Monday, May 30, 2011
May 29, 2011 - Sermon Download
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Mid-Week Reminders - May 24, 2011
Its pretty quiet around here. Our Preschool is still on a two week break before beginning next Tuesday. I wanted to remind everyone of our weekly schedule.
Wednesday
8:00am - Pilates Exercise Class
9:30am - The Explorers Bible Study
5:00pm - Handbell Choir Rehearsal - Please note the bell choir will be playing for us this coming Sunday at our 9:00am worship service
5:30pm - Wednesday Night Dinner - Last of the season
6:15pm - Brief Meeting of Dinner For 8. if you have not yet signed up but would like to either participate or find out more info, either come to the meeting Wednesday evening or shoot me an email
6:15pm - Children's Music Ministry
6:20pm - Holy Communion and Prayer
6:30pm - Our last study of the season. The topic for the night will be Living Water. The Psalmist wrote: "In a dry and parched land, where there is no water. I thirst for You, my whole being longs for You." Before we dry up spiritually, come see how we might drink from the Living Water.
This coming Sunday, May 29th, don't forget to worship our Lord. It may be Weekend of Memorial Day, the start of summer, but as I mentioned before in Living Water, we best be drinking for God's Well Spring. As a FIFTH Sunday, we will gather for a potluck dinner. There will be smoked chicken and sausage as well as fried chicken and whatever fixings you bring. Plan now to stay and fellowship and break bread. I will be preaching another in Apostle's Creed Series on Jesus Suffered, looking at why Jesus suffered and then trying to see where our suffering might also be "redemptive."
We will have the Blood Mobile Unit here in order for us to donate a gift of life.
Lisa White asks moms and dads to bring their children to come sing with the Handbell choir, the chorus of their special song. if you could have them come around 8:30 to practice, easy song to sing.
Let's pray: Lord, we know how busy our lives are. Yet, we know how tiring they are when we don't drink from the Living Water You offer to us all. Help us to drink and, Lord, we ask your comfort be extended to all those who lost loved ones in the Tornado. And Lord, place your hedge of protection around property and be there with the people in the rising water. Amen.
Don't forget our upcoming VBS. Register your children, grandkids, or neighbors kids. Register yourself as a much needed volunteer. Go to www.covenantum.org.
Chris Blanchard
Covenant and Change for Miles Update
We're on the back cover of Face Magazine. Covenant Preschool is at the top of the list! http://issuu.com/inndgtl/docs/face.1105.web/72
We raised $2,290.81! This is more than some of the larger schools that participated. How exciting! You can see a list of participating schools and the amount they raised here:
Kim Havard
Children's Ministries Director
Sunday, May 22, 2011
May 22, 2011 - Sermon Download
Friday, May 20, 2011
How Could I Have Forgotten ThIs - What About the Last Day Message Sweeping USA? - Saturday May 21st
In Memphis, I saw the billboard at least five times, May 21st Judgement Day. Another person predicting the coming of Jesus and the end of the world. I wonder if the billboard company required cash payment for the billboards, or if they were willing to bill the person later. As you can tell, I forgot all about it and even scheduled Men's Breakfast on Saturday and church on May 22nd. But an article I read this morning says it just right. I have included it right here for your reading.
Chris Blanchard
Judgment Day on May 21? Let's talk it over -- on May 22!I couldn't have said it better myself, so I'll see you Sunday, either in church or in heaven, it doesn't really matter to me. But I certainly believe God has lots more in store for you and for me and for Covenant. We are "Growing the Covenant for today and for tomorrow."
Dr. Jerry Newcombe - Guest Columnist - 5/20/2011 7:50am
Oh brother, here we go again.
Another false prophet -- dare I say that? -- is predicting exactly when Christ is coming again, even though Jesus Himself said that no man knows the hour of His return, including Himself.
From the early days of the Church to the present day, hundreds of millions of Christians have affirmed, "Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again."
But now a group is trying to fear people into thinking they know when Jesus is coming. May 21, 2011, is the day, supposedly, of Christ's "secret" rapture. (Doesn't sound too secret to me.)
The latest prophets of doom have managed to get their message out in a series of billboards and bus ads. In my humble opinion: What a waste of money and what a mockery they make of people's faith. (If the message said simply "Judgment Day is coming -- get ready to meet your Maker," then I would whole-heartedly endorse that message. It's the specific date that's the problem.)
Do I think Judgment Day is coming on May 21? Well, let's talk it over on May 22.
In addition, October 21, 2011, according to these people, is the End of the World.
Who are "these people"?
