays and Pastor Dave Huniscker is leading a prayer meeting at 6:00 on Thursdays. The meetings take place in the fellowship hall and masks are required. Email David Kling at david.kling@covhsv.org or David Hunsicker at david.hunsicker@covhsv.org to make a reservation, or click the buttons below. The full policy can be read here.
Spotlights from our Church Family
Youth Group last night!
Fun with DRY ICE!!
Marjie Shaw, the mother of Phil Shaw, for treatment following a fall; Joan Moorehead and family on the death of her sister, Nancy; Sue Nichols on her upcoming hip replacement surgery; those battling mental illness and addictions along with their families; 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; John Hogan on the death of his mother; Bruce Mowery; Tim Powell in rehab; 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.
 
We are meeting in person for both our Middle School group and our High School group:
 
  • High School Youth Group is 7PM to 8:30 on Sundays and we have a Bible Study from 7:30PM to 9:00 on Wednesdays.
  • Middle School Youth Group 6PM to 7:15 on Wednesdays.
  • Confirmation Class will begin September 13th on Sundays mornings at 11AM in the Garage
 
Because we meet outside, the weather can change our plans without much notice. Contact Steven Herriott with any questions.
 
Other Events are Happening! Join us on GroupMe for more details:
Contact Steven if you want to join the groupme!
Covenant Kids
Covenant Kids: Your BINGO BAGGIES will be dropped off on your porch over the weekend with everything that you need to participate in ZOOM BINGO!
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!
Thank you for an amazing MONTH of filling the pantry at HAP! Our final drop-off will be next Tuesday. Keep your eyes peeled for some great upcoming opportunities to continue to support HAP as well as other ways you can serve this fall! Thank you, Covenant!
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