PRELUDE Improvisation David Kasper, saxophone/flute Jonathan Moyer, organ/piano. Freedom is coming, O yes, I know.

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1 The CHURCH of the COVENANT THE WORSHIP OF GOD SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016 SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT 10:00 AM ORDER OF WORSHIP *All who are able are invited to stand. THE MCGAFFIN CARILLON GEORGE LEGGIERO PRELUDE Improvisation David Kasper, saxophone/flute Jonathan Moyer, organ/piano WELCOME THE REV. AMY STARR REDWINE * CELEBRATION OF COMMUNITY ` INTROIT Freedom Is Coming SOUTH AFRICAN TRADITIONAL The Covenant Choir Freedom is coming, O yes, I know. * CALL TO WORSHIP THE REV. EILEEN F. VIZCAINO One: Here, in this place, God welcomes all the dreamers, as well as the doubters: All: here, the worriers and wanderers can call on God by name. Here, in this time, we can remember all the ways God has graced us: here, in these moments, we are reminded that God is with us. Here are gathered those daring enough to step out of comfort into the unknown: here, in this space, we will find the courage to call on God, in faith and in hope.

2 * HYMN 276 Great Is Thy Faithfulness FAITHFULNESS * CALL TO CONFESSION BOB AULT * CORPORATE PRAYER OF CONFESSION Gracious and Loving God, forgive us for our often self-centered ways. You call upon us to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty and welcome the stranger, yet we frequently ignore the stranger and are insensitive to the hungry and thirsty in our midst and around the world. Lord you have commanded us to love our neighbor as ourselves, yet we have not given to the poor as we ought, nor sought justice for the refugees and strangers in our community. Empower us to express Christ s compassion to our neighbors in concrete ways and not just focus on our own desires. We ask your forgiveness as we silently confess our sins. * PRIVATE CONFESSION OF SIN (in silence) * RESPONSORIAL KYRIE JONATHAN MOYER Choir sings each line and then all are invited to repeat. * DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS One: All: Hear the Good News! The Apostle Paul declares, I am convinced that there is nothing in death or life, in the realm of spirits or superhuman powers, in the world as it is or the world as it shall be, in the forces of the universe, in height or depthsnothing in all creation that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (from Romans 8) Friends, believe the good news. In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. * GLORIA PATRI HYMN 579 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. **or Maker

3 PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION FIRST LESSON LAMENTATIONS 3:21 33 ANTHEM Evening Prayer OLA GJEILO The Covenant Choir David Kasper, saxophone Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend your sick ones, O Lord Jesus Christ; rest your weary ones; bless your dying ones; soothe your suffering ones; pity your afflicted ones; shield your joyous ones; and all for your love's sake. Amen. St. Augustine TIME FOR YOUNG DISCIPLES MINDY STEWART PARTING RESPONSE All are invited to sing as a round as the children and youth depart for Sunday School. Translation: Goodbye friends, until we meet again. SECOND LESSON MARK 5:21 43 One: This is the word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God. SERMON Can the Center Hold? AMY STARR REDWINE * HYMN 399 We Walk by Faith and Not by Sight DUNLAP S CREEK JOYS AND CONCERNS IN OUR CHURCH FAMILY MINDY STEWART PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING, INTERCESSION, AND PETITION

4 THE LORD'S PRAYER 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. CONGREGATIONAL AMEN All are invited to sing. JONATHAN MOYER INVITATION TO THE OFFERING OFFERTORY How Long Wilt Thou Forget Me LEO SOWERBY Michael Peters, bass How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord; forever: how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, and be so vexed in my heart: how long shall mine enemies triumph over me? Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes that I sleep not in death; Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him: for if I be cast down, they that trouble me will rejoice at it. But my trust is in thy mercy: and my heart is joyful in thy salvation. I will sing of the Lord, because he hath dealt so lovingly with me: yea, I will praise the name of the Lord most highest. - Psalm 13 * DOXOLOGY OLD HUNDREDTH HYMN 591 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.* Amen. *or Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost * PRAYER OF DEDICATION * HYMN 316 Breathe on Me, Breath of God TRENTHAM * BENEDICTION LITURGICAL MOVEMENT AND MUSIC THE MCGAFFIN CARILLON Mary Anne Bromelmeier Jonathan Moyer, organ David Kasper, saxophone GEORGE LEGGIERO For some worshipers, the postlude serves as music to accompany their going out into the world; others prefer to remain seated to listen. Please be mindful of these different needs as you depart. Thank you!

