Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2016
What does it mean to embrace 'the other?'
Former Duke Chapel dean will preach Sunday
Because of fear, Will Willimon says, many are quick to demonize the refugee and immigrant. We turn from following Jesus, who was once a refugee in a foreign land, and we ignore the rich biblical injunctions to welcome the stranger. 

Read more: Click here to read An Appeal To Christians in the United States, a recent blog post by Rev. Willimon.

When: Rev. Willimon will speak at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall and also preach in the 11 a.m. sanctuary service (streamed live in FH).

Stewardship campaign at 92 percent of goal
Session hopes to finalize budget this month
As of Tuesday, pledges for 2017 total $2,563,180, or 92 percent of our goal. If you have not yet pledged, please click here or return a pledge card in worship. 

Session members hope to finalize the budget in mid-January, which means your support is essential to maintaining our programs and ministries. For questions, contact Virginia Rumbley in the church office.

Considering a mission trip in 2017?
You're invited to info sessions on Sunday
The missions team will host info sessions Sunday in the Chapel at 10:30 a.m. and noon. Learn about upcoming trips to Reynosa; Kenya; and Avery County, NC. At left, Tricia Smith in Kenya last year. Details here.

Provide brunch items for teachers at Highland
A way to say 'thank you' to educator heroes
You can contribute food, drinks, flowers and notes. A team delivers to the teachers' lounge at the school. Click here to choose an item through SignUp Genius.
 
For questions, contact Lauren Sawyers, who heads up the project.

Make music at Covenant in 2017
An invitation to sing in the new year
Covenant offers opportunities for all ages to use their God-given talents. Below is the weekly schedule for rehearsals. Contact John Richardson for traditional music and Daniel Heath for contemporary worship and arts.

Traditional:
  • Angelus Choir (Grades K-2)-Sundays 4:45-5:30 p.m.
  • Chorister Choir (3-5)-Sundays 4:45-5:30 p.m.
  • Youth Bell Choir (6-12)-Sundays 4-4:45 p.m.
  • Youth Chorale (6-12)-Sundays 4:45-5:30 p.m.
  • Covenant Ringers (adult bell choir)-Mondays 6-7 p.m.
  • Covenant Choir (adult)-Thursdays 7-9 p.m.
Contemporary:
  • Worship Team for 9:30 a.m. contemporary (instrumentalists/singers) - Wednesdays 6:30 p.m.
  • Worship Team for 11 a.m. contemporary (instrumentalists/singers) - Thursdays 6 p.m.
  • iWorship Band - (middle and high school youth instrumentalists/singers) - Seasonally
New: Kids Yoga on Saturday afternoons
A seven-class series begins next week
Led by Covenant member Stephanie Jeon, kids will learn individually, with partners and in groups to develop team skills. The class will have yoga games, music, and visualizations to add to the fun!

Who: Boys and girls ages 5 to 8
When: Saturdays 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. beginning Jan. 14 (through Feb. 25)
Where: Rec Wing Yoga Room at Covenant
RSVP: Click here to contact Stephanie Jeon or call 704-562-6343


January special: Act now and get a month free
Offer ends at end of the month
Sign up for a one-year fitness membership and get January free. Click here for full class schedules. Among our most popular offerings:
  • Total Body Training: Work out your entire body utilizing weights, bars, bands, balls, your body and the environment. First class free.
  • Hip-Hop Fitness: A great class to get your cardio workout, and have fun while doing it.
  • Functional Fitness for Adults 60+: Exercise under the guidance of a licensed physical therapist. First class free.
  • Boxing Fitness with Kika: Challenge yourself with a complete fitness class that incorporates boxing techniques, plyometrics and calisthenics.


Open Table kicks off a week from today
Dinner is 5 to 6:30 p.m. with classes to follow
Open Table is Covenant's hot dinner followed by programs for all ages. Details are below. Dinner: Adults, $7; Kids, $5; household maximum: $25. 

Click here to RSVP for dinner or write "Open Table" on your worship response card.


Wednesdays 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Fellowship Hall
A series of multi-cultural community dialogues at Covenant seeks to elevate the voices of diverse Charlotteans. Together, we will try to gain a deeper understanding of implicit bias and systemic racism in our city and the broader culture. 

Speakers are Wednesdays, Jan. 11, 18, 25, Feb. 1 and 8. The public is welcome. Details here.


Wednesdays 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in FH 207
Discover the power of storytelling - and how it can help you to know yourself and others more deeply.

Kicking off our series Jan. 11 is Dr. David Jordan, Teaching Pastor at Providence Baptist Church. Using personal illustrations as well as examples of storytelling in the Bible, David will equip us with insights from scripture and leave us inspired to share our experiences by telling stories. Details here.


Also Wednesdays: Bible study with Bob and Jessica
An invitation to join at the halfway mark
Jump into this high-commitment, in-depth study on Wednesday evenings, Feb. 15 to April 5 from 6:15 to 8 p.m. We'll have a session to help you get caught up. Then we'll launch back into our year-long study of Jesus in the Gospels. Click here to register with Erin Williams.


weekly podcasts
FITNESS AT COVENANT
January special 
memorials, celebrations

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