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From our pastor — Rev. Dan Turis The Covenant Courier Covenant-First Presbyterian Church April 2025, Vol. 30, Issue 4 Why Celebrate Holy Week? A Word to Our Covenant Family As we prepare our hearts for Easter, I want to take a moment to invite you into something deeper this year—something historic, Christ-centered, and profoundly formative: The observance of Holy Week. At Covenant-First Presbyterian Church, we place the gospel at the center of our worship and life together. Holy Week—stretching from Palm Sunday through Resurrection Sunday—provides us with a unique opportunity to slow down and reflect on the most pivotal moments in the story of redemption. This isn't just tradition for tradition's sake; it is an invitation to encounter the living Christ fresh and meaningfully. Why should we, a Reformed congregation, celebrate Holy Week? • It is Christ-centered. Every aspect of Holy Week highlights the person and work of Jesus—from his servant-hearted humility to his atoning sacrifice and ultimately to his triumphant resurrection. This is the very heart of our faith. • Because it follows a biblical pattern of remembrance. Scripture calls us to remember God's mighty acts, and this week is filled with opportunities to reflect deeply on the gospel story. • Because it is covenantally rich. Maundy Thursday emphasizes the New Covenant in Christ's blood. Good Friday brings us to the cross, and Easter Sunday proclaims that because Jesus lives, we, too, shall live. Because it is cate-chetical, Holy Week forms us, teaches us, and roots us more deeply in the truths we confess each Lord's Day. It provides a rhythm of worship that shapes the heart and mind. Some may wonder, “Isn't this too liturgical for us?” However, Reformed churches throughout history—Calvin in Geneva, the Scottish Kirk, and many others—have observed Good Friday and Easter with gospel clarity. We can, too. Holy Week also connects us to the global Church. Believers around the world will gather in prayer, song, and wor-ship. It's a beautiful way to express our belonging to the one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. And perhaps most personally, Holy Week is for the weary. For those carrying burdens, Christ's suffering allows space to lament. For those yearning for hope, his resurrection offers unshakable joy. It's also an evangelistic moment. Many around us are already contemplating Easter. Let's invite them not just to a service but into a story—a true story, a saving story. So, this year, let's walk through Holy Week together. Let's remember, worship, and rejoice—not out of obligation but out of love for the Savior who gave himself for us. Because he lives, we live. Grace and peace, Pastor Dan Turis

Page 2 The Covenant Courier Next Steps with West Cincinnati Presbyterian Church In the Called Congregational Meeting on Sunday, March 30, the congregation of Covenant-First voted overwhelmingly to approve the proposed merger of West Cincinnati Presbyterian Church into Covenant-First! Rev. Turis and Elder Heidenreich, as Clerk of Session, were previously elected by the Session to now work with Executive Presbyter Lisa Allgood and the Session of West Cincinnati to finalize a Plan of Union. This Plan of Union must then be approved by the Presbytery Commission on Ministry and the mer-ger of the two congregations must then be approved by the whole Presbytery; that approval is expected at the stated meeting of the Presbytery on Tuesday, May 13, at Bethel-Murdoch Presbyterian Church in Loveland. The congregation of West Cincinnati plans to begin worshipping with Covenant-First on Easter Sunday. The following Sunday, April 27, in place of the usual Fellowship Time, our Fellowship Time team is planning a full lunch so that our two congregations will have an opportunity to linger longer after worship and build and deepen relationships among each other. Praise God for this exciting new chapter in the ministry as our two historic congregations come together. Session Notes Your Session met as scheduled on March 10, welcoming the two newly elected and installed elders, Jennifer Maxwell and Randy Page. Rev. Turis led a devotional focused on the work of elders; the devotional served as the first study portion of the Session Retreat, which Rev. Turis led on the following Saturday, March 15, at Knox Presbyterian Church. CFPC member Lisa Allgood, in her role as Executive Presbyter, joined the meeting and the discussion of the primary business item, the proposed merger of West Cincinnati Presbyterian Church into Covenant-First. Elder Allgood and Rev. Turis shared thoughts and background about the proposed merger, answered questions from the elders, and outlined the needed next steps, if the merger were to move forward. The Session then voted unanimously to endorse the merger. The Session also approved the annual One Great Hour of Sharing offering, and designated the proceeds of the offering for the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance’s work in Ukraine; the Session also voted to use some contingency funds from the Mission budget to further support the relief work in Ukraine. The Session then met for its annual retreat on March 15. Rev. Turis led the six hour retreat, using the work of his re-cently completed doctoral studies, focusing on the primary work of elders as discipling, drawing from both the work of elders as detailed in the Old Testament and the final charge of Jesus’ disciples in Matthew 28:16-20. The Session will next meet on April 14, but plans to use that meeting as a time of prayer for every member of the congregation; the Session of West Cincinnati Presbyterian Church has been invited to join that meeting. As always, please see Rev. Turis, me, or any elder with any questions or concerns. Rob Heidenreich Clerk of Session Flower Chart for 2025 The flower chart for 2025 is available in the hallway leading to Metzger Hall. If you would like to donate flowers in honor or memory of someone special, please sign up for a date. The cost for flowers is $50.

