Children's Ministries - April 30, 2011

Summertime! We are looking forward to kicking off the summer with a Fun Day on Sunday, May 22, from 3 - 5 PM. All children K—6th grade are invited. If your child is younger than kindergarten, please plan to be present for the entire Fun Day. Wear your swimsuit! There will be water slides, lots of snacks and fun for everyone. Mrs. Leigh Nugent is in charge and will be making arrangements.

Parents, please note that when Lafayette Parish Schools close due to bad weather, we will cancel any weekday activities that are planned. So if the children don't have school because of weather, we won't have anything either. It's better to be safe and stay off the roads.

Many thanks to Lindsay Perry for her coordination of the Easter Egg Hunt on Palm Sunday. It was a huge success with close to 75 children in attendance. We appreciate all the folks who stepped in and helped.

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Join us for some Fun in the Sun!

at the annual

Children's Ministry Celebration Sunday

May 22nd 3:00 - 5:00 pm

There will be a water slide, yummy snacks, and prizes! So, put on your swimsuit and grab that towel and sunscreen. You don't want to miss it! All Covenant kids up through the 6th grade are invited.
Parents please note: Any child younger than Kindergarten must be accompanied by a parent.

Kim

Welcome New Members - April 29, 2011

 Neil & Melissa Hardin, Ally, Collin & Natalie

John and Judy Pence

Les Stratton & Natalie Stratton-Johnson

The Musician's Prayer

Thanks so much for the wonderful support everyone gave the Chancel Choir and Redeemed through our special Easter services. We couldn't do it without you.

Be sure to be here Sunday, May 29th for the 9:00am service, as our Handbells will play for the last time before their Summer break.

Here is a little something I found years ago. I don't think it's limited to just musicians, but everyone as they enter God's house on Sunday morning as well as singing His praise throughout the day.

Oh Lord, please bless this music that it might glorify your name.
May the talent that you have bestowed upon me be used only to serve you. 
Let this music be a witness to your majesty and love, and remind us that you are always watching, and listening, from your throne above. 
May your presence and beauty be found in every note, and may the words that are sung reach the hearts of your people so they will draw closer to you. 
May your Spirit guide us through every measure so that we might be the instruments of your peace, and proclaim your glory with glad voices.

In Christ,

From the Associate Pastor - April 29, 2011

As we approach the Summer we have two great Bible studies offered in May.

Starting on May 4th our Wednesday Night Study will be a 4-week film study on the Holy Land, visiting the areas where Jesus taught. It will be a 20 minute video, followed by discussion.

Then on May 8th, during Sunday School hour, we will begin the Pastor’s Study on Who are we Methodist and What We Believe. This will continue through the last Sunday in May. The class is open to all but is mainly for those new visitors and new members that would like to have a better understanding of the Methodist church. The class will meet in the Youth Room. Hope to see you in Bible study.

Byron

Covenant News & Reminders - May 29, 2011

This Weekend
I know it is difficult to believe, but Yes, we do have church this weekend. Resurrection Sunday is celebrated every Lord's Day when we gather for His Worship and Praise. I know you may be disappointed, butI will be preaching. Starting with a sermon series on The Apostle's Creed, something we often repeat in our worship services. But how often do you think about how it was originated and used and why? We will begin with I Believe in God.

This is also first Sunday of the month which means that we will gather at the Lord's Table and celebrate His presence as we break bread and drink from the cup. First Sunday also means I CAN food offering for the UCO food pantry. But instead of doing it only on the first week, I want us to receive food all month long. During the month of May, the United Methodist Church is recognizing our call to minister to the poor. Since we already are involved in this vital food pantry ministry, I felt one thing we could different would be to offer needed items all during this month. Thank you for remembering the less fortunate we are called to show the Love of Jesus Christ to.

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Medical Transportation Needed - one of our own needs transportation to Shreveport for a doctor's appointment on Friday May 20th. Please call the church office if you may be able to help with this act of charity.

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Certainly not of last importance - Church Building Plans. Just last evening our Building Committee along with our Finance Committee reviewed our latest draft of plan and we are so close to having a workable, functional, and as economical plan as possible that meets our current needs in addition to providing facility for future growth and ministry.

Look for the most current floorplan and front elevation of the proposed building in the church foyer.I am getting excited and I pray you are too! It is getting closer to being a reality. Be in prayer about how you might help this dream become real.

