Hello, Bailey-

We're going to focus on four special words for Presbyterians in the month of September:

ENERGY, INTELLIGENCE, IMAGINATION, and LOVE

When we ordain Elders, Deacons, and Pastors, we ask them questions. One of the questions is about those four words.

"Will you pray for and seek to serve the people with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love?"

-Presbyterian Church Book of Order, W-4.0404h

Serving each other with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love is a good goal for church leaders, and it's a good goal for any Christian.

Over the next four Sundays, we'll be reflection on EIIL, with the hope that each of us will be able to welcome and nurture these gifts in our lives.

The series is called BUILDING BLOCKS, with the idea that EIIL provide a strong foundation for Christian living.

Jesus came to call us into new life, to teach us God's ways. At the conclusion of his teachings known as the Sermon on the Mount, he reminds us of the importance of good building blocks.

These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit - but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.

-Matthew 7:24-25 (The Message)



Schools in Madison open next week, and everyone has high hopes for kids to learn a lot and strengthen their foundations.

I invite you to seriously engage with this BUILDING BLOCKS serious, to ponder how solid your foundation for faith and life is. September is as good a time as any for a fresh start.

On the journey together,

Charlie

• In-Person and Livestream worship: 9:30am
• Building Blocks Sermon Series begins!
• Holy Communion
• Charlie Berthoud, preaching
• Sermon: "Where's your Charging Station?" | ENERGY | Text: Acts 1:6-8
• Music: Doug McNeel, organist
• Children's Time with Megan Berry
• Nursery Care (9:15-10:45 am)
• Kaleidoscope Kids (during worship)
• Bradfield Café (10:30-11:00am)
• Visit our Worship HQ for everything you need to worship with us online!

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!

During the summer on Sundays, we have an arts or crafts display in the gathering space, all original art by Covenant members. Today’s artist is Steve Fulton, who’s specialty is wood-carved signs. Come take a look at some of his recent creations after worship! Note: this week is the final Arts & Crafts Display of the summer.

The church office will be closed on Monday, September 4, in observance of Labor Day. Regular office hours will resume on Tuesday, September 5.

Do you have musical gifts that you would like to share? Regular New Day Ensemble and Choir rehearsals will resume meeting weekly on Wednesday, September 6 at 6:00pm (New Day) and 7:00pm (Choir). Handbell Choir meets on select Sundays at 9:00am. Contact Ben Welch (New Day) or Melissa Hinz (Choir and Handbells) for more information.

This group is based on an understanding that racism can develop as an unintended consequence of living in a country with a history of racial inequality. Though our recent book study concluded, we meet weekly! Visit the RAF page on our website for more info. If you have questions or wish to join us, please email Jennifer Morgan.

Sunday morning opportunities

We are in need of some help on Sunday mornings!

Bradfield Cafe Volunteer:

Click HERE to sign up!



Greeter & Welcome Center Volunteer:

Click HERE to sign up!

New this week: Louise Douma, Covenant friend.

This week's white roses commemorate the lives of Jessica Kennedy Matthews, friend of Betsy Erickson; Jeanne Marie Sullivan, mother of Dierdre Frees; April Durand, sister-in-law of Gordy and Eileen Durand.

Loving God, in your mercy hear our prayers for each of these your children. We pray for healing, for courage, and for peace, in the name of Jesus. Amen.



(click on the image header for full prayer list on Worship HQ)

We had a lovely concert last Saturday with a guest Ukrainian musician and dancers. We collected free-will donations to aid Ukraine. So far, we have collected $2,536. You can donate to this cause until Friday, September 15. Make checks out to Covenant Presbyterian Church ("Ukraine Relief" memo) or give online by clicking on the button below.

Lots happening on "Kick-Off Sunday!" TWO services, Blessing of the Backpacks, Ministry Fair, Sunday School resuming, and 1st/4th graders receive their Bibles!

Covenant Presbyterian Church is hosting the Madison Learning Community's course titled "Introduction to the Old Testament" this Fall! The Madison Learning Community is an initiative of the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary offering seminary-level courses to Madison-area Christians eager to deepen ministry skills and join a diverse community committed to the local Church. This class provides an introduction to the content, historical background, canon, and theological and critical issues of the Old Testament. They will meet in-person at Covenant weekly on Tuesdays from 6:00 to 7:40pm (beginning Sept 12) with an optional dinner available beforehand. Contact Lief Erickson for more information.

Our September Spiritual Stroll will be held at Olbrich Botanical Gardens. Join us for a one-hour guided tour at 2:00pm with an optional additional stroll through the gardens to follow. These strolls are part of CONNECT, a program of deacon-sponsored events with the intention of fostering connection between Covenant and the community. We visit a different park/green space every month.