Hello, Bailey-

On Sunday, we begin a new church year with the First Sunday of Advent. The word Advent means “coming” and this is a season for us to celebrate that God has come into the world in the person of Jesus, and that God has promised to come again.

“Advent” means “coming” or “arrival.” During the season of Advent, we celebrate Christ’s coming into the world and watch with expectant hope for his coming again… The four weeks of Advent present an opportunity for communal discernment and personal examination, as the church prepares to celebrate the Nativity of the Lord and looks with hope for Christ’s return.


Read more on the Presbyterian Church USA website: “Advent: The Christian Year”

During Advent, we sing songs of longing, like “O Come O Come Emmanuel” and we light candles of hope, peace, joy, and love. We have a Blue Christmas service on the afternoon of December 11. We have a Christmas Pageant and special music on December 18. On Christmas Eve, we celebrate the birth of Jesus with candles and joy. Services are at 4, 6, and 8pm.


And this year, we have baptisms on the first three Sundays of Advent!


In this time of Advent, we give thanks for the birth of Jesus, and we look to the future with hope. See you in church!

On the journey together,

Charlie

  • In-Person and Livestream worship: 9:00am & 11:00am
  • Charlie Berthoud preaching
  • Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44, Romans 13:11-14
  • Music from New Day Ensemble, Ben Welch, Covenant Chancel Choir, and Doug McNeel
  • Children's Time with Marge Resan
  • Baptism of Oliver & Lola Jordan
  • Visit our Worship HQ for everything you need to worship with us online!
  • Note: due to Thanksgiving, there will be no Kaleidoscope Kids, Sunday School, or Nursery care this Sunday.

If you missed a service or would like to watch a service again, all livestreamed services are saved to our YouTube channel. Or you can give the sermons another listen on our sermon podcast!

Join us for Adult Ed Sunday at 10:00am in person or via Zoom. Today’s class is called “St. Lucia Day: A Swedish Tradition,” led by Marilyn Krichko. St. Lucia Day is one of the most important traditions celebrated in Sweden. According to legend, Lucia of Syracuse secretly brought food and aid to Christians hiding in the Roman catacombs. She wore a candle lit wreath on her head to light her way and leave her hands free to carry as much food as possible. For more info, visit the Adult Ed page. During this time together, we will learn more about this magical Swedish Tradition and how light, hope and kindness are woven into it.


All Adult Education classes take place in Bradfield Hall and are available via Zoom. Please visit covenantmadison.org/adult for more info.

Join us on Sunday for a Spiritual Stroll! We will meet at The Sow's Ear (125 S Main St, Verona), walk to Military Ridge State Trail, and after our stroll, head back to warm ourselves with a hot beverage.


These Spiritual Strolls are on the 4th Sunday of the month, and are part of a Covenant program called CONNECT, a program of events sponsored by the deacons of Covenant with the intention of fostering connection within the congregation and community.

Advent Devotional


Copies of John Pavlovitz’s LOW: An Honest Advent Devotional are available at the Welcome Center here at church. If we run out and you would still like a copy, please sign up on the list provided at the Welcome Center, or contact the church office. Suggested donation $5.00, which you can just put in the offering lectern.

On Christmas, we adorn the chancel with beautiful red poinsettias – with your help! To place an order, email us and let us know: 1) how many you would like -AND- 2) how to list in the bulletin (in memory/honor/celebration of…). Poinsettias are $12.95 for 1 and $22.95 for 2. Checks can be made out to Covenant Presbyterian Church. Please place orders by November 30th.

Thank you for your commitment to “be a blessing” to Covenant in 2023 financially or through your time/talents. You can still fill out a commitment card if you haven’t had a chance. They are available in the office. You can also fill out your commitment card/form as well as serving survey on our Generosity Page. Thank you again for your commitment! Here is a snapshot of where we currently stand financially:

Week of

Total pledged

Number pledges

11/23/2022

$816,186

167

11/24/2021

$855,710

189

This week, we especially want to encourage you to fill out a serving survey (click). The serving survey indicates your gifts/talents which helps us know how you want to get involved at Covenant.

The Guatemala Mission Auction is coming up on Sunday, December 4 from 8am-1pm! There will also be a "soft opening" on Saturday, December 3 from 10am-12pm. Visit the Guatemala Page for more information or visit the table in the gathering space on Sunday.

If, for whatever reason, the holidays are difficult for you this year, you are encouraged to come to a special worship service, when we acknowledge the pain in our lives and give thanks for the support we have from each other and in Jesus Christ. Pastors Charlie and Clara lead the service. Light refreshments will follow. All are welcome!

Join us for our Children’s Christmas Pageant at both services! Including children ages 3 years old through 8th grade, the children will take you all around the world in this exciting Christmas play. The Children have been working hard since October, so this isn’t something you’ll want to miss!

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