Hello, Bailey-

What a joyous and exhausting week this has been for our youth. Last Saturday, we finally had the joy of having our first lock-in where we stayed up way too late, played lots of fun games, and also made the sub sandwiches many of you picked up the next morning! It was a wonderful time of fellowship, goofing around, and a little bit of hard work.

On Tuesday, our confirmands met with session to officially become members of the church! We’ll welcome them and pray for them at our 11:00am worship service and continue the celebration afterwards with cookies and coffee in the gathering space. Check out their bios and pictures below (click on the image), and on the New Member board in the meantime!

In the midst of all of this joy and slight exhaustion, I am reminded of our scripture passage for Sunday, Acts 10:34-48. I am especially caught by verse 42.

“God commanded us to preach to the people

and to testify that Jesus is the one whom God appointed

as judge of the living and the dead.”

So often when I hear this verse, I think very literally about the call to preach on a Sunday morning or the call to tell people our stories with the hope they might check out our church and learn more about Christianity.

However, this week has reminded me how much broader this calling really is. Lock-ins, confirmation, choir rehearsal, and so much more are all opportunities to live into this calling of preaching to one another and being living reminders of our belief in Jesus. Though the youth did not come to the lock-in or go through confirmation to preach to me or to those around them - them living and sharing their stories, writing faith statements, and finding joy in this community preaches to me.

This week, as we celebrate confirmands, hopefully find joy in rest, I hope you also find the ways that you already preach to others. Whether it’s through literal preaching on a Sunday morning, through sharing coffee with a dear friend, or sharing music with others, there are so many ways we live out this calling as preachers and they are all beautiful and wonderful ways.

Megan

• In-Person and Livestream worship: 9:00AM & 11:00AM
• Sermon & Youth Reflections: Pastor Megan Berry, Xander Whitley, & Addison Lanphear | Text: Acts 10: 34-48
• Confirmation (11:00)
• Music (9:00): New Day Ensemble (Ben Welch, leading)
• Music (11:00): Covenant Chancel Choir (Melissa Hinz, directing); Doug McNeel, organist
• Children's Time with Megan Berry and Callum Kennedy
• Nursery Care: 8:45AM-12:15PM
• Kaleidoscope Kids: during 9:00AM worship
• Celebration for Ben Welch: 10:00-10:45AM
• Confirmation Celebration: 12:00PM
• 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 Sunday is Ben Welch’s final Sunday serving as Contemporary Music Coordinator at Covenant. Join us in Bradfield Hall as we celebrate Ben Welch’s ministry! Refreshments will be provided. We are sad to say goodbye to Ben, but are also excited and hopeful for him as he follows a new path after decades in music ministry. Ben affirms his love and respect for everyone at Covenant. Thank you, Ben, for the many loving and wonderful years of service! 

Who put our Bible together and when did they do It? Explore these questions as John Strikwerda gives an overview of how our sacred writings were preserved, modified, and passed on to us. There will be two sessions of this class: Old Testament on April 28, and New Testament on May 5.

There will be no regular Youth Connection gathering this Sunday because of the Youth-led Worship Service and Confirmation Sunday.

Our April Spiritual Stroll will be held at the UW Arboretum! Meeting spot will be the McKay Center. These strolls are part of CONNECT, a program of deacon-sponsored events with the intention of fostering connection between Covenant and the community. We meet at a different greenspace on the 4th Sunday each month.

Note: Rain is expected on Sunday. We will announce at 9AM worship if we decided to cancel.

New this week:

Tom Kurtz, friend of Jan Minardi

This week's white roses commemorate the lives of Esther Hedfield, Covenant member, and Jerry Montgomery, Covenant member.

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

Join us 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 Peggy Bugg, who will be sharing her experience on the El Camino pilgrimage. Bring a friend! These potlucks take place on the 1st Wednesday of the month.

It’s (probably) Spring and the native plants in front of church are already coming up! Unfortunately, so are the weeds… Anyone willing to come help clean up a bit is welcome (no experience necessary). Come meet new people, learn about native plants, and enjoy being part of the crew! Donuts and drinks will be provided. Please bring your own tools.

This will be the final collection of the school year!

You are invited to join Soul Sisters Year-End Potluck! Bring a dish to share and ideas for next year’s gatherings (beginning in September). Soul Sisters is a group for women, members and nonmembers, to share fellowship and faith. To join Soul Sisters, send your email and phone number to coordinator Barb Eikenberry.

Families with young kids, come join us as we gather in Bradfield Hall for fellowship. Childcare will be provided from 4:00-5:00, and then we’ll all have pizza together at 5:00. Contact Pastor Jess with any questions.

In August, we are planning another outing to American Players Theater! They will be putting on a production of "Ring Around the Moon." We hope you can join us!