(704) 599-9810 | Worship Sundays @ 10:55 a.m.
(704) 599-9810 | Worship Sundays @ 10:55 a.m.
At Holy Covenant United Church of Christ in Charlotte, NC, worship is more than a weekly ritual—it’s a living expression of love, justice, and community.
🕊️ Keeping Christmas — A reminder that God meets us not in certainty, but in wonder, where mystery is held gently in the light of love.
Worship Service – December 28, 2025 | First Sunday After Christmas
Scripture: Isaiah 63:7–9 | Matthew 2:13–23
This Sunday at Holy Covenant United Church of Christ, we gathered on the First Sunday After Christmas to reflect on what it means not simply to celebrate Christmas — but to keep it. As the season’s brightness gives way to quieter days, worship invited us to consider how the mystery of God-with-us continues to shape our lives beyond December 25.
Drawing on the words of theologian and musician Barry Taylor, we were reminded that “God is the name of the blanket we throw over mystery to give it shape.” Christmas does not eliminate mystery; it holds it — wrapping the unknown in presence, tenderness, and hope.
Our scriptures carried this truth with honesty and depth. In Isaiah 63:7–9, the prophet recalls God’s steadfast love — a presence that does not abandon the people but carries them through suffering and exile. In Matthew 2:13–23, the Christmas story continues not with angels and shepherds, but with flight, fear, and courage, as the Holy Family seeks refuge in Egypt and later returns home by a different road.
Together, we acknowledged that Christmas is not sentimental or safe. Love takes flesh, and then love must travel — into uncertainty, displacement, and the hard work of protecting life. To keep Christmas is to remain faithful to that journey.
Guest preacher Rev. Judah L. Jones preached a sermon titled “Keeping Christmas,” inviting us to see Christmas not as a single holy moment, but as a way of living — choosing compassion over fear, welcome over indifference, and hope that refuses to go silent.
Music carried this theology forward throughout the service, weaving joy, courage, and resolve into every note. From the opening violin prelude to songs of resistance and praise, worship reminded us that faith is something we sing — and something we live.
✨ “The work of Christmas begins when the song ends.”
“Christmas is not something we finish — it is something we keep.” — Rev. Judah L. Jones
✨ “The Manger and the Oppressed” — God born not into power, but into vulnerability, solidarity, and hope.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service – December 24, 2025
Scripture: Isaiah 9:2–7 | Luke 1:26–38 | Luke 2:1–20
On Christmas Eve, Holy Covenant United Church of Christ gathered by candlelight to tell the ancient story once more — not as nostalgia, but as living truth. In a world marked by injustice, displacement, and longing, worship invited us to encounter a God who enters history not through empire or dominance, but through vulnerability, presence, and love.
Worship opened with a piano duet of “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” followed by a Call to the Heart that named why we gather on this night: not because all is well in the world, but because God chooses to dwell within it. Christmas, we proclaimed, is not an escape from reality — it is God’s commitment to meet us in it.
The Christ Candle was lit by the Hankins family, marking the culmination of Advent’s journey. As the flame rose, we named what this birth proclaims: love has come near, hope has been kindled, peace is possible, and joy abides. The light of Christ, we declared, continues to shine wherever compassion, justice, and mercy take root.
Scripture unfolded in a sacred rhythm — Isaiah’s promise of light dawning in deep darkness, Gabriel’s announcement to Mary, and Luke’s telling of Jesus’ birth amid occupation, displacement, and scarcity. These readings reminded us that Christmas is not sentimental — it is profoundly political, deeply human, and unmistakably hopeful.
Pastor Chris preached a sermon titled “The Manger and the Oppressed,” inviting us to see the nativity not as a gentle tableau, but as a radical declaration. God enters the world among the poor, the displaced, and the vulnerable — revealing where divine love continues to show up today.
Music formed the heartbeat of the Christmas Eve service, carrying the story of incarnation with reverence, beauty, and conviction. A solo of “O Holy Night” followed — offered as a welcoming invitation into the mystery of the night, drawing the congregation into holy stillness and awe.
