Advent event calendar
Advent Small Groups
During this important season in the life of our faith, consider spending time with a small group to help grow in your faith. New small groups and already existing small groups will meet for the Advent season to discuss the advent theme “Sacred and Surprising.” Contact Grace Lindvall to learn more.
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November 27 – December 11
The Giving Tree in the Welcome Center
Covenant's Giving Tree for Highland students will be available in the Welcome Center beginning Sunday, November 27. Choose an ornament (or two) and shop for family gifts to be dropped back off at the Welcome Center by Sunday, December 11 and delivered to the school that week. Questions? Contact Sally Harriss.
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November 27 – December 25
Advent Devotionals
Beginning on November 27, journey through advent with Covenant by taking on a spiritual practice of daily devotional readings. Covenant members and ministers will provide stories, reflections, and scripture on the theme “Sacred and Surprising.” Throughout the season of Advent we see that God works both in surprising ways and in our surprising circumstances. Print copies will be available at church and daily emails are available by subscribing online.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
December 1 - 15
Christmas Present Drive
Covenant volunteers are needed to spend time with the children and families at the Mezzanine as they take photos with Santa and “shop” for presents for their loved ones. We also need donations of small presents that will be used for children to "shop" for their loved ones. Examples include: candles, scarves, panthers gear, socks, jewelry, picture frames, etc. Donations of gifts should be dropped off in designated plastic "tubs" located in the Welcome Center by 11:00 AM on Tuesday, December 15. Sign Up for visits or donations online.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sunday, December 4
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Alternative Gift Market in the Welcome Center
Do your holiday shopping this year in a way that supports Covenant’s local and global partners. Covenant’s Alternative Gift Market will be held in the Welcome Center and feature olive oil from Palestine, nativity sets from Kenya, vanilla from Mexico, and many, many more gifts for you to purchase for your loved ones. 100% of proceeds from this market go back to our nonprofit partners to support their various outreach endeavors. Can you help us make the Alternative Gift Market a success? Volunteer your time here.
You can also purchase an honor card. An honor card is a 100% donation to an organization of your choice that comes in a beautiful Covenant member-designed card for you to share with a loved one during this holiday season. Order the honor cards online.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Starting Tuesday, December 6: Room in the Inn
Everyone in the congregation is invited to help host Room in the Inn at Covenant. We need van drivers, overnight hosts and other volunteers to serve and visit with our guests. Contact Lynn Morrow for more information.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wednesday, December 7
5:00 -7:00 PM: Christmas Crafts in Fellowship Hall
Children of all ages are invited to embrace the spirit of the season at this beloved Covenant tradition. Come and create a variety of Christmas-themed crafts, some to keep and some to give away. Special guest appearance by Santa himself. Our sign-up sheet is full, but come see Santa and we'll make sure your child gets a photo with him.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wednesday, December 7
10:30 AM: TLC Christmas Bingo Party in Fellowship Hall
Covenant’s active adults group enjoys learning, travel, good food and bingo! Enjoy some time of rich fellowship, games, and prizes. Please RSVP with Michelle Williamson.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sunday, December 11
5:00 PM: Lessons and Carols Service in the Sanctuary
Covenant Choir, Youth Singers, Children’s Choirs, Covenant Ringers with brass, timpani and organ lead the congregation in favorite carols and new songs of the season. All are invited to come sing with the Covenant Choir for Lessons and Carols! Four weeks of preparation begin November 9 at 6:30 PM. Interested youth are welcome to sing with Youth Singers for Lessons and Carols. We will prepare this music on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. in Education Building room 315. Contact Heather Potter for more details.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wednesday, December 14
7:00 PM: Wholeness and Healing Service in the Chapel
“The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” is not always so wonderful. As the days lengthen and the holidays approach, many of us face grief and sorrow for a variety of reasons. Join us for a worship service that seeks to acknowledge the reality of hardship in our lives while reaching out in trust to the God who holds us through all things. This candlelight service, featuring music, prayer, scripture, and meditation is open to all.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thursday, December 15
