Covenant Presbyterian Church Augusta

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 wors...

This Sunday we're going to talk about miracles. Our guest minister this week is Nadine Ellsworth Morgan.  Miracles--Big ones, small ones, the kind that dazzle and the kind that we sometimes miss entirely. It's the miracle that draws us in, but is it the most important thing? What is God really doing here?  As we turn together, particularly to 2 Kings 4, we'll see that the entire chapter is one ext...

This week our guest minister is Rev. Tray Robertson.  "I'm excited to worship with you this Sunday. During the service, we'll hear and embrace God's Word, stop seeking additional signs, and respond to the light He has already shown us. Maintain your spiritual clarity through prayer. By doing these, God will guide our steps, strengthen our faith, and fill our lives with His light. My family and I l...

This Sunday we will talk about the biggest villain in the Bible: Judas. Our guest minister, Becky DeLecuona, asks kind of person was he? Why would he betray Jesus? And what can we learn from his story? Join us for an unusual look at an easily dismissed but nevertheless important Biblical character.

In worship, guest pastor Rosy Robson McCreary, explores the connection between our faith and our bodies as we read stories of healing in Mark 5:21-34 and celebrate the sacrament of communion.   A few years ago, on a trip to Israel/Palestine, I saw this story illustrated on a massive painting (15 feet by 6 feet!) in a chapel in Magdala. The painting is entitled "Encounter," and it's by a Chilean ar...

This Sunday is Trinity Sunday. The doctrine of the Trinity goes back to the earliest days of Christianity. Much ink and even some blood has been spilled over it through the centuries. As guest minister Becky DeLecuona tellsl us, today, many of us would be hard pressed to explain it. This Sunday we will look at what this metaphor can tell us about God and our relationship with God. We will celebrat...

Our special guest minister for this Sunday is Rev. Amy Hobby Rickard.  As she tells us this week we will celebrate Pentecost, sometimes called the birthday of the church universal because of the story in Acts 2 when the disciples received the Holy Spirit in the presence of the crowds in Jerusalem.   But did you know there was an earlier time when church leaders received the Holy Spirit, when the I...

This week our guest speaker is Rev. Rosy Robson McCreary who fills the pulpit while our co-pastors, Katelyn and Andy Cooke begin their sabbatical.  This Sunday, we’ll hear the story of Jesus’ ascension and stand with the disciples in the space between wonder and calling, asking what it means to follow the risen and ascended Christ. While Katelyn and Andy have been officially sent out into a season...

Here we are! It is the last Sunday before our sabbatical begins. Pastor Andy Cooke wants to say again how grateful we are to you for allowing us this opportunity for sabbath rest after seven and a half years at Covenant. We are looking forward to the opportunity to clear away many of the things in our lives during this time so that we can return refreshed and renewed for the next season of ministr...

Pastor Katelyn Gordon Cooke said, "I'm excited that we'll be celebrating our high school graduating seniors in worship this Sunday. These youth were fifth graders when Andy and I came to Covenant, and it's been a joy to watch them grow up and grow in their faith. I'm proud of these youth and all they've accomplished, and I'm eager to see what's next for them. I also know that there's something a l...

As pastor Andy Cooke explains this week, in John's gospel, Jesus calls on God's people to do the work of discernment as they look for their shepherd (spoiler: Jesus is the good shepherd). This Sunday, we'll focus on discerning the voice of our Shepherd in the midst of so many competing voices in this world. I hope that you'll join us and consider how we can do that work of discernment together.

This Sunday, we are celebrating Creation Care in worship, and pastor Katelyn Gordon Cooke tells the creation story from Genesis alongside Psalm 8, which has been called "a psalm for stargazers." It's a good thing, friends, to be reminded of our place in creation and the great privilege we have of being its caregivers. I'll look forward to seeing you in worship on Sunday and giving thanks to God fo...

As pastor Andy Cooke tells us this week, John's gospel tells the story of Jesus appearing to the disciples (minus Thomas) on the evening of his resurrection, and then the story of Thomas needing to wait another week to see what the other disciples saw. It is a rich story of faith, doubt, and belief, and I always enjoy exploring it after Easter.

As pastor Andy Cooke tells us this week, after hearing the angel's message about Jesus' resurrection, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary feel both fear and great joy. They are a good reminder to us that we are capable of experiencing more than one emotion at the same time - even seemingly contradictory emotions. When have you had this experience yourself? 

After long weeks of our penitential journey through Lent, we are ready to celebrate the arrival of our King, Jesus of Nazareth. As pastor Karla Conditt Daniels explains, his arrival into Jerusalem is not the end of the story. As the week unfolds Jesus’ sovereignty is challenged as he is betrayed, arrested, tried, and sentenced to die by all who are threatened by his teachings. Friends, the redempt...

Why would he preach a sermon called "Radical Resurrection" two weeks before Easter? If you're not already asking that question, then perhaps you should. Pastor Andy Cooke says it does feel odd to deal with resurrection before Easter, but there is a reason that these resurrection texts are in the lectionary at this point in Lent. The idea is that we would consider resurrection in other places in Sc...

Psalm 23 is easily one of the most well-known and well-loved passages of Scripture. Its images of green pastures and still waters offer peace to our often anxious spirits. We'll get to hear this passage in worship this Sunday morning as we welcome The Reverend Rosy Robson McCreary as our guest preacher.   

This Sunday, we'll hear the story of the Samaritan woman whom Jesus meets at a well one day. As pastor Katelyn Gordon Cooke explains, It is public knowledge that she has been married five times, which is scandalous to her community. Jesus doesn't respond with the same disdain and judgment that the woman is used to experiencing. Instead, he offers her living water and grace. What does it look like...

Our Radical Faith sermon series continues on this second Sunday of Lent. Pastor Andy Cooke will share some well-known words from John's gospel and some lesser-known words from Paul's letter to the Romans as we consider belief, faith, and trust. As we return to the roots of our faith, I'll invite you to reconsider what it means for you to believe in God. We'll also celebrate the Lord's Supper toget...

Our Lenten theme at Covenant this year is Radical Faith.  As pastor Andy Cooke tells us, this Sunday is the first Sunday in Lent, and we will focus on sin and--strangely enough--the ways that sin connects us to each other and to God.

Pastor Katelyn Gordon Cooke says, "Let's be honest: the Transfiguration is a bizarre story in Scripture." It's odd that Jesus' face and his clothing become blindly bright in this moment. It's strange that two dead men - Moses and Elijah - appear at Jesus' side. And then there's the detail of the voice that speaks from a cloud, saying, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well-pleased; liste...

During worship, Pastor Andy Cooke will share the words of the Apostle Paul in First Corinthians when he describes the qualities of Christian leadership, which often looks much different than the conventional definition of leadership in our world.

It's Youth Sunday, so middle and high school youth  lead the service at Covenant Presbyterian Church on this first Sunday in February.  The theme for this year's youth Sunday is, Do Justice.  Love Kindness.  Walk Humbly.

It's true that curiosity can be dangerous, but, as pastor Katelyn Gordon Cooke tells us this week, curiosity also inspires new discoveries, friendships, and possibilities. In the Gospel of John, the first words out of Jesus' mouth are words of curiosity: "What are you looking for?" He asks this question of the two men who have just begun following him, and it marks the beginning of their journey a...

As we exit the Christmas season, pastor Andy Cooke tells us this Sunday will commemorate an important milestone in the life of Jesus: his baptism. It is another incarnational event where Jesus enters into our story and does something that we would not expect. It is a great day to remember your own baptism, and to consider what baptism means for us.