5 SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016 WORSHIP, 10:00 SUNDAY SCHOOL/CHILDREN S CHOIR, 10:15 COFFEE AND FELLOWSHIP, Reception Room, 11:00 STUDENT BRUNCH, Activities Room, 11:00 SCIENCE OF SPIRITUALITY, Sonia Golden Room, 12:30 CELEBRATION OF BLACK HISTORY, 12:30 2:00 AT FOREST HILL CHURCH Ta-Nehesi Coates "A Case For Reparations " with Rap Sessions CEO Bakari Kitwana Forest Hill Church, 3031 Monticello Boulevard, Cleveland Heights, Author, political analyst and activist Bakari Kitwana will lead a conversation around this provocative topic. The panel discussion will also feature Dr. Amilcar Shabazz, attorney Deadra Farmer-Palleman, and local policy experts and advocates. WELCOME WE WELCOME ALL WHO HAVE COME TO WORSHIP at the Church of the Covenant. If you are interested in exploring additional opportunities or inquiring about church membership, please contact Amy Starr Redwine at ASRedwine@CovenantWeb.org or Melanie Marsh Baum at MBaum@CovenantWeb.org. A gathering for those considering membership will be on Sunday, April 24, at 11:30am in the Herrick Room. MUSIC NOTES: We welcome the stylish improvisations of jazz saxophonist David Kasper to our service this weekend. Mr. Kasper joins the Covenant choir in presenting a recently composed work by Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo (b.1978) entitled Evening Prayer. Mr. Gjeilo lives now in New York City, and his compositions have become popular world-wide. Our service also features a bass solo by American composer Leo Sowerby set to the words of Psalm 13 and sung by Covenant choir soloist, Michael Peters. OUR LAY WORSHIP LEADER is Bob Ault who, with his wife Karen, joined the Covenant in November He has served on Session, Clerk of Session, the Stewardship Committee, Outreach and Social Justice Committee and tutors on Saturday mornings. Bob has served on numerous Presbytery committees and recently was the Moderator of the Presbytery of the Western Reserve. Bob and Karen have three married children and thirteen grandchildren. If you would like to become a lay worship leader, please contact Gale Bromelmeier at or at galebrom@aol.com. CHILDREN WILL LEAVE FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL following a Time for Young Disciples. The crèche is open for infants through pre-kindergarten from 9:30am to 12:30pm. Child care is available for special services such as Tenebrae. Call the church office for more information. FLOWERS IN THE CHANCEL TODAY are presented to the glory of God and in memory of David Hopkins, whose birthday is February 13, by his sister Marilyn Langmack.

6 USHERS TODAY are Chris Langmack, Bob Ault, Tracy Blake, Marilyn Langmack and Greg Madison. Greeters are Lou and Sue Salvator. SINCE A GUNMAN OPENED FIRE AT SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ON DECEMBER 14, 2012, killing 26 people, 20 of them children; 509 people in Cuyahoga County have been killed by guns. Since last month, 11 more individuals have died by gun violence in Cuyahoga County. The names of those at least 18 years of age are Glover Booker, Joshua David Mascol, Rashaad Jabar Bandy, Brandon Lamar James, David Andrew Marzalek, Gordon Beecher Milne, Anthony Hubbard, Roderick Leon Burton II, Ryan Andrew Dixon, Eric Ta Marquard, and Cornelius Robinson. Three of those who died were by suicide. Believing God calls us to be peacemakers, by Session action, every second Sunday we include in our prayers the specific concern for people affected by gun violence, marked by the tolling of the tower bell. NEXT WEEK THE YOUTH WILL COLLECT FOOD FOR THE COVENANT FOOD PANTRY which is open the last Wednesday and Friday of the month from 10am 12pm. Food items that are especially needed include pasta, pasta sauce, peanut butter, spam or canned meat, corn muffin mix. A STEPHEN MINISTER is in Christ Chapel following worship today if you would like someone to pray or talk with. Stephen Ministers are church members trained to support individuals who are facing challenges and would like a caring Christian presence during this time. TWO BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR LENTEN STUDY AND REFLECTION. A Clearing Season by Sarah Parsons, a Lenten devotional with weekly entries, reflections, and group exercises, invites readers to look within and develop an approach to the Lenten Journey that is authentic, fresh, and relevant. ($9.00) All Shall Be Well, edited by Michael Leach, James Keane, and Doris Goodnough, is fifty-four selections by classical and contemporary writers offering stirring meditations for Lenten reading and a source of wisdom and beauty for many days after. Includes works by: Pope Francis, Henri Nouwen, Phyllis Tickle, Mary Oliver and more. ($12.00). Both may be purchased in the church office. OPPORTUNITIES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS SCHEDULED THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 22 MONDAY 22 nd CWRU rehearsal, 1:00; Organ rehearsal, 2:30; Chaplain Nominating, 5:00 TUESDAY 23 nd Cache, 10:00; Tuesday Noon Bible Study, 12:00; Chaplain Nominating, 5:00 WEDNESDAY 24 th Covenant Food Pantry, 10:00; tutoring at Daniel E. Morgan school; 2:00; Twelve Steps to Freedom (AA), Ministries dinner, 5:30; CWRU rehearsal, 6:30; Session, 7:00 THURSDAY 25 th Cache, 10:00; Theology on Tap, 5:00 (Happy Dog); Handbell Choir, 6:30; Chaplain Nominating, 5:00; Choir Rehearsal, 7:30 FRIDAY 26 th Covenant Food Pantry, 10:00; Choral Showcase Invitational Concert, 7:30 SATURDAY 27 th Saturday Tutoring, 10:00 All committee meetings except Personnel are open. See Covenant s interactive calendar at CovenantWeb.org for details. (Call Willie Howard at , whoward@covenantweb.org, to schedule or change a meeting.)