In His Love and see you this Sunday at Worship
Chris Blanchard

Resurrection is Real

Alfred Ackley penned these words for HE LIVES: “ I serve a risen savior, He's in the world today. I know that He is living whatever men may say. I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer, and just the time I need Him, He's always near!” I write these words and affirm “He's always near.” I have certainly felt His presence during the Lenten and Easter services here at Covenant. Can I boast in the Lord and in your faithful attendance during worship and study in April. We have averaged over 375 each week in worship. Thank you for faithful attendance.

I certainly felt His presence as the Chancel Choir under Ken Cheshire's leadership, lead us in the outstanding performance of “Journey to the Cross”. What a passionate presentation of this Cantata. I felt His presence as the Redeemed wrote, produced, and performed the original piece “Eyewitness”. Thank you choir and Redeemed for leading us into the Presence of the Lord with such beautiful music. “Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift you your voice and sing Eternal Hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!”

I know Christ is alive and well, as I have seen Him in your generous giving to the mission of the church by your stewardship. I know some of our church leaders wouldn't want me to jinx the giving by talking about it, but I had to simply thank you and thank the Lord for such a generous congregation. It is because you know Jesus Christ is Real and Alive, that you help us provide the best of adult, children, and youth ministry opportunities.

I know Christ is present with us as I have witnessed His presence as our Church Council is wrestling with the hard questions of “How do we do better what Christ has asked us to do?” Gene Blevins is providing excellent leadership as we develop our church ministry to better reach out with God's redeeming love to our community. We must be certain we are doing more then meeting our own needs, but serving God's need of a redeemed, reconciled, and healed broken world. Christ will be alive and well as we find new ways to help others.

I Know the Resurrected Christ is present as we break bread, study His Word, Worship in majesty, bend our knee to serve others and build a facility that shows we are building for the future. It seems as if it is taking forever to get some plans ready to present, but let me tell you, it will be worth the wait. I stand ready to talk to anyone about how You can help us raise funds and build our multipurpose facility as well as remodel our current sanctuary. You don't have to wait, call now. Thank the Lord for Covenant being a Resurrection Church.

See you Sunday,
Rev. Chris Blanchard

A Very Special Sunday Download

This weekend's sermon download is preempted with downloads of both presentations of Redeemed's Eyewitness. Both the 9:00am and 11:00am presentations are available as Mp3 downloads.

In addition, you can also download the individual tracks from the Eyewitness Demo CD that was available from our website here (http://www.covenantum.org/Eyewitness)

Eyewitness Demos Available for Download

Mp3s of the demo CD of Eyewitness from this past weekend are available to download from our website.

Everyone in Redeemed would like to thank you for making it a very special Easter Sunday. There is NOTHING like praising God together.

Easter Card

Covenant United Methodist Church wants to thank you for such a Great Easter Celebration.

522 in worship! WOW, what a great day it was. Sunrise Service and Rev. Byron did a super job preaching. And Tracy, cooking for us to enjoy biscuits, donuts, and great fellowship after the Sunrise.

Then at 9:00 and 11:00, we literally had our entire souls blessed by the Outstanding and Awe filled musical of Redeemed. And to think we know those folks. Ken Cheshire did a wonderful job in leading and directing it. THANK YOU, THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO HAD A HAND IN THIS WONDERFUL EASTER MESSAGE. I couldn't have done better at picking an Easter Message for the crowds. I look forward to what God might have them do next.

Just a word, since school is out all week, so is the church. We will not have Wednesday night dinner or study or children's music. But rest up for the first week of May. Next Sunday in addition to being first Sunday, bring your I CAN FOOD offering. But I will begin my next sermon series on the Apostle's Creed. More then just words to repeat.

And don't forget to be in prayer for the five Kairos ladies this weekend as they head to prison.

Chris Blanchard
Covenant United Methodist Church

Before Easter Sunday Comes Good Friday

Covenant United Methodist Church wants to help you be prepared for Easter!

Today on Good Friday the Sanctuary is open from 9:00am-4:00pm for a time of quiet devotion.

Come sit with Jesus in the Garden as He wrestled with doing God's will. Come sit in the court room as Pilate ordered His execution. Come follow Jesus as He picks up the cross and walks to Calvary. Be there as they, you, nail the nails into the cross. And then go weep by the side of the Tomb.

But then be ready for a surprise on Satan on Easter morning.
Sunrise Service at 7:00am. Brother Byron will be bringing the message. Then 9:00am and 11:00am bring your family and friends as we witness the move of God in the original composition by our own Redeemed. My short message, Testify. That's what an Eyewitness does, Testify.

