Hello, Bailey-

A friend recommended Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth to me, to help bridge that gap. While I don’t follow all 12 practices “religiously,” the book has helped me cultivate a mindset of intentionality about Christian life and helped keep a firm faith foundation for engaging with issues of the day.

Early in the book, Foster offers a quote from Leo Tolstoy—a quote which was on my dorm door for most of college.

“Everyone thinks of changing humanity and no one thinks of changing themself.” 

--Leo Tolstoy

I’m convinced that we need to work on ourselves at the same time that we work on the world around us.  Our calling is inward and outward.

Several Covenant people have been reading and discussing Poverty, By America, written by Matthew Desmond, author of EVICTED: Poverty and Profit in the American City.  



He makes a strong case for an unpopular argument: Poverty in America persists because the rest of us benefit from it.  

The Matthew 25 initiative of the Presbyterian Church calls us to “eradicate systemic poverty” (among other things) so we need to start reflecting on arguments like Desmond’s, even if they make us uncomfortable.  

Interestingly, on page 122 of his book, Desmond also cites Leo Tolstoy, with another challenge to how our individual choices impact social issues. 

"It is really so simple. If I want to aid the poor, that is, to help the poor not to be poor, I ought not to make them poor." 

--Leo Tolstoy

During Lent, we invite you to engage with any of the five practices we are focusing on, one week at a time, with the hope of changing ourselves, of opening ourselves more deeply to God’s transforming love, of becoming more faithful disciples, more willing to take up our cross and deny ourselves to find true life. Our calling is inward and outward.

The gospel calls us to be new people while calling us to change the world. Our inner spiritual life is inextricably linked with our outward actions, how we engage with the world around us. As we are changed, we have more wisdom, courage, and strength to change the world.  

On the journey together,

Charlie

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. We will be down in the Youth Room!

• In-Person and Livestream worship: 9:00AM & 11:00AM
• "The Discipline of Discipleship" Sermon Series
• PRAYING | Preaching: Megan Berry | Text: Psalm 84, Matthew 6:9-13
• Music (9:00): New Day Ensemble (Ben Welch, leading)
• Music (11:00): Covenant Chancel Choir (Melissa Hinz, leading); Marty Slager, guest organist
• Children's Time with Nick Von Bergen
• 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!

This Lent, we are reflecting on five Christian practices to help us become more faithful Christians and followers of Jesus. Sermons will present biblical foundations, and (along with Adult Ed and Lenten Suppers) will offer ways to implement practices, with the goal of a deeper faith.



Click below for everything you need to know about Lent at Covenant.

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.

Youth Connection will be joining the Stroll & Play Sunday at 2PM!

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! Note: Lenten worship on Wednesdays will not be livestreamed.

Click on the photo above to see more from our first Wednesday Lenten Supper this past week.

If you want to learn more about Covenant and about the possibility of membership, come join the Inquirer’s Classes in the Lounge Sundays at 10am! Contact Pastor Charlie if you are interested.

The early taste of Spring has changed our plans slightly. Join us THIS SUNDAY for outdoor games and/or a spiritual stroll at Hoyt Park (3902 Regent St)! We’ll meet at the main shelter on the top of the hill. Hot cocoa and cookies will be provided, and there’ll be a fire! This is a CONNECT event, a program that fosters connection between Covenant and the community.

New this week

Anne Meyer, friend of Dick and Noel Pearson

Cynda Welch, mother of Ben Welch

James McGregor, Covenant member

Chris, friend of Melissa Hinz

Mark Baenen, friend of Deb Morris

Marcia Howe, mother of Melissa Schmidt

This week's red rose celebrates the birth of Faris Jones Ismail, son of Kirsten Jones & Ahmed Ismail and grandson of Raleigh & Laurie Jones!

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

Triangle Ministry Volunteers

Monday, February 26

Join us in preparing a meal for the Triangle Community: Grocery shopping, baking desserts, meal prep (2:15 at Covenant), and serving (and eating with) the residents (4:00 at Triangle). Sign up outside the Lounge or contact Frances Parker.

Join this new book club that meets on the 1st Sunday each month! Join us as we read and discuss A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold. Each month, we discuss an essay from this book. In March, we will look at the second essay. Questions? Contact Melissa Hinz.

Feel free to bring a friend as we enjoy a time of good food and warm fellowship! Cook something at home, or pick up something at your favorite grocery store or restaurant to share. Beverages, plates, and utensils will be provided. Our guest speaker will be Sarah Day, who will share about her life as an actor.

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.