Mission Possible Kids - October 1, 2012

Christmas in August? You may think we're crazy, but Mission Kids started the season with visions of sugarplums in our heads. A whopping 29 kids showed up for our first meeting. What a record! Our mission was to create painted Christmas cards to print and sell during November. All proceeds will go to purchase gifts for Angel Tree recipients. You won't want to miss out on the opportunity to purchase these beautifully hand-painted cards. Kids also had the chance to create digital cards in the computer lab. You'll definitely want to order some of those as well. Orders will be taken in early November.

Big thanks to Miss Kathy Lewis for telling us all about the Angel Tree project. Miss Kathy has a great way of helping us understand this worthy mission project and appreciate what we have.

Thanks also go out to all our helpers: Lindsay Perry, Christy Chadick, Kelly O'Connor, Robin Stokes, Heidi Pharis, Ali Roberts, Sam Ball, Olivia Tidwell, and Brandon Guidry. Couldn't have done it without your help.

Mission Kids will meet again in late September, and it's not to late to join. All 1st through 5th graders are invited to come. For more information, email Jennifer Manuel at jenandwally@earthlink.net.

See you soon!

Miss Jennifer and Miss Leigh

Covenant Youth - October 1, 2012

Hello church, we hope this newsletter finds you well! The youth has been flourishing during the time that we have all made our way back to school. Our latest goals have been preparation for pumpkin patch, we are working on making sure there will be plenty of youth and parent volunteers as well as friends to bring along and enjoy the fun! They have been so excited at the mention of Pumpkin Patch and cannot wait to help serve the church. We have been growing as a youth group by encouraging all of the youth to bring their friends to youth as well as fun events such as the Pumpkin Patch so that they can see firsthand what we are about.

As you all have heard Senior High and Junior High split! The separation has been great for both groups with each making sure that our focus has stayed on God and helping the church to grow. As for Youth during October we will have youth at the Pumpkin Patch, we will go on a hay ride together, possibly take a trip to the maze and the petting zoo as well! We will be doing lessons on missions, relating how to reap what you sew by seeing the affect the church has on the community with the Pumpkin Patch. Be sure to spread the word about Covenant United Methodist’s Youth group and allow your youth to come and bring friends if possible! After Pumpkin Patch we will begin our retreats for the youth to wind down and enjoy their fellowship together and with God. We thank the church for always having our best interest at heart and believing in us every step of the way as we try to step closer to God each day. Have a Blessed week church!

Becca Wharton
Angelica DeForest

Covenant Kids Report - October 1, 2012

Covenant Kids will be doing a month long mission project in the month of October. October is Hunger Awareness month and the kids will be collecting change in Rice Bowls. Rice Bowls provides much-needed meals to great kids around the world through partnerships with Christian orphanages. If you have any questions about this mission project you can contact Lindsay Perry at children@covenantum.org or you can visit their website at Ricebowls.org.

The Wednesday Night Program is off and running. The kids have been enjoying our Movie Clips for Kids lessons which will run for a few more weeks. We will then start a new lesson on "What's in the Bible with Buck Denver." The lessons start around 6:25 p.m. and last about 45 minutes. All kids from four years old through 5th grade are invited to join.

Covenant Kids will be hosting Family Fun Day at the Pumpkin Patch on Saturday, October 13 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. We will have a tent set up with games and crafts for the kids. We will need volunteers to help the kids with these activities. A sign up sheet will be posted in the Narthex or you can email Lindsay Perry to find out the needs.

Young Adult Report - October 1, 2012

Young Adults are back in full swing. Some of the topics we have been studying in Faith Links, have been the Aurora Shootings, The Olympics, and the Land Rover Curiosity landing on Mars. We have also started a Young Marrieds/Young Adults class on Wednesday nights. I know some people have been curious as to who falls into that age group. That group consists of those who have finished high school through thirty something.....we have even had some 40 something’s come to class. All are welcome. Don’t forget we have Sunday school in room 11 of the education building and we are looking for members. So if you don’t have a class, give us a try.

