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From our pastor — Rev. Dan Turis The Covenant Courier Covenant-First Presbyterian Church October 2025, Vol. 30, Issue 10 The Mission on Our Doorstep: Evangelism, Outreach, and the Call of Christ in Cincinnati When many Christians hear the word “missions,” they picture a faraway land. But as Lesslie Newbigin realized upon returning from India, the West itself is a mission field. Scott Sunquist reminds us that the task is not to bring religion but to bear witness to Christ’s reign in every setting. For Covenant-First Presbyterian Church, that means downtown Cincinnati is our mission field—right outside our doors. Defining Our Task Three words help clarify our calling: • Evangelism: Proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus as Lord and Savior. • Outreach: Demonstrating Christ’s love through tangible acts of mercy and justice. • Mission: Crossing barriers—cultural, social, or spiritual—for the sake of the Gospel, through both evangelism and outreach. When these converge, the church reflects Christ’s ministry—declaring truth, showing love, and stepping into the lives of our neighbors. Cross-Cultural Mission in the City Downtown Cincinnati is a crossroads of cultures: Young professionals, empty-nesters, retirees, the unhoused, immi-grants, artists, and longtime residents. Each carries its own worldview and language. To love our neighbors well, we must see even a short walk across the street as crossing cultural barriers for Christ. Word and Deed Together Mission thrives when evangelism and outreach meet. To proclaim Christ without showing his love seems hollow; to serve without pointing to him risks reducing the church to a social agency. But together—word and deed—we em-body the fullness of Christ. Picture evangelism as conversations with coworkers or neighbors about the hope of Christ. Picture outreach as meals shared, tutoring offered, or steady presence in the park. Together, they form mission: meeting people on their ground, learning their languages of culture, music, and struggle, and bringing them the good news of the kingdom. Our Call as Covenant-First Jesus said, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you” (John 20:21). That means we are sent into our neighborhood. The mission field is not only across the ocean; it is here, downtown, along Piatt Park, on Court Street, in Washington Park, and throughout Over-the-Rhine. Let us see our city as Jesus sees it: Beloved, full of people he longs to gather into his kingdom. May we proclaim his Gospel with joy, extend his love with generosity, and cross every barrier with the confidence that Christ’s Spirit goes before us. The mission is on our doorstep. Let us be faithful to walk through it. Onward!

Page 2 The Covenant Courier Session Notes Your Session met for its regular meeting on September 8. Much of the meeting — the devotional time, and also the business meeting — was focused on a discussion of a draft "What We Believe" statement, that Rev. Dr. Turis had written for eventual inclusion on the church website. He said the document was intended to be helpful information for individuals who viewed the church website before visiting the church. He stressed that the document was "completely congruent" with all of the Presbyterian Church (USA)'s creeds and confessions, and was designed to cre-ate a simple overview of beliefs. The elders asked questions and shared thoughts, and Rev. Dr. Turis will make revi-sions to the document and bring it back for future approval by the Session. The elders also discussed the various up-coming congregational events; Rev. Dr. Turis is particularly excited about his new Wednesday evening Bible study. The Session also voted to received Alex and Maria Cameron as members, by transfer from Peachtree Presbyterian Church, and to approve the baptism of their son, Hugh Cameron, at a future date to be determined. The Session will next meet on October 13. Please see me, Rev. Dr. Turis, or any elder, with any questions or con-cerns. Rob Heidenreich Clerk of Session Deacon’s Corner The deacons will again be sponsoring a volunteer opportunity at Matthew:25 Ministries on Saturday, October 25 from 9-11 AM at the M25M location at 11060 Kenwood Rd, Blue Ash 45242. First time volunteers are asked to pre-register online at the M25M website. Return volunteers bring their M25M ID cards with them. M25M’s mission is “Helping the poorest of the poor and disaster victims.” To this end donations are received and processed /prepared to be shipped to the areas of extreme poverty and to disaster victims. M25M has come to the aid of people in need in the U.S. and to about 70 countries around the world. Recent outreaches have been to Ukraine, Appalachia, Haiti and North Carolina. Volunteer groups are given a simple task as a group. While we “work” together we are able to get to know each other – building a new sense of connection with our brothers and sisters in Christ. At the same time there is also some pon-dering of how the tiny thing that we are doing can be part of such a huge blessing to people who need it so very much. Before leaving M25M a visit to the educational “Global Village” display area is encouraged. This display has re-creation of the effects of natural disasters and extreme poverty in the U.S. and around the world. It is worth a visit. Gratefully submitted, Joan McAlonan Matthew 25 Ministries Workday — Saturday, October 25 at 9 AM Don’t miss this opportunity to serve along side others from the church. There is a sign-up in the bulletin. If you need transportation to M25M, a ride with someone else can be arranged. This is a great service activity for the children in your family, including grandchildren. Questions? See Joan McAlonan.

