What is Happening This Week 9/23-9/26/21
 The wonderful autumn temperatures are finally arriving! I am hoping to do my fall planting soon. The 8:30 worship services are going to be more inviting with the cooler breezes. And this week at 10:30 the choir is finally arriving back in the choir loft leading us in worship! Vera and I have been waiting for them for so long – we are thrilled! Hope you will create space on the Sabbath day to be with us at Holy Covenant. I will look forward to greeting you there! Shalom Blessings, Pastor Cheryl Murphy Outside Sunday Worship 8:30 am  OUTSIDE WORSHIP – We gather Sundays outside by the cross at 8:30 am. In the event of rain, worship will move inside and children will be invited to the Covenant Center for supervised play.  10:30 am Sunday Morning WorshipIn-person and Livestreamed We hope you are joining us either in-person, or for online worship on Facebook Live. We will be on Facebook again this Sunday at 10:30 am. If you have missed any of the services, or do not use Facebook, you may also find them on our website hcumc.org. Sunday, September 26 Scripture: The Story of Esther Sermon: Living Into Our Destiny Prayers of the People  Please keep the following people in your prayers this week: Hefina Greensted and family; the Coleman family; Darrell Moore; Butch Dunn; Helma Gentry’s mother; Travis Williams; Mary Harrison; Jonathan Garrett and family; and our friends at Atria Carrollton. North Texas Giving Day  You probably know by now that today is North Texas Giving Day. Below is a list of some of the organizations we partner with or support. We hope you will consider making a donation to any of them at the NTX Giving Day website. Connecting the Community Metrocrest Services North Texas Food Bank Carrollton Early Childhood PTA Christ’s Foundry United Methodist Mission Our Calling Resource Center CitySquare Austin Street Center CASA of Denton County Justice For Our Neighbors (JFON) Christian Community Action (CCA) League of Women Voters (LWV) Methodist Children’s Home Operation Kindness And, of course, any day is a good day to give toHoly Covenant UMC!  Food PantryPantry Hours: Tuesday-Thursday from 10-2 2nd and 4th Sundays from 12-1 pm. If you would like to volunteer to pack or distribute food bags this weekend, please sign up HERE. We accept donations on Thursdays and Saturdays from 10-12. Currently, we need: hearty soups, chili, canned vegetables and dog/cat food. The Missions Team thanks you for always being there to support the Food Pantry with your donations, your time, and your prayers.  Highlight This WeekBlood Drive Sunday, September 26 8 am to Noon HCUMC Parking Lot Donate blood with Holy Covenant September 26th and receive a limited edition 9-11 shirt along with Covid-19 antibody testing! Please remember, it is safe to donate blood and your donation is urgently needed. FACES Closet Now Open!  F.A.C.E.S. = Foster Adopt Community Education Support A (New!) Ministry of Holy Covenant UMC Supporting individuals and families impacted by foster and kinship care. We are now collecting clothing and accessories donations for youth ages 10 to 18. Clothing Sizes: Youth Medium through Adult XXL Shoes: Youth 3 through Adult sizes Bras: new and gently used Underwear: new If you would like to know more or would like to volunteer, contact Erin Shepardson at 469.645.8990 or [email protected].Follow us on Facebook @FACES.clothingcloset Coming Soon!  Blessing of the Animals Sunday, October 10 that the 8:30 a.m. worship service The Blessing is inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, whose life exemplified harmony between humans and nature. Whether you will be bringing your pet for an in-person blessing or if you would like for them to be virtually blessed, please fill out the registration form HERE no later than October 3, 2021. If your pet will be attending in person, be sure they are secure in a carrier or leashed and please clean up after them. Finances  You may send your checks to: Holy Covenant UMC 1901 E. Peters Colony Rd. Carrollton, TX 75007 Or you may submit your offering electronically through online giving. September Regular Donations/Pledge Payments: Goal $54,081 Given to Date $18,839 (35%) THANK YOU to everyone who pledged for 2021 as you all are faithfully fulfilling your promise. Meeting our budget has always depended on these pledges as well as non-pledged giving. Holy Covenant really needs some ‘above and beyond’ giving this month. Please consider giving what you’re able–every bit helps!  Online GivingDonate Here. You may set up a regular pledge payment by choosing the Donation Frequency. Highlight Beyond Holy Covenant  Save the Date! Coffee with a Missionary Wednesday, September 29 10:30 am via Zoom Join missionaries Wes and Leah Magruder at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 29, for a virtual cup of bush tea in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, where they serve at Seth Mokitimi Methodist Seminary. You’ll hear stories about ministerial students, cultural challenges, African Methodism and giraffes. Zoom |