An Affirming Community on 48th Street
Covenant Presbyterian Church sits on 48th Street in Lubbock, Texas, where it has long been known as a congregation that takes seriously both its Reformed Presbyterian heritage and its commitment to welcome. Members describe themselves as reformed and always being reformed, and they wear four labels with intention: Reformed, Affirming, Advocates, and Exploring. A More Light Congregation working for the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in church and society, a certified Earth Care Congregation that advocates for sustainability and eco-justice, and a community open to contemplative spiritual practices alongside traditional Bible study, Covenant presents itself to visitors as a breath of fresh air.
The physical address is 4600 48th Street, with a mailing address at 6923 Indiana Avenue, PMB 403, Lubbock. The church office can be reached at 806-792-6124 or office@covenantpresbylbk.org.
Worship on Sunday Morning
Sunday morning has two anchors: a fellowship hour at 10:00 a.m. with coffee and conversation, and worship at 11:00 a.m. Ushers greet newcomers at the door with bulletins and help with seating. The Ritual of Friendship folder makes its way down the pews during announcements, and visitors are invited to sign it and to request the church newsletter, The Courier, which arrives weekly by email and monthly in printed form.
The atmosphere is described by the congregation as informal and friendly. Communion is celebrated regularly, and visitors are welcome to partake. Children of all ages belong in the sanctuary; the pastor offers a children's sermon each Sunday, and children may receive Communion alongside the congregation. Children also participate in intergenerational events and seasonal projects throughout the year. Adult Sunday School meets at 10:00 a.m., taught by members of the congregation and covering Bible study, peace and justice, spiritual growth, and spiritual practices in classes that typically run four to six weeks.
Services are livestreamed each week via Zoom and recorded on the church's YouTube channel, so those who cannot attend in person can join from anywhere. Bulletins are available for download.
Taize by Candlelight
A distinctive offering is the Taize Sung Prayer services held several times a year, modeled after the historic ecumenical monastic community in Burgundy, France. These candlelit services feature simple repetitive chants, scripture, and extended silence, designed to be deeply peaceful, welcoming, and restorative. They are scheduled in the evening at 7:00 p.m., with a special Advent service in December. The format invites anyone in the city seeking quiet reflection, prayer, or a spiritual reset.
Music That Anchors the Liturgy
Music is central to the congregation's life. The Covenant Choir rehearses each Wednesday at 6:45 p.m. in the choir room. No professional experience is required, and the choir is open to anyone who loves to sing. Members share joys and concerns with one another as they rehearse. The repertoire spans classical anthems, spirituals, and anthems by contemporary composers, and is enriched by Texas Tech vocal and conducting students who participate.
Dr. Corey Sullivan serves as Music Director. A South Georgia native, he joined the Texas Tech University faculty in 2023 as Assistant Professor of Choral Music Education and Associate Director of Choral Studies. He holds Bachelor, Master, and Ph.D. degrees in Music Education from Florida State University. Brenda Ford is the organist, and Anh Van Collins serves as accompanist. Anh is also a collaborative pianist at Lubbock Christian University and a freelance pianist for Lubbock ISD and Frenship ISD, and she and her husband Devin Andrew Collins perform frequently around the Lubbock music scene.
Children and Sunday School
During the school year, children gather for Sunday School at 10:00 a.m. in the children's wing. Teachers are members of the congregation who are passionate about sharing God's Word with the next generation. Children explore the wonders of Scripture together, ask questions, and grow in their faith. In addition to Sunday School, children are valued and integrated into church life, participating in intergenerational events and seasonal projects throughout the year.
Adult Faith Formation and the Covenant Library
Beyond Sunday morning, adults have many ways to deepen their faith. Presbyterian Women meets in two circles. The Morning Circle gathers on the third Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall, and the Evening Circle meets on the first Monday at 7:00 p.m. in the Blue Room. Both offer fellowship, mutual support, and Bible study, and women are invited to build friendships and deepen faith as they grow together.
The Covenant Library, located next to the office, holds more than 3,000 books, DVDs, and CDs, including a large children's collection. It is open during church office hours and before and after worship for self-checkout, and volunteers are glad to help visitors locate particular resources.
Yoga, Centering Prayer, and the Drum Circle
Covenant extends its spiritual hospitality well beyond the sanctuary walls. Morning Yoga meets on Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. in the Spirituality Center, known as the sunroom. The class is open to all ages and bodies, and participants are asked to bring a mat or towel. A text thread helps participants stay connected. The church also hosts a Community Drumming Circle on the second and third Fridays from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the sunroom, where participants gather for rhythm and fellowship.
A weekly University Student Ministry gathers on Sundays at 5:30 p.m. with supper, offering outreach to Lubbock's university community. The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets on the first and third Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m., where stitchers knit, crochet, and pray over shawls that are blessed during worship and given to those needing support. The Lunch Bunch, an opportunity to get to know one another over a meal, meets on the third Thursday at 12:30 p.m. at Dion's Pizza on 82nd Street and is open to everyone.
Together with Centering Prayer, lectio divina, and women's spirituality offerings, these gatherings reflect the congregation's commitment to exploring different spiritual practices.
Hands at Work: Local and Global Outreach
Service is woven into the congregation's identity. Loaves and Fishes prepares healthful meals for shut-ins and anyone in need, whether or not they are members of the church; cooking usually happens on one Saturday each month. Helping Hands provides small repairs and home maintenance to assist members who need help; projects can be submitted by filling out a card found in a pew pocket in the sanctuary. The Prayer Shawl Ministry creates shawls blessed during worship and given to those experiencing difficulty of any kind.
Covenant supports several mission partners financially and through the time, energy, and talent of its members. New Opportunities for Romanian Orphan Children (NOROC) ministers to orphaned and neglected children in Tulcea County, Romania, and members participate in mission trips and serve on the Board. The local chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby was founded by Covenant members and holds educational events throughout the year. The West Texas Organizing Strategy is a coalition of institutions engaged in advocacy for families. Additional partnerships include Lubbock Impact, the Presbyterian Foundation, Texas Impact, Presbyterian Children's Homes & Services, the South Plains Food Bank, and the Presbyterian Pan-American School.
What Covenant Believes
Covenant is a member congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA), governed by the Book of Order and the Book of Confessions, and is part of the Palo Duro Presbytery. An elected Session guides the congregation. Members describe themselves as taking Scripture seriously but not literally, open to the gifts of other traditions and to the insights of science and modern Scripture scholarship.
Their statement on racial justice, drawn from Scripture and from the Confession of 1967 and the Confession of Belhar, affirms the dignity and worth of every child of God and commits the congregation to becoming an ever more inclusive community, working for justice, healing, and reconciliation in the church, the community, and the nation. As a More Light Congregation, Covenant works for the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in all aspects of church and society, worshiping a God of abundance whose gifts are given to all. As an Earth Care Congregation, it advocates for the preservation of the planet, practices sustainability in congregational life, works for eco-justice, and prays for the Earth in worship.
The Pastoral Team
The Rev. Becky Fox serves as Pastor and Head of Staff. She is a Minister of the Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and a minister member of Palo Duro Presbytery. She earned her Master of Divinity at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, where she studied Greek, Hebrew, feminist and womanist theology, and Karl Barth. Her current professional interests include the spirituality of art and nature. A native Texan, she enjoys yoga, knitting, and entertaining, and co-parents a golden retriever.
Dr. Corey Sullivan, Music Director, joined the Texas Tech University faculty in 2023 as Assistant Professor of Choral Music Education and Associate Director of Choral Studies, teaching undergraduate coursework in choral methods and music technology and conducting the treble ensemble Scarlet Voce.