NOTE FROM PASTOR J R FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 2023            This second Sunday of the year is when we observe the Baptism of Jesus.  It always follows January 6, observed at the Epiphany of Our Lord.  The assigned text for Baptism of our Lord Sunday ends in Matthew 3:17 right after Jesus...

NOTE FROM PASTOR J R FOR “NEW YEARS DAY,” SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2023           This Sunday is known as either “Holy Family Sunday,” or a rarity, the “’Second’ Sunday of Christmastide.”  Most folks think by January 1st the Christmas Season is over; but it ends on January 6th, the day we...

NOTE FROM PASTOR JR FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25TH 2022           Sunday is Christmas Day.  We at Covenant will not be having in-person worship, but I invite you to tune in by social media for a brief homily by me and special music sung by Paul Odom, should your schedule allow.            I haven’t really...

NOTE FROM PASTOR J R FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2022            This Sunday is the Fourth Sunday of Advent.  The theme is LOVE.  In Matthew 1:23, from the assigned gospel text, the angel Gabriel repeats to Joseph in a dream the promise of God found from Isaiah 7:14, “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a...

NOTE FROM PASTOR J R FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2022            This Sunday is “The Third Sunday of Advent.” The theme is “Joy.”  It’s also known as “Gaudete Sunday” and the liturgical color is “Pink” or “Rose.”  “Gaudete” in Latin means “Rejoice.”    During the four weeks of Advent as we await the celebration of Christ’s birth and Christ’s coming again; we are...

NOTE FROM PASTOR J R FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2022           We will observe this Sunday as the Second Sunday of Advent.  We will light the Second candle on the Advent wreath to represent the theme of “PEACE.”  The assigned gospel text from Matthew 3 for this “Peace Sunday,” is John the Baptist...

NOTE FOR PASTOR JR FOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2022           This Sunday we begin a new liturgical year in Western Christianity with the First Sunday of Advent.  It has become commonplace to mold the seasons of Advent and Christmas into one; but they are two different seasons.  The Season of Advent begins on...

NOTE FROM PASTOR JR FOR NOVEMBER 20, 2022           This Sunday is “The Reign of Christ Sunday;” the last Sunday of the liturgical church year.  It is also the Sunday before Thanksgiving.    For as long as I can remember one of the special hallmarks of Thanksgiving Day was the...

NOTE FROM PASTOR J R FOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2022 Sunday is the 12th Sunday of Kingdomtide, next to last Sunday of the liturgical church year.  The scripture from II Corinthians 9 being used, speaks to priorities.  Thanksgiving is almost upon us.  I’m amazed, but not surprised how Christmas has infringed upon and overtaken...

NOTE FROM PASTOR J R FOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2022            This Sunday is the Eleventh Sunday of Kingdomtide. Next Tuesday will be elections in America. There is a saying that goes “God never intended for us to check our brains at the church door.”  That also applies to the ballot box.              Too...