Covenant Presbyterian Church Augusta

Pastor Katelyn Gordon Cooke tells us this week people are often surprised when they hear about conflicts happening within a church. There's this sort of default expectation that churches should be immune to conflict and that Christians should get along all the time. We know that this is not the reality, and Jesus knew it too. This week's Gospel reading assures us that Jesus will not be surprised when there are conflicts among us, and, thankfully, it also includes Jesus' instructions for how we can work toward reconciliation.

Pastor Andy Cooke says, "Sometimes, I feel that we put too great a burden on ourselves to have Christian faith figured out. We overestimate the role of our own understanding and then we become paralyzed when we cannot measure up to our self-imposed standards. Our readings this Sunday show the relative lack of understanding of some of the most well-known Biblical characters, and the ways that God contributes to that obfuscation."
"These will be interesting stories to look at on a Sunday when we receive new members. As these new members begin their journeys with us, we know that their knowledge of God is incomplete. But church membership does not begin with a mastery of Christian faith. Instead, it is an acknowledgement of the ways that we seek and follow even though we lack answers to many of our most basic questions."

Pastor Katelyn Gordon Cooke tells us Sabbath and sabbaticals are practices that disrupt our usual ways of doing things. They force a change to our rhythms and routines. The story we'll hear in worship on Sunday is another story of disruption. It's the story of Shiphrah and Puah, two Hebrew midwives, who are given orders by the king of Egypt. These women are two of my favorite people in Scripture, and I'm looking forward to spending time with them and with you in worship on Sunday as we explore what they have to teach us about being people of faith.

From Pastor Andy Cooke:  "We're back! We've spent twelve weeks away from you, and I can't wait to put on that stole that has been hanging out on the edge of the pulpit all summer long and preach this Sunday. We'll hear the story of Joseph reuniting with his brothers in Egypt after long journeys and a long time apart. God was at work in them in their journey just as God has been at work in us."

Our focus this Sunday encourages us to listen for God in all our experiences. Our guest minister this week, Reverend Cece Armstrong, tells us God speaks through the good times, the bad times, the sad times, and the most odd times.  However, when times seem to be a challenge, it is hard to hear even though God is still speaking.  Considering the storms of life, can we still hear God speak? I declare yes and hope to unpack our ability to listen to God with you as we read and hear Elijah’s experience in 1 Kings 19.

This week, Reverand Karla Conditt Daniels tells us that Psalm 124 outlines how our fears can get away from us, as we imagine worst case scenarios; being swallowed up, overwhelmed, swept away, ground up, or caught in a snare. But David, believed to be the Psalm’s composer, reminds the community they were spared such fates, “if it had not been the Lord who was on our side.” And it’s good news that the Lord is still mindful of us. We too can have confidence in the continuing help of the Lord, whose power for good is forever unmatched by the fearsome and destructive powers of the world.

This Sunday’s sermon, by Reverend Karla Conditt Daniels, focuses on eight concise verses in the fifth chapter of Romans. But just because they are brief, doesn’t mean they are theologically simple. In his inimitable style, the Apostle Paul lays out the multi-faceted assurance that Christ’s redemptive death and resurrection offers each of us. We can have peace with God. We can stand in grace. And, we can have hope, even in the midst of suffering. 

Our guest minister this week is Rev. Boyd Lien who says, "A question from StoryWorth has set me to thinking about my growing understanding of Jesus: 'What have you changed your mind about over the years?' It seems similar to the thoughts that Paul expressed in his letter to the Philippians when he wrote, 'For I have learned to...' and 'I have learned the secred of....' What does it mean to call Jesus the Christ? After all, Christ is not Jesus' last name, it is so much more."

Our guest preacher this week is Rev. Ed Rees.  In the parable of the sower, Jesus says:  “He who has ears, let him hear. “ (Mt.13:9) We all have ears; what’s he talking about? It’s common for us to hear what someone is saying without truly listening and understanding what they mean. What’s at risk when we hear God’s word but don’t let it penetrate our hearts? What are the signs that we have genuinely understood what the Lord is saying to us? How do we invite others to listen for God’s voice?  Rev. Rees shares this topic in this week's message.

This week, Pastor Rosy Robson McCreary, tells us "By the time we gather for worship on Sunday morning, the fireworks will have faded but God's invitation remains. This Sunday, we'll hear Jesus' words, 'Take my yoke upon you...and you will find rest for your souls,' as we gather around the communion table to receive Christ's grace. After your holiday weekend celebrations wind down, join us for worship and discover the deep rest that only Christ can give."