March 20, 2025
STAFF UPDATE: JOHN KRATZAT ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
It is with both pride and sadness that I announce my retirement at Covenant. Pride in all that has been accomplished in my 20 years serving the Church. And sadness that this is ending. My last Sunday will be May 18.
It has been an honor to work with so many dedicated singers, ringers, actors, playwrights, volunteer leaders, and accompanists. And, of course, pastors. I often tell the groups how special it is to be leading them and I say that from the heart. We have a special bond in all the groups, praying together, laughing together, and making music together. I will miss all of that.
Janet and I intend to move nearer our son Andrew in Ann Arbor, Michigan. So, we won’t be that far away! I wish continued success to all who make Covenant so special through music.
John Kratzat
SPECIAL EASTER CHOIR
This Easter we are planning to present several individual anthems during the Traditional service. The choir will be supported by a small orchestra.
We ask you to consider joining the choir to make Easter extra special. Your time commitment is minimal, but the experience will be memorable. We welcome all voices, low to high and especially bass to tenor!
Here is the rehearsal schedule:
Wednesday, April 2, 9, and 16 from 7:15 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday, April 19 from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
John Kratzat
CHURCH CAMP IS COMING
Get ready for an amazing summer at Church Camp! To kick things off, join us for a Camp Day at Camp Lakewood on Sunday, April 6 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. a fun afternoon open to all ages with plenty of activities to enjoy.
If you're planning to attend camp, don’t miss the early bird registration deadline on Sunday, April 20. Contact Pastor Allison or Miss Anita for details on how to register and to receive the discount code. We are also accepting financial gifts to support our camp scholarship fund, ensuring more kids can experience camp this summer and for years to come. Thank you for being part of this exciting journey!
Questions? Contact pastor Allison at pastorallison@covenantumc.net or Miss Anita at children@covenantumc.net.
Prayer List Week of March 17, 2025
• Prayers for Kevin Baer who had back surgery on Monday, March 17.
• The Krempel family praised God for Emma’s seventh birthday on Sunday, March 16.
• Sam and Gina Loomis give praise for good news for the Loomis family. Their Florida grandkids will be in Fort Wayne for the summer.
• Sam and Gina would also like prayers for Elaine Shown for continued healing from back surgery.
• Erik Fenstermacher gives praise for a new job. He was offered a position as a Diabetes Educator at Parkview. He says it’s the perfect job for him, and he’s grateful for the prayers and support. Praise God!
• Erik says that his mother Marlene’s knee replacement surgery went very well. Marlene is in recovery mode. Continued prayers for healing, recovery, and patience as she gets back into full gear.
• Rachel McGuire would like prayers for Bill McGuire’s kidney surgery this week.
• Betty Stone would like prayers for tests that her oncologist Dr. Carr ordered. The tests will take place on Tuesday, March 25 and Wednesday, March 26. The results will be in on Wednesday, April 2.
• Sharon Gorsuch asks that we pray for Mike Davenport.
• Anna Aycock asks that we pray for her mother Judy. She had thyroid surgery and biopsy on a lump this Monday, March 17.
• Melissa Christeson asks that we pray for her sister Robin’s dog Morocco. He’s experiencing pain in his leg and hips.
• Prayers for those who serve at Inasmuch Ministry. May they continue to share the love of our Lord and His Salvation with people that so many in our community have cast aside.
March 21
Rex Wharry
Lauren Becker
Noah Mains
Linda Becker
March 22
Ella VanWagner
March 23
Ryan Wharry
March 24
Piper Flynn
March 25
Noah Niang
Carol Chrisp
Molly Frappier
March 26
Lisa Height
Diane Jennings
March 28
Kyle Fenstermacher
March 29
Liz McClure
March 30
Chelsea Meighen
Makenzie Coney
“ROLL OUT THE KINDNESS” FOR THE FOOD BANK
Donate paper towels, napkins, tissues, toilet paper during March. Leave donations on the table by the Mission Collection Center.
SUMMER RUMMAGE SALE INFORMATION
As you begin your spring cleaning, please remember that the Covenant Mission Team will be holding the annual church rummage sale the week of Monday, June 9. Save those treasures for our designated mission projects! Last year we donated from our proceeds to:
Life for Children Ministries, Fort Wayne Community Schools Clothing Bank, Lincoln Elementary, Habitat Restore, Treasure House, and Covenant Quilter’s for the Bashor Home.
