Return to flip book view
From our pastor — Rev. Dan Turis The Covenant Courier Covenant-First Presbyterian Church November 2025, Vol. 30, Issue 11 Why What We Offer to God Truly Matters Imagine entering a home where every part—from the front door to the kitchen table—was crafted by people who not only invested their money but also their time, skills, and cherished possessions. They didn’t do it for recognition but because they believed God himself would be present there. That’s how the Israelites built the tabernacle in the wilder-ness. Our November sermon series explores how giving becomes worship and how worship transforms our giving. In week one, we recall that God said, “Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst,” offering a re-quest, not a demand— “every heart that is willing” to give. This teaches us: God doesn’t need our gifts, but he de-lights in hearts that give freely. Giving opens the door for his presence. We give not just to support the church but to say, “Lord, dwell here. This is yours.” Week two focuses on Bezalel, a Spirit-filled craftsman who offered skill, imagination, and careful hands—reminding us that what we create, serve, study, or help with can all be given to God. All of us—students, parents, retirees—are called to use our gifts for something greater. In week three we note that giving is a sacrifice. In Leviticus, a family brought a lamb they knew and raised to the al-tar—a real cost. This points to the ultimate sacrifice—Jesus, the Lamb who takes away the world’s sin—who gave everything. Our giving is rooted in joy and redemption, not guilt. Week four will emphasize loving God with all our heart, soul, and strength—what true stewardship means beyond part-time giving. It includes our households, teaching the next generation how to love God through our giving, ser-vice, and stewardship of our treasures. Finally, in week four’s focus, we respond not under pressure but with a promise. You’re invited to pledge for 2026—a prayerful act of surrender, saying, “Lord, all I have is from you, and I offer it willingly.” This isn’t just fundraising; it’s worship. Whether we give with hands, dollars, skills, or songs—do so freely and joyfully, for the God who gave every-thing and still dwells among us. Sincerely, Stewardship Devotional We have begun a sermon series on Stewardship and Offering for the month of November. As a complement to this series Pastor Dan has created a 28-day devotional. Find copies of this devotional on the back tables and plan to follow this 28-day devotional plan. Or you can access this devotional online through our website or on the church’s app.
Page 2 The Covenant Courier Session Notes Your Session met on October 13 for its regular meeting, and will next meet on November 10. Rev. Dr. Turis led a devotional time that acted as a preview of his Advent sermon series, which will focus on Mission, Outreach and Evangelism. The elders reviewed various related Scripture passages, and Rev. Dr. Turis highlighted that Mission in-volves being sent-cross-culturally, Outreach involves service, and Evangelism involves proclaiming the good news of Jesus. He noted that often individual Christians and congregations will focus mostly on Outreach, or mostly on Evangelism, but that for Mission to be effective, the two must be held in balance. (More to come during Advent!) The Session also spent time discussing the ministry of the deacons, various upcoming events, and the November stewardship sermon series and stewardship focus during worship. The Session also received the Clerk's report on the Presbytery's annual review of the Session minutes and plans for the annual membership roll review planned for November. Please contact Rev. Dr. Turis, me, or any elder with any questions or concerns. Rob Heidenreich Clerk of Session Stewardship 2025 November begins our annual stewardship season, when we gratefully recall God’s goodness to all of us, and consider how we will financially support our church in the coming year. Please prayerfully consider how you will support Covenant-First in 2026. You will be receiving a letter in the mail during the week of November 9 with more details and a 2026 pledge card. We’ll return and dedicate these pledges during worship on Sunday, November 23. Your support of our congregation—the ongoing ministry expense and our mission outreach—is critical. Every gift of every size is important. God calls us to be cheerful givers and stewards of all with which he has entrusted us. Your pledging will help the Session plan appropriately for the coming year. A couple key notes to remember: • You may pledge to either or both of our budgets. The General Fund Budget covers salaries, utilities, building maintenance, and more; the Mission Fund Budget is used to support our mission partners. • You may also pledge to support our Music Scholar program; these funds are used to cover the stipends for our student music scholars. • You may give with cash or checks, you may give online, and you can also use various tax-advantaged ways to give—donations of appreciated stocks and bonds, from your IRA, etc. • We’ll collect and dedicate the pledges on Sunday, November 23; if you won’t be in worship that Sunday, you may return your pledge anytime before then or by mail or email to the church office. Thank you for your support! Questions? See Genita Heidenreich or contact her at the church. Sympathy is extended to friends and family of Bill Moore. Bill died on October 31. Bill and Caroline Moore were members of Covenant-First in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Sympathy can be sent to Caroline Moore at 203 Mound Ave., Milford, OH 45150