The Handbell Choir offered a series of stunning and spectacular musical moments throughout the service. With clarity, precision, and grace, each piece rang out like prayer made audible — bells proclaiming peace, hope, and light in ways words alone could not. Their shimmering presence grounded the service in reverence and beauty.
The Chancel Choir gave moving and powerful performances that anchored the theology of the night. In “Away in a Manger,” they offered tenderness and intimacy; in “Christmas Lullaby,” they gave voice to comfort and promise; and in the anthem “Candle in the Night,” they proclaimed hope that refuses to be extinguished — a light that endures even in deep darkness.
As the service drew toward its close, Eric Miner and Ed Vickery announced the birth of Emmanuel through a powerful and stirring presentation of “All Is Well” by Michael W. Smith — a declaration of faith that does not deny the world’s pain, but trusts God’s presence within it. The congregation then joined together in the candlelit singing of “Silent Night,” voices unified as light passed from flame to flame, filling the sanctuary with peace.
We departed carrying more than candle wax and melody — we carried a calling: to bear Christ’s light into a world still longing for justice, dignity, and peace.
✨ “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”
“God chose a manger — and in doing so, chose the oppressed, the forgotten, and the hopeful.” — Rev. Christopher Czarnecki
🕊️ “Love Is All I Have to Give You” — Love made visible, embodied, and brave enough to change the world.
Worship Service – December 21, 2025 | Fourth Sunday of Advent: LOVE
Scripture: Luke 1:46b–55 (CEB) | Modern Lesson: bell hooks
This Sunday at Holy Covenant United Church of Christ, we gathered on the
Fourth Sunday of Advent to dwell in the theme of LOVE — not as sentiment or softness, but as courage, commitment, and holy risk. In a world marked by injustice, fear, and exhaustion, worship invited us to remember that love is the force that dares to enter the impossible and bring new life where none seems possible.
Worship opened with a tender yet prophetic Call to the Heart, naming Mary as a model of love embodied — a young woman who carried love in her body before she ever held it in her arms. Together we confessed that God’s love is not distant or abstract, but takes on flesh, moves among us, and calls each of us by name.
The Candle of Love was lit by Markus and Kristen Fuchs, accompanied by words that named love as both gentle and fierce — a power that forgives, liberates, embraces the forgotten, and risks itself for the sake of others. As the flame burned, we proclaimed that God’s love endures and calls us to love one another with the same brave generosity.
Our Modern Lesson drew from the wisdom of bell hooks, who reminded us that love is not passive feeling, but active practice — a combination of care, commitment, responsibility, respect, and trust. Her words echoed through the sanctuary alongside Mary’s song in the Magnificat (Luke 1:46b–55), where love overturns injustice, lifts the lowly, fills the hungry, and imagines a world where everyone belongs.
Pastor Christopher Czarnecki preached a sermon titled “Love Is All I Have to Give You,” inviting us to see Mary not as distant icon, but as courageous witness — someone who offered what she had, trusting that love would be enough to change the world. Love, he reminded us, is our vocation and our work: the presence we carry into every space, every heart, every moment.
Music carried the theology of love with depth and beauty throughout the service — from the piano duet prelude “Journey to the Manger,” to the handbell choir’s tender offerings, the choir’s moving anthem “In the Bleak Midwinter,” and the congregation’s powerful proclamation of “Canticle of the Turning.” Each note echoed Mary’s song: a world on the brink of turning, shaped by love that refuses to let injustice have the final word.
As we moved toward the table and the offering of our gifts, we were reminded that love is made visible through generosity — through shared resources, shared lives, and shared hope. Like Mary, we are invited to offer what we have, trusting that when love is shared, God continues to bring new life into the world.
✨ “Love is not simply what we feel — it is what we dare to live.”