5:00 PM: Holiday Party at The Mezzanine
Covenant volunteers are invited to spend time with children and families who live at The Mezzanine. Children can take photos with Santa and "shop" for presents for their loved ones.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
December 18
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Young Adult Christmas Party
No Da Brewing Company. Sign up here
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Wednesday, December 21
4:15 PM: Winter Solstice Hike at James Boyce Park Pavillion
Join Outdoor Ministry’s Winter Solstice Contemplative Hike. We gather at James Boyce Park Pavilion, 300 Boyce Road to mark seasonal change from Autumn to Winter. December 21 is Earth’s Longest Night also, an occasion for celebrating the light of God’s love in creation, the light of Christ which is never extinguished. Sign up for the hike here.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CHRISTMAS EVE
Saturday, December 24
10:00 AM: Children’s Service in the Sanctuary
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Live Nativity Animals & Petting Zoo
Our program will kick off with our Kindergarten class performing the Nativity story in the sanctuary. Then, the celebration will continue with a live nativity petting zoo and birthday cake for Jesus outside. Contact Dailyn Sailor to learn more.
3:00 PM: Contemporary Christmas Eve Service in the Sanctuary*
Our theme is "Appalachian Christmas," a wintery mix of classic Christmas carols with a few contemporary songs. We will feature many voices, brass and string instruments, and a cappella music.
5:00 PM Traditional Christmas Eve Service in the Sanctuary*
A candlelight service of traditional carols led by Covenant Choir with string quartet and organ.
*Christmas Eve Offering: 100% of this year's Christmas Eve offering will go to support partners locally and around the globe who are doing great work feeding children during a time of immense need.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CHRISTMAS DAY
Sunday, December 25
11:00 AM: Traditional Service in the Sanctuary
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NEW YEARS DAY
Sunday, January 1, 2023
11:00 AM: Contemporary Service in the Sanctuary
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
During this important season in the life of our faith, consider spending time with a small group to help grow in your faith. New small groups and already existing small groups will meet for the Advent season to discuss the advent theme “Sacred and Surprising.” Contact Grace Lindvall to learn more.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
November 27 – December 11
The Giving Tree in the Welcome Center
Covenant's Giving Tree for Highland students will be available in the Welcome Center beginning Sunday, November 27. Choose an ornament (or two) and shop for family gifts to be dropped back off at the Welcome Center by Sunday, December 11 and delivered to the school that week. Questions? Contact Sally Harriss.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
November 27 – December 25
Advent Devotionals
Beginning on November 27, journey through advent with Covenant by taking on a spiritual practice of daily devotional readings. Covenant members and ministers will provide stories, reflections, and scripture on the theme “Sacred and Surprising.” Throughout the season of Advent we see that God works both in surprising ways and in our surprising circumstances. Print copies will be available at church and daily emails are available by subscribing online.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
December 1 - 15
Christmas Present Drive
Covenant volunteers are needed to spend time with the children and families at the Mezzanine as they take photos with Santa and “shop” for presents for their loved ones. We also need donations of small presents that will be used for children to "shop" for their loved ones. Examples include: candles, scarves, panthers gear, socks, jewelry, picture frames, etc. Donations of gifts should be dropped off in designated plastic "tubs" located in the Welcome Center by 11:00 AM on Tuesday, December 15. Sign Up for visits or donations online.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sunday, December 4
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Alternative Gift Market in the Welcome Center
Do your holiday shopping this year in a way that supports Covenant’s local and global partners. Covenant’s Alternative Gift Market will be held in the Welcome Center and feature olive oil from Palestine, nativity sets from Kenya, vanilla from Mexico, and many, many more gifts for you to purchase for your loved ones. 100% of proceeds from this market go back to our nonprofit partners to support their various outreach endeavors. Can you help us make the Alternative Gift Market a success? Volunteer your time here.
