January 30, 2011 Sermon Download Available

This morning's sermon, Living Positive: Becoming What We Think, is now available for free download from our website. http://tinyurl.com/5j6nl3

Covenant Music Report - January 29, 2011

OK, now that everyone has taken down their Christmas decorations or at least converted them to Mardi Gras, let's talk about Easter. What? I must be MAD, you say? Well, that's beside the point.

We are already starting our planning for Lent and Easter. A few details I can share with you is that we will be having at least TWO special musical presentations this year. The Chancel Choir will be presenting a full cantata with narration and other goodies. Also, for the first time, our praise band, Redeemed, will be presenting their own full program of all new music and more. We've already begun. And in the months to come we will hopefully be making some more special announcements. Keep an eye on this newsletter.

But between now and then, we'll be having children's music, handbells and other instruments as we mix up our ensembles to lift praise to our Lord. We hope you will bring a friend and neighbor to Covenant this spring. You'll be glad you did.

In Christ,

New Members - January 28, 2011

Keith, Mary & Aleya Duhon (January 2)

Dave and Diane Redfearn (January 9)

Todd LeBlanc Dick and Shari Mirgon (January 23)

New Young Adult Sunday School Class - January 28, 2011

We are beginning a new Young Adult Sunday School class beginning Sunday February 6th. The class will be open to anyone between college age and early thirties. For the first session we will meet in the Fellowship Hall. Please contact me for more information.

Byron

Building a Church

As most of you know we are in the process of planning for a new building here at Covenant. We have needed a place where our church family can gather to fellowship (code word for eat) together at one time. We have needed a place where our church family can provide indoor recreational space for our children and youth programs. We have needed a place where we can use for our contemporary worship service with ease of set up and taking down. We have needed a place that allows ample storage space, which we need so desperately. We now need a place for our administrative offices, since we have converted that space for our preschool and mother’s day out program. We have needed a place that is more suitable for our VBS programs and our Pumpkin Patch fieldtrips and on and on and on. Praise be to God, we need additional facility and with the building committee hiring an architect, we are ever closer to building.

Before moving on, let me add quickly, we will also be making plans to have a Capital Funds campaign that will allow us to add the facility and have a plan on how best we can fund it. But don’t wait, should you desire to have a part funding this building program, go ahead and write a check, or send us stock. At the very least, be in prayer about what you may be able to do, when we begin the capital fund program within the next few months.

But building a church has little to do with our building a facility. In fact, one of my concerns as your pastor is that we will get so focused on the excitement of a new building, that we will forget what the Lord meant when He instructed us to Build His Church. Jesus was more concerned with our ministry and how we were involved in making disciples for Him. Last evening, our business meeting focused exactly on the way, we are determined to increase our effectiveness as a church.

We will be praying about defining our mission in such a way, that it is second nature to all of us who call Covenant home. We will have a meeting where we voice our concerns and narrow down our focus in two or three areas where we know the Lord wants us to do better, whether it is in children or youth ministry, or developing an outreach program, or encouraging more of us be hands on in mission work. This meeting will be held on February 13th. (No football games conflict there.) Again, everyone is invited to come and share in this open meeting where we attempt to discern where God is leading us onward.

Covenant is on the move, praise be to God! But we need to plan so we stay on the move and build the Church, where people can meet Jesus, hear the Message of Jesus, and do the Mission of Jesus. Why not come join us and build that church.

See you in your place of worship!
Rev. Chris Blanchard

Bells, Bread, Gumbo and Book of James Bible Study

So, what does bells, bread, gumbo, and Bible Study have in common? Easy, you can participate in and consume them all tonight here at Covenant. Hand Bell choir practice at 5:00pm, and we will hear them perform this coming Sunday in our 9:00am worship service. Lisa is still welcoming anyone who wishes to try your gift and giving back to the Lord and His church by ringing a bell.

5:30pm - good home cooked gumbo is being served. Since it is still chilly outside, great time to be warmed by the taste of the gumbo plus the fellowship of our loving church family. Come eat.