The main leader is Harold Camping, who has a network of Christian radio stations. You would think he would be gun shy about setting a date for Christ's return.
He wrote a book about it, predicting that 1994 would be the year. I own a copy of his book explaining the details. It's called 1994.
Another man predicted that Jesus would return in 1988, and he listed 88 reasons for it.
But you can always tell that such predictions are wrong. Why? Because they are specific. The fact that they're setting a date in the first place violates what Jesus said.
In Matthew's Gospel, He said about His return: "But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man" (24:36-37).
I'm tempted to say to these people who give a specific date -- like May 21, 2011 -- What part of "no" as in "no man knows the hour" don't you understand?
I even read one such prophet who essentially said -- with a straight face: Christ didn't tell us the day or the hour of His return, but that doesn't mean we can't know the year, the month, or the week!
It's tragic to me that the watching world looks at such predictions that come and go and just laugh, justifiably so, at those who think Christ will return one day.
I am as sure of the return of Jesus Christ to planet earth some day, as I am that the sun will rise tomorrow.
But I have no idea when, nor will I engage in speculation based on "jigsaw theology."
Jigsaw theology is when you cobble a Bible verse over here with a Bible verse over there to create some sort of timeline for the Second Coming.
The group that has made the May 21, 2011, prediction says this: "The Bible has opened up its secrets concerning the timeline of history. This information was never previously known because God had closed up His Word blocking any attempt to gain knowledge of the end of the world."
But now they know, supposedly.
A friend of mine noted this is like modern day Gnosticism.
The Gnostics were an early Church heresy that got the basics of the faith wrong. They claimed that the way of salvation was not Christ crucified, for sinners died and raised from the dead, but rather some sort of secret knowledge.
People have been wrong often throughout Church history as to the return of Christ.
Many were convinced that Jesus would come in A.D. 1000, so they sold everything and went to Jerusalem and waited. And waited.
Others sold everything they had and waited for Christ to return in America in the 1840s. And waited. The Seventh Day Adventist denomination was born out of that experience.
When Hitler was alive, some people thought he was the Anti-Christ. Can you blame them?
Through the ages, even otherwise-wise servants of Christ have made the mistake of predicting a specific date of the end of the world. Included in this category are Christopher Columbus, Sir Isaac Newton, and Cotton Mather.
Why do we keep repeating this same mistake? I'm reminded of the little poem by British poet Steve Turner: "History repeats itself. It has to. No one is listening."
Source: OneNewsNow.com
Friday Update - May 20, 2011
Dear Covenant Family - Susie and I are back home from a few days up in Memphis seeing our son, daughter in law and one of the most beautiful and smart grandchildren around, just like yours of course. We saw high water all around but we also saw people responding in love and grace When it is time, and there is a need locally, I know we will too! We did have a good turnout to assemble flood buckets last weekend.
Saturday morning 8:00am - our men's group will meet for breakfast and then to do a few assignments around the church. One of the task we need to complete is the inventory of contents in each of our buildings. This is an insurance requirement so nice and cool work, paper and a clip board.
Sunday morning - two powerful worship opportunities. I will be preaching on what difference the "Virgin Birth" of Jesus makes in our lives in 2011. We will hear from a representative of the Louisiana Methodist Children's Home. Come prepared with your I CAN FOOD OFFERING for the Food Pantry.
Vacation Bible School - July 18-22 - PANDAMANIA - where God is Wild about you!
Please pre-register for students or volunteers - go to www.covenantum.org.
Sincerely,
Chris Blanchard
Saturday morning 8:00am - our men's group will meet for breakfast and then to do a few assignments around the church. One of the task we need to complete is the inventory of contents in each of our buildings. This is an insurance requirement so nice and cool work, paper and a clip board.
Sunday morning - two powerful worship opportunities. I will be preaching on what difference the "Virgin Birth" of Jesus makes in our lives in 2011. We will hear from a representative of the Louisiana Methodist Children's Home. Come prepared with your I CAN FOOD OFFERING for the Food Pantry.
Vacation Bible School - July 18-22 - PANDAMANIA - where God is Wild about you!
Please pre-register for students or volunteers - go to www.covenantum.org.
Chris Blanchard
Sunday, May 15, 2011
May 15, 2011 - Sermon Download
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Midweek Reminders - May 11, 2011
First of all, pray for all those whose lives will be adversely affected by the rising waters. Some of our own have camps and houses that might see damage. I know at the appropriate time, our church family will try to do as much as we can to help. Isaiah says that in the rising waters, the Lord will be with us. This leads to an announcement, the United Methodist Church will be assembling flood buckets this Saturday at Asbury United Methodist from 9:00am - 12:00 noon. Should you be able to drop in and give some time to doing this mission project, it will be well worth it. Flood buckets are cleaning supplies, etc., that are given out to the homes that suffer rising waters, and the Methodist Church is there.