We will begin collecting items on Sunday, June 8. Here are some of the popular items we are looking to collect:
• Household items
• Dishes
• Décor
• Crafting Items
• Working Electronics
• Books
• Toys
• Sporting Goods
• Hardware
• Jewelry
• Tools
• Bakeware
• Bedding
• Shoes
• Antiques
• Children’s Clothing
• Furniture
• Glassware
• Puzzles
• Camping Gear
• Games
• Pictures
• Holiday
• Collectibles
• Small Appliances
• Vera Bradley
• Baskets
• Office Supplies
Contact Julie Hyndman at (260) 704-4793, if you have questions. Many volunteers will be needed to make this a successful endeavor, so please mark you calendars to assist with this project. THANK YOU!
CHURCH OFFICE
Open: Monday - Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Friday 8:00 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Email: office@covenantumc.net
Phone: (260) 489-1888
PASTOR CONTACTS
Lead Pastor Chris Nunley: (219) 771-2875, leadpastor@covenantumc.net
Pastor of Connections Allison Yankey, (260) 414-5692, pastorallison@covenantumc.net
Covenant Leadership Board Information
If you are ever interested in serving on the board, you can speak with any current board members or Pastor Chris. You can contact the board at any time via email at leadershipboard@covenantumc.net. For a list of current Leadership Board Members, see covenantumc.net/pages/leadership-board.
Friday March 21
WEEKLY CALENDAR FOR MARCH 21 - MARCH 30, 2025
8:30 am Women’s Fellowship Breakfast / Lunch Box Café
6:00 pm Game Night / FH
Saturday March 22
NO SCHEDULED PUBLIC EVENTS
Sunday March 23
8:45 am Traditional Service
10:15 am Connection Service
2:00 pm Grace Assembly of God / Sanctuary / 110
3:00 pm The Gap / FH / the Cove
5:30 pm Youth Group : Movie Night / the Cove
8:00 pm Kidmin Meeting / ZOOM
Monday March 24
10:00 am Staff Meeting / 104
6:30 pm Leadership Board Meeting / 105 & 107
Tuesday March 25
9:30 am Little Turtle Smockers / 208
Wednesday March 26
5:15 pm YMCA Youth Cooking Class / FH / Kitchen
5:30 pm Covenant Chimers / Sanctuary
6:15 pm Covenant Ringers / Sanctuary
7:00 pm Moms’ Group / 110
7:15 pm Chancel Choir / Sanctuary
Thursday March 27
10:00 am Pastors’ Study / 105 & 107
1:00 pm Sisters of the Heart Meeting / 105 & 107
6:00 pm Connection Band / Sanctuary
6:30 pm Cub Scouts Meeting / multiple rooms
Friday March 28
NO SCHEDULED PUBLIC EVENTS
Saturday March 29
8:00 am American Red Cross Blood Drive / FH
Sunday March 30
8:45 am Traditional Service
10:15 am Connection Service
2:00 pm Grace Assembly of God / Sanctuary / 110
5:30 pm Middle School Youth Group / FH / the Cove
6:30 pm High School Youth Group / FH / the Cove
JOIN THE RESCUE MISSION IN SHARING HOPE THIS EASTER
Easter falls on Sunday, April 20, and the Rescue Mission is excited for another opportunity to serve a holiday meal to our community!
It is a privilege to extend Easter hope to others by offering a warm meal and words of encouragement.
To be part of this meaningful experience at the Rescue Mission email Jay Evans (jevans@fwrm.org) at the Rescue Mission for details!
Adult Classes: 9:00 a.m.
Faith Café / 110
Faith Builders / Cove 10:00 a.m.
Agape Class / 203
Discovery Class / 105-107
Faith Discovery Class /110
Children’s Classes: 9:00 a.m.
Connected Kids / 307-308 10:30 a.m.
Connected Kids Live / 307-308
• The AA group meets Monday - Friday at 9 a.m. in Room 110, Fridays at 6 p.m. in the Cove
MISSION NEWS
Click here for the March Mission Newsletter. Learn about the Lenten Offering, Inasmuch Ministry, two mission trip opportunities, places where you can serve in Fort Wayne and more.
