In today's edition of One Takes, Bob invites you to an Easter pilgrimage expressed through beautiful art, music and the placing of flowers on the cross. "It's time to ground our hearts in the promises of faith," Bob says.
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Congregational meeting this week
Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
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The Session has called a congregational meeting via Zoom for the purpose of voting on any proposed changes in terms of call for the installed ministers. Click here for Zoom link.
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Rec Wing open on a limited basis
Reserve a time to work out
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The Rec Wing is open on a limited basis with new protocols guided by the church's Re-Opening Task Force.
You can reserve a time to work out individually or attend a private session with a trainer. The center can have no more than 25 people and no group fitness or basketball. Click here to see timeslots.
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Bob hosts today's mid-day worship
Join via livestream or in person
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You are welcome in the Sanctuary with social distancing in place. These 15-minute livestream services - featuring music, readings and rituals - are rebroadcast on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.
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Bob and Grace lead tonight's Bible study
Focus: Leaning into change
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Covenant ministers are preparing our hearts and minds for Easter. There is time for questions and small group breakouts.
Tonight: Grace and Bob - Accept - Leaning into change
Week five: Grace and Serenitye - Wonder - Leaning into hope
Week six: Grace and Ian - Leaning into Holy Week
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Holy Week at Covenant
Prepare for worship and sacred celebration
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Some very special activities are planned as we prepare to celebrate the risen Lord. Here's an overview of what to expect:
Palm Sunday (March 28)
We’ll commemorate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem during online worship with a virtual palm processional during the opening hymn
Maundy Thursday (April 1)
An at-home toolkit will be shared to help set your table, prepare a meal, say a blessing and break bread together. Remember that you share this feast with countless Christians across the world who celebrate in their homes.
Good Friday (April 2)
Join a livestream Tenebrae service at 7:30 p.m., where we will share the Good Friday story in word and special music.
Saturday before Easter (April 3)
A day of celebration of new life on the Covenant campus. Sign up for a timeslot to enjoy vibrant music, exquisite art, contemplative time in the Sanctuary, and a menagerie of baby animals.
- Spend prayerful time in our worship space and take home communion elements from Jerusalem for online worship on Easter Sunday.
- Bring a flower for the cross and a basket for a modified children's egg hunt.
- Animals will be in the Circle all day.
- Worship supply bags are available in the Welcome Center throughout Holy Week (March 29 to April 2) for those unable to attend the event on Saturday.
Easter Sunday (April 4)
Mark the resurrection with brass, timpani and organ. Hear familiar songs "Jesus Christ is Risen Today" and "Hallelujah Chorus" with beautiful solos from Handel's Messiah.
The morning also includes dancers, a choir procession and Rob Dicks at the organ for the celebratory "Toccata" from Symphony #5 by C.M. Widor.
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Share your photos for Palm Sunday
Be part of worship montage
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Be part of Palm Sunday and commemorate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Here's our invitation:
- Take a photo of you and/or a loved one holding a palm branch or piece of greenery/branch.
- Send us your pictures with the subject line "Palm Pics."
- Your images will appear in a virtual palm processional during the opening hymn.
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See Grab-N-Go menus for next four weeks
Prepared meals on Wednesdays
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The kitchen staff offers prepared meals to heat in the oven at home. April specials are spring strawberry salad with chicken (entree size); fruit salad and s'mores squares.
March 24: Taco casserole, black beans & rice, chicken tortilla soup, churros
March 31: Sliced ham, collard greens, sweet potato casserole with marshmallows, chili, cornbread muffins, molten lava cake
April 7: Chicken Pot Pie or Beef Pot Pie, Tomato Bisque Soup, Corn Bread Muffins, Chocolate Cake
April 14: BBQ Pulled Pork, Cole Slaw, Baked Beans, Garden Vegetable Soup, Corn Bread Muffins, Banana Pudding
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College scholarships available
Submit applications for aid through the church
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For many years, Covenant has awarded scholarships to deserving college students for undergraduate and graduate
studies through the Douglas E. Matthias Scholarship Program.
Scholarships are also available for study at Union Presbyterian Seminary and any graduate study that leads to a life of Christian service. Applications are due April 15.