Wednesday
8:00am - Pilates Exercise Class
9:30am - The Explorers Bible Study
10:30am - Preschool Graduation
5:00pm - Hand Bell Choir Rehearsal
5:30pm - Wednesday Night Dinner
6:15pm - Children's Music Ministry
6:20pm - Holy Communion and Prayer
6:30pm - Bible Study: Walking Where Jesus Walked
This coming Sunday, two very vital worship services.
9:00am - Traditional & 11:00am - Contemporary: during the services we will be recognizing and honoring our "graduates". Plus we are to have a guest updating us on the Methodist Summer Camp opportunities at our District Camp.
Sunday afternoon we will have, at 4:00pm, a Church Council meeting where we will update everyone on our progress of the building campaign. To take a vote, not on final approval, but to authorize us to begin our Capital Campaign. Be informed by being present and letting us hear your voice.
Don't forget our month long mission emphasis by bringing on Sunday your I Can Food offering for the UCO Food Pantry. Together we feed some of the hungry in our community. We will also continue our offering for flooding victims and tornado victims.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
May 8, 2011 - Sermon Download
Friday, May 6, 2011
Don't forget this weekend...
Don't Forget! Or What you can do to help the Body of Christ this Weekend!
Sunday Morning Worship - join us as we celebrate Mother's Day - all ladies receive a gift.
As part of our Methodist Day of Caring, we are going to show our care for others by bringing our I CAN FOOD Offering for UCO Food Pantry. Help fill our containers as we help fill the bellies of the poor each Sunday in May.
Plus, we will receive special UMCOR offering all month to help our brothers and sisters in Alabama and Mississippi, where the tornadoes have wrecked havoc.
Don't forget our Methodism 101 Class meets for the first of four Sundays. We will be meeting in the Youth room. Find out our history, our beliefs, our practices - during the Sunday School hour (The Youth will be meeting in the Old Pastor's Office in our Preschool Bldg).
One other way you can help the Body, we have a medical transportation need for one of our members who needs to go to Shreveport on May 20th. If you can drive, please call the church office.
Sincerely,
Chris Blanchard
Sunday Morning Worship - join us as we celebrate Mother's Day - all ladies receive a gift.
As part of our Methodist Day of Caring, we are going to show our care for others by bringing our I CAN FOOD Offering for UCO Food Pantry. Help fill our containers as we help fill the bellies of the poor each Sunday in May.
Plus, we will receive special UMCOR offering all month to help our brothers and sisters in Alabama and Mississippi, where the tornadoes have wrecked havoc.
Don't forget our Methodism 101 Class meets for the first of four Sundays. We will be meeting in the Youth room. Find out our history, our beliefs, our practices - during the Sunday School hour (The Youth will be meeting in the Old Pastor's Office in our Preschool Bldg).
One other way you can help the Body, we have a medical transportation need for one of our members who needs to go to Shreveport on May 20th. If you can drive, please call the church office.
Chris Blanchard
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Midweek Reminders - May 4, 2011
Praise be to God from Whom all Blessings Flow! Our nation may take a collective sigh of relief that the Mastermind to our 9/11 tragedy has met justice and now will answer to his maker for his deeds. Yet, we continue to pray and work towards a peace among our peoples, by working toward the spreading of God's Kingdom. I praise God for President Obama's willingness to allow the US Navy Seals to do their work. May we continue to lift our President and all our troops in prayer so that they may do the Godly Thing.
Praise be to God the local boy scout troop was found unharmed and will have stories to tell their grandchildren for years to come. Thank the Lord for having men and young men prepared to face obstacles as SCOUTING program does.
The Waters are arising! Pray for wisdom for the Army Corp of Engineers as they make decisions on how to manage the rising waters in the Mississippi with the least amount of damage done. Some families will make sacrifices so a larger number of families won't lose their homes. May God grant them peace with these decisions and resources to recover.
Wednesday
8:00am - Pilates Exercise Class
9:30am - The Explorers Bible Study
5:00pm - Hand Bell Choir Rehearsal
5:30pm - Wednesday Night Dinner
6:15pm - Children's Music Ministry
6:20pm - Holy Communion and Prayer
6:30pm - New Study - Walking Where Jesus Walked - a new video study. Tonight we're looking at the culture of Jesus and how it impacted his message - 6:30-7:15pm.
Sunday - May 8th - Mother's Day
Free Gifts for all the Ladies in church.