7 SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2016 WORSHIP, 10:00 (food collection) SUNDAY SCHOOL/CHILDREN S CHOIR, 10:15 COFFEE AND FELLOWSHIP, Reception Room, 11:00 STUDENT SNACKS, Narthex, 11:00 4 TH 7 TH GRADERS, Living Room, 12:00 CELEBRATION OF BLACK HISTORY, BECKWITH HALL, 11:30 Julialynne Walker, host of Crossing Cultures Crossing Cultures is a weekly look at the dynamics of the Global African Diaspora with interviews of fascinating people, living creative lives, involved in creating sustainable communities. IN THE COVENANT FAMILY WE KEEP IN OUR PRAYERS Glenn Anderson Sr., Anne Brown, Akeya Clark (niece of Marie Jones), Lise Genson (mother of Loren Genson), Phyllis Hackett, Fritz Haiss, Joseph Knoth, Susan Nyberg, Jonyrma Singleton, Dianne Strawser (mother of Jennifer Lewis), Barbara Thatcher Williams, and Bill and Jean Wittrock. We also pray for Covenant members and friends who are struggling with illness, convalescing, or are homebound; the patients, family, and staff in our surrounding hospitals; those who have placed prayer requests in our Carpenter's Box; and all who are impacted by gun violence. Melanie Marsh Baum is on vacation today. SCC: Student Community at Covenant from first year to "post doc, and alums, this is for YOU! Check SCC on Facebooks and SCC e-news online. Don t receive it? Sign up. Brunch today, or Eileen: evizcaino@covenantweb.org. TODAY STUDENT BRUNCH! Meet at the Snack Table (lobby) to go down to brunch. FUTURE EVENTS (Congregation members invited!) March 19, Saturday 1 3pm, help to work at the shelter for homeless at 2100 Lakeside. Contact Jack to volunteer: wjw49@case.edu. Transportation from Covenant at 12:30. March 31, Thursday. Help make/serve/share dinner for cancer outpatients. Shifts available from 3:30 to 6:30, hour or half-hour. Chrismaly leading: cxv93@case.edu. No cooking experience necessary. Eileen is mini-chef. Last Sunday with SCC was the sweetest! Everyone found a valentine and went home with a sack of goodies.

8 MINISTERS All the Members of the Church STAFF PASTORAL STAFF The Reverend Amy Starr Redwine, Pastor, The Reverend Melanie Marsh Baum, Associate Pastor, The Reverend Eileen F. Vizcaíno, Chaplain to Students, The Reverend Nancy Lynch, Parish Associate The Reverend James F. Dowd, Pastor Emeritus WORSHIP AND MUSIC Dr. Jonathan W. Moyer, Organist & Director of Music, Dr. Matthew Garrett, Associate Director of Music, Dr. Kaori Hongo, Director of Music for Children and Youth, Mr. George Leggiero, Carillonneur, CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES Ms. Mindy Stewart, Director of Family Ministries, Ms. Dara Elliott, Crèche Teacher, ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATIONS Mr. Willie Howard, Program Administrative Services Manager, Mrs. Mildred Russin, Volunteer Coordinator, Ms. Lyn Cooper Tomaszewski, Communications Manager, Mr. Willie Parker, Custodian, COVENANT UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY MINISTRIES (CUCM) CUCM is a non-profit organization founded in 2010 by the Church of the Covenant to provide a home for programs that reach out and engage both the university and Greater Cleveland community. Four programs currently are under the CUCM umbrella. Learn more at CovenantUCM.weebly.com; CUCM@CovenantWeb.org. Ms. Linda Wilson, Saturday Tutoring Program; Ms. Anne Pillot, Community Meals The Reverend Eileen F. Vizcaíno, Student Ministries; Mr. David Eggert, God Before Guns Euclid Avenue Cleveland, Ohio P: CovenantWeb.org F: E: Covenant@CovenantWeb.org