Hello, Bailey-

I appreciate framing our Christian life in terms of “practices” as it suggests that we are all still working on it. For us, I don’t think “Practice makes perfect.”  

• Practice makes… better 
• Practice leads us further on the path 
• Practice brings us closer to God 

I encourage you to make good use of these forty days of Lent and these five Sundays, to engage with the five practices. Each week you’ll have three opportunities: the sermon, the adult Sunday school class, and the Wednesday worship gathering. More info below.  

Lent is a season for Christians to remember anew our calling to follow Jesus.  Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, when we remember our mortality (ashes to ashes…) and continues to Palm Sunday, to the Last Supper, the Crucifixion, and through to Easter, when we celebrate resurrection, the gift of new, abundant, eternal life. 

To learn more about Lent, check out this article from the Presbyterian Church USA: “The Give and Take of Lent.”

Want to read more about Christian practices? Want to go deeper this season of Lent? Here are five books that have helped me over the years: 

Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth by Richard Foster

Soul Feast: An Invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life by Marjorie Thompson 

The Walk, Five Essential Practices of the Christian Life by Adam Hamilton 

Practicing: Changing Yourself to Change the World by Kathy Escobar 

Freeing Jesus: Rediscovering Jesus as Friend, Teacher, Savior, Lord, Way, and Presence by Diana Butler Bass 

For us at Covenant, these five Lenten practices will help us on the journey to follow Jesus, to be more faithful disciples, to have a more meaningful Christian life, to experience the peace of Christ more fully.  

At a basic level the practices are about clearing space in our lives to reconnect with God. 



May this Lent be a season of renewal for you, our church, and our world.

On the journey together,

Charlie

PS - Last Sunday, I shared my Top Ten Blessings of 2023 at our congregational meeting. I had a really hard time picking the photos for this; I could have included dozens more.

Click on the image to enjoy the photos, knowing that it’s just a small sample. Thanks be to God for the blessings of 2023!

• In-Person and Livestream worship: 9:00AM & 11:00AM
• 1st Sunday of Lent
• "The Discipline of Discipleship" Sermon Series
• Preaching: Charlie Berthoud | FASTING | Text: Joel 2:12-13
• Music (9:00): New Day Ensemble (Ben Welch, leading)
• Music (11:00): Covenant Chancel Choir (Melissa Hinz, leading); Gary Lewis, guest organist
• Children's Time with Marge Resan
• Nursery Care: 8:45AM-12:15PM
• Kaleidoscope Kids: during 9:00AM worship
• Bradfield Café: 10:00-10:45AM - coffee and donuts!
• 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 Lent, we will reflect on five Christian practices to help us become more faithful Christians, and more faithful followers of Jesus. We begin with more traditional practices of FASTING and PRAYING - and then continue with LISTENING, SIMPLIFYING, and UNPLUGGING which are very relevant for 21st century living. Sermons will present biblical foundations and offer ways to implement the practice with the goal of a deeper Christian faith for all of us. We encourage you to commit to in-person or online for all five of these sermons and to join other Covenant people in intentional Lenten spiritual growth. Adult Education on Sunday and Wednesday Lenten Suppers (and Worship) will also focus on these five themes, so we have ample opportunity to learn and grow.

Join Adult Education Sunday at 10:00am and over the next four weeks for a series called “Practice Spiritual Disciplines.” We will be using the Follow Me curriculum that focuses on biblical practices for faithful living. Each week, facilitators will lead a conversation and/or have participants reflect on a specific spiritual practice. Each class stands alone so participants do not need to have attended a previous class to join in.

This Lent, come join us for supper, fellowship, and worship in Bradfield Hall. Supper and fellowship time starts at 5:30pm and at 6:15pm, we move into a time of intergenerational and casual worship together. All are welcome to attend dinner and/or worship. Please RSVP below. Though RSVP’ing is helpful, it is not required. We ask $5 for suppers, but it’s FREE for first-timers!

If you want to learn more about Covenant and about the possibility of membership, come join the Inquirer’s Classes in the Lounge for the next few weeks! Contact Pastor Charlie if you are interested.

New this week

The family of Kenneth Medlin, friends of Marilyn Krichko

Kevin Sheehan, husband of Tom & Kris Bauer's niece

Bernie Maroney, Covenant member

Bill Wood, Covenant member

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.

Bradfield Café Volunteer

Greeter & Welcome Center Volunteer

Would you like to help feed people here in our Madison community? Join us in providing dinner for the residents of the Triangle Community. There are multiple ways to become involved: grocery shopping, baking desserts, meal prepping the sides, and serving and eating with the residents. Sign up at the Events & Announcements bulletin board. For further details, please contact Frances Parker.

In January, we read the book Exodus, in which Moses delivers the Ten Commandments to God’s people. Now you can see the classic film directed by Cecil B. Demille - 80+ years of history condensed into 3½ hours. Popcorn will be provided! Bring your own soft drinks. 

Come to stroll, to sled, or BOTH! This will take place at Hoyt Park (3902 Regent St). It is a combination of our regular Spiritual Strolls and annual Sledding Party. We’ll meet at the main shelter on the top of the hill. Hot cocoa and cookies will be provided, and they’ll be a fire! This is an event of CONNECT, a program of deacon-sponsored events with the intention of fostering connection between Covenant and the community.

Every year, children, youth, and adults from Covenant serve at Feed My Starving Children in Verona. FMSC is a Christian non-profit organization committed to feeding God’s starving children hungry in body and spirit. We are signed up for March 9 and have 35 slots available. Sign up at below! This event is ages 5 and up. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.