Season 5 - Episode 1

To listen to an audio version of this post, visit www.covenantchurch.ca/podcasts/covenant-weekly.

Good Morning, Covenant Family.

It is September again. And today, many children, teachers, and staff are back to school. Parents, you likely have varied and mixed reactions to the return of the school year! With September also comes the return of Covenant Weekly. This is a brief way for us to stay connected beyond Sunday morning. In the Covenant Weekly, I usually just share some short thoughts or reflections. It’s available as an email to those who have signed up, a blog post on our website, and as a recorded podcast for those who prefer to listen. And we’re kicking it off today with a recommendation and a blessing for you on this Covenant Weekly for September 2, 2025.

Today, I’m going to pass along a blessing for those getting back to school this week. It’s written by Kate Bowler and is called Blessing the Backpacks.

But before I share that, I want to let you know about something that has been blessing me this summer. It is an album by a Tennessee-based musician named Andy Gullahorn. Andy was introduced to me by a friend at Cross Roads BIC in Puslinch. Andy’s writing is at the same time filled with humour, most often in the form of dry wit, creativity, and deep truths. His latest album, Winning Streak, is beautiful to listen to and, if you engage with the lyrics, will prompt you to laugh, cry, and think…sometimes on the same song.

For example, the song Weird People points out some humorous behaviours people have - like gluten-free people being able to look straight at a donut and turn it down. But the song is really an honest reflection about the strangeness of our belief in a loving God who truly wants the best for us, and the strangeness of our behaviours if we follow God’s example of love.

Another song, What Matters to Us, points out our innate human draw to worship by looking through the eyes of a space alien going undercover to observe human behaviour on a typical weekend in a downtown core.

The title track, Winning Streak, is a powerful reflection on what shapes us into being what God truly created us to be. It begins this way:

The most beautiful people I know have suffered immeasurable loss

Then found their way out of the depths - richer for paying the cost

Of having a dream disappear or finding a hope paralyzed

Beautiful people don't happen overnight

I believe there is a place where

We are fully who we were always meant to be

How it happens? All I know is

No one gets there on a winning streak

And the closing song, God Is In No Hurry, is an encouraging reminder to those of us who feel that things aren’t happening the way they should or that maybe something is wrong with us because we aren’t where other people appear to be on their journey with God. Andy sings,

God is in no hurry, You can take your time

Trusting that the process is part of the design

Following the crumbs of what makes you come alive

He loves you where you are, Not where you should be

God is in no hurry

I know music styles are very subjective, but this is an album that has meant a lot to me this summer. I encourage you to check it out and give it a really good listen. It’s one of those albums that the more I listen to it, the more I discover and enjoy it. Here are some different streaming links to the album.

Spotify:  Winning Streak - Andy Gullahorn

Apply Music:  Winning Streak - Andy Gullahorn

YouTube Music:  Winning Streak - Andy Gullahorn

Now I’d like to share a blessing - Blessing the Backpacks - written by Kate Bowler. 

God, bless this school year, this new season,

this chance to discover the world anew.

We sense the anticipation of something about to happen,

of all our preparation and worry and excitement

for new friendships and challenges and opportunities.

God, bless these backpacks,

these symbols of fresh beginning.

And bless every kid who carries their heavy load,

as all the new questions rise up in their hearts and minds.

God, bless this new environment and everyone in it.

The teachers and professors who ready their classrooms,

creating opportunities for learning and belonging.

The administrators and staff as they stretch hearts and minds,

and feel their own stretching too.

The parents and caregivers who carry the weight

of loving, protecting, and raising these kids.

God, bless all who begin this journey of a new year,

With every step they take, may they feel your presence

and hear you say, “I love you. I am with you. You are loved.”

Each and every one.