November 11, 2018

The Caring Church in the Heart of the City!

Our mission at First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant is:

To awaken all people to our need for a life-changing encounter

with the living Lord Jesus Christ,

and to encourage and equip each one to become His fully-devoted follower.

The Congregation, in ministry We are a Stephen Ministry Congregation

Rev. Chris Weichman

“The Widow’s Might”

P R A Y I N G

Sunday, November 11, 2018 ~ Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost ~ 8:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Worship Services

G A T H E R I N G

Gathering Music Thanks Be to Thee G.F Handel

Moment of Silence Bells of Peace Today is the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended

WWI on the eleventh day of the eleventh month at the eleventh hour. In the

war, 116,516 Americans died & over 200,000 were wounded. Approximately

four million American families sent their loved ones to serve in the war; over

16 million people world-wide were killed. To commemorate this day & re-

member the lives lost in this war & all the Veterans who have served, we join

with churches across the city & state tolling our bell 21 times. Thank you,

Veterans & the families of Veterans who served their nation selflessly.

Welcome, Announcements &

Reading of Mission Statement Rev. Chris Weichman

Moment for Ministry Disaster Assistance Michael Burns

Prelude Berceuse (from 24 pieces) Louis Vierne

Sung Call to Worship #59 choir once, choir & congregation twice

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

God’s mercies never come to an end.

They are new every morning, new every morning;

Great is your faithfulness, O Lord, great is your faithfulness.

Opening Prayer Rev. Chris Weichman

*Hymn #712 As Those of Old Forest Green

*Prayer of Confession (in unison) Alex Moldovan (8:30)

Taylor Yenko (11:00)

Eternal God, we confess

that we have failed to seek your will.

We revel in power and privilege

while many are struggling to survive.

We boast of our great contributions

while some who have little give all.

Forgive us, God of grace.

Strip us of all pride and pretense

and clothe us in your mercy alone,

ready us to meet you in your glory;

through Jesus our Lord. Amen

*Words of Assurance

*Passing of the Peace The Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

And also with you.

*Gloria Patri #581 Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end...Amen, amen.

First Reading 1 Kings 17:8-16 Alex Moldovan (8:30)

Taylor Yenko (11:00)

Page 282, Pew Bible

Anthem Deo Dicamus Gratias Victor Johnson

The Covenant Choir ( translation: To God let us say thanks. Let us give praise to the Lord )

Story Telling Britney Knight

After Storytelling, children up to 3rd grade who leave the 11:00 service

will be escorted to Reed Chapel on the third floor for Children’s Worship.

Hymn #353 My Hope is Built on Nothing Less Solid Rock

Second Reading Mark 12:41-44 Rev. Chris Weichman

Page 825, Pew Bible

Sermon “The Widow’s Might” Rev. Chris Weichman

Pastoral Prayer & Lord’s Prayer God is Good All the Time!

All the Time God is Good!

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,

thy kingdom come, thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors;

and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,

forever… Amen.

Giving of Our Tithes & Offerings

Offertory ~ God Whose Giving Knows No Ending... Dale Wood

*Doxology Hymn #609 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures high and low...Alleluia, Alleluia!

Praise God, in Jesus fully known;

Creator, Word, and Spirit one.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

*Prayer of Dedication Rev. Chris Weichman

*Hymn #697 Take My Life Hendon

*Benediction Rev. Chris Weichman

*Postlude Andante John Stanley

*Please rise in body or spirit. Liturgist ~ Alex Moldovan (8:30) & Taylor Yenko (11:00)

Sound Tech ~ Jason Irwin

“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” Text by Brian Wren, Music by Hal H. Hopson ©1989, ©1998 Hope Publishing Company CCLI License #11174471

R E S P O N D I N G

L I S T E N I N G

Everyone is welcome to gather in the Parlor after each service

for fellowship & refreshments hosted by the Sunday Book Discussion Class.

F A I T H F O R M A T I O N H O U R

Join Us Every Week at 9:30 a.m.!

Children, Youth & Young Adults

Pre-K ~ Grade 5 ……… Jr. High Lounge & Reed Chapel

Grades 6 ~ 8 ……… Sr. High Lounge

Grades 9 ~ College ……… Campus Ministry Lounge

Adults

“Daniel & Us” with Bill Holmes … Room 313

“The Book of James” … with Rev. Chris Weichman … Fidelis Room

“Future Faith” with Rob Baker … Room 116

W E L C O M E T O W O R S H I P

Welcome to all, especially guests, newcomers to Erie & college students. Please

silence all electronic devices upon entering the Sanctuary & McBrier Chap-

el. Our ushers are available to assist you with large print bulletins & hym-

nals, systems for the hearing impaired & directions to the restrooms.

You are invited to the Parlor after each service for refreshments & fellowship.