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Talley scholarship offers aid for musicians
In honor of Susan and Steve Talley
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The Susan F. & Stephen J. Talley Music Scholarship honors the skill and spirit that Susan and Steve Talley brought to Covenant's music ministry. The scholarship provides funds for the study of traditional church music at a seminary or college, organ study at an intermediate or higher level and/or church music conference participation by Covenant high school youth. Contact Heather Potter to express interest.
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Be part of cheering line as students arrive
Welcome back rally Monday at Highland
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On Monday morning, Highland will welcome back another 100 students for in-person learning. This will be the first day of school and we'll do a “welcome back rally” with volunteers cheering and sharing encouragement.
Wear your red and black, bring a bell, shaker or pompom and join us outdoors and distanced as we greet students from 7:45 to 8:30 a.m. at the school, just off North Tryon Street on Craighead Road. Contact Lucy Crain for questions.
You can also support teachers and staff by donating goodies for our monthly appreciation brunch that will be delivered Monday. Drop off your contributions in the Welcome Center by Friday, March 19 at noon. Sign up to participate here.
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Volunteers needed for Loaves & Fishes
Pack food boxes for neighbors in need
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Since Covenant volunteers have responded so enthusiastically to food sorting shifts, we recently added additional spaces on Tuesday, March 23.
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We're short on Texas Hash for shelter meal
Please drop off before Tuesday, March 30
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Help the mission team fill the freezer with Texas Hash casseroles and desserts for a meal at Roof Above. Terry Horne will be on the Fellowship Hall patio at the below times. Contact the church office to arrange another drop-off time.
- Today from noon to 1 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 24 from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
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Support college interns this summer
We're forming a leadership team
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This summer, Covenant will host eight college interns as they serve with non-profit partners throughout the city. We will support them in various ways to ensure a rich and transformative experience. If you would be willing to join the Intern Support Leadership team, please contact Lucy Crain.
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Interim communications director named
Welcome, Lauren Sawyers
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Covenant is pleased to announce that Lauren Sawyers will join the staff on a part-time basis as interim Director of Communications. Lauren is well known to us and our church community. She is a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and holds a Master’s of Science in Recreation, Parks and Sports Leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University. Lauren spent 10 years in corporate communications at Wells Fargo and has, since the birth of her youngest, been freelance writing, editing and proofreading.
Lauren is a lifelong member of Covenant, an elder, and was the lead communications contact for Covenant's recent capital campaign, For a Whole Community. She and husband, Jeff, are parents of Luke, Emily and Madeline. Lauren looks forward to serving Covenant in this role and has spent time already to ensure a seamless transition.
Please join us in welcoming Lauren to the staff team and supporting her as she begins her work among us.
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Say farewell to Julia Watkins
Celebration on Wednesday, April 7
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Covenant has been blessed by the presence of Julia Watkins as a pastoral resident for mission and outreach.
Julia will serve as Associate Pastor for Mission and Congregational Life at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Greenville, SC. Julia’s last day with Covenant is April 8 and she will begin at Westminster on May 3.
During Grab-N-Go meal pick-up on Wednesday, April 7, Julia will be outside to share greetings. We will then gather via Zoom at 7:30 p.m. to express our thanks to Julia.
- Order a meal for April 7 (menu coming soon)
- Join us via Zoom that night at 7:30 p.m.
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Click here to share messages and pictures for a keepsake book for Julia
- Drop off handwritten notes in the Welcome Center at any time or give them to Julia on April 7 during Grab-N-Go
A farewell is planned for May for Ian Clark, who has been accepted into the United States Navy Chaplain Corps. He is scheduled to report to Naval Station Newport in June. From there, he will receive orders to join an active duty station stateside or abroad.
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Director of Contemporary Music and Worship Arts |
Coordinate, plan and lead contemporary worship music for the contemporary services and provide leadership for the worship arts ministry. Learn more here.
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CDC Assistant Teacher and Floater |
Covenant’s Child Development Center is a year-round program for children from six weeks to five years old. Our mission is providing high quality child care and education to children from a variety of backgrounds. Learn more here.
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Congregational Notes
births, weddings, in memoriam
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