Easter in the Parking Lot! |
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“Why do we have to confess our sin every Sunday? We’re basically good people.”
I’ve been asked variations of that question many times over the years.
While church people are basically good people, all of us are susceptible to temptation, at risk of doing foolish, selfish, harmful things.
The Bible reflects our reality, if we are honest about ourselves.
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All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
--Romans 3.23
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And the Bible teaches us that sin is an active presence, which should make us vigilant and careful: |
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Sin is lurking at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it.
--Genesis 4.6
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So we confess our sins every time we worship, not simply to hear the good news of forgiveness, but also to grow stronger in the fight against sin. In church membership vows, we promise to turn from the ways of evil and turn to Jesus Christ. That turning needs to happen every day.
And we have the 40-day season of Lent, which begins with Jesus being tempted and continues with us intentionally thinking about turning from sin. We usually begin Lent singing:
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Lord, who throughout these forty days
for us did fast and pray,
teach us with you to mourn our sins
and close by you to stay.
As you with Satan did contend
and did the victory win,
O give us strength to persevere,
in you to conquer sin.
text by Claudia Hernaman, 1873
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In our Lenten series on the Ten Commandments at Covenant this year, I have borrowed Adam Hamilton’s terms for the commandments: “guardrails” to keep us safe and “guideposts” to show us the way to abundant life. |
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If you want to reflect more on the Ten Commandments, I suggest his book, Words of Life. Click on cover to learn more.
To navigate the journey of life, we all need guardrails and guideposts, such as God’s word, along with trusted family and friends, as well as our church community.
Over the past year, we’ve been isolated from family and friends as well as church community, which I fear has made us more vulnerable in the struggle against sin.
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On Easter Sunday, April 4, we’re planning a parking lot service (with masks and distancing) as we slowly and carefully move toward coming back together. More info below.
I am really excited about being face to face in community, because I miss our church family, and because together, we are better able to resist the power of sin, and live with faith, hope, and love.
On the journey--with guardrails and guideposts--together,
Charlie
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Celebrate the Good News of Easter—in Person, in our Parking Lot!
Easter Sunday, April 4, at 9:30 and 11:00 a.m.
With masks and distancing (and hopefully good weather!), we will gather with no more than 100 people in the parking lot area in front of the steps. Please bring your own chair if you can; some chairs will be provided. (This is NOT a sit-in-your-car service.) Easter bags will be passed out to children.
Worship features Easter brass, communion (safely prepackaged), and a short message from Pastor Charlie; the service will last less than 40 minutes. If you want to come, YOU MUST SIGN UP or CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE, so that we can plan for a safe gathering. Note we will also have a video worship service available on Easter. If possible, park on a side street or bike/walk to church. Limited parking available around the edge of the parking lot.
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Covenant Elves are headed your way...
Sometime in the next week, Covenant elves will be making a quick delivery to your home with an Easter surprise!
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Palm Sunday, March 28
Drive-Thru Donuts, Devotions, & a Donkey with Palms
Drive, walk, run, or bike through the church parking lot between 10:30 and noon! We'll be passing out donuts and palm branches.
Maundy Thursday, April 1
Remembering the Last Supper (with Communion) Zoom Service at 7:00 pm
*Sanctuary open for quiet reflection from 12 noon until 4:00 pm
Good Friday, April 2
Tenebrae (service of shadows) readings and music, pre-recorded video worship with Westminster Presbyterian Church. You can also catch a Facebook Premiere of this service at 7:00 pm!
*Sanctuary open for quiet reflection from 12 noon until 8:00 pm
Easter Sunday, April 4
In addition to our pre-recorded worship service, we will be worshipping in the church parking lot at 9:30 am and 11:00 am. Click button below for more details/to sign up!
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*Open Sanctuary Reflection Time
On Maundy Thursday, April 1 from noon-4:00 pm and on Good Friday, April 2 from noon-8:00 pm, the sanctuary will be open for anyone who wants to spend 15-20 minutes in quiet reflection during Holy Week. No sign-ups necessary, but please remain masked and socially distanced.
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Small Groups Beginning the Week of April 11
Starting the week of April 11, we will offer small groups at various days and times throughout the week. For six weeks your group will meet to discuss the scripture passage from worship to accompany our sermon series "Learning Resurrection, Living Resurrection."
Click HERE to learn more and to sign up.
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Calling all lovers of food!
Covenant COVID Quarantine Cookbook
Have you had a go-to recipe during the pandemic? Is there a recipe you can't wait to share at a dinner party as we move out of quarantine? An entree that warms your heart and your belly as it has been passed down? We want you to share these and any other recipes that would be a fun addition to a Covenant Cookbook!
All types of recipes will be accepted: Appetizer/Dips, Bread/Rolls, Cookies/Bars/Candies, Dessert/Cakes/Pies, Salads, Soups, Side Dish/Vegetables, Main dish, Gluten Free, Vegetarian, even a Miscellaneous section if your favorite doesn't quite fit into these categories.
We will publish this electronically, but hope to be able to offer a print version as well. The only thing we can't provide is help with the dishes. Bon appétit!
Deadline: Sunday, May 2, 2021
--Covenant Deacon Team
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One Great Hour of Sharing
PC(USA) Lenten Offering
Covenant supports the PC(USA)'s One Great Hour of Sharing Offering during the season of Lent. Each gift to One Great Hour of Sharing supports efforts to relieve hunger through the Presbyterian Hunger Program, promote development through the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People, and assist in areas of disaster through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.
Click here to learn more, and click here to contribute! (Use the designation "One Great Hour of Sharing")
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At-Home Worship Ideas for Children
Do your kiddos have the wiggles during virtual worship? That's great!
Click on the image to the left for ways to engage children in virtual worship, wiggles and all.
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Youth Connection will meet in person at Covenant this Sunday! Grab a mask and join us! Friends are welcome!
Middle School Youth Connection (grades 6-8) from 4:00-5:00
High School Youth Connection from 6:30-7:45
We will stay upstairs in our bigger and better ventilated areas.
Doors typically lock 6 minutes after our scheduled starting time.
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Adult Ed Sunday, March 21:
Agrace Hospice
Learn about the many volunteer opportunities at Agrace Hospice. Volunteer coordinators Jenn Sauter and Erin Woodward will present information on the ways volunteers make a difference. Questions and discussion will follow.
This class will meet at 10:00 am via Zoom.
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In case you missed it... Reflecting on One Year of Online Worship
In worship last Sunday, we reflected on what we have learned from a year of worshipping online. Click HERE to watch the video! |
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Worship Sunday, March 21
- Fifth Sunday of our Lenten series "How Then Shall We Live?"
- Charlie Berthoud preaching on the 9th and 10th Commandments: "Towards Truth & Contentment," Exodus 20; 1 Timothy 6:6-10
- Children's Time with Marge Resan
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Follow our blog to read Pastor Jeff's weekly reflections.
We'd love to see you at the Sunday morning
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Let's keep growing the COVID offering!
Our Covid offering helps meet urgent needs in our community throughout the pandemic. Offerings shared in 2021 will benefit Porchlight, Friends of the State Street Family, and Cook It Forward Madison.
More info here:
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