Hello, Bailey-

In the October 16 sermon, I mentioned Sadio Mane, the Senegalese soccer superstar who was photographed with a broken phone screen. He explained to reporters that he would rather help people in need than worry about a phone or other luxury items, saying, “I do not need to display luxury cars, luxury homes, trips and even planes. I prefer that my people receive a little of what life has given me."

Unfortunately, Mane got injured right before the World Cup and is unable to play. While recuperating in the hospital , was generous with his time, chatting with a young patient. Senegalese fans like the ones in the photo, are rejoicing that their team made it to the final 16, just as the USA team did, thanks to Christian Pulisic’s amazing goooooooooooooooal on Tuesday. (Watch the Lego version of his goal HERE.)

I love the World Cup. Ever four years, we get a chance to enjoy great soccer and great stories. I love seeing the passionate fans, especially when a small and poor country pulls an upset. 

On June 15, 2014, a mission team from Covenant arrived in Honduras, the same day Honduras played France in the World Cup. It felt like the whole country was watching. France won 3-0, but Hondurans were still proud of being there. 

The World Cup reminds me of our wonderfully diverse world—filled with billions of good people, who despite different languages, cultures, and histories, share similar hopes of providing for their families and enjoying life.

The World Cup gives us the chance to learn about the world around us, to learn about the neighbors we as Christians are called to love.

There are 32 countries playing in the 2022 World Cup. Their flags are above. How many can you identify?

I find myself curious about Senegal this week. (Theirs is the third flag down on the far left.) Senegal the westernmost country in Africa with about 17 million people, most of whom are Muslim. (Wisconsin has under six million.)

Dakar is the capital, with the infamous island slave port of Gorée just off the coast. French is the official language, but most people speak Wolof.

Senegal is 77,000 square miles; Wisconsin is 65,000. The outline of the country looks kind of like the head of a person, with Dakar as the nose and the country of The Gambia (and the Gambia River) in them mouth!

The soccer team is known as the Lions of Teranga. Teranga is a Senegalese word meaning generosity or kindness—clearly embodied by Sadio Mane. Click on the map to read more about Senegal from Wikipedia, and join me in praying for Senegal this week.

To help me learn more about Senegal, I just picked up a copy of God's Bits of Wood, by Ousmane Sembène. It's a historical novel set in Senegal, focusing on a 1940s railroad strike and French colonialism.

Senegal plays England on Sunday afternoon. I'm cheering for the Lions of Teranga! (And the USA plays Netherlands on Saturday morning!)

Maybe soccer is not your passion. With all the corruption in FIFA (the group that organizes the World Cup), I can understand why. Regardless of your opinion of soccer, I encourage you to find ways to learn about your neighbors—across the street and across the world.

Jesus calls us to love our neighbors (as well as our enemies) and to work for the kingdom of God. As we get to know other people, we can find ways to work together to make this world a better place. This is our goooooooooooooooooal!

On the journey together,

Charlie

• In-Person and Livestream worship: 9:00am & 11:00am
• Charlie Berthoud preaching on Matthew 3:1-11
• Holy Communion
• Baptism of Everly Fields (9:00)
• Music from New Day Ensemble, Ben Welch, Covenant Chancel Choir, Shelby Miller, and Doug McNeel
• Children's Time with Nick and Brooke Von Bergen
• Kaleidoscope Kids worship education (9:00am only)
• Nursery Care (8:45am-12:15pm)
• Visit our Worship HQ for everything you need to worship with us online!
• Note: due to the Advent Event, there will be no Sunday School or Adult Education.

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!

Note: the Advent Event will take place of Adult Education this Sunday.

Please help the Mission Committee with this ongoing mission project of delivering healthy snacks to the kids of Glenn Stephens Elementary School! Thank you!

Bradfield Hall is FULL of wonderful items, ready for your bids. The Guatemala Mission Auction is this weekend, 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. Click HERE for a preview of the auction items! Click on the Discussion tab.

Have a Holly Jolly Holy Mystery

"It’s okay if the presents aren’t wrapped and the tree isn’t decorated..."

It really is. It's the Midweek Musings Advent Edition. Feeling overwhelmed already? Well, take a break. Get a Christmasy drink at a coffee shop and read our weekly blog. You deserve it. Click on the image above to read.

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. Here is a snapshot of where we currently stand financially:

W 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.

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. Children participating should arrive at 8:15pm on the 18th. Contact Jo Wiersema if you have any questions. There will also be special music presented by all music group of Covenant.

For a full scope of what is going on this December, Advent, and Christmas, read our monthly newsletter, The Caravan. Click on the image above.