You Are Welcome Here for Worship
November 2019
The Women & The Word group is doing a book study for the month of November. The group has selected “Holy Envy” by Barbara Brown Taylor. If you are interested in joining this Tuesday evening group, contact Britney Knight as soon as possible. Books are available now! Meet Tuesdays in the parlor at 7: 00 p.m. The last meeting on this topics is Tuesday, November 26. This group is taking a break for the month of December. All women are invited to join this study. Bringing a snack or drink is not required, but always makes us happy and full! New friends welcome! Questions, call Britney in the church office at 456-4243 x 112.
Volunteers Needed for Erie City Mission Lunch: Interested in helping others? Every month Linda Holmes gathers a group of volunteers to help prepare and serve lunch at the Erie City Mission, which is located at 1023 French St. If you can help out, contact Linda at 814.825.3889 to volunteer your time. This First Covenant group serves the guests at the Erie City Mission the first Thursday of every month between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. The next volunteer date is Thursday, December 5, 2019.
Giving Trees for Our Neighbors’ Place Shelter: The Giving Trees are up in the main hallway and near the office at First Covenant. As before, you’ll find tags on the trees with an item needed to run the winter shelter. Please return undated items to the bin at the “T” in the hallway on November 10 and 17. Please return dated items as requested and mark all items requiring refrigeration with “ONP” and place in the kitchen refrigerator. Thanks for your continuous support for our neighbors experiencing homelessness. If you have any questions or if you would like to volunteer your help, contact Pat Tracy at 814-864-6118 or email her at [email protected]. Our Neighbor’s Place shelter returns to First Covenant November 20 through December 3 including Thanksgiving weekend. Please consider how you maybe able to support this ministry.
Dialogues on the Refugee Crisis: A new Covenant Faith Formation class started on Sunday, November 3 and continues through November – this takes a closer look at the worldwide refugee crisis. What kind of impact is this crisis having on the Erie community? What does God have to say about it? These are just some of the questions that will be addressed in a 7-part video and discussion series led by Seph Kumer and guest speakers on Sundays over the next several weeks. This Faith Formation class is Sundays at 9:30 a.m. in room 119.
Covenant Connections – “What I learned in Iraq”November 13: Pastor Chris Weichman presents his insights on the mission trip he took to Iraq in October. He’ll have photos to share and discuss visiting pastors and churches in Iraq with The Outreach Foundation. Dinner begins at 5:15 p.m. The presentation starts at 6:00 p.m. The cost is $6 adults, $3 children and Gannon students. Please send in your reservations to Anne in the church office by November 11 at 12 noon to [email protected] or 456.4243 x100.
Thanksgiving & Hospitality Opportunities: The month of November is shaping up to provide not only opportunities for “giving thanks” but to also demonstrate our hospitality at First Covenant. You are asked to consider inviting a global student to your home to experience an American Thanksgiving. If you have room at your Thanksgiving table for an international student or two, let Seph Kumer know. Students love to visit American homes and experience American traditions. You can also sign-up for the Gannon Global Dinner – an early Thanksgiving meal – that will be shared with international students on Saturday, November 23 at 5:00 p.m. in the lounge on the church’s 3rd floor. The Metz food service is providing the basic dishes of the meal. You are asked to bring a side dish or dessert to share. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Seph. The third opportunity is volunteering to help out at the Neighborhood Thanksgiving at the MLK Center, 4th & Chestnut, on Sunday, November 24 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Greeters and table hosts are needed. If you are interested in helping out contact Seph Kumer at 814.566.0287 or [email protected]
Covenant Youth Group: Join us every Sunday at 4:00 p.m., as we will gather around the table to share dinner and what is going on in our lives. Then, any student who wants to do music (Greater Than The Sum Choir or Bells) is invited to join Mr. Service from 5:40 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. Anyone who does not participate in music is welcome to bring homework to work on or just hang out. Pick-up time is 6:30 p.m.
Interested in joining something new at First Covenant? Consider being a part of the Praise Band! Interested in playing an instrument or singing in a band setting? This group is open to all and we would love to have you join in the fun! We are learning new music and working together to add another style of music to what we offer at First Covenant. Weekly gatherings, days and times vary. See Monty Service about this musical opportunity and/or send questions to [email protected]
Share Your Musical Talents: We encourage congregation members who would like to share their musical talent with the church on Sunday mornings! All Sundays in August are open and in need of special music for worship. Instrumental, vocal and dance offerings would be fantastic! Can You help?! If so, please contact Leslie Weber at [email protected]
Fellowship & Coffee Hour: Church members are asked to contribute to our Sunday morning fellowship & coffee hour. It’s easy, just sign-up in the parlor to bring treats for Sunday fellowship. No need for a “theme” or to make anything fancy; just contribute two bags of store bought cookies, or two bags of pretzels, or one veggie tray with dip, or a platter of your favorite appetizer. The fellowship committee will set-up the parlor, put out your donations and if you could help us clean-up that would be great too! This new approach is designed to make it easy for all to contribute and participate.
Help Stock the “Little Pantry:” Canned and packaged food items are needed to keep the Little Pantry stocked year-round. The food cupboard is located on the south side of the garage in the First Covenant church parking lot. Here are some items that are most in need: cereals, hot cereals, rice, soups, canned goods, pastas, and packaged side dishes. Neighbors with food needs are often spotted visiting the Little Pantry for items to help them get by.
Connecting with Pastor Chris: When you wish to contact our First Covenant Pastor, Rev. Chris Weichman, he can be reached in the church office Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 814-456-4243 ex.103 or anytime at [email protected]
Wanted: A Few Good Volunteer Drivers! The Deacons are looking for church members to volunteer to give members a ride to church on Sunday for Worship and fellowship. If you are willing to help with this outreach, please call Rick Bernardini at 814-825-5937.
Ushering Ministry: Your family, Sunday School class, Bible study group, church committee or group of friends can sign up to serve as ushers for worship at First Covenant. A “seasoned” usher will assist you. Help welcome worshipers and meet old friends and new. Contact Dale Sweet at 898-3417 to serve.
Hospital Callers: Would you like to demonstrate that Covenant and its members truly represent the Caring Church in the Heart of the City by volunteering to be a hospital visitor? If you are interested in joining a wonderful ministry, contact Sheila Sweet at 814-898-3417.
The First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant Office is closed on all federal holidays and on Saturdays unless there are scheduled events such as Koinonia, weddings, funerals, blood drives and private events. The Covenant Church office will be closed on Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29, 2019 in observance of the Thanksgiving Day Holiday.
Update the office with your new contact information: If you have moved, changed your phone number or email address please update your contact information and let the church office know by contacting JoAnn Peters at 456-4243 Ext 110 or at [email protected].