Page 3 The Covenant Courier Deacon’s Corner The CFPC deacons recently welcomed Sophia Colclasure, Devon Bloom and Maria Bloom, and said goodbye, with many thanks, to Jennifer Maxwell and Nancy Smith for their faithful service. We elected Joan McAlonan as our new moderator, with Jenny Horst and Charlotte Goering continuing in their service. Our first event, the Matthew 25: Ministries work day, was held March 29. The next event is our Mother’s Day collec-tion for Old St. Mary’s Pregnancy Center. The list will be published in the Courier, the bulletins and in Metzger Hall. We continue to be concerned for the needs of our congregation and will be reaching out to everyone so they will know which deacons are assigned to them. Respectfully submitted, Charlotte Goering Mother’s Day Project to assist Old St. Mary’s Pregnancy Crisis Center Old St. Mary’s Pregnancy Crisis Center offers completely free services to expectant women— from pregnancy tests to classes, clothing and diapers, women are given the support they need during this time. While they wait for appointments, they have short Bible study classes. For several years we have collected items for this deserving center located close to use in Over- the-Rhine. This year, they would especially appreciate: • Car and booster seats (gently used is fine) • Size 6 regular (not pull-up) diapers • Newborn clothing, hats and bibs for summer • Boys 2-5T clothing for summer • Girls 5T clothing for summer • Clothes can be new or gently used! Items will be collected in the Metzger Hall from April 6 through Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 11. Look for the crib in Metzger Hall. If you would rather not shop you can contribute cash and the Deacons can do the shopping for you. Questions? Please call Charlotte Goering. Easter Lily Orders It is time to decorate the sanctuary with Easter lilies. If you would like to purchase a lily to honor or remember someone special please complete the form inserted in Sunday’s bulletin and place it in the offering plate or contact the church office. The deadline to order lilies is Sunday, April 13. Each plant is $16.

Page 4 The Covenant Courier Lenten Choir Concert: Messiah Part 2 On Sunday, April 13 at 4 PM, the Covenant Choir and Choir Scholars will be presenting G.F. Han-del’s Messiah Part 2. This portion of Messiah which is heard less frequently as a stand along selection contains some beautiful arias and is a prefect way to prepare for Holy Week. Holy Week Schedule • Wednesdays at 7 PM, Lenten Bible Study continues with two weeks remaining. Join us! • Sunday, April 13 at 10:30 AM Palm Sunday Worship • Sunday, April 13 at 4 PM, Palm Sunday Choir Concert presenting Messiah, Part 2. • Thursday, April 17 at 6 PM, Maundy Thursday simple meal and communion. • Friday, April 18 at 12 Noon, Good Friday Service. • Sunday, April 20 at 10:30 AM, Easter Sunday worship.

Page 5 The Covenant Courier April 8 Emily Millhaem 10 Yolanda Parker 12 Randy Page 15 Rod Crousey 18 Jenny Adams 19 Amy Crousey 26 Susie Witte May 5 Krista Clermont 5 Sherri Ellington 9 Justin Clermont 9 Evie Crousey 10 Susan Cameron 10 Angel Hackett 10 Marilyn Hyde 11 Genita Heidenreich 13 Nathan Uwizeye 14 Don Ross 17 Bill Forsstrom 25 Kelly Millhaem 28 Addie Landis 29 Karen Stine 30 Charlie Millhaem It’s a Party! Saturday, April 12 from 1 to 3 PM 150th Birthday Celebration Continues — Saturday, April 12 from 1 to 3 PM. The celebration of the 150th anniversary of the dedication of our building here on the corner of 8th and Elm Streets continues with a Birthday Party. On Saturday, April 12 we will be host-ing a birthday party for our neighbors and those passing by. We will be serving cake and offer-ing tours of the sanctuary. We are looking for friendly volunteers to serve cake and give tours. A script for the tours will be available, so no need to memorize a lot of numbers and facts. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Genita Heidenreich. Fellowship Time Thank you to everyone who helped bring food and goodies for Fellowship Time for the month of March. A big thank you goes to our hosts, Becky Bell and Linda Meier. Also, thank you to Pat Beckman for putting together the schedule for April, May and June. Nancy Smith will be your host for April. The Sunday after Easter on April 27 we will be having a celebration luncheon to welcome our new members from West Cincinnati Presbyterian Church. Also, watch for these fun Courtyard Café events coming up this quarter. On Sunday, May 25 we will be celebrating Memorial Day by grilling hot dogs in the courtyard. Then on Sunday, June 29, we will have our traditional Sundae Sunday. Make sure to stick around for each of these fun Fellowship opportunities following worship. One Great Hour of Sharing We’ll collect our annual One Great Hour of Sharing offering on Palm Sunday, April 13. As in the past, our offering is designated fully for the good work of Presbyteri-an Disaster Assistance (PDA)—and this year, we are further designating the offering for PDA’s ongoing work in war-torn Ukraine. If you’d like to use a One Great Hour of Sharing “fish bank” in the coming weeks, you’ll find some available in the rear of the sanctuary. On Palm Sunday, we’ll also have special envelopes available for this offering, or you can simp-ly mark a pew envelope One Great Hour. Thank you for your support of PDA to alleviate suffering in Ukraine. To further commemorate the 150th birthday, we’ve partnered with Susannah Tisue of SKT Ceramics, who is creating custom pottery and textiles with an origi-nal sketch of our building! You may know SKT’s products from their locations at Findlay Market and in Walnut Hills, and through other retailers including Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Cincinnati Art Museum, and Mica 12/Vine. We’ll have samples available on the anniversary weekend, and you can then order any of the various pieces for future delivery—options include mugs, bud vases, candy dishes, tote bags and more!