6:20pm Bread - and the Cup and prayer, we gather before the study for a brief Holy Communion and prayer time.

6:30pm - Applied Faith that we hear in the Book of James. I will be leading us in the study of James 3. We have had great time and would love for you to join us. Normally we are out by 7:15pm.

Fifth Sunday News
On Fifth Sunday, we sing a lot and eat a lot. The church will be providing the meat and drinks, bring a side dish and have a warm fellowship with our church family. For our 9AM worship folks, you can begin eating a little before 11:30am and then our 11AM worship service folks will join after the service.

Speaking of service, I am continuing our focus on Living Positive - Becoming What We Think (Philippians 4:8-9).

In addition at 9:00am we will hear the Bell Choir Ring "Morning Has Broken", a vocal duet by Tracy Richardson and Gretchen Cheshire, "More Than Wonderful", and we sing six of our old stand bys.

Our 11:00am Worship will also sing some of the newer old stand bys of contemporary music. I love having two wonderful worship experiences.

Rev. Chris Blanchard

HWY 412 News

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.  - 1 Timothy 4:12

January 19 - What's Happening

Our new group has officially taken off. There are returning members in the young adult group and even some new ones that have taken on leadership roles by preparing discussion topics and facilitating the meetings. Last week was great! Each week, a different member will choose a topic relevant to all age groups and lead the discussion, coupling it with scripture and biblical principles.

We're still meeting at 3:30 in the Youth room every Sunday and it's open to 7th graders through college. The age groups will be split as membership increases. Come join us and see the changes taking place...that goes for parents as well.

The upgrades to our meeting room just keep coming. We have just acquired a new TV and gaming system as well as surround sound. The TV will be available to any group needing a larger screen for studies, powerpoint presentations, etc. IT IS SOOO COOL!!!

Be on the lookout for updates regarding:

* youth/young adult Bible Study to be kicked off again. If anyone is interested in joining us, please contact me at youth@covenantum.org.

We'll continue using "The Purple Book". Anyone out there who's never really studied the Bible or find most Bible studies intimidating, then this is the one for you. It's easy to understand, no real outside work and it makes everything make sense.

* membership campaign within the next few weeks. Let's just say, this won't be your ORDINARY membership drive.

* upcoming Parents Meeting in February. The date has not been chosen as of now.

We've also got plans for a spring retreat and summer trip, so what are you waiting for??? Come see what HWY412 is all about.

Your Sister in Christ,
Gretchen Cheshire

Midweek Reminders - January 19, 2010

It's Wednesday already. A Monday Holiday always throws me off, but it really doesn't take much to throw your pastor off. Anyway...

Wednesday
9:30am - The Explorers Bible Study meets
5:00pm - Handbells, two ringers needed, no prior experience needed
5:30pm - Supper followed by
6:15pm - Mid Month Solace Service with prayer, devotion, Holy Communion, and singing the old songs in a new way. Rev. Byron will be leading the service.You don't want to miss.

Thursday
6:00pm - Finance Meeting
6:30pm - Chancel Choir rehearsal

Saturday
8:00am - Men's Breakfast with a few odd jobs to get done, so try to be present

Sunday
9:00am & 11:00am Worship with my Message: Living Positive by Choosing Joy
4:00pm - Business Meeting - anyone and everyone is welcome to come. We will update everyone on the building committee progress and we will begin the conversation around Covenant about where we are headed as a church. If you have an interest in the future of our church, not just in buildings but in our ministry, please come!

Sincerely,
Chris Blanchard

January 16, 2011 Sermon Download Available

This morning's sermon, Living Positive: Have the Attitude of Chirst, is now available for free download from our website. http://tinyurl.com/5j6nl3

For Men's Eyes Only!