“Love is all Mary had to offer — and it was enough to change the world.” — Rev. Christopher Czarnecki
🌸 “Even in Despair, Joy Is Still There” — Claiming joy as holy resistance and sacred strength.
Worship Service – December 14, 2025 | Third Sunday of Advent: JOY
Scripture: Isaiah 35:1–10 | Modern Lesson: Audre Lorde
This Sunday at Holy Covenant United Church of Christ, we gathered in the heart of Advent’s third week to celebrate JOY — not as fleeting happiness, but as holy defiance, resilient hope, and life-giving strength. Pastor Christopher Czarnecki preached a powerful message titled “Even in Despair, Joy Is Still There,” inviting us to reclaim joy as a sacred practice in a world too often shaped by fear, injustice, and weariness.
Worship opened with a vibrant Call to the Heart that named joy honestly — not joy that pretends everything is fine, but joy that rises in the face of injustice and insists on life anyway. Together we affirmed that joy strengthens the weary, liberates the oppressed, and belongs to all of God’s children.
The Candle of Joy was lit by Rev. Windy Allison and Angela Allison, reminding us that joy is an active form of resistance. As the flame flickered, we proclaimed that joy testifies to God’s promises even amid sorrow and uncertainty — rekindling courage, gratitude, and hope within us and among us.
Our Modern Lesson drew from the prophetic wisdom of Audre Lorde, who named joy as rebellion — a fierce commitment to live fully despite wounds and systems that thrive on despair. That witness echoed beautifully alongside Isaiah 35:1–10, where the prophet proclaims deserts blooming, bodies healed, and a holy way where grief gives way to singing and everlasting joy.
In his sermon, Pastor Chris reminded us that joy does not deny suffering — it confronts it with courage. Joy, he preached, is the strength that keeps us moving, the light that refuses to be extinguished, and the promise that God is still making a way where none seems possible.
Music carried that joy with brilliance and depth: a radiant violin prelude of “The First Noël,” the choir’s anthem “Song of the Baptist,” and the congregation’s joyful proclamation of “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice” and “This Little Light of Mine.” Each note became a declaration that joy still rises — in song, in community, in shared breath.
At Christ’s open table and throughout the service, we were reminded that joy is communal — a gift we receive and a witness we share. In laughter, song, generosity, and prayer, we claimed joy not as escape, but as fuel for love, justice, and faithful living in a world still longing for healing.
✨ “Joy is not a distraction from the struggle — it is the strength that helps us survive it.”
“Even in despair, joy is still there — rising, resisting, and reminding us that God is not finished with us yet.” — Rev. Christopher Czarnecki
🕊️ “The World God Longs For” — Listening for God’s peace in a world aching for justice, healing, and wholeness.
Worship Service – December 7, 2025 | Second Sunday of Advent: PEACE
Scripture: Psalm 72:1–7, 18–19 | Modern Lesson: Dorothee Sölle
This Sunday at Holy Covenant United Church of Christ, we stepped into the second week of Advent carrying a longing both ancient and immediate: the longing for peace. Pastor Christopher Czarnecki preached “The World God Longs For,” inviting us to imagine a world shaped by compassion, justice, and the peace Christ is still bringing to life among us.
Worship opened with a gentle Call to the Heart, naming the many places where peace feels fragile — in our spirits, our relationships, our communities, and our world. Again and again we prayed, “God, guide us in the ways of peace.”
The Candle of Peace, lit by Rev. Jim and Faye Humphrey, reminded us that peace is not something we simply await but something we practice. Each act of mercy, every bridge rebuilt, each truth spoken in love becomes part of the peace God is birthing even now.
Our Modern Lesson from theologian Dorothee Sölle challenged us to refuse complacency and lean toward justice. This resonated with Psalm 72:1–7, 18–19, a prayer for leaders who defend the poor and nurture the flourishing of peace.
In his sermon, Pastor Chris reflected on peace as a daily choice — compassion over indifference, courage over apathy, solidarity over isolation. “The world God longs for,” he said, “is woven through the everyday acts of justice and mercy we choose.”
