Before Abraham Was, I am
“Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I am’” (John 8:58).
Seventh Sunday after Epiphany, February 23, 2025
Click link Below to see SERMONS onLINE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZtbjf8Nty8&list=PLno0d7GMCf9dveCSSD-9DxB8HwQsxMFRo
A SPECIAL INVITATION: Sunday FEBRUARY 23, 2025! PLEASE COME AND BRING YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS AND CO-WORKERS! The Chancel Choir and I hope to see you and to hear you join in singing the songs of the season! This is our offering to God and our gift to you!
With love and joy!
Joyce, CHANCEL cHOIR DIRECTOR
WELCOME BACK!
We welcome Don & Mary Esa back to Covenant on Sunday following their vacation and thank Dr. Iain Inglis for taking good care of us while Don was away.
Pastor Don Esa begins a new sermon series on the "I AM" Statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John. The series will last through Lent.
Ash Wednesday Service, March 5 at Noon
You are invited to join us for worship on Sundays at 11:00, either in person or virtually.
Covenant Presbyterian Church
2881 Canton Road, Marietta, GA 30066
(770) 422-5130 www.covepres.com
Connecting @ Covenant Presbyterian Church
Seventh Sunday after Epiphany
February 23, 2025, 11:00 a.m.
RESPONSIVE SCRIPTURE LESSON
Velma Laughlin, liturgist
Exodus 3:11-14 NRSV
SCRIPTURE LESSON
Rev. Dr. Don Esa
John 8:31-59 NRSV (excerpts)
SERMON
Jesus’ I AM Sayings: Before Abraham Was, I Am
“Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I am’” (John 8:58)
WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBER
Charles Reid joined Covenant Presbyterian Church on Sunday, January 26, 2025. Charles comes to us by reaffirmation of faith. Please join us in welcoming Charles to our Covenant family.
SOUPER BOWL LUNCHEON
On Sunday, Feb. 9, we observed the Souper Bowl of Caring by encouraging contributions of $1.00 and/or one canned food item from each person in attendance. Donations received were sent to MUST Ministries of Marietta. Thank you for helping us make a positive difference in the lives of others by your participation! Following the worship, we enjoyed a fellowship luncheon in Kapperman-Williams Hall. Thank you to volunteers, Pam and Bruce Kapperman, Cathy Walker and Gail Parks.
Thanks to your generosity, we collected $69.00 and 50 cans of food for MUST Ministries of Marietta.
ORDINATION AND INSTALLATION OF NEW ELDERS,
Sunday, January 19.
Our Ordination and Installation Service for our new elders took place during the worship service on Sunday, January 19. Pat Burgess and Stewart Holt were installed for the Class of 2027. Devin Whitaker was ordained and installed. We thanked out-going elder, Ed Putz, Class of 2024, for his hard work and service for Covenant Presbyterian Church.
Elders laying on of hands during ordination and installation of new elders, signifying the church body’s public affirmation and prayerful blessing as they are set apart for their leadership role within the congregation.
EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT
At the encouragement of one of our parishioners, Pastor Don Esa has published last summer’s sermon series on the book of Philippians in a softback book. Live Joyfully! is now available for purchase on Amazon.com. However, Covenant parishioners can purchase ‘author’s copies’ of the book at half the publisher’s price: $5, available at the door as you leave the worship service.
FAMILY PROMISE AT COVENANT
THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS
We wish to thank our dedicated volunteers for another successful week of Family Promise at Covenant.
Provided dinner: Casa Conexion/Elda Galvan, Gail Cramer, Cathy Farmer, Steve & Brenda Krueger, Doug & Paula Roberts, Men from St. Peter & St. Paul Church, Debra Truitt
Overnight hosts: Jim & Vel Crockett, Bob Foster, Karen Humphreys, Steve & Brenda Krueger, Doug & Paula Roberts, Dave & Toni Rosenberg, Lou Taylor, Cathy Walker.
Covenant hosts Family Promise with newly remodeled Family Promise rooms. A special heartfelt thanks goes to our Handy Helpers and Brenda Krueger for her tireless, loving commitment to this mission. Yay, Brenda!
Thank you to volunteers unloading and making beds, Joan Delzangle, Carole Brown, Brenda and Steve Krueger and Velma Laughlin.
Thank you to Ken Dixon, Art Guilfoil, Stewart Holt, Bruce Kapperman, Thomas Kapperman, Steve & Brenda Krueger, Dave & Toni Rosenberg, and Cathy Walker.