This year at the Pumpkin Patch, we will be selling our wreaths. We are raising money to support making Manna bags which will be made available to the congregation to keep in their cars to hand out to the homeless or those in need. Our goal is to be able to keep an ample supply for the congregation, so when they give their bag away, they can pick up another one at the church. We are looking for hotel size toiletries, so if you can help please let us know. Also, if you would like to make a donation, please put “Manna Project” in the memo section of your check. Look forward to seeing you the week at Church, Sunday school, and Wednesday night supper.

Sheri Hester

St. Jude News

Thank You Covenant members. You're the greatest! 2011 numbers reflect your very needed generosity. In addition to all your time & food, 44% of the $10,455 we sent to St. Jude's was from you — Silent Auction, Mission Kids, Pumpkin Patch & miscellaneous donations.

November 3, 2012 Great Pumpkin Ride/Walk/Run is looking forward to your continued loving support. We will start our silent auction October 21. If anyone has items or company services, we would welcome your donations. If so, please contact Carlena Clause or any committee member (Donna Fare, Tami Beck, Leslie Nutter, Jennifer Manuel, Herman Clause)

Food donations are Welcome to feed our hungry participants. Please contact Margo Harkreader. Flyers & Registration forms can be found in the foyer or at lafayettefitness.org or at www.covenantum.org.

From the Associate Pastor - October 1, 2012

In Isaiah 41:10, God tells us to “fear not for I am with you.” We know that scripture very well, yet sometimes we can let circumstances get us off track. It happens to all of us. These last couple of weeks has been very nerve racking. Martha and I signed a contract to build a new home, listed our old house, sold our house, and had to find an apartment to move into because the buyers needed to be our house in three weeks. I was worrying and fretting about how everything was going to turn out. Then I heard a song that said “do not fear about tomorrow, God is already there.” That song helped me to get back to focusing on Him and not the circumstances. Sometimes we forget that our God who is caring for us today, will sustain us tomorrow as well.

Up and Coming

I know most of you have used or heard the phrase “up and coming”, as it relates to people who advancing in their career or a neighborhood that is making a come back. I believe that can be used of our church family here at Covenant. We are an up and coming congregation. Yes, we have a great 30 yr plus history, but we are not waning, we are on the move and we are committed to be a dynamic up and coming congregation for into the future. With more than a building being prepared for our future, we are also preparing our church for the future mission as well. I am so glad to be a part of an up and coming congregation. 

We also have events scheduled that I want to call attention to in this article, events that are up and coming soon for us all. Before you get comfortable in your easy chair watching your favorite football team eating gumbo (sounds good to me), take your calendar out and plan now to attend:

Starting September 27th, we will begin our 40 days of Prayer for our Nation, prior to our National election. It is our Christian duty to pray for our nation and our leaders.If you do not have a prayer book, please go to our website for daily readings. And then there is our Pumpkin Patch. We are able to welcome guest onto our campus, offer a low cost family friendly activity for our community, and able to generate funds for our ministries and outreach, thanks to so many of you who help us in this endeavor. 

Pumpkin Patch Activities:

• October 5—More Pumpkins arrive
• October 6-7—Angel Tree Cooking at the Patch
• October 13—Family Fun Day- Preschool cooking and Childcare’s ministry having other events for our children. 
• October 14—Angel Tree Cooking at the Patch
• October 20—Craft Sale Day #1- Daily Living Cooking
• October 21—Sunday Craft Sale #2- Blood Drive, Angel tree Cooking, Outdoor service
• October 27—Young Adults Cooking
• October 28—Trunk or Treat, Angel Tree Cooking
• November 3—Pumpkin Patch St. Jude's Fund Raiser

 Other Activities during October:

• October 7—World Communion Sunday
• October 14—Learn how to be involved – Ministry Fair
• October 21—Blood Drive
• October 31—Mid Week Solace Service- Join us as we pray for our nation

What other things could you participate in? Each week, we have Sunday School classes for all ages, Wednesday nights we have 3 Bible Studies, and plenty of opportunities to give your time and talents throughout the church. As we each find a place to give and to serve, and to grow as a disciple, Covenant will continue to be an up and coming church. 

See you each and every week in worship,