Page 6 The Covenant Courier Red’s Outing — Friday, May 2 First Pitch at 6:10 PM — Fireworks after the game! We’ve ordered a block of tickets for another Covenant-First group outing to cheer on the Cincinnati Reds! The seats are in the same general section as our past games, and the cost remains $28/ticket. We must confirm our order by April 7. Come, and bring family and friends! To sign-up, see Rob Heidenreich to con-firm your order; payment for the tickets may be made in cash, or via a check payable to Covenant-First. Go Reds! Saturday, May 24 — Dinners for Eight at 6 PM Mark your calendars now and plan to attend our next Dinners for Eight. More information will be coming soon to sign-up to host or attend. Dinners for Eight is a fun opportunity to get together with other people from the congregation at someone home. Each participate will bring something and the host generally makes the main dish. Singles and couples are invited. Flying Pig Welcome — Sunday, May 4 at 6:30 AM On Sunday, May 4 we well once again be gathering at the corner of 7th and Elm streets to cheer for the Flying Pig runners and welcome those in the cheering section. Over 21,000 people will run the streets of Cincinnati in the Flying Pig Marathon, with many more people cheering them on downtown. We want to give those spectators a hearty welcome and invite them to return for worship after the race. We need people to help with this welcome by joining us outside and on 7th Street to offer coffee and donuts. We will gather at 6:30 AM on Elm Street in front of the church and walk the half block to 7th Street to offer donuts and coffee and invite people to worship. Interested? Contact Mike Millhaem. Downtown Cincinnati will be bustling with people, from throughout the region and even from around the world, all weekend long! Mother’s Day Brunch — Sunday, May 11 during Fellowship Time Ladies, Sunday, May 11 is your day to enjoy a day of pampering and the men of the church want to help you enjoy the day. The men are coordinating at brunch during Fellowship Time. Plan to bring your family and enjoy this special time. Men, if you are interested in helping in the kitchen, contact Dan Bell.

Page 7 The Covenant Courier The Findlay Market Opening Day Parade — March 27 Matthew 25 Ministries Volunteer Day — March 29

COVENANT-FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 717 Elm Street * Cincinnati, OH 45202 Phone: 513-621-4144 * Email: office@covfirstchurch.org www.covfirstchurch.org Pastor: Rev. Dan Turis CHURCH STAFF Church Administrator: Genita Heidenreich Choir Director: Yolanda Ortiz-Parker Organist: Andrew Hackett Organ Scholar: Christie Lee Choral Scholars: Zach Burnham, Laz Clark, Lucy Evans, Andrew Hallam, Jarrett Hazelton, Madeline Jentsch, Lea Nayak, Natalie Sheppard Weekly Events Sundays 8:45 AM Covenant Choir Rehearsal Sundays 9:15 AM Adult Sunday School Sundays 10:30 AM Worship Sundays 11:30 PM Fellowship Time Wednesdays 12 PM Brown Bag 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 Rick Hopkins Jamie Jewell Jennifer Maxwell Mike Millhaem Hugh Ralston Cindy Standen Randy Page DEACONS Jenny Adams Devon Bloom Maria Bloom Sophia Colclasure Charlotte Goering 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 April 5, 1:30 PM – Cincinnati Art Museum tour, The Story of Art in Cincinnati April 13, 4 PM — The Covenant Choir presents Messiah Part 2 April 17, 6 PM — Maundy Thursday Simple Dinner with Communion April 18, 12 Noon — Good Friday Service April 20, 10:30 AM — Easter Sunday Worship May 2, 6:10 PM — Red’s Outing May 4, 6:30 AM — Flying Pig Welcome May 11, Mother’s Day Brunch during Fellowship Time