Our sanctuary flowers for Sunday, December 22, were given by Paul and Won Yun to the glory of God and in celebration of Christmas. Won is a welcomed new member who sings beautiful solos in Korean with our Chancel Choir and arranges our beautiful sanctuary flowers. Covenant is blessed to have her with us!
Our sanctuary flowers for Sunday November 3, were given for all Saints Sunday and for those who had died this past year.
-Charlise Mallory Black (Charlise was the wife of Jerry Black who had been our organist)
-Rebecca Lynn Branton
-Paula Traylor Grady
-Janna Rose Simon
-Fred Neil Schaefer
-Ronald Alexander Swor
We continue to welcome our Pastor, Dr. Don Esa and his wife, Mary as they join us at Covenant. We are delighted and grateful that you are with us at Covenant Presbyterian Church!
Covenant's Annual Meeting of the Congregation was held on April 14, 2024 at the end of the worship service. In case you weren't able to join us on that day, we wanted to make you aware of very exciting news.
The Session has executed a contract with Don Esa as our pastor effective May 1, 2024. This contract will be renewed annually and it is our hope that Don will be with us for many years.
All are truly welcome as we gather to glorify God through fellowship with one another and to study God's Word.
ADULT SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY
Loretta Inglis leads the ADULT SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY each week at 9:45 in Room 1. We will began a new 12 week Bible Study on February 16 on the book of Exodus. Everyone is invited to join us.
We welcomed Aleksandra Tevdoska who accompanied the chancel choir with her beautiful flute playing.
ENJOY OUR SPECIAL MUSIC!
Invite friends and neighbors to join us for these special worship services
with The Chancel Choir under Director, Joyce Carr.
MUST SUMMER LUNCHES
Covenant once again participated in the MUST Summer Lunch program. We met in the Fellowship Hall on Friday, July 19, beginning at 10:00 a.m. to help prepare lunches for children who may have no lunch provided during the summer months. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped us with this important ministry!
CIRCLE MEETINGS: meet once a month
Faith Circle will meet on Tuesday, March 4 at 10:00 in the Fellowship Hall. Please bring your ODB and lunch to enjoy after our meeting.
Joy Circle will meet on Wednesday, March 5 at 10:30 a.m. in the lower room.
ATTENTION COVENANT WOMEN
The Joy Circle is making scripture bracelets to be placed in meeting rooms and are free to all. We need your help. Please join the Joy Circle on Wednesday, March 5th at 10:30 am in the lower room to help make bracelets. Bracelets are easy to make! Bring a sandwich and enjoy the fellowship. Please contact Pat Burgess for additional information, burgessp@bellsouth.net, 770-617-7288.
LADIES BIBLE STUDY
We enjoy wonderful fellowship as we study “Women of the Bible”.
“Ladies Bible Study met on Wednesday January 15th at 10:30-12:00 in Room 1. We continued Series II on “Women of the Bible”, studying the second of two lessons from the book of Ruth. There will be no lesson in February. We look forward to being together again March 19th.
Ladies Bible Study is led by Judy Davis and has a 42 year history at Covenant as a study, prayer, and fellowship group. Our regular meeting time is the third Wednesday of each month. All women are welcome, both members and visitors. Please bring your Bible and join us for a time of sharing our blessings, prayer concerns, and Bible study as we grow in Christ.
HANDY HELPERS ARE HERE TO HELP!
Be thinking about cleanups, other household chores and repairs. Covenant’s Handy Helpers can tackle most any job around your home and if you have a big job, we can help you find a Contractor and make sure it gets done. Call Robyn at the Church Office, or Steve Krueger 770-591-3852.
Aloha to Aging:
February 2025: Family Caregiver Support Group
Are you a caregiver for family, partner or a friend? We offer a healthy, safe space to process and discuss the myriad mix of emotions and decisions we experience as either a local or long distance caregiver.
Care provided while we meet, must RSVP in advance for care www.alohatoaging.org
PICTORIAL DIRECTORY
THE SHEPHERDING COMMITTEE has made available an informal pictorial directory of our congregation. Thank you to Pat Burgess and The Shepherding Committee for undertaking this project. We are excited to get our new directories!
Pentecost Sunday
Bringing a relevant message to the world
Growing the body of Christ
Proclaiming God’s love through mission and outreach.
