You Are Welcome Here for Worship
July 2019
Volunteers Needed for the “West BayFit” Program on Wednesday Evenings: First Covenant is sharing God’s love through recreational activities for young children, ages 3-6, at Bayview Park on Wednesday nights from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. This ministry is running every Wednesday night during July and August. If you can help out during this outreach program, contact Seph Kumer at 814.566.0287.
Art & Music Thursdays in July: For children in Pre-K to 5th grade, all are invited to participate in a one hour program that includes story time and drawing. For 3rd – 5th grade students, there’s painting with Mrs. Ellie Zimmer or music for Pre-K to 2nd grade & free-play on the playground with Mr. Monty Service. The program begins at 6:00 p.m. on Thursdays. Contact Britney Knight in the church office.
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]
Neighborhood Partner Needs Volunteers for its Summer Festival: If you have some time to spare, why not help the Martin Luther King Center with its Annual Summer Festival on Saturday, July 20th, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The MLK Center is located at 4th andChestnut Streets. Volunteers are needed to cover the information table, tickets & prizes, cotton candy, games, etc. To offer your time, contact Seph Kumer at 814.566.0287 (First Covenant ) or Fatima Jenkin at 814.881.5489 (MLK) or email Fatima at
[email protected]
First Covenant Family Night at the Drive-In: The next movie night for the whole family is set for Friday, July 26 at 8:30 p.m. The 1996 classic Looney Toons/live action throwback: Space Jam features basketball high jinx with Michael Jordan, Bugs Bunny & the gang. Bring friends, a folding chair & snacks. The family fun event is FREE! We’ll move indoors in case of rain. 50 neighbors and church friends gathered for Spiderman in June. Can you assist with making Kool-Aid and pop-corn? Or help set-up of clean-up? If you can volunteer, call or text Britney at 724-766-2594.
Opportunities for Memorial Flowers or Mission Giving: We have openings for Memorial Flowers or Mission Giving on July 28 and August 18. If you would like to donate flowers for the lectern in memory or honor of a loved one, or if you would like to make a donation on behalf of a ministry at First Covenant, please call Mary Concoby at 864-0027.
National Night Out on August 6: Getting out into the neighborhood and meeting neighbors is a key part of National Night Out on Tuesday, August 6. Volunteers are needed to help welcome neighbors to this event. Can you assist with a half-hour shift at Gridley Park? Call or text Seph at 814-566-0287.
Help to Welcome Back International Students in August: Gannon’s Global Student office has invited First Covenant to help welcome new and returning international students in August. Can you be a “Welcome-Uber”? If you could help pick up a student upon their arrival at Erie Airport, Greyhound or Amtrak station and deliver the student to their dorm or apartment,contact Seph Kumer at 814.566.0287. Then on Wednesday, August 12 at 6:00 p.m. you can get out your square dancing shoes and join students in Knox Hall for a pot-luck dinner and dancing with a live folk band so students can experience some “American culture.” No cost, just join the fun. Appropriate for ALL ages! RSVP to Anne in the church office at 814.456.4243 x100.
Prayer & Pancakes on August 18: Worship on Sunday, August 18 at 10:00 a.m. is going on location to the Frontier Park Amphitheater. After worship enjoy a pancake brunch in the LEAF nature center. There is only one worship service on Sunday, August 18 at 10:00 a.m. This service will also involve several musicians from the congregation. There will also be special activities for the kids. In case of rain, worship will move indoors to the LEAF center. If you can help with this worship service including making pancakes, contact Rebecca at 814.440.6964.
Summer Worship Times at First Covenant: Summer worship times are now in effect through Labor Day weekend. Sunday worship services are now at 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Please note the later service moves up by one hour during the summer months. Again, summer worship times will continue through Labor Day weekend including Sunday, September 1, 2019.
Summertime Wednesday Morning Bible Study: This group continues to grow and is planning to meet from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in room 116 throughout the summer for as long as it works out for everyone. This group is now taking a closer look at the Book of Psalms. Please note this group will not meet on July 17. Please join for this bible study on Wednesdays that also includes great discussions and a time of prayer. Anyone is welcome!
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]
Summer worship services are 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. now through Labor Day Weekend. Regular worship services begin the Sunday after Labor Day and are at 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings September to May. Faith Formation classes are held during the regular programming year for all ages are on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. from September to May. There are no Faith Formation classes during the summer months.
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, July 4, 2019, in observance of Independence Day.
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].
