Light in the Window - December 21, 2022

Dear Covenant Family,

Sunday was the annual Christmas pageant and what a joy it was to behold! Costumes and scenery, instruments and voices, children and college students all helped to bring the story to life. I took this photo during a moment of rehearsal with the children, who were eager participants in the drama. If you look closely, you will see three angels, a sheep, a cow, and a mouse with a feather duster. Being a church mouse is hard work, with all the dust in the corners, searching for nutritious crumbs and of course hearing all the gossip! This church mouse might not have made it all the way through to the final pageant performance, but I know he was close by the action. 

It’s been a full and meaningful Advent here at Covenant and I am grateful for all the loving ways we keep Christmas together. Thank you for your gifts to the Giving Trees, which were distributed to neighbors in need. Maya Angelou said, “I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.” That’s why it we feel so happy when we give gifts of time, talent, treasure, and influence. Generosity connects us to God’s intentions for the earth and all God’s children.

Residents of Cotman Vistas enjoying Christmas lunch, cookies and gifts provided by Covenant Deacons

I hope many of you are planning to join us for the Longest Night Service at 5 pm on Wednesday, December 21 in our sanctuary. It will be especially meaningful for those experiencing grief. Afterwards the Rose Window facing Euclid will be lit and there will be a brief carillon concert to enjoy.

Sending Light and Love,

Pastor Jessie

Pastor@covenantweb.org

Every Year

My heart and I have an agreement.

Every year we show up here—

here in the sanctuary,

here with the candles and the tall ceilings,

here with the creaky church pews

and the songs of silent nights.

My heart and I have an agreement.

Every year we show up here—

at the end of the year,

after another 12 months

of humanity, of me

trying to

keep it all together,

trying to

keep my head above water,

trying to

keep up appearances.

Every year we show up here.

We drop it all.

We leave it at the door.

We come into this space

and I could swear it feels different.

Maybe it’s God.

Maybe it’s hope.

Maybe it’s love.

But whatever it is,

I need it

every year,

so we show up here.

Tell us again the story of tonight.

My heart needs it.

Prayer by Rev. Sarah Speed |

A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org

Join us for Christmas Eve: 7pm Carillon Prelude, 7:30 Sanctuary Prelude,

8:00 Candlelight Service Carols and Lullabies: Christmas in the Southwest,

and on Christmas Day for Worship and Communion at 10 am.

Childcare will be provided on Christmas beginning at 7:30 PM.

Overflow parking for Christmas Eve - CWRU confirmed that we can use both Lot 33 (behind the church), and Lot 52B (11311 Bellflower Rd) for Christmas Eve Service. CWRU will instruct their staff not to ticket between 6:30 and 9:30 PM.