Now that I have everyone's attention. I accidentally announced a Mens Breakfast this Saturday the 15th. It is not. It will be Saturday the 22nd, so sorry. But on the 22nd we will eat and have a few indoor projects in our new Preschool Classrooms to finish. Saturday January 22nd at 8:00am.

Women: (men if you want) Mary Fontenot will be leading a knitting crochet kind of class and session to help learn how to knit scarves, hats, and gloves for others, including the Lafayette Methodist Thanksgiving dinner we host for the homeless and poor in our community. That will be this Saturday the 15th at 10:00am.

We will  have church on Sunday. Over the next few weeks I am looking at Living Positive in a Negative World as a response to what all happens in our communities with violence and hatred and poverty and economic instability. Invite your neighbors and family and turn our world into a positive place to live in.

Chris Blanchard
Covenant United Methodist Church

PS, don't forget to pick up your St. Jude prizes if you participated and qualified...they are in the church foyer.

Midweek Reminders - January 11, 2010

Wintery News from Covenant

Just in case you wanted to avoid the cold and breezy weather outside, we wanted to give you some inside options here at Covenant.

Wednesday
9:30am - All are invited to join this inter-denominational Bible Study in the Fellowship Hall Building
5:00pm - Hand Bell Choir - again, Lisa would love to have new ringers
5:30pm - Wednesday Nite Dinner - good home cooking.
6:15pm - Children's Music Ministry
6:15pm - Prayer and Holy Communion
6:30pm - Session 2 of the Book of James Bible Study - Youth Room

If you were expecting a T-shirt or gift from supporting the St. Jude Bike A Thon, they are in, and you can pick them up in our office, or we will have in the foyer Wednesday Night.

Saturday
8:00am - Men's Breakfast, all men invited!
10:00am - Mary Fontenot teaching Crochet to help provide goods for the Homeless Community

Sunday
9:00am & 11:00am - two great times of worship

See you then,
Chris Blanchard

January 9, 2011 Sermon Download Available

This morning's sermon, More Than Fire Insurance, is now available for free download from our website. http://tinyurl.com/5j6nl3

Back in The Routine Again

Dear Covenant Family,

Here we are in 2011, most of the kids are back in school, no more holidays for a while, bills will be coming in fast and furious, and hopefully your refrigerator is empty of Left Overs. If not, why not throw them out now, before they turn green.

But we have a normal week, people in hospital, planning for Worship (yes we do plan), having meetings, and on Wednesday, our Mid Week Routine returns. And since it is a new year, it might benefit you to acquire some new habits.

9:30am - Explorer's Bible Study
5:00pm - Handbell Choir Rehearsal
5:30pm - Wednesday Night Supper
6:20pm - Holy Communion & Prayer
Bible Study - The Book of James, Applied Christianity, Part One - Read chapter one

Thursday
8:30pm - Men's Bull Session, coffee and refreshments served along with current issues

Sunday
Two wonderful Worship Services. My sermon is on Baptism - More Than Fire Insurance? A time where we will remember the significance of our Baptism.

Chris Blanchard
Covenant United Methodist Church

Cabbage, Black Eyes, and I CAN

Another New Year is given to us by our Lord. We celebrated with my son's family and since they have young children and old parents our new years celebration was over by 8:30, so I could watch a little football before falling asleep, knowing that each day with the Lord is special, so all we have to do now is to learn to write 2011. I look forward to all the Lord is going to do with us and through us in this coming year. Maybe, just maybe we can see a new building going up!

Know you are knee deep in preparation of cabbage and black eye peas, and consuming lots of football as well. One is for health, one is for wealth, and one is for America's greatest past-time. Only another month or so, until we hopefully are settled in watching the Saints play for the National Championship again.

But tomorrow, Sunday, January 2, 2011 will be our first worship service in the new year. We will hear the story of the Magi, hear about The Road Less Traveled, and don't forget as we gather for Holy Communion, we will gather our offering for the UCO food pantry with our I CAN FOOD OFFERING.

Happy New Year from you Pastor.

Sincerely,
Chris Blanchard