Music carried this longing with beauty: a shimmering harp prelude, the choir’s prophetic anthem “A Voice in the Desert”, and communion music reminding us that peace is a table we share, a welcome we extend, a love we practice.
At Christ’s open table, we remembered Jesus as the one who heals, lifts up, includes, and sends us out as bearers of peace in a restless world. All were welcomed — hungry or fed, certain or doubtful, straight or queer, named and unnamed — into the grace that meets us again and again.
🕊️ “Peace is born wherever justice deepens, mercy is extended, and love refuses to turn away.”
“The world God longs for is not a far-off dream — it is already taking shape wherever we choose compassion, courage, and peace.” — Rev. Christopher Czarnecki
🕯️ “Hope That Moves Us On” — Beginning the journey of Advent with trust in God’s renewing love.
Worship Service – November 30, 2025 | First Sunday of Advent: HOPE
Scripture: Isaiah 2:1–5 | Modern Lesson: Rev. Amara Reyes
This Sunday at Holy Covenant United Church of Christ, Pastor Christopher Czarnecki led us into the sacred beginning of Advent — a season marked not by rushing, but by readiness; not by certainty, but by hope. His message, “Hope That Moves Us On,” invited us to lean toward God’s promise even when the world feels unsteady.
We began with the Lighting of the Candle of Hope by the Deck family, a our Hanging of the Greens tradition reminding us that every wreath, ribbon, and evergreen placed in our sanctuary is an act of preparing our hearts for Christ’s arrival.
The Hebrew Scripture from Isaiah 2:1–5 offered a sweeping vision of peace —swords turned into plowshares, nations learning war no more, and God’s people walking in holy light. The modern lesson by Rev. Amara Reyes echoed that promise: “Hope is the steady decision to rise again,” she wrote, reminding us that hope is less an emotion and more a practice.
Pastor Chris reflected on how hope works in real life — quietly, insistently, slow-growing, like dawn before daylight. He shared moments from our own community where hope is stitched into ordinary acts: meals delivered, prayers lifted, burdens shared, laughter rediscovered. “Hope is what keeps us moving when the way isn’t clear,” he said. “It’s the belief that God is already at work ahead of us.”
Our special music deepened the moment: “Patchwork Quilt” by D. Evans, a warm reminder that God pieces our lives together with grace; and a shimmering duet of “Advent Hymn” offered by Eric Miner & Ed Vickery, singing hope into the room with gentle conviction.
We also honored World AIDS Day, pausing to remember those lost, those still fighting, and the sacred call to justice, dignity, and care for every person affected by HIV/AIDS. “Hope is not naive,” Pastor Chris reflected. “It sees the world truthfully — and still believes in healing.”
The service closed with the beloved hymn “Abide With Me,” a prayer woven with longing and trust. As voices lifted together, we stepped into Advent with hearts open — still waiting, still watching, still hoping.
🕊️ “Hope leans toward the promise of God’s renewing love — even when the world feels uncertain.”
“Hope is not wishful thinking — it is trust in the God who is already lighting the way.” — Rev. Christopher Czarnecki
🕊️ “Kingdom vs. Kin-dom” — Trading fear-based empire for a kinship of mercy, solidarity, and liberating love in the shadow of the cross.
Worship Service – November 23, 2025 | Reign of Christ Sunday
Gospel: Luke 23:33–43 (CEB) | Modern Lesson: Valarie Kaur, Revolutionary Love
This Sunday at Holy Covenant United Church of Christ, we marked Reign of Christ Sunday not with images of royal crowns and distant thrones, but with a powerful meditation on “Kingdom vs. Kin-dom.” Pastor Christopher Czarnecki invited us to consider what kind of reign Jesus truly embodies — not empire and domination, but a kinship of compassion, courage, and shared liberation.