Page 3 The Covenant Courier Deacon’s Corner The deacons met on Sunday, October 26 with Sophia Colclasure, Maria Bloom, Devon Bloom and Joan McAlonan in attendance. All were grateful for the opportunity that Matthew 25: Ministries provides for us to be a tiny part of their huge effort to help victims of poverty and devastating disasters around our country and around the world. In addition we were blessed by the time for fellowship with our church friends. We are hoping to volunteer again next spring. Our next topic of conversation was to determine a project for the Christmas season. After a short discussion of the possibilities it was clear that the idea of helping the homeless people of our area created greatest enthusiasm in our group. It was decided that we would partner with City Gospel Mission and gather items of “winter warmth” for the people that they serve. This mission provides shelter and a safe place to stay the night for up to 140 homeless folks. At this time their basic needs are for: New men’s socks (white, athletic please) New women’s socks Winter hats, gloves, scarves New or gently used winter coats (most need of men’s large and extra large) There will be a collection area in Metzger Hall from Sunday, November 9 until Sunday, December 14. May the season of thanksgiving and celebration fill our hearts with fresh wonder and love as we focus on our Lord Jesus. Gratefully submitted, Joan McAlonan Would you like to share God’s love this Thanksgiving with someone new to Cincinnati? Many international students have never experienced Thanksgiving or even been invited into an American’s home. Consider hosting two (or more!) students in your home for Thanksgiving dinner this year—an easy, meaningful way to offer Biblical hospitality and to make a lasting impact. Our ministry partners with International Friend-ships, Inc. (IFI) will match you for this cross-cultural opportunity. Reference and background check may be re-quired. Interested? Have questions? Ready to sign-up? Contact Pat Durst/IFI, at 513-324-1268 or via email p.durst@ificincy.org. Piatt Park Decorating — Saturday November 15, 10 AM to 12 PM NOTE: start time is changed to 10 AM Downtown will soon be glowing with Christmas decorations. . .and our friends with the Downtown Residents Council (DRC) are looking to confirm volunteers to help decorate Piatt Park. The decorating is set for Saturday, November 15, 10 AM to 12 PM, but usually wraps up in just about an hour. If you can join, contact Genita Hei-denreich. This is always a fun opportunity to help decorate, engage with our neighbors and each other, and enjoy some coffee and donuts while we work! Please see Genita Heidenreich to sign-up.
Page 4 The Covenant Courier November 3 Ellie Dechter 4 David Ross 8 Maria Bloom 12 Karen Libourel 14 Lisa Allgood 15 Barbara Lambing 15 Kristin York 16 Nancy Atkinson 16 Freia Greulich 24 Thomas Heidenreich 24 Debra Clemons December 7 Friedhelm Greulich 11 Dan Nather 18 Gad Uwizeye 19 Rob Heidenreich 20 Michael York 21 Andy Wesley 23 Carol Carhartt 24 Sophia Colclasure 28 Joan VanEpps Senior Singles Outing — Thursday, December 4 at 6 PM The combined November/December Senior Outing will be on Thursday, December 4 at 6 PM. They will be gathering at Governor’s House, 514 Greenup Street, Covington, KY. If you are planning to attend RSVP to Pat Beckman by noon on Wednesday, December 3. Messiah Sing Along, Sunday, November 30 at 4 PM Plan to kick off the Christmas season with our third annual Messiah Sing Along. Join the Covenant Choir and the Cho-ral Scholars for a sing along performance of selections from Handel's beloved Messiah. The choir will be presenting the Christmas portion of Messiah on Sunday, November 30 at 4 PM. Covenant-First’s Choral Scholars are singing the solos. Come and hear these wonderful singers in these well-known solos. However, for the choruses the choir wants you to help them! This is a sing along, and you are invited to join in on the choruses. Scores will be provided, but if you have your own, please bring it! The evening will conclude with the Hallelujah Chorus. Invite your friends, singers or not. Plan to come, and hear the Christmas story through song; you will certainly find yourself humming along at least occasionally! TubaChristmas at CFPC December 6 at 12 Noon Covenant-First will be once again hosting the festive TubaChristmas. This fun event will include tuba players from all around the area. The Tuba players will come to-gether for a short rehearsal at 9:30 AM and then at 12 Noon we will open the doors and invite the public to join in this fun celebration of Christmas carols. TubaChristmas takes place all around the country during the month of December and is a fun tradition among Tubaists. Mark your calendars and plan to attend. This could be a new family tradition. Questions? See Mike Millhaem.
