
Navigating Election Season with Grace
Dear Church Family,
As your pastor, I made a decision long ago not to address political issues from the pulpit or in conversations with members of our congregation unless I felt a clear prompting from the Holy Spirit. Over the years, there have been only a few occasions when I’ve been led to speak on political matters, and just once did I feel compelled to preach on such a topic. In this current season, where political tensions seem to run higher than ever, I don’t feel called to bring up any specific political issues. Instead, I want to offer some biblical principles to guide you as you navigate this election season.
First, we are called to represent Jesus not only in what we say but in how we say it. The apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4:15 that we should "speak the truth in love." It's not enough to have the right words; our tone, our heart, and our attitude must reflect Christ. Even when we disagree with others, we are still called to maintain love, grace, and humility. While Jesus’ ministry was full of teaching and compassion, there is only one recorded instance where He acted out of righteous anger—when He cleared the temple in John 2:13-17. This shows that such responses should be exceedingly rare for Christians, reserved for moments when God’s holiness is being directly profaned.
Second, our faith is not in political leaders; our faith is in the Lord. Regardless of the outcome of any election, God remains sovereign. Psalm 47:8 says, "God reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne." Political leaders come and go, but God's rule is eternal. As much as the political landscape may shift, let’s not fall into fear or despair. Remember, it is the Lord who directs history. He can use even the most broken systems and people to accomplish His divine will (Proverbs 19:21). So, we don’t need to worry that the world will end if one candidate or another wins—God is still in control.
Third, as Christians, we have the same rights as any other citizens to participate in shaping our nation’s future. While I choose to remain silent on political matters from the pulpit, I believe that as disciples of Christ, you are fully entitled to engage in public discourse. In fact, some might argue that we have a responsibility to bring our Christian values into the public sphere. Matthew 5:13-16 calls us to be salt and light in the world. This means we are to influence the culture around us, standing for what is true, just, and right, but always with the spirit of Christ—never in anger or malice.
In closing, much more could be said on these points, but I encourage you to prayerfully consider how you can represent Jesus during this election season. Let’s be guided by the Holy Spirit, so that even in political discussions, we are pointing others beyond politics and toward the hope that is found in Jesus Christ. As Philippians 2:14-15 urges us, "Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation."
May we be living witnesses of His love, grace, and truth in every conversation so that others might come to know Him through our words and actions. Let’s fix our eyes on the Author and Finisher of our faith and trust that He is working all things for His glory.
In Christ's Love,
Pastor William

Join Us for the Fall Festival!
Autumn is in the air, and that means it’s time for our annual Fall Festival! This fun-filled event is the perfect opportunity to connect with families from both our church and the community, offering something for everyone to enjoy.
Mark your calendars for Sunday, October 13th, from 4:30 to 6:30 PM, as we gather for an evening packed with excitement! There will be a Bounce House for the little ones, a fantastic Car Show, plenty of Games, a delicious Chili Cookoff, and a festive Trunk or Treat. Whether you're bringing your family, friends, or neighbors, we can't wait to celebrate this season with you.
We need your help to make this event a success! Be sure to stop by the lobby to sign up for assisting with games, activities, or participating in the Chili Cookoff. And let’s not forget – we need candy! Donations can be placed in the tub in the lobby to ensure we have plenty for Trunk or Treat.
Let’s make this year's Fall Festival one to remember. We hope to see you there!

Exciting News: Covenant Church Kids Choir Is Starting!
Do your kids love to sing or want to learn? We have a fantastic opportunity just for them! Covenant Church is launching a brand-new Kids Choir, and we want your little ones to be a part of it!
The choir will practice every Sunday right after the worship service in the Choir Room, with fun-filled, 30-minute sessions. The music is specially designed for kids, so it’ll be an exciting and enjoyable time for everyone!
The Kids Choir will have the chance to sing in worship on select Sundays and take center stage during special Christmas presentations. Whether your child is already a confident singer or just curious about learning, this is the perfect chance for them to explore their musical talents in a supportive, joyful environment.
Parents, encourage your kids to give it a try—it's going to be a blast! Let’s make a joyful noise together!