New Sermon Series: The Apostle's Creed: I Believe in God, Father Almighty Creator of Heaven & Earth
UCO Food Pantry - I CAN offering all month - please let us fill their pantry so others can eat.
Remember UMCOR offering for Alabama and S/e USA Tornado victim.
Starting This Sunday
A new class on Methodism if you would like to learn more about our denominational family - our history, our beliefs, our practices, then join the pastors for a four week study, May 8, 15, 22, 29 - please email me chris@covenantum.org to register. During the Sunday school hour. Meeting place to be determined.
See you in worship,
Chris Blanchard
Monday, May 2, 2011
Preschool News - May 2, 2011
Our Summer Session is almost filled with lots of eager students. Our theme this summer is "Animals, Animals, Animals!" We will be looking at many of the animals mentioned in the Bible and the stories surrounding them. Fun jumps, water days and ice cream are on the way!
Thank you for supporting YOUR preschool!
Youth Update
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 4:12DID YOU KNOW?
- that we have a growing Youth/Young Adult program here at Covenant? We are a great group who love the Lord and love to have fun and are here to support each other!
- that the members of the group actually lead the lessons/discussions? We cover topics such as prayer, being judgmental, how does being a Christian really impact your life and many more.
We meet every Sunday in the Holley Building from 3:30-5:30 (and sometimes we just hang out after).
Come join us and see what we're about.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Mission Possible KIDS - May 1, 2011
We'd like to welcome our newest member, Aleya Duhon, who helped fellow agents Ashlyn and Ava LeFeuve, Evan and Emily Keller, Morgan Stokes, and Kate Manuel collect the food items. Special thanks to agent mom Jamie Keller for helping us.
Agents will celebrate their hard work and the culmination of their work year by joining other children in the church for a special Children's Ministries party to be held Sunday, May 22. Look for more information to come regarding the party. This will serve as our May meeting.
From This Weeks Bulletin - May 1, 2011
Thanks to:
...to the Chancel choir for Palm Sunday performance of “Journey to the Cross”
...to Redeemed for great Easter message in song, “Eyewitness”.
Attendance for April 24, 2011
522 - Worship
81 - Sunday School
New Opportunities For Study
1. Wednesday Evenings May 4, 11, 18, 25
Four Week Study, “Walking Where Jesus Walked!”
2. Sunday Mornings (during Sunday School) May 8, 15, 22, 29
New Study on “Methodism” - Our Beliefs, Our Practice-Our Mission
Pilates
All are invited to join us.
We meet in the Fellowship Hall every Wednesday at 8:00am.
Mens Study Group“The Screwtape Letters” By C.S. Lewis
Lead by: Rich Sudduth and Jerry Nugent
5:30pm Monday Nights
Graduate Recognition
On Sunday, May 15th, we will recognize our graduates. If you are graduating (or have graduated in the past year) from any school: high school, college, trade, etc., please contact Peggy in the office at 981-2088 or peggy@covenantum.org.
For Kids Only!
Join us Sundays MPKids — 3:30-5:00 (grades 1-6)
1st Sunday Only - Will not meet today!
Club 456 — 3:30-5:30 (grades 4-6) All other Sundays
For Men Only!
Bull Session - Thursday, 8:30am
“Weight Wise”
Support Group meets Mondays
9:30-11am and Tuesdays 5:30-6pm.
See Myra Duhon for more information!
Believers — Pat Griffith, Holley, room 7
Pairs & Spares — Paul Guilbeau/Dale White, Preschool, room 1
Daily Living — John Hines, Holley, room 4
Fellowship — Marie Smith, Holley, room 5
Searchers — Kathy Hoover/Lucille Hendrix, Holley, room 2
Seekers — Les Stratton, Holley, Fellowship Hall
Trinity — Rev. Bernie Shamp, Preschool, room 3
Wesleyan — Gene Blevins, Holley, room 9
Young Adults — Bro. Byron, Preschool
Today
3:30-5:30 — HWY 412 (Youth)
5:00-6:30 — Women’s Altar Prayer Time
Monday
9:30am — Weight Wise
5:30 — Men’s Study Group
Tuesday
5:30 — Weight-Wise
Wednesday
8:00am — Pilates
5:00 — Handbells
5:30 — Supper
6:15 — Children’s Music
6:20 — Communion
6:30 — “Walking Where Jesus Walked” 4-week study
Thursday
8:30am — Men’s Bull Session
Have a blessed week.
Kairos Prison Ministry
- Susie Blanchard, Jennifer Blanchard, Mary Fontenot, Donna Guidry and Lisa White
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