Newsletter - Covenant Caller
Covenant Caller Vol. 3, no. 18
As we begin this Advent season, I would like to invite you to join with us for several upcoming musical offerings. Music is an important way in which God’s people can worship their creator and can also feel their souls enriched and fed. In the words of Robert Herrick (1591-1674), “What sweeter music can we bring than a carol for to sing the birth of this our heavenly King?”
It is my hope that you will join us for a special music service on Sunday, December 11th at the 10:30 a.m. service. The Chancel Choir will present Hodie Apparuit: Today a King is Born, by Chester Alwes. The work is a service of lessons and carols for choir, organ and woodwind trio. Six of the seven anthems contained in it are arrangements of carols and the seventh is an original composition. Dr. Alwes is on the faculty of the University of Illinois and his compositions and arrangements are fresh and exciting.
Our guest instrumentalists will be Erica Simon (flute), Terry Belzer (oboe) and Lori Marino (bassoon). Be sure to arrive early so you can enjoy the extended prelude. Our own Pam Corner (alto sax) will join the other instrumentalists for some jazzy and innovative carol arrangements.
On Christmas Eve, at the 7:00 p.m. family service, the Children’s Choir (joined by other children and youth from the congregation) will present Hal Hopson’s musical A Shepherd’s Story. This charming production tells the Christmas story with particular emphasis on the angels and shepherds. Mr. Hopson is a prolific composer with a special gift for writing for young voices. His songs never disappoint. Join us for this exciting presentation by Covenant’s youth!
I hope these musical offerings will assist you in your Advent journey and help you keep your focus on the One whose coming we celebrate.
~ Sarah Batchelor
Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness,
send your holy spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.
We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in the darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you we say, "Come, Lord Jesus!"
(Henri Nouwen)
So much of the way we observe Easter is influenced by the season we know. The church is decorated with new flowers, there is talk about how the earth itself rejoices, and parallels are drawn to the new life we see in nature and the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. That is not how it must seem in the southern hemisphere. In fact, though, it might be a more faithful reflection of the resurrection to celebrate Easter ...
As unemployment remains high and the weather stays cold, local food pantries are struggling to keep their shelves stocked with enough food to help our neighbors in need here in Delaware County. Each of us can help by joining the Souper Bowl of Caring Team at Covenant Church. We will join schools and churches throughout America to collect money and non-perishable food items for those who are hungry and hurting in our local community. In 2011, 260,000 young people across the nation participated in the Souper Bowl of Caring ministry and generated $9.5 million in donations.