The morning opened with a Centering Prayer that named our mixed realities in this season: gratitude for abundance, but also the fear and grief hovering over our city. We prayed for neighbors afraid to leave their homes, for families bearing the trauma of separation, and for those whose daily lives are shaped by the presence of unmarked vehicles and armed agents in our streets. At the same time, we confessed the privileges that shelter many of us from dangers others face. Pastor Chris asked God to root us in a compassion that doesn’t look away, but listens, learns, and stands beside those most harmed. “Center us now in your peace, your truth, and your Kin-dom that is breaking in,” we prayed together.
In the Call to the Heart, Jeffery Edwards-Knight gave language to that tension. He named the fear of a city on edge — businesses closing early, neighbors trading warnings — and placed it alongside the world Jesus knew: a land patrolled by imperial soldiers, where people moved carefully under the constant threat of Rome. Into both worlds, Jeffery reminded us, Christ proclaims another kind of reign: not fear but love, not domination but compassion, not empire but the Kin-dom of God. We were invited to gather not in hopelessness, but in holy defiance of the fear meant to divide and silence, and to worship the Christ who reigns in love and calls us “kindred.”
Our worship was framed with gratitude and beauty. The service began with a Prelude of “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come” offered by Mary Tarr on violin, while later the Handbell Choir surrounded us with thanksgiving hymns — “For the Beauty of the Earth” and “We Gather Together” — ringing out a gentle insistence that gratitude and justice belong together. Through Stories for All People, Jo Ann Jellison helped us see that God’s kin-dom holds room for every story at the table, especially those often pushed to the edges.
Our Modern Lesson, read by Alice Phelan-Young from Valarie Kaur’s book Revolutionary Love, asked a piercing question: When faced with injustice, do we let fear harden us, or do we let love expand us? Kaur describes revolutionary love as a labor that sees those most harmed by our systems as part of our own family, disrupting the machinery of empire by showing up, listening, and refusing to dehumanize. Her words set the table for the Gospel and sermon to follow.
The Gospel reading from Luke 23:33–43 placed us at the foot of the cross: Jesus crucified between two criminals, mocked by leaders and soldiers, with a sign above his head reading, “This is the king of the Jews.” One criminal joins the insults, but the other sees something different — a king whose power looks like mercy. “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom,” he pleads. Jesus responds not with condemnation, but with startling intimacy: “Today you will be with me in paradise.”
In his message, “Kingdom vs. Kin-dom,” Pastor Chris explored how Jesus’ reign looks nothing like the empires we know. Kingdoms and empires depend on hierarchies: insiders and outsiders, protected citizens and expendable lives. They move through the world with unmarked power, enforcing order through fear. But on the cross, Jesus reveals a different kind of sovereignty — a Kin-dom in which the condemned are seen and addressed by name, enemies are forgiven, and even in his final breaths Christ is drawing people into relationship, not control.
Pastor Chris connected this to our own moment in Charlotte and beyond: to migrants and families living under threat; to communities that have always felt the weight of surveillance and state violence; to those whose identities or immigration status make them vulnerable to the machinery of empire. He reminded us that the Kin-dom of God is not abstract — it looks like showing up for those most at risk, listening to their stories, and refusing to categorize any human being as disposable. “Where empire says, ‘You are a problem to be managed,’” he said, “Jesus says, ‘You are kin. You belong to me.’”
The sermon invited us to consider where we locate ourselves in this story. Are we living like citizens of a kingdom rooted in fear and scarcity, or like kin in a community rooted in mercy and courage? Small actions — advocating for humane policies, supporting immigrant neighbors, giving generously, praying for those targeted by violence — become ways we practice the Kin-dom in real time. As Reign of Christ Sunday closed the church year, we were reminded that Christ’s kingship is not about control over us, but solidarity with us and with all who suffer.
The service moved toward sending with the hymn “Fight the Good Fight” and a charge to let our lives bear witness to hope in the face of fear. The Postlude, “We Have Come into This House,” sent us back into the world with a simple truth ringing in our ears: we gather around Christ not as subjects of an empire, but as kin at a shared table of grace.