You can also purchase an honor card. An honor card is a 100% donation to an organization of your choice that comes in a beautiful Covenant member-designed card for you to share with a loved one during this holiday season. Order the honor cards online.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Starting Tuesday, December 6: Room in the Inn
Everyone in the congregation is invited to help host Room in the Inn at Covenant. We need van drivers, overnight hosts and other volunteers to serve and visit with our guests. Contact Lynn Morrow for more information.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wednesday, December 7
5:00 -7:00 PM: Christmas Crafts in Fellowship Hall
Children of all ages are invited to embrace the spirit of the season at this beloved Covenant tradition. Come and create a variety of Christmas-themed crafts, some to keep and some to give away. Special guest appearance by Santa himself. Our sign-up sheet is full, but come see Santa and we'll make sure your child gets a photo with him.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wednesday, December 7
10:30 AM: TLC Christmas Bingo Party in Fellowship Hall
Covenant’s active adults group enjoys learning, travel, good food and bingo! Enjoy some time of rich fellowship, games, and prizes. Please RSVP with Michelle Williamson.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sunday, December 11
5:00 PM: Lessons and Carols Service in the Sanctuary
Covenant Choir, Youth Singers, Children’s Choirs, Covenant Ringers with brass, timpani and organ lead the congregation in favorite carols and new songs of the season. All are invited to come sing with the Covenant Choir for Lessons and Carols! Four weeks of preparation begin November 9 at 6:30 PM. Interested youth are welcome to sing with Youth Singers for Lessons and Carols. We will prepare this music on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. in Education Building room 315. Contact Heather Potter for more details.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wednesday, December 14
7:00 PM: Wholeness and Healing Service in the Chapel
“The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” is not always so wonderful. As the days lengthen and the holidays approach, many of us face grief and sorrow for a variety of reasons. Join us for a worship service that seeks to acknowledge the reality of hardship in our lives while reaching out in trust to the God who holds us through all things. This candlelight service, featuring music, prayer, scripture, and meditation is open to all.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thursday, December 15
5:00 PM: Holiday Party at The Mezzanine
Covenant volunteers are invited to spend time with children and families who live at The Mezzanine. Children can take photos with Santa and "shop" for presents for their loved ones.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
December 18
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Young Adult Christmas Party
No Da Brewing Company. Sign up here
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wednesday, December 21
4:15 PM: Winter Solstice Hike at James Boyce Park Pavillion
Join Outdoor Ministry’s Winter Solstice Contemplative Hike. We gather at James Boyce Park Pavilion, 300 Boyce Road to mark seasonal change from Autumn to Winter. December 21 is Earth’s Longest Night also, an occasion for celebrating the light of God’s love in creation, the light of Christ which is never extinguished. Sign up for the hike here.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CHRISTMAS EVE
Saturday, December 24
10:00 AM: Children’s Service in the Sanctuary
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Live Nativity Animals & Petting Zoo
Our program will kick off with our Kindergarten class performing the Nativity story in the sanctuary. Then, the celebration will continue with a live nativity petting zoo and birthday cake for Jesus outside. Contact Dailyn Sailor to learn more.
3:00 PM: Contemporary Christmas Eve Service in the Sanctuary*
Our theme is "Appalachian Christmas," a wintery mix of classic Christmas carols with a few contemporary songs. We will feature many voices, brass and string instruments, and a cappella music.
5:00 PM Traditional Christmas Eve Service in the Sanctuary*
A candlelight service of traditional carols led by Covenant Choir with string quartet and organ.
*Christmas Eve Offering: 100% of this year's Christmas Eve offering will go to support partners locally and around the globe who are doing great work feeding children during a time of immense need.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CHRISTMAS DAY
Sunday, December 25
11:00 AM: Traditional Service in the Sanctuary
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
NEW YEARS DAY
Sunday, January 1, 2023
11:00 AM: Contemporary Service in the Sanctuary
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