Mission & Outreach

When you enter the front doors, you will be greeted by a member of the congregation with a warm welcome and a bulletin that explains the worship service. Our sanctuary has open seating.

Our worship service begins on Sundays at 10:30am so it’s best to arrive by 10:25 to be seated before the prelude (opening music) begins.

Handicap parking is available in front of the main sanctuary and there are also visitor parking spots in front. There is more handicap parking in the back parking lot and plenty of regular parking spaces. There is a sidewalk along the breezeway that is flat and handicap accessible to the front door of the sanctuary.

We are a small to medium size congregation with about 75 to 100 participants in person and on zoom each week.

We value diversity in age and background. Participants range from children through age 99 years. Members are from Palo Alto and the surrounding communities, as well as zoom participants from other parts of California and the US.

Our church is an environment where dress code doesn’t matter. Everything from casual to business wear - whatever you are comfortable wearing in church.

We have a standard order of worship (liturgy) that is used every week, which only varies for a special holiday or service. We love music which includes organ and/or piano, and a choir every week and bell choir once a month. Our music director occasionally brings outside instruments, musicians, and choir members to be incorporated into the service. The worship style is a blended style of traditional and contemporary and follows the narrative lectionary. The Narrative Lectionary is a four year reading plan that is designed to be read September through May, following the school year. These readings focus on the narrative from Genesis through Jesus life.

Our pastor has a warm and interesting preaching style that follows the narrative lectionary biblical text but also incorporates a wide range of stories, thoughtful consideration from biblical scholars and contemporary writers, and an emphasis on social justice.

Yes, all are welcome at the communion table.

Anyone can be baptized at Covenant but there is a requirement to meet with the pastor for discussion and preparation. The baptism takes place during a Sunday worship service with the congregation as the witness to the baptism.

Small children of all ages are welcome in the service. There is not a childcare option currently available however, there is Sunday School class available for children age 5-10years during a portion of the worship service.

Getting married at Covenant requires a meeting with the pastor. Please call the church office for further information.

We would be delighted to discuss membership with you. The pastor will be conducting new member sessions throughout the year. Please contact the church office to schedule the conversation with him or talk to him after the service.