Invite others to join you! Interested in volunteering to host? Sign up in the

Parlor on the Fellowship board.

Families with young children: We welcome children in worship! Crayons &

books are available in Art Gallery Hall. Please return at the end of worship.

Would you like to hear today’s sermon again? Today’s & past sermons are

always available on our website www.firstcovenanterie.org

Interested in exploring membership within First Covenant? For more infor-

mation, please contact Sheila Sweet at (814) 898-3417.

Stephen Ministry is a ministry in which people with special gifts for caring can

put those gifts to use in an organized way, bringing Jesus’ love & care to

those who most need it.

If you know someone who is going through a difficult time, contact

Leader Diane Ream, (814) 899-6762. Our Stephen Ministers are ready to

provide focused, confidential, one-to-one Christian care ~ to help that per-

son experience the healing power of Christ’s love.

Hospital Callers: Would you like to bring the love of God to those in the

hospital? If you are interested in joining a wonderful ministry of our church,

contact Sheila Sweet at 814-898-3417.

Planned Hospitalization? If you would like a visit from the pastor and/or Dea-

cons, please call the church office with the dates of your scheduled hospitali-

zation. Also, be sure to indicate “First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant”

as your church when you complete your intake forms.

Looking for a few good drivers!! The Deacons are looking for church members

to give other members a ride to church to experience FPCC worship &

fellowship. If you are willing to help with this outreach please call Debbie

Bernardini at 825-5937 for more details.

Have a phone, mailing address or email change? Would you like to receive our

monthly newsletter? Contact JoAnn Peters in the church office ~

joann.peters@firstcovenanterie.org or 456.4243 x110.

The flowers at the lectern are in loving memory of E. Stanley Dockstader,

given by his family.

At the conclusion of the 11:00 a.m. service, the Dockstader

family invites you to take flowers from the sanctuary bouquet &

distribute them to a shut-in, hospitalized friend, or person you

wish to reach out to in Christ’s name.

M E M O R I A L F L O W E R S

F I R S T C O V E N A N T L I F E

Something New: Thanksgiving Eve Pause before the big feasting day to give

thanks to God with your church family. A brief, simple, reflective, creative

service led by the staff team will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the chapel on

Wednesday, Nov. 21. Gather in the Parlor for pie & cider after the service.

We have an opening for Memorial Flowers or Mission Giving on Dec. 2nd.

If you would like to donate flowers for the Lectern in memory or honor of a

loved one, please call Mary Concoby at 864-0027.

Women & The Word…will meet this Tuesday at 7:00 PM in the FPCC Parlor.

We are beginning our discussion on Inspired by Rachel Held Evans. There

are still books available for $12 in the office. If you would like to join but

buying the book is not in your budget, see Britney Knight. Now is a great

time for new friends to join us!

December Chimes...November has been mailed & it s time to start preparing

the next issue so if you wish to submit an article for December’s Covenant

Chimes Newsletter, please do so no later than this Thursday, Nov. 15th. Also,

if you have experienced any problems in receiving your copy by mail or

e-mail please let Anne know in the office at 456-4243 x100.

Covenant Christmas Toy Store…will happen again this year on Dec. 16th during

Sunday Suppers. If you have already purchased toys & would like to drop

them off early, Britney Knight has already begun accepting donations. Please

place the items outside her office door or in her office if open!

Need a Laugh? Join a church table for world renown comedian “Nemr” at JR’s

Last Laugh on State Street on Thursday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. Tickets: $17.

Proceeds benefit the Multicultural Community Resource Center’s work with

refugees. Contact Seph Kumer or Michael Burns by Nov.8 to reserve a spot.

Join Wednesday Morning Bible Study ...at 10:30 a.m. in room 116 with Britney

Knight. We just started the book of Esther & have plenty of seats for friends!

AN EARLY THANKSGIVING this week at Covenant Connections will benefit

Salvation Army of Erie Christmas projects. The Turkish Cultural Center,

Erie’s One Table & First Covenant will share gratitude & a meal together in

Knox Hall at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 14. Suggested dinner donation

(less OR MORE accepted!): $10 adults, $5 children/students.

HELP recent hurricane victims...Presbyterians Disaster Assistance (PDA) who is

on the ground across the southern U.S. in communities devastated by hurri-

canes Florence & Michael. You can assist with immediate needs & rebuild-

ing; see today’s tan insert to see how you can help

Books Needed… The missions committee is requesting books for the adult guests

who attend Sunday Suppers. Here is an opportunity for you to share some

novels. You can drop books off in Knox Hall on the table by the back doors.

Thanksgiving in Our West Bayfront Join folks from the West Bayfront for

Thanksgiving Dinner at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center on Sunday, Nov.