Chris Blanchard
Covenant United Methodist Church

Midweek Reminders - April 19, 2011

Our hearts and minds center on you at this time of Holy Week, O LORD. Even as we prepare to rejoice as Easter People, we do know that we can continue to encounter you in new ways. May we extend our hearts to people in need of your healing touch, extend our love to people who grieve daily, and extend our hope to people who know no hope. May our services be rich and full of worship, as we seek the Risen Lord among us. Amen!

Mid-Week Reminders:

Wednesday
8:00am - Pilates Exercise Class in Fellowship Hall
9:30am - Explorers Bible Study
No Wednesday Night Dinner
6:00pm - Holy Week Wednesday Night Service featuring the Last Supper of Christ as we Gather at His Table

Good Friday
9:00am - 4:00pm - Sanctuary will be open for Self Directed Devotional Time as we follow Jesus to the Cross.

Easter Sunday
7:00m - Sunrise Service as we meet outdoors (weather permitting) and we greet each other and the Risen Lord greets us.
9:00am & 11:00am - Worship Services
We begin singing Songs of Faith, then the Redeemed leads us in worship with orginial songs about the Resurrection from the perspective of Eyewitnesses. Come support this vital part of our Music Ministry. Easter is about New Life and I know you won't want to miss the opportunity to bring your family and friends. to Easter Services.

Sincerely,
Chris Blanchard
Covenant United Methodist Church

April 17, 2011 Sermon Download Available

This morning's sermon, The Problem with Parades, is now available for free download from our website. http://tinyurl.com/5j6nl3

Midweek Reminders from Covenant - April 13, 2011

Dear Covenant Family,

We are approaching Palm Sunday, but we still have lots to do before Sunday.

Wednesday
8:00am - Pilates Exercise Class
9:30am - The Explorers Bible Study
5:00pm - Hand Bell Choir Rehearsal (didn't they do great last Sunday!)
5:30pm - Wednesday Night Dinner - Jambalaya or chicken breast (for health conscious folks)
6:15pm - Children's Music Ministry
6:20pm - Holy Communion and Prayer
6:30pm - The Last Lenten Study on Jesus as the Lamb of God

Friday
Life Line Screening

Sunday
A great day. I want to see the sanctuary packed at both services as the Chancel Choir leads our two worship services this Palm Sunday with their musical presentation, Journey to the Cross. We need our children to help begin each worship service with Traditional Palm Branch Waving and Parade. Ms. Kim will meet with our children out under the covered area just prior to each service and then they will process into the Sanctuary during the singing of the first hymn. The choir program will follow and then I will preach a short message entitled: The Problem with Parades.

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Easter Egg Hunt
This Sunday morning during the Sunday school Hours our little ones will hunt for Easter Eggs around the church property. What a fun time for all. Bring all the children you want. We have tons of eggs to hunt and find!

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Don't forget our Easter Holy Week Schedule!


Holy Week Wednesday - 6:00pm  we will have a midweek service along with Holy Communion as we prepare to find the empty tomb on Sunday.

Good Friday - our Sanctuary will be open for self directed devotions on this day that we remember the Great Sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross for you and for me.

Easter Sunday
7:00am - Sunrise Service, join us as we eagerly await the news of the day. He is not here, He is Risen as He said.

9:00am and 11:00am, come back and invite your neighbors and family. You won't want to miss our very talented Redeemed performs an original Easter Musical they have worked so hard with - along with an Easter Message.

Chris Blanchard
Covenant United Methodist Church

April 10, 2011 Sermon Download Available

This past Sunday's sermon, What's the Cross Got to Do with Easter?, is now available for free download from our website. http://tinyurl.com/5j6nl3

In Loving Memory - Rev. Brady Forman

Brady Forman, one of my colleagues in ministry and a former pastor here at Covenant United Methodist Church has now entered his heavenly rest. 

Visitation will take place at the Blackwater UMC outside Baton Rouge on Thursday evening 6:00pm-9:00pm, and then from 10:00am on Friday morning until the Celebration of Life service for Brady at 11:00am at Blackwater.

I know you will lift his wife Carol and daughter Ginger and family in prayer.

Chris Blanchard

Midweek Reminders from Covenant - April 5, 2011

Dear Covenant Family - what a joy to help us remember the activities and events around Covenant this week.

