NOTE FROM PASTOR J R FOR SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2022            This Sunday is the 4th Sunday IN Lent.  This Sunday is also known as “Laetare Sunday.”  “Laetare” is Latin for “Rejoice” and it is one of two Sundays in the liturgical year when the color is “Pink.”  Why do we need a “Rejoice”...

NOTE FROM PASTOR J R FOR SUNDAY, MARCH 13, 2022           This week is the Second Sunday IN Lent.  In the assigned gospel text, Jesus was being encouraged to flee from where He was at the time because of a threat to His life from King Herod. Jesus doesn’t flee.  Instead, He sends...

NOTE FROM PASTOR J R FOR SUNDAY, March 6, 2022            This Sunday is the First Sunday IN Lent.  At Covenant, we observe it as Purple Sunday by encouraging all attending worship in-person to wear something purple. Lent is meant to be a time of self-reflection and repentance. Repent means to change directions.  So, during Lent,...

NOTE FROM PASTOR JR FOR TRANSIGURATION SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2022            This Sunday is the last Sunday of the Epiphany Season.  Liturgically, it is called “Transfiguration Sunday.”  It is also the last Sunday of Black History Month.  And, it will be the final sermon in my Epiphany Series, “The Ways of Steadfast Love.”            The Transfiguration...

NOTE FROM PASTOR JR FOR SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2022  This Sunday is the 7th Sunday after the Epiphany.  It is also the Sunday we traditionally celebrate the founding of Covenant 41 years ago.  Our anniversary observance this year is limited to recognizing it as part of the sermon as we just limitedly returned to...

NOTE FROM PASTOR JR FOR SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2022  This Sunday is the Sixth Sunday after Epiphany and the day before Valentine’s Day.  My commitment to utilize the assigned lectionary texts whatever they are during this series was challenged this week as I sought to tie them to “The Ways of Steadfast Love,” or for...

NOTE FROM PASTOR J R FOR SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2022  This Sunday is the Fifth Sunday After the Epiphany and first Sunday of Black History Month.  The assigned Gospel text is an account of Jesus calling His first disciples after a whale of a fishing story. As I continue my sermon...

NOTE FROM PASTOR JR FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 9, 2022  This second Sunday of this New Year is observed liturgically as the “First Sunday after the Epiphany,” and also as the “Baptism of our Lord Sunday.”  It has been said that “baptism is an outward sign of an inward spiritual reality.”  True, but not all Christians...

NOTE FROM PASTOR J R FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2021 This Sunday is the Fourth Sunday of Advent, and the theme is “LOVE.”  The assigned passage from Luke 1, shares the response of Mary as she was “Preparing the Way for Real Love” to be born into her life and our world. I’m...

NOTE FROM PASTOR JR FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2021  This Sunday will be the Second Sunday of Advent. The theme is “Peace.”  In our Litany of the Advent Candles, we will light the 2nd Advent Wreath Candle representing “Peace.”    In pondering the theme of peace, I wondered, “Why does peace seem to be so elusive...