Loving Creator,We asked for strength, and you gave us difficulties to make us strong.We asked for wisdom, and you gave us problems to solve.We asked for prosperity, and you gave us purpose and brains to use.We asked for courage, and you gave us fears to overcome.We asked for patience, and you gave us situations where we were forced to wait.We asked for love, and you gave us troubled people to help.We asked for justice, and you called us to be just and to lead with integrity.Lord, we have received nothing that we asked for or wanted.And yet, we received everything that we needed.For this, we give thanks.                                                                Written by Dr. Colleen Hanycz   Beloved Community,  Happy Thanksgiving Week! A week of family, friends, food, and gratitude!   This Sunday is our last of the Christian year! We will be celebrating the year as we review the awesome ministries and worship of Holy Covenant. Laulie and … Read More

          Beloved Community,   Finally, the beautiful fall weather has arrived! Hope you are finding reasons to be out in the sunshine and the full moon!   There are some important dates listed below with events you won’t want to miss! And we continue to be grateful for your generous giving!   On Sunday we will gather to praise God with the singing of the choir, the ringing of the bells, and reflecting on John 15 as we journey through the vineyard. Our connection to our Lord and to one another needs to continue to be a priority!    I look forward to greeting you on Sunday.   Shalom Blessings, Pastor Cheryl Murphy   10:30 am Sunday Morning Worship In-person and Livestreamed   Join us either in-person, or for online worship on Facebook Live. We are on Facebook Sundays at 10:30 am. If you have missed any of … Read More

          Beloved Community,   What a week it has been!   I am looking forward to being with you on Sunday as we reflect on our faithful discipleship together. We will gather on Monday evening at 7:00 PM for a prayer service with Holy Communion. You may join us in person or by live streaming for these services.   We will have an Ad Council meeting immediately following Sunday worship.  We will be approving the 2025 budget. All are welcome!   I am holding you all close and grateful I am part of this loving beloved community on the days filled with joy and the ones that require us to cross through the shadows of darkness.   Shalom Blessings, Pastor Cheryl Murphy     Did you witness the car accident at Josey and Peters Colony Rd. Sunday, November 3rd after worship? If so, please contact Jenifer Juarez 469-677-4662. Thank … Read More

         Beloved Community!   As the parade of Trick or Treaters disappear into the night, we are preparing for our All Saints’ Worship Service on Sunday. We will be including over 20 loved ones and four of our own, Mary Mitchell Trimble, Mary Upton, and two of our previous ECDP teachers: Carol Dougherty and Theresa Svehlek Knudsen. We will be gathering around the Lord’s Table for Holy Communion and remembering our witness.   One of my favorite quotes is from Valarie Kaur, “Grief is the price of love. Loving someone means that one day, there will be grieving. They will leave you, or you will leave them. The more you love, the more you grieve….”    The power of love will always be our focus even in weeks of very divisive elections. We are a people who follow a Lord who commands us “you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Mark 12:31    Let … Read More

Beloved Community!  We have a very busy few days ahead. In addition to VOTING,hope to greet you at these events!  7:00 PM Tonight, Thursday, HCUMC Charge Conference with Rev Edlen Cowley our District Superintendent – Everyone welcome! Voting on 2025 leadership and Pastor’s salary. (We will not be voting on the parking lot this evening. We are still waiting on the contract to be returned.)  Friday – Last day of pumpkin sales!6:00 PM Game Night in the Covenant Center7:00 PM Concert – with Astrid Mand Dr. Gabriela Calderon performing Celebrating Women in Music, piano works written for 4 hands–all by women composers-Awesome!  Saturday –9:00 AM – Visioning Summit with Rev Carol Montgomery – Calling all lay leaders that want to be a part of planning the next few years at Holy Covenant. (RSVP to [email protected])  Sunday-9:15 AM – Sunday School for all ages10:30 AM – Worship in the sanctuary – during this stressful season, let us seek a holy … Read More

          Fun events continue this weekend in the Pumpkin Patch! Friday night, Efrain Sain and his brass ensemble will play beginning at 7 pm. On Saturday, You are invited to dress up for the All-Day Costume Contest, meet Princess Belle between 11 and 1 and come back for S’mores and Spooky Hayrides at 7 pm. This Sunday afternoon, the Scarecrow (Brian Henry) will be reading seasonal stories at 4 pm.   The preschool is requesting help this Saturday morning with moving sand from the parking lot to the sandbox. Please be here at 9 am and bring shovels and wheelbarrows if you have them!   On Sunday, Laulie Eckeberger will be preaching on Philippians 2:1-11 at 10:30 am.   Next week, we have important events in the life of the church. On Thursday, October 24th, we will hold our Charge Conference at 7 pm to review … Read More

          Beloved Community,   These cooler temps are a welcomed gift! However, our hearts are heavy today for our friends in Florida. This fall is feeling like a very hard season for many of us.   Hope you will join us for fun in the Pumpkin Patch on Saturday for all types of fun events!     On Sunday Christine Perry, the HC Director of Finance, will bring us the message. She plans to take inspiration from Organic Wesley as we explore the connection between faith, stewardship, and healthy living through the teachings of John Wesley. Though we acknowledge our imperfections, we are called to pursue perfection through intentional, thoughtful growth, always striving to reflect God’s love and grace in every part of our lives. Hope you will join us!   I will look forward to greeting you on Sunday!   Shalom Blessings, Pastor Cheryl     Interested in becoming a … Read More

          Happy October!   We are busy in the Pumpkin Patch every day! We need your help! Please sign up for a 2-hour time slot (CLICK HERE) to meet friends and neighbors as they buy pumpkins in support of our Holy Covenant ministries!   Join us at the Fall Festival & Trunk or Treat at 4:00 pm on Saturday!  Please join us to welcome our neighbors and friends!    Join us at the Pumpkin Patch for a String Quartet Concert at 7:00 pm on Sunday!   Please be with us on Sunday morning for World Communion Worship in the sanctuary at 10:30. We will celebrate different cultures using many languages as we gather around the Lord’s Table. After a long week, praying for peace will be a very faithful way to move into a new week. Hope you will be with us for this very special worship service.   I … Read More

                Beloved Community!    Join us for the final September Sunday – and the final God on Broadway worship experience!   We have wonderful Sunday School classes for you to join at 9:15! Our final God on Broadway service will be celebrating FROZEN! (Please feel free to dress for the event!) And Jesus’ wonderful healing story from Mark 5.   AND THEN PUMPKINS arrive in a semi-truck!!!!!  Remember last year?! We need your help unpacking the truck and organizing! Please dress in appropriate clothing to help us set up and prepare for the festive weeks of meeting our neighbors!   Laulie, Elise, and I are heading to Abilene for the first Horizon Texas Annual Conference. Please hold this holy work in your prayers. The meeting will be held on Saturday and live streaming on the NTCUMC website if you are interested in watching.   I look forward … Read More

          Beloved Community!    Hope you are planning on heading east this evening to join us at the Plano Balloon Festival to see our very own Luis Rodriguez conduct the Plano Symphony Orchestra. The gates open at 5:00 pm (there is a charge for parking & entry – I will be parking at FUMC Plano). At 6:00 pm the Texas Parachute Team will jump out of planes! The orchestra plays as the balloons glow at 7:30.  And if you can stay late, there will be a Light Up the Sky Drone Show at 8:45. I will be in my Holy Covenant T Shirt – see you there!   On Sunday, we will have our third God on Broadway worship celebration, Beauty and the Beast. The New Testament scripture will be Lydia’s story in Acts 16 offering invitation and hospitality! Hope you will BE OUR GUEST for worship!   I look forward to greeting … Read More