A Heartfelt Thank You for Your Generosity!
A few weeks ago, we shared the incredible work of Christian Mission Aid (CMA) during worship. CMA is a remarkable mission organization that equips pastors in East Africa by providing them with Bibles and bicycles, as well as training and mentoring in ministry. Their commitment to community development, particularly through clean water initiatives and empowering children and youth, is inspiring. Their aid and relief ministry has already touched the lives of 52,000 children suffering from malnutrition, while 175,000 people have received vital primary health care.
Thanks to your overwhelming generosity, we are excited to announce that we have raised $4,300! These donations will fund the purchase of 64 Bibles and 13 bikes for pastors. Because of your kindness, many more communities will soon have access to the Bible in their own language, and 13 pastors will be able to travel further and more frequently on new bikes to spread the Gospel.
Your giving is making an impact in East Africa. Together, we are empowering pastors, sharing God's Word, and supporting life-changing ministries. Thank you for being a part of this incredible mission!

Help Us Fill Thanksgiving Baskets for Our Neighbors in Need!
As Thanksgiving approaches, Covenant Church is once again partnering with Highpoint in LaGrange and other local churches and community organizations to bless our neighbors in need with Thanksgiving baskets. To make this possible, we need your help!
We are collecting 500 cans of green beans (15 oz) and 500 boxes of instant mashed potato flakes (14 oz) for the baskets. You can drop off your donations in the church lobby, and every contribution will make a big difference in ensuring that families in our community can enjoy a warm, hearty Thanksgiving meal.
Please bring your donations by November 18th so we can distribute the baskets in time for the holiday.
Thank you for your generosity and commitment to serving others!

Music Ministry at Covenant Church: Upcoming Events
Our Music Ministry is excited to share a series of events and opportunities for you to get involved and celebrate the gift of music this fall!
1. Christmas Choir Rehearsals: Join us as we prepare for the Christmas season! Rehearsals will be held on Saturday, October 5th**, from 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM, with additional rehearsals on the 19th and 26th. Whether you’ve sung with us before or are new to the choir, we’d love for you to be part of this special time of worship.
2. Boots & Roots Sunday: On Sunday, October 13th, we’ll be featuring a unique worship service filled with country and mountain music. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy a lively and spirit-filled worship experience.
3. Oldham County Community Band Concert: Mark your calendars for a special evening of music as the Oldham County Community Band performs at Covenant Church on Tuesday, October 29th, at 7:30 PM. Invite your friends and family for an uplifting night of community and music.
We look forward to worshiping together through music and fellowship in the coming weeks!

Fun, Food, & Fellowship: Clifty Falls Trip
Join the Older Adult Ministry of Covenant Church for a delightful day of fun, food, and fellowship at Clifty Falls State Park on Thursday, October 24th. We will depart from the church at 10:30 AM, so be sure to arrive early! Clifty Falls, known for its breathtaking waterfalls, fall foliage, and rich natural beauty, offers a wonderful setting to enjoy God’s creation together.
For more information or to sign up, please contact the church office. Let's enjoy this adventure together!

Join Us for the “Discipleship Fundamentals” Sermon Series
Have you ever wondered what it truly means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? At Covenant Church, we are diving deep into this question with our current sermon series, Discipleship Fundamentals. Each week, we are exploring a different aspect of discipleship as modeled by Jesus in the Gospel of Luke, providing practical insights for our spiritual growth and walk with Christ.
Starting with the theme of The Call of a Disciple, we’ve been reflecting on how Jesus prayerfully chose His disciples by grace and wisdom—not by their merits. As we move forward, we will discuss the Work of a Disciple, focusing on how Jesus calls us to be vessels of compassion and healing, ministering to both physical and spiritual needs.
In the coming weeks, the series will continue to cover key teachings from Luke, including:
October 6: The Blessings of a Disciple — Discover how true blessings come from dependence on God, not the fleeting riches of this world.
October 13 & 20: The Love of a Disciple — Learn about the radical, self-sacrificial love that Jesus commands us to show, even to our enemies, and the practical outworking of love through living the Golden Rule.
October 27: The Forgiveness of a Disciple — Explore the importance of grace-filled relationships, and how discipleship involves both giving and receiving forgiveness.
This powerful series will culminate with teachings on Bearing Good Fruit and Building a Strong Foundation as disciples of Christ. Don’t miss out on these insightful and challenging messages that will deepen your understanding of what it means to follow Jesus in every area of life.
Join us each Sunday at Covenant Church for this life-changing journey of discipleship! Invite a friend and grow together in your faith.