Hello, Bailey-

Last Sunday at Covenant, we celebrated the sacrament of baptism with Lisa and David, as well as their son Sebastian. I love how Sebastian seemed to signal "touchdown" with enthusiasm!

Chris and I are at the beach in Massachusetts, so we saw the baptism online, and we celebrated baptism from here. We went to First Congregational Church of Nantucket on Sunday morning, and there were two baptisms.

That evening, I attended Spanish language Mass at St. Mary of the Isle Catholic Church, and there was a baptism in that service as well. Click on the photo to see the churches and some vacay photos.

Baptism liturgy often concludes with the affirmation which reminds us that we are all beloved children of God.

See what love the Father has given us,

that we should be called children of God,

and that is what we are.

-1 John 3:1

Last Sunday, as I prayed for these four baptized children and their families, I also prayed for Guatemala, where presidential elections were held in a context of longstanding corruption, poverty, and injustice. Reformer Bernardo Arevalo won that election, but he faces a lot of obstacles. Read more about the election here: Guatemala Election Coverage

So, we pray and care for the children in our church and community, and we pray for and do what we can for children in Guatemala and everywhere. We are all God's beloved children.

On the journey together,

Charlie

PS: This Sunday, we conclude our "Good New From the Pews" series with a sermon from Marilyn Krichko. Her text is Romans 12:1-2. To help prepare for worship, I encourage you to read and reflect on those verses and the rest of the chapter. Read it here: Romans 12 on Bible Gateway

A Program for Peace is a Benefit Concert for the people of Ukraine, in our continued efforts to support our brothers and sisters in need. You may recall that we held a benefit concert last Fall with beautiful music, raising over $20,000. We again will invite back Ukrainian musician Ivan Shmilo who plays the bandura. A free will donation will be collected with all donations being split between Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Wisconsin Ukrainians, Inc. Donations will be accepted in person or online.

You are encouraged to join the Covenant Choir for a one-time opportunity (and potentially ongoing) to sing THIS SUNDAY (8/27). Singers will come together at 8:45am to learn an anthem to sing in worship that morning. You may find you like giving your voice and your heart the exercise and want to continue with this closely-knit, supportive group! Regular rehearsals are Wednesdays at 7pm (beginning Sept 6).

• In-Person and Livestream worship: 9:30am
• Good News from the Pews Sermon Series concludes
• Marilyn Krichko, preaching
• Sermon: "The 3 Lies" | Text: Romans 12:1-2
• Music: Doug McNeel, organist; pick-up choir
• Children's Time with Marge Resan
• 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. This Sunday’s artist is Peggy Bugg, who specializes in miniatures. Take a look at her miniatures after worship! Note: next week is the final Arts & Crafts Display of the summer.

Our August Spiritual Stroll will be held at Ice Age Trail (Valley View Segment)! Due to road closures on Pioneer Road, we recommend you use Mid Town Road to Mound View Road, then Moraine Ridge to get to the trailhead. 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.

The small group making mats for the homeless in Madison continues to meet and produce mats. After a time searching for a distribution source, Bethel Lutheran Church emerged as a great partner. We have taken 30 mats to the church this summer! Our previous donations of 30 mats to Porchlight and Friends of State Street brings the total number of mats given away to 60. The group began meeting virtually in March 2020 and moved to in person gatherings in January of 2022. We look forward to continuing this ministry and welcome anyone who would like to join us on the first and third Wednesday of each month from 1:30 to 3:00 pm (usually in Bradfield Hall). Thank you to all who have provided the clean shopping bags for this project—please continue to bring your bags to the coat room receptacle. It takes about 700 bags to complete a single mat, so we need your help.

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: Joyce Millner, mother of Mary Kieta.

This week's red rose celebrates the birth of Ayla Mary Cole, daughter of Tom and Lystra Cole, sister of Cay Cole, and granddaughter of Bob and Mary Cole.

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)

This Fall, we will embark on a sermon series and Fall theme - Building Blocks...

for LIVING: In September, we’ll focus on a themes for building a solid Christian foundation, inspired by the ordination question: “Will you pray for and seek to serve the people with ENERGY, INTELLIGENCE, IMAGINATION, and LOVE?”

for the CHURCH: October will focus on the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Book of Order section on “The Ministry of Members.”

Small Groups will follow along with this series as well, with 4 to 6-week long studies (beginning mid-September). Look for sign-ups soon!

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