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