You Are Welcome Here for Worship
January & February 2020
Unique Red Cross Fundraiser Dinner: Join us as four diverse local mosques work together for the first time to raise funds for Red Cross Disaster Relief. The needs right now are to support those affected by Hurricane Dorian, the earthquakes in Puerto Rico, and the Australian bush-fires. A delicious ethnic dinner is being organized by our friend Bunyamin Aysan from the Turkish Cultural Center on Saturday, January 18 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in Knox Hall. Your $15 dinner contribution completely goes to the Red Cross. The mosques are underwriting all of the ingredients! RSVP to Bunyamin at [email protected]
Martin Luther King Jr. Walk for Unity on January 20: All are welcome to join us as we meet at 11 a.m. at the stage in Perry Square. Then, we’ll walk together with Erie neighbors down 6th Street, past First Covenant to the MLK Center for lunch and a brief program. Contact Seph Kumer at 814.566.0287 to join the First Covenant walking team.
The First Covenant church 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 First Covenant church office will be closed on Monday, January 20, 2020 in observation of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Calling all soup makers: SOUPer Bowl of Caring Soup Lunch is scheduled for Sunday, January 26 following the 11:00 a.m. worship service in Knox Hall. Your soup creations are needed for sampling! There will be voting by cash donations, with all proceeds going to a neighborhood ministry. Please contact Ellie Zimmer at [email protected] or talk to a member of the Faith Formation team or sign-up under the clock by the library! Especially sought: youth-adult chef teams!
Erie Phil Free Brass Concert on January 28: All are welcome to come and enjoy the sounds of 16 brass and percussion musicians from the Erie Philharmonic. They will perform a free concert on Tuesday, January 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the First Covenant Sanctuary. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Join us and invite a friend!
Memorial Flowers & Mission Giving:There is an opening for memorial flowers or mission giving on Sunday, February 2, 2020. If you would like to donate flowers or making a donation to mission in lieu of flowers, please call Mary Concoby at 864-0027.
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, February 6, 2020.
Prayers & Potato Soup at Presque Isle: On Sunday, February 9 there will be one worship service at 11:00 a.m. This service is offsite at the Rotary Pavilion at Presque Isle. Similar to our summer “Prayer & Pancakes” at Frontier Park, this offsite worship service will feature the Praise Band and a soup and sandwich lunch. Bring a folding camp chair, dress in layers, and come prepared to worship God in the beauty of winter.
The Women & The Word group is taking a break during the month of December. Look for a new topic to explore in the new year.
Wednesday Morning Bible Study: Our regular Wednesday morning class is taking the month of January off. Classes resume in February with a new book. Rev. Chris Weichman will be taking over for Britney Knight as she is on maternity leave.
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.
Update the church 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].
