Covenant Houston Podcast

It is personal.

The 26 votive candles in this photo of the church window represent those whose lives were taken in a Baptist church in Sulphur Springs, Texas. The red candles represent the thousands who are murdered by gun violence each year in the US.

Rev. Mayo's proclamation from Sunday, November 12, 2017 is preceded by the scripture lesson, Isaiah 2:2-4, and the pastoral prayer. The final piece of the recording is the choir singing "Thou Shalt Know Him" by an anonymous author.

#TheseAreOurSacredStories

 

Requiem on All Saints/All Souls

This beautiful Requiem, sung by the Covenant Choir, covered two worship services but is presented in its entirety here. The scripture lesson for this Sunday, November 5, included Isaiah 54:10 and Hebrews 12:1-2. 

The first service contained the first three movements, Requiem (0:56)*, Out of the Deep (7:15), and Pie Jesu (13:47). Susan Wegner on the cello joined the choir in Out of the Deep.

The last four movements were heard at the later service: Sanctus (18:05), Agnus Dei (20:20), The Lord Is My Shepherd (27:00), and Lux Aeterna (32:40). Guest oboist, Liz Hebert, joined the choir on The Lord Is My Shepherd. 

The soprano soloist at both services was Casey Okabayashi.

Rev. Laura Mayo gave the prayer at the end of this recording.

#TheseAreOurSacredSongs

*starting positions of each portion of Requiem

Reformation Day.

#Reformation500

Two music pieces are included in this recording: “Sonatine: Mouvement de Menuet” by Maurice Ravel on the piano and “Our God Is a Rock” by Katherine K. Davis.

The scripture reading for Sunday, October 29, was Matthew 22:34-46.

Rev. Laura Mayo gave the proclamation.

#TheseAreOurSacredStories

 

It's God's World.

#TheseAreOurSacredStories for Sunday October 22:

The solo sung by Eric Avera is "What is in Thy Heart for God." The scripture reading was Matthew 22:15-22. The Covenant Choir sang "Psalm 100," by Heinrich Schütz. Rev. Laura Mayo gave the proclamation. 

Welcome to the banquet.

All are welcome to our banquet! This recording for Sunday, October 15 includes the choir singing "Blessing" by Percy Grainger, the scripture reading of Luke 14:15-23, the solo by Casey Okabayashi of "Eternal Life" by Olive Dungan, and Rev. Laura Mayo giving the proclamation. 

Resources used for the worship can be found on our website. 

#TheseAreOurSacredStories

 

Covenant family is...

This recording from Sunday, October 8 includes:

1) a string trio playing "Jesu, Joy of Our Desiring" by J. S. Bach,

2) a reading of the scripture lesson Matthew 12:46-49,

3) the Covenant choir singing "Jesu, Joy of Our Desiring" by J. S. Bach, and

4) the proclamation of what Covenant family is, given by 10 members of our congregation. 

#TheseAreOurSacredStories

 

Wake up! World Communion Sunday

On this World Communion Sunday, our Scripture reading was Romans 13:8-12. Laura Mayo gave the proclamation and the Covenant Choir sang "New Alien Tongues" by David Wehr. 

Links to our worship resources for Octobrer 1 are on our website. 

#TheseAreOurSacredStories

 

Peace.

The scripture reading for September 24 was Haggai 2:1-9.

The choir sang "A Gaelic Blessing" by John Rutter.

Rev. Laura Mayo gave the proclamation. 

#TheseAreOurSacredStories

Letters

This Sunday, September 17, we celebrated the 95th birthday of a prolific letter writer, and Covenant member, Vince Maggio. His words inspired our worship service. Reagan Miller read the Call to Worship by Jan Richardson, from In Wisdom’s Path. The scripture reading was Colossians 1:1-2; 3:12-16; 4:18. 

The proclamation consists of the following letters and songs read and sung by Joyce Courtois, Ruddy Cravens, Laura Mayo, and Regan Miller:

• “For What It’s Worth” written by Stephen Stills;
• The letter from Covenant Church to the Southern Baptist Convention sent August 2, 1992 (pictured);
• The letter to the incoming class of the Wake Forest School of Divinity sent August 15, 2017;
• “Open Letter to the South” by Langston Hughes;
• A letter from Pete Seeger to Woody Guthrie sent November 27, 1956;
• A letter from E.B. White to Mr. Nadeau sent March 30, 1973;
• “MLK Song” written by Mavis Staples.

Joyce Courtois sang the Benediction “As You Leave” by Sandra Michael-John. 

#TheseAreOurSacredStories

 

Emmaus always happens.

The scripture reading for this Sunday was Luke 24:13-35.

A member of our Youth Group was the pianist for the music by J. S. Bach.

Rev. Laura Mayo gave the proclamation.

"Resurrection happens, when we welcome, when we help, when Easter’s invitation finagles a foothold of in-breaking welcome, assistance, acceptance. When the ordinary is infused with the holy, every gesture of hospitality is an expression of the sacred."

#TheseAreOurSacredStories