Page 5 The Covenant Courier Matthew 25: Ministries Work Day
Page 6 The Covenant Courier Bengal’s Tailgate
Page 7 The Covenant Courier Sunday, November 30 10:30 AM Worship Evangelism in Advent Ephesians 4:15 – Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ. 4 PM Messiah Sing Along Saturday, December 6 12 Noon — TubaChristmas Sunday, December 7 10:30 AM Worship Outreach in Advent Matthew 25:45 – As you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me. 7 PM Caroling at the Convention Center Plaza Sunday, December 14 10:30 AM Worship Mission in Advent John 1:14, 16–18 – The Word became flesh and dwelt among us… From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. Last Sunday to bring warm socks and coats for City Gospel Mission Sunday, December 21 10:30 AM Worship Witness in Advent Luke 1:76–80 – You, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go be-fore the Lord to prepare his ways… Wednesday, December 24 6:30 PM Music Begins for Candlelight Service 7 PM Candlelight Service Poinsettia Order Form It is that time of year when we begin thinking about decorating the sanctuary and one way we make our sanctuary look beautiful for Christmas Eve is with poinsettias. We will have poinsettia order forms in the bulletin beginning Sunday, November 30. If you would like to purchase a poinsettia to honor or remem-ber someone special please complete the form in the bulletin insert and place it in the offering plate. The order deadline will be Sunday, December 21. Each poinsettia plant is $15. Payment can be made to Covenant-First Presbyterian Church. Plants may be taken home after the Christmas Eve worship service.
COVENANT-FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 717 Elm Street * Cincinnati, OH 45202 Phone: 513-621-4144 * Email: office@covfirstchurch.org www.covfirstchurch.org Pastor: Rev. Dr. Dan Turis CHURCH STAFF Church Administrator: Genita Heidenreich Custodian: Christy Ware-Fields Sexton: Cory Linman Choir Director: Yolanda Ortiz-Parker Organist: Andrew Hackett Organ Scholar: Christie Lee Choral Scholars: Zach Burnham, Laz Clark, Andrew Hallam, Jarrett Hazelton, Madeline Jentsch, Lea Nayak, Kayla Sconiers, Natalie Sheppard Weekly Events Sundays 9:15 AM Adult Sunday School Sundays 10:30 AM Worship Sundays 11:30 PM Fellowship Time Wednesdays 12 Noon Brown Bag Bible Study Wednesdays 8 PM Evening Bible Study Saturdays 7:30 AM Men’s Bible Study The church office is open for regular hours Monday through Thursday 10 AM to 2 PM. Other hours are available by appointment by calling the church office at 513-621-4144. ELDERS Rob Heidenreich, Clerk Krissy Bradley Jamie Jewell Jennifer Maxwell Lashuna Meatchen Mike Millhaem Hugh Ralston Cindy Standen Randy Page DEACONS Jenny Adams Devon Bloom Maria Bloom Sophia Colclasure Joan McAlonan, Moderator If you are not receiving email up-dates from the church, send an email to office@covfirstchurch.org and request to be added to the email list. We can also mail the weekly bulletin and announcements, if you do not have email access. Call the office to request bulletins by mail. Upcoming Events Saturday, November 8 — 4 PM — Hayden Glasgow Organ Recital Tuesday, November 11 — Veteran’s Day — Church office closed Saturday, November 15 — 10 AM — Decorate Piatt Park Thursday, November 27 — Thanksgiving Friday, November 28 — Church Office Closed Sunday, November 30 — 4 PM — Messiah Sing Along Saturday, December 6 —- 12 Noon — TubaChristmas