Page 3 The Covenant Courier Senior Singles Outing — Thursday, October 16 at 6 PM The Senior Singles will be going to the National Exemplar (Mariemont Inn) on Thursday, October 16 at 6 PM. The National Exemplar is located in Mariemont at 6880 Wooster Pike. Please let Pat know by Wednesday, October 15 at noon if you plan to attend. Ques-tions? See Pat Beckman. Pet Blessing — Friday, October 3 — 5 to 7 PM Pastor Dan will be outside of the church offering blessings to neighbors’ pets. If you are a pet lover this is a perfect opportunity to volunteer and show some love to the pets of the neighborhood and more importantly to their owners. Questions? See Pastor Dan. Bengals Tailgate — Thursday, October 16 at 5:30 PM On Thursday, October 16 we will be hosting one of our annual tailgates outside of the courtyard. We will be grilling metts and giving them to Bengals fans heading to the Thursday night game to watch the Cincinnati Bengals play the Pittsburgh Steelers. If you would like to help with grilling or by being a cheerful Bengals Fan, contact Pastor Dan or Genita Heidenreich. Make sure to put on your Bengals gear and join us! Bell Ringing Session for Teens and Adults Starting Sunday, Oct. 5, we will begin a four week handbell session for teens and adults. No handbell experience re-quired. If you have basic music reading skills—know your lines and spaces in treble clef, note values and counting—we invite you to the handbell rehearsal room on the lower level at 9:45 am. Kid ringers, your opportunity is coming. This is for teens and adults. Questions? See Becky Bell. Reformation Sunday — October 26 Mark your calendars for Sunday, October 26. We will be celebrating Reformation Sunday with festive music, an inspi-rational sermon and much more. Make sure to plan to be in worship on this special celebration Sunday. International Friendships/ Pat Durst Our long-time partner, Pat Durst/International Friendships, sent a quick recap of the start of the year at the Uni-versity of Cincinnati. She writes that incoming students joined welcome events including a nature walk and pic-nic. Several students are now also attending the weekly Alpha Course: “Our desire is for all to continue to attend, invite others, participate in discussions, and be open to meeting Jesus!” Pat also shared a challenging story: “Not all is going smoothly for one new Christian student that I welcomed and helped get settled in his apartment. Just when he needed to pay rent and other start-up expenses, funds from his country (Malawi) were frozen (no transfer of hard cur-rency allowed out of country). He's had lots of conversations at various offices in UC, applied for jobs, had inter-views, found food pantries, etc. This situation is true for students from Botswana, perhaps other countries.” Let’s pray for Pat and the whole International Friendships team, giving thanks for the connections they have already made during the start of the new academic year; praying that God would work through the ongoing Alpha course, to draw students to him; and, asking God to open the way(s) for our Malawi brother to have the financial stability he needs. “Many, many thanks for your encouragement by prayer and financial support that fuels this ministry,” she con-cluded.

Page 4 The Covenant Courier October 2 Susan Ford 9 Darlene Page 11 Alan Melvin 19 Jack Weis 21 Nid Balz 24 Bob Anderson 25 Carleen Heath 25 Brian Wesley 30 Mike Millhaem 30 Isla Crousey 31 Liam York 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 Christmas is Coming — We can help you shop! Christmas is coming. . .and if you’re thinking one of the commemorative mugs, vases, plates or other custom pottery items from SKT would be a great gift (or gift for yourself!), now’s the time to place your order. To ensure the custom pottery is ready in plenty of time for Christmas, orders should be placed before October 15. You can easily order any of the items online through the link on the church website. If you prefer, you may order through the church; see Rob Heidenreich if you’d prefer to place an order this way. 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 September Happenings at CFPC Ministry Fair If you missed the Ministry Fair on Sunday, September 7 and are interested in getting more involved talk to Pastor Dan or Genita Heidenreich. There are lots of opportunities to serve, we can help you get connected.

Page 6 The Covenant Courier Downtown workday with 3CDC and the Downtown Residents Council Annual church picnic at Washington Park

Page 7 The Covenant Courier The Ordination of Margaret Heidenreich

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 7 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 Friday, October 3 — Pet Blessing — 5 to 7 PM Sunday, October 5 — 6 PM — Dinner’s for Eight Sunday, October 12 — Pastor Dan Out-of-Town, Rev. Margaret Heidenreich, preaching Monday, October 13 — 6:30 PM — Session Meeting Thursday, October 16 — 5:30 PM — Bengals Tailgate Thursday, October 16 — 6 PM — Senior Singles Outing Saturday, October 25 — Matthew 25 Work Day Sunday, October 26 — 10:30 AM — Reformation Sunday Worship