Wednesday - is a full day around our campus
8:00am - Pilates
9:30am - Explorer's Bible Study
5:00pm - Handbell rehearsal - they will be performing this Sunday
5:30pm - Wednesday Night Dinner
6:15pm - Children's Music
6:20pm - Holy Communion & Prayer followed by Lenten Bible Study - Elisha

Thursday
8:30am - our monthly bull session for our men to gather for coffee, fellowship, and for world problem solving discussion

Friday
One of our church members needs a ride to a doctor appointment in Shreveport. They need to be in Shreveport by 8:30am, if you are able to provide such transportation, please call the church office soon (981-2088).

Sunday
We are so blessed to be able to worship our Lord Jesus Christ. The Handbells will be ringing at the 9:00am service and we are blessed to have a re-affirmation of baptismal vowels by Marine Jonathan Guilbeau, special music will be the duet Ten Thousand Angels, so that will be the focus of my message.

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Closing Comments
Last week we passed out special invitation cards for you to use to share the Living Bread of Jesus with someone around you. We have other cards for you to pick up this Sunday, inviting family and friends to our two special Musical Worship services on Palm Sunday and then on Easter. I have been praying for you to diligently share this invitation with just the right person..

The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. - James 3:17

May this wisdom of God be our gift forever more.

Sincerely,
Chris Blanchard

April 3, 2011 Sermon Download Available

This morning's sermon, I AM The Bread of Life, is now available for free download from our website. http://tinyurl.com/5j6nl3

What's Up This Weekend - April 1, 2011

I love my church. I love the Covenant Flock. I love being your pastor, and that is NO APRIL FOOL'S JOKE. I can't wait until this weekend to see all of you at church. This is the time for appointments around the United Methodist Church and there are preachers want for new churches and churches waiting for new pastors. Sorry, but that is not happening here. I am so happy here and I pray you are happy with us too.

Sunday, April 3rd
Holy Communion - we will break bread and share the cup of our Lord. That also means it is I CAN OFFERING DAY.  Please bring staple food items we can share with UCO Food Pantry. It makes a difference in the lives of those who depend on extra help.

Also, parents help remind your children to bring back the Myles Perret Cancer Center Bottle with loose change collected.

I will be continuing the I AM sermon series with "I AM the Living Bread".

Then at the end of the service I will have a special announcement and need all there!

Great Sunday to get into a Sunday School Class.

Sincerely,
Chris Blanchard

April 2011 Newsletter Available for Download

If you are not already receiving the printed version of the Covenant Newsletter, you can download the April 2011 edition by clicking HERE.

Preschool News - April 1, 2011

Our 2010-2011 school year is almost gone! We've just taken spring pictures and celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week and have just a little over a month of school left! It's hard to believe that I've almost completed my first year. This has truly been a blessing to me and I am very thankful for the opportunity to serve our Lord in this capacity.

We have only a few slots left for the summer program and are quickly filling up for fall. Our theme for the summer is Animals! Animals! Animals! We will be looking at many of the animals that are mentioned in the Bible and teaching the Bible stories that go along with them. Summer is a fun time for the children to learn with a little extra play thrown in.

Our school is in need of a couple of teachers for the fall in our Mother's Day Out program. If you are interested, please give me a call at 988-3962 or send an email to kim@covenantum.org and I'll be glad to talk to you about possibilities.  

Blessings to all,
Kim

Mission Possible KIDS - April 1, 2011

Sunday, March 13 our MPKids agents were recognized at both services for their hard work these past two years. To date, our MPKids group has completed 15 mission projects and touched the lives of over 1,000 people! Several of our agents have completed over 12 mission projects. Way to go, agents!

We would like to thank the church for supporting us in our mission goals, especially in your participation in our bake sale March 13. You helped us raise over $500 for PSC Partners Seeking a Cure, an organization aimed at helping people who suffer from primary schlerosing cholangitis, a disease which can lead to liver failure. MPKids raised this money in honor of LHS freshman Chelsea Yaeger who suffers from this disease and will eventually need a liver transplant. Chelsea came to the 11 a.m. service March 13 to lend her hand at the bake sale. Please keep Chelsea in your prayers as she fights this debilitating disease.

Thanks to Kim Havard for helping me out during the 11:00 service. Thanks also to all the moms who helped out with the bake sale, especially Kellie Kinsland, who collected the money and "closed out" the sale when Agent Jennifer had to scoot out early.

Continue to keep our Mission Possible Kids in your prayers as we seek opportunities for service throughout the church and community. This national program is open to all kids in 1st through 6th grades. We meet the first Sunday of each month from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. All are welcome.