Covenant Connections:
We belong to God
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All in-person activities at Covenant have been canceled until further notice.
PLEASE STAY AT HOME as much as possible.
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"In life and in death, we belong to God."
Last Sunday in our online worship, we shared part of the BSF, with the help of Jenny, Brad, Emma, Brenda, TJ, Katherine, and Christian. If you missed it, click on the photo to hear the 90 second affirmation of faith.
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We're going to have the same affirmation this coming Sunday, with different people speaking, and I hope to continue with it through the Easter season.
Below is the section on Jesus.
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We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God.
Jesus proclaimed the reign of God:
preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives,
- teaching by word and deed and blessing the children,
- healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted,
- eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners,
- and calling all to repent and believe the gospel.
Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition, Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain and giving His life for the sins of the world.
God raised this Jesus from the dead,
- vindicating His sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil,
- delivering us from death to life eternal.
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There are two other main sections of the BSF--one on God the Father and one on the Holy Spirit.
The BSF was put together after the 1983 north-south merger of Presbyterian denominations, with an intentionally diverse group compiled to draft a statement of unity. Read the whole statement and a little background here:
"A Brief Statement of Faith"
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Along with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit sections, the statement opens and closes with two foundational affirmations, which seem even more relevant in our pandemic era:
- In life and in death, we belong to God
- We rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God
With repetition of the BSF in this Easter season,
- we can reflect on the life death and resurrection of Jesus,
- we can become more faithful followers of Jesus and
- we can grow deeper in awareness of God's abiding love and eternal presence.
Plus, I hope that we can grow in faith, taking the message of Easter to heart:
Do not be afraid--God is with us always.
On the journey, apart-but-together,
Charlie
PS--Good news! Last week, the Red Cross hosted a blood drive at Covenant, which was organized by students from Memorial High School, including my son.
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The drive was very successful. The goal was 35 units, and that was exceeded with 41 units (and 10 first time donors).
My son worked the check in table, and I took temperatures of everyone who entered the building. We had masks and gloves on for all five hours. I'm glad our church could help.
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Public health officials continue to advise masks in public places.
Covenant member Laurie Jones has made hundreds of masks, including the orange one used by Pastor Charlie at the blood drive.
If you need one, please
email Laurie
or contact the church office.
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SUNDAY WORSHIP
Join us for apart-but-together video worship. Check your email Sunday morning for the link. Or check the
Covenant website.
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If you want to interact with other people as you worship, you can join with a Facebook Watch Party. Just go to
Covenant's Facebook page
10:30 on Sunday morning
to watch the pre-recorded worship as a community.
Worship this week features
- A sermon by Jeff Fox-Kline called "Sink Nor Swim"
- Vocalist Melissa Hinz and several congregation singers
- Organist Doug McNeel, Pianist Ben Welch
- Pastors Charlie and Sue offer prayers
- Nick Von Bergen has a message for the children
- Six Covenant members lead us in an excerpt from "A Brief Statement of Faith"
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Covenant Member on Madison School Board
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Congratulations to Covenant member Chris Gomez Schmidt!
Newly elected to the Madison School Board, she was sworn in to her role from her driveway this week, surrounded by several neighbors and friends--at appropriated distances.
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"The True Cost: Uncovering the Impact of Fast Fashion on People and Planet"
Carrie Sanders
THIS SUNDAY via ZOOM at 11:30!
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Have you ever wondered who made your clothes? How much they’re paid, and what their lives are like? Around the world, the people who make our clothes predominantly are women living in poverty, lacking a living wage or the freedom to negotiate for their pay and working conditions.
Around the world, we produce too much clothing, from unsustainable materials, much of which ends up incinerated or in landfill.
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in millions of the most vulnerable factory workers, mostly women, losing their jobs without a safety net.
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We will discuss 10 ways you can be a positive force
right now
for a more just, equitable, and sustainable fashion industry that honors people and planet. Join us on Sunday, April 26th at 11:30AM, to learn more about the true cost of fast fashion. Learn more at:
fashionrevolution.org
Presented by Carrie Sanders, Covenant member and Faculty at Edgewood College’s Social Innovation and Sustainability Leadership Graduate Program.
Join this Adult Education class via Zoom at 11:30 on Sunday.
Meeting ID: 824 7132 5594
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ZOOM Bible Study
Psalm 46
Wed, April 29 at 7:00 pm
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Grow in faith, and stay connected with Covenant people! Pastor Charlie will share some insights on Psalm 46, to help us be more prayerful and grow closer to God. No experience or expertise necessary.
Click here on Wednesday evening:
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COVENANT PEN PALS!
Do you want to be a church pen pal? Do you have children that are looking for recipients of art projects? Have you been practicing your calligraphy during the quarantine and want to show off? Do you want to connect with a fellow member of Covenant?
Through this season of time apart Covenant is looking for ways to connect individuals and families to each other. We believe that this community is strongest when the bonds between members are strong, and this new reality provides classic solutions to new problems. We are looking for individuals and families to join in as pen pals. Please email Pastor Jeff at
Jfoxkline@covenantmadison.org
or
CLICK THIS LINK
if you are interested in being a pen pal. Please include the best address for mail to arrive and we will shortly provide you with a new connection!
Once we receive your name we will match you up with another individual and family. You can contact your pen pal through email or snail mail. This is a great opportunity to connect with other families and members of Covenant! Once we connect you, we'll provide some 'getting to know you' questions to get you started getting to know each other.
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