Hello, Bailey-

At Covenant, we have wonderful partnerships, connecting with organizations and people sharing our commitment to make this world a better place. I interacted with three of them this week.

Partner #1

On Sunday, Megan and I joined a few other Presbyterian clergy to serve dinner at Pres House, the Presbyterian campus ministry at UW-Madison. Click on the photo to see more.

PH hosts worship every Sunday at 4:30, followed by dinner. I enjoyed chatting with a few current students as we ate our freshly-grilled brats.

Pres House is an LGBTQ-friendly church community that provides a variety of small groups and mission trips during the year. Several Covenant people have served on the board, and we support PH with our mission dollars.

Partner #2

On Tuesday, an energetic Covenant team gathered at 7:15 to cheer for students and staff at Glenn Stephens Elementary School, on their first day of school. Click on photo to see more.

We’ve been in partnership with Stephens for several years. Together, we do pen-pals, we provide fruit for all 500+ students on a monthly basis, we’ve donated school supplies, we’ve helped fund playground equipment, and more. 

Partner #3

Last Spring, we had five Covenant members take a preaching class from the Madison Learning Community, which led to our “Good News From the Pews” series this summer. (Can you spot Melissa, Carrie, Jo, Brenda, and Marilyn in the photo below?) 

This Fall, MLC is offering a class on the Old Testament, which will be taught here at Covenant on Tuesday nights. Several Covenant members are enrolled, and we have used memorial funds to help fund them, along with other students in need of assistance.

According to their website, MLC “is an initiative of University of Dubuque Theological Seminary offering seminary-level courses to Madison-area pastors, church leaders, and others eager to deepen ministry skills in a diverse Christian community committed to the local Church.” UDTS is a Presbyterian seminary. Several of the Covenant participants are already preaching on Sundays at local churches, and some are exploring a call to ministry. 

The Bible tells us that Jesus called the first disciples in pairs. The also Bible tells us that we are one body with many parts. So, we need each other - as members of the Covenant community, and to make the world a better place. I thank God for partnerships.

On the journey together,

Charlie

• In-Person and Livestream worship - TWO SERVICES 9:00AM & 11:00AM
• Building Blocks Sermon Series - INTELLIGENCE
• Preaching: Charlie Berthoud | Sermon: "What Are You Learning These Days?" | Text: Psalm 25:1-5
• Music 9AM: New Day Ensemble, Ben Welch leading
• Music 11AM: Doug McNeel (organ), Covenant Chancel Choir (Melissa Hinz leading)
• Children's Time with Megan Berry
• Blessing of the Backpacks, Bible Presentation (during worship)
• Nursery Care - 8:45AM-12:15PM
• Kaleidoscope Kids during worship (9AM ONLY)
• Bradfield Café - 10:00-10:45AM
• 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!

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

Do you have musical gifts that you would like to share? Regular New Day Ensemble, Choir, and Handbell rehearsals have resumed and we'd love for you to join us! Contact Ben Welch (New Day) or Melissa Hinz (Choir and Handbells) for more information.

We are collecting an offering for Ukraine, which we started at our benefit concert on August 27. So far, we have collected $2,7366.00. 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.

Our search is officially on for a second Associate Pastor to join this wonderful Covenant staff! CLICK HERE for more information on this position and please share far and wide!

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: Chris Turner's father, stepmother, and sister; Jake Schaefer, great-nephew of Bob and Nan Schaefer.

Covenant's 2023-2024 Sunday School teachers: Kate Sargent, James McGregor, Janna Doney, Melissa Schmidt, Cindy Lovell, Ron Crabb, TJ Sargent, Heather Marley, Bret Larget, and Friedemarie Farrar.

Covenant's 2023-2024 Youth Connection advisors: Rachel Aune, Grady Brown, Mary-Beth Rolland, Brad Brown, Kris Bauer, Marge Resan, and Marco Mascitti.

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 invite you to join a small group for six weeks this Fall!. Groups of 6-12 people will meet at church, at at Oakwood, and via Zoom, focusing on topics like: food, travel, family, hobbies, and more. Each group will meet for 60-90 minutes and will include some biblical , with some biblical reflection and time to share joys and concerns in prayer. No reading or preparation required between meetings.

Sign up to join a group below or at the Ministry Fair!

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 6:00-7:40pm (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.

On World Communion Sunday, Dr. William Yoo will preach and teach the Adult Education class for the day. He is the author of the book What Kind of Christianity: A History of Slavery and Anti-Black Racism in the Presbyterian Church and on faculty at Columbia Theological Seminary. Click HERE for more info!