🕊️ “Christ’s reign does not come riding a warhorse, but hanging on a cross, calling us kin and inviting us into a love that empire cannot cancel.”
“Where empire says, ‘You are expendable,’ Jesus says, ‘You are kin.’ That is the Kin-dom we’re called to live into.” — Rev. Christopher Czarnecki
🕊️ “Called Together, Called Forward” — A Sunday of Gratitude, Vision, and Shared Ministry
Worship Service – November 16, 2025 | Annual Meeting Sunday
Bulletin – 11.16.2025
This Sunday at Holy Covenant United Church of Christ, our worship became a gathering of stories — a shared look back at God’s faithfulness and a hopeful look forward into the year to come. Instead of a sermon, the voices of our ministry leaders shaped the morning. Each brought a snapshot of their team’s work, their joys, and their dreams for what is unfolding among us.
Pastor Christopher Czarnecki opened our time with gratitude for the many hands and hearts shaping our life together. He reflected on the deep spirit of resilience, generosity, and imagination that has guided Holy Covenant through another transformative year — and he reminded us that the Spirit continues to meet us in the work ahead.
Ed Vickery offered the Worship Team report, celebrating a year of music, thoughtful liturgy, and creative collaboration. He highlighted the faithful work of musicians, readers, and volunteers whose gifts shape the worship life that anchors our community each week.
From Christian Education, JoAnn Jellison spoke about the growth of our children’s ministry, the curiosity of our young learners, and the dedication of teachers who help nurture faith in every season.
Kim Buch shared the Creation Justice update, lifting our commitments to environmental care, earth-focused worship practices, and community action. Her message looked toward deeper engagement with sustainability and justice in the coming year.
Representing Communications, Joy Decker reflected on the many ways we tell our story — through digital platforms, weekly news, and the launch of our expanding “HCUCC Everywhere” presence. She celebrated the volunteers who help keep our community connected and informed.
On behalf of Mission & Justice, Suzanne Lamorey shared about ongoing partnerships, outreach efforts, and service projects. Her update reminded us that our call to love neighbor extends far beyond our sanctuary walls.
From Buildings & Grounds, Dave Shimberg provided a concise overview of the caretaking work happening behind the scenes — projects completed, needs being assessed, and long-range stewardship of our physical space.
Gregg Walker then presented the Endowment Team report, celebrating the continued growth of our endowment and the meaningful ministry it supports. He emphasized responsible stewardship, transparency, and the blessings that generous giving makes possible.
As the service concluded, Pastor Chris invited the congregation to remain for our Annual Meeting — a time to receive the full Annual Report, hear additional updates, and vote on important matters for the life of the church.
🕊️ “We listen. We give thanks. We step forward together.”
“Gratitude is the root of every new beginning.” — Annual Meeting Sunday
🕊️ “Faith for a Worried People” — Finding calm assurance when the world feels unsteady, and rediscovering trust in the God who holds us fast.
Worship Service – November 9, 2025 | Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost
Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:1–5, 13–17 | Modern Lesson: Grace Ji-Sun Kim
This Sunday at Holy Covenant United Church of Christ, Pastor Christopher Czarnecki invited us to loosen our grip on fear and rest in the promise that God’s love never lets us go. His message, “Faith for a Worried People,” drew from 2 Thessalonians 2:1–5, 13–17, where Paul urges believers to “stand firm and hold fast” even in uncertain times.
The morning began with a Centering Prayer that invited us to release the need to control outcomes and to rest in divine assurance: “Center us in you, O God, so that we might listen for your voice, trust your goodness, and find peace in your presence.” That quiet invocation became a thread of peace woven through the entire service.
During the Children’s Message, Pastor Chris brought out bubbles — a visual reminder of what it means to let go. Each child received their own small container, encouraged to think of a worry, blow a bubble, and watch it float away. “Are your worries floating away?” he asked. “Then let’s give those worries to God.” The joyful moment filled the sanctuary with laughter and light — a living parable of release and trust.