18 at 3-5 p.m. Volunteers report at 2:00 p.m. This year’s theme: OF the

neighborhood, BY the neighborhood & FOR the neighborhood! Clean-up

teams are needed. Servers & table hosts are needed. How can you help for a

couple of hours? Let Seph Kumer know by text or call: 814.566.0287

The Advent/Christmas Choir has begun: please consider joining this seasonal

choir! Rehearsals are on Thursdays at 7:30 in the choir room. We are prac-

ticing exciting & varied anthems for the Advent Season & some large works

for Christmas Eve! There will be one 6:30 PM service on Christmas Eve.

Any question, contact Leslie Weber at bachfan1956@gmail.com

Directory Changes, Part 2: additional changes to the new directory have been

made & are available to pick up Sundays at all the sanctuary entrances.

Exhibit in the Community Gallery: Pat Bywater's Sense of Place - Erie Land

marks offers a photographic look at the interesting buildings that define our

community. Pat’s photos & stories appear in the Erie Times-News. They are

for sale benefitting Preservation Erie or Our West Bayfront Activity Fund.

T H E W E E K A H E A D

AMS

When you wish to contact our Pastor, Rev. Chris Weichman,

he can be reached in the Church office from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.,

Tuesday through Friday, at 814-456-4243 ex.103

or anytime by email at chris.weichman@firstcovenanterie.org

Abby Blankenship, Campus Minister Nsanbeh (Danté) Epizitone, Sunday Host

Ian Headley, Weeknight Host

Lisa Hiegel, Director, Covenant Preschool Jackie K. Jones, Covenant Cook

Britney Knight, Director, Youth/Family Ministries

Luba Kovalchuk, Custodian Seph Kumer, Director, Community Engagement

Marsha Mackinnon-McKinley, Web-Master

JoAnn Peters, Finance / Records Administration Anne Sauer, Administrative Assistant

John Scepura, Building & Maintenance Mechanic

Mary Schmidt, Hostess Monty Service, Coordinator, Missional Music

Kevin Stevenson, Covenant Cook

Leslie Weber, Organist / Choirmaster Rev. Chris Weichman, Pastor/ Head of Staff

F P C C S T A F F

Sunday, November 18, 2018 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Worship Services ~ Twenty–Sixth Sunday after Pentecost ~

Matthew 7:7-11

Rev. Chris Weichman

Thursday, November 15th

~ Chimes Articles Due ~ 8:00 a.m. Men’s Breakfast ~ Perkins

12:00 p.m. NA ~ 116

4:30 p.m. YPC ~ Knox Hall

6:30 p.m. Covenant Bells ~ Sanctuary

7:15 p.m. Covenant Choir ~ Music Rm

7:30 p.m. Women’s NA ~ Knox Hall

Friday, November 16th

7:00 a.m. Men’s Bible ~ Parlor

11:00 a.m. Pre-S Pow-Wow ~Sr. Lounge

Saturday, November 17th

9:00 a.m. MLK Cooking

~ Knox Kitchen

5:00 p.m. GU International Turkey

Dinner ~ Knox Hall

Sunday, November 18th

~ No Sunday Suppers ~ 8:30 a.m. Worship ~ McBrier Chapel

9:15 a.m. Fellowship ~ Parlor

9:30 a.m. Faith Formation ~ Various

11:00 a.m. Worship ~ Sanctuary

12:15 p.m. Fellowship ~ Parlor

3:00 p.m. MLK Thanksgiving Dinner

~ MLK Center

4:00 p.m. Youth Group ~ Sr. Lounge

5:45 p.m. Greater than the Sum

~ Sanctuary

Sunday, November 11th

8:30 a.m. Worship ~ McBrier Chapel

9:15 a.m. Fellowship ~ Parlor

9:30 a.m. Faith Formation ~ Various

11:00 a.m. Worship ~ Sanctuary

12:15 p.m. Fellowship ~ Parlor

4:00 p.m. Youth Group ~ Sr. Lounge

4:00 p.m. Sunday Suppers ~ Knox Hall

5:45 p.m. Greater than the Sum

~ Sanctuary

Monday, November 12th

9:00 a.m. Women Connect ~ 116

6:30 p.m. NA ~ Knox Hall

7:00 p.m. K-Core Board ~ 116

7:00 p.m. GU Pep Band ~ Music Rm

Tuesday, November 13th

3:00 p.m. Urban University ~ Kitchen

4:30 p.m. Personnel ~ Library

5:30 p.m. H&M Committee ~ 119

6:30 p.m. Mission ~ 116

7:00 p.m. Budget ~ Library

7:30 p.m. AA ~ 313

7:30 p.m. NA ~ Sr. Lounge

Wednesday, November 14th

9:30 a.m. Tour w/ CP ~Sanctuary

9:30 a.m. Pre-S Board ~ 119

9:45 a.m. Story Time ~ Parlor

10:30 a.m. Bible Study ~ 116

1:30 p.m. Staff mtg. ~ Office

5:15 p.m. Connections Dinner ~ Knox

5:30 p.m. NA ~ 116

6:00 p.m. Jr. Ringers ~ Music Rm

7:15 p.m. Deacons ~ 116

8:00 p.m. Restore ~ Kirk House

November 4, 2018 Attendance:

8:30 a.m. = 93 people

10:00 a.m. = 145 people

2018 Year to Date Pledge: ( Totals are both pledge & non-pledge revenue )

Budget : $361,177 ~ Actual: $325,398

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is offering immediate aid

to the communities impacted by Hurricane Michael. This joins re-

sponses already underway for those impacted by Hurricane Florence,

Typhoon Mangkhut, and other international disasters that have suf-

fered a lack of media coverage.

Hurricane Michael struck the Florida panhandle with devastating

winds and storm surge, causing loss of life. The storm then cut a path

across the southeast, moving through the same areas impacted by

Hurricane Florence just a few weeks ago.

PDA is deploying teams to affected presbyteries. Emergency aid,

assistance in the development of a short-term response plan, as well

as a ministry of presence will be the priorities of the initial response.

Meanwhile, areas impacted by Mangkhut and Florence have re-

ceived aid and support through the gifts of Presbyterians like you. In

humility, with God and your continued support, we will continue to

help draw hope out of the chaos, together.

Will you stand in the “GAP” (Give/Act/Pray)

to help the survivors of these terrible storms?

Please make checks payable to FPCC with “PDA Hurricane Fund” on the memo line & return via the offering plate, mail

or simply dropping them off to the church office. The Mission Committee has allocated matching funds up to $2,000.00 to increase your

gift!

~ Thank you!

Do not fear, for I am with you

Do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you.

~ Isaiah 41:10

Urgent & Important! Help is needed December 12th-18th At Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

643 West 17th Street

The overflow shelter program is experiencing some difficulties due to a few churches inability to schedule this winter.

To save the shelter, Our Neighbors’ Place has secured Holy Trini-ty Lutheran as a site from December 5th – 18th, but there is no spon-soring church to coordinate the shelter. Dale and Pat have agreed to schedule meals and volunteers for the week of December 12th — 18th.

If you can provide a meal for about 55 guests to be served at 8:00 pm please contact Pat at tptracy72@gmail.com or if you will volunteer for a shift at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, please contact Dale at shedal68@gmail.com

Our Neighbors’ Place returns to FPCC November 21st- December 4th

It takes a congregation to run a shelter! How can you help? Sign up for a volunteer shift with

Dale Sweet! Participate in “Undies Sunday”. Attend the prayer service. Take some tags off the

giving tree! Donate clean, new or used: Men’s winter coats, Blue jeans, Boots, Gloves, Sweatshirts.

Undies Sunday is Next Week November 18th

Bring new men’s undershirts or boxer briefs sizes medium – extra large to worship on Sunday.

Opening Prayer Service November 17th

A prayer service for the start of the “shelter season” will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 17th at the Cathedral of St Paul in front of the Homeless Jesus stat-ue. All are welcome & encouraged to attend.

During November the Deacons will begin collecting nonperishable canned goods and boxed items to supplement the Christmas Food Baskets. The baskets will be provided for our church members & reg-ular attendees who might need some assis-tance as we approach the Christmas sea-son.

Donations will be collected at the 7th Street Entrance,

from November 1st through December 4th. The baskets will be gifted Saturday, December 8th.

Please see the list below for needed items. We would like to thank you in advance for your kindness in making someone’s holi-day a blessed & joyful one.

If you know someone who could benefit from receiving a basket, could help assemble baskets or minister in any capacity, please call Cindy Kerchoff at 814-453-4111 (ckquilter@aol.com) or Anne in the church office at 814-456-4243 x100 (anne.sauer@firstcovenanterie.org). Families with children: *Macaroni & Cheese *Drink mixes *Microwave Popcorn *Jam & Jelly *Peanut Butter *Kid-friendly cereals *Raisins & dried fruits *Gummi Bears *Cocoa mixes, Tang, Kool-Aid Adults & seniors: *Adult cereals & oatmeal *Muffin mixes *Single serving items like soup *Hard candies Items for any baskets: *Canned fruits *Canned vegetables *Bottled juice/juice boxes *Canned beans/chili *Baking supplies/spices/nuts *Bisquick *Tomato sauce *Dried rice/beans *Hamburger Helper *Dry soup mixes *Crackers *Instant Potatoes *Cake mixes *Sprinkles for cookies

**The Deacons also plan to add homemade cook-ies to the basket. We are asking anyone who would like to donate a dozen cookies to include in the baskets to please drop them off in the church of-fice on or before Friday, December 7th.