The sermon explored the everyday worries that weigh us down: the furnace that might fail, the illness that surprises, the world that feels fragile. From minor anxieties to major fears, worry can whisper worst-case scenarios and steal our peace. Pastor Chris reflected that even Paul’s early church in Thessalonica faced their own fears — convinced they had somehow missed God’s promised day. Paul’s reassurance was simple yet profound: “You didn’t miss Jesus. Don’t let fear steal your peace.”
Drawing from Grace Ji-Sun Kim’s modern lesson, “Fear is not Christian,” Pastor Chris reminded us that when fear constrains imagination, love cannot breathe. He shared a story from a journaling workshop where participants listed their worries, then crossed out the ones they could not control — a spiritual practice of discernment and surrender. “Perhaps faith works the same way,” he said, “crossing out what isn’t ours to hold and trusting that God will handle the rest.”
He concluded with the story of a pastor on a turbulent flight. While passengers gripped their seats in panic, a small girl sat peacefully, unfazed. When asked later how she remained calm, she replied, “My daddy’s the pilot — he always takes me home.” Pastor Chris smiled as he drew the connection: “When the skies of life grow dark and storms toss us about, remember who’s flying the plane. God will always take us home.”
The Choir lifted that assurance in song with “It Is Well with My Soul,” each voice echoing the quiet truth of the morning: peace is not found in control, but in trust. Even in the face of fear, it is well — because love holds the horizon.
🕊️ “Faith is not the absence of worry — it is the decision to trust that love will meet us there.”
“Do not worry about your life… for your Creator’s love will meet you there.” — Rev. Christopher Czarnecki
🕯️ “The Light of the Saints” — A sacred reminder that love, once kindled, never fades. Its warmth continues to guide and grace our days.
All Saints & Souls Sunday – Worship Service – November 2, 2025
Scripture: Revelation 7:9–17 | Modern Lesson: bell hooks
This Sunday at Holy Covenant, we gathered for All Saints & Souls Sunday, a day to remember those who have gone before us and to celebrate the great cloud of witnesses whose love still lights our way. Guest preacher Rev. Belinda Sledge joined us from the UCC Southern Conference’s Call to Care Tour, bringing a message titled “When All God’s Children Gather at the Table.”
Preaching from Revelation 7:9–17, Rev. Sledge invited us to imagine the holy vision of John — a multitude from every nation and tongue, gathered before God in song, joy, and liberation. She reminded us that this image is not a distant hope, but a living call to community and compassion.
Drawing from bell hooks’ reflection that “those who came before us dreamed us into being,” Rev. Sledge spoke about the courage and faith of the saints who made our gathering possible — the ancestors who prayed, protested, loved, and persisted so that others might live freely. “Every act of care,” she said, “is a continuation of their dream. Every gesture of love keeps their legacy alive.”
During the Lighting of the Saints, the sanctuary filled with a soft constellation of candles — each flame a story, each prayer a whisper of gratitude. As names were lifted and memories rekindled, the stillness became holy space. Pastor Christopher Czarnecki led us in the Prayer of Remembrance, blessing the love that shaped us and reminding us that “the saints are not gone; they live on in the pattern of our days.”
This service also echoed the rhythm of our new November theme, Finding Rest in God – Sabbath Wellness. Through music, prayer, and communion, we were invited to rest in remembrance — to trust that peace is not the absence of sorrow but the presence of love that endures beyond it.
As we received Communion, the choir called us to draw the circle wide, to welcome even those we don’t understand, and to remember that the Body of Christ is made of many stories.
🕯️ “Remembering Our Saints” — A sacred reminder that love, once kindled, never fades. Its warmth continues to guide and grace our days.
“When we light candles for the saints, we aren’t just remembering the past — we’re practicing resurrection. We’re resting in the eternal love of God that still burns bright among us.” — Rev. Belinda Sledge
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