Welcome New Members

Kim Formeller — June 27

Theresa Whatley — June 30

Paula Rocha — July 3

Jeremy and Sondra Morrow — July 24

Building the Master's Plan - Update

Brief update on where we are in the building program. We have been diligently working with the architect to make certain we have designed just the best building for us. It takes time, but we are so close!

We will soon begin our official capital campaign to raise funds and pledges over three years. We have been blessed with seed gifts that total almost $300,000. But that still leaves us a long way from being able to fund what we believe will be $1,300,000 project including renovating the existing sanctuary. That is a big project for us, but I know it’s right because it’s a GOD SIZED PROJECT, one we could not accomplish without God's direction and help.

Begin praying how you might be involved financially in Building the Master's Plan.

Children's Ministry Update

As I write this we have successfully completed the first day of VBS! There are pandas everywhere! The sanctuary and numerous classrooms have been converted to jungles. There’s some pretty funny movements going on and interesting critters roaming the halls. Many, many thanks to Jennifer Manual and the entire crew of volunteers. It takes a team to make VBS work and Covenant has the best ever!

Our children’s ministry is so very important to our church. We must remember that these children are the future of Covenant. Without them to carry on the cross and flame, we won’t remain in this place to be the family to the community that we are now. The church is growing and so is our children’s ministry. There are always places to help...in Sunday School and in Children’s Worship. Won’t you prayerfully consider making an impact on these children? We’re gearing up for fall...watch for some great fun!

Kim

July 31st Sermon Download Available

This morning's sermon, They Say 'The Old is Better', is now available for free download from our website. http://tinyurl.com/5j6nl3. This is part of Brother Chris' sermon series of Parables.

Remember When

Remember When our grass was brown and we were praying for rain? It Worked!

Seems as if not a day goes by that we don't see some rain - now its hard to get out to mow our yards because it is so wet. Are we ever satisfied?.

Don't forget tomorrow is Sunday, a fifth Sunday, but we are not going to eat together after church. We had a great celebration on July 3rd, so we will await the next Fifth Sunday to eat together. But we will gather around the LORD'S TABLE for Holy communion tomorrow. Always a special time for the church family. We are going to sing and sing some more. Some of the old standbys and some of the newer old standbys.

My message is on Old Wine - New Wineskins in Luke 5:36-39

Don't forget you have the opportunity to bring a few staple food items for the UCO Food pantry, I CAN food offering, and we are also collecting blue jeans for a family that lost their house to fire (36 waist 30 inseams and 34 waist and 30 inseams) and, Paul says we need to be content in the rainy season or in the dry season but I bet our farmers are happier with our rain now.

See you tomorrow to Praise the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Sincerely,

July 24th Sermon Download Available

This morning's sermon, The Mustard Seed and Leaven, is now available for free download from our website. http://tinyurl.com/5j6nl3. This is part of Brother Chris' sermon series of Parables.

VBS Thanks!!

Special Thanks to EVERYONE who helped make this years Vacation Bible School such a success! Everyone had such a great time and we are proud to have the best Volunteers in the world!!

The kids collected 236.6 lbs of pennies and other change! We don't have an exact count, but we estimate it should total over $500. And if that wasn't great enough, we have a secret benefactor that is going to match the total! All proceeds are going to the Louisiana Methodist Children's Homes.

Join us Sunday morning for a musical encore during the Children's Message time at both 9:00am and 11:00am services!

Covenant Midweek News

Dear Covenant Family Member -

VBS is almost over, and it is going great. All the volunteers - Amazing! Jennifer Manuel - superb! Tomorrow is the last day, and sometime around 11:30am the loser of me or Jennifer Manuel will gladly receive a pie in the eye. Big contest going on, boys vs. girls, as to whom could bring the most pennies to fill jugs. All the benefits going to the Methodist Children's homes. Right now it doesn't look good for the preacher. Oh well,I can take one for the team.

Tonight - Thursday
I am recommending you to view a web cast of Dave Ramsey - the Great Recovery.  He is going to challenge us in the church to be out front in helping us face the nation's economic and other issues from a spiritual perspective. Tune in on the web at 7:00pm Central time www.thegreatrecovery.com/live to see the broadcast webcast. My plans are to watch.

This Sunday
Finally, even after a long week at VBS, we will have worship services on Sunday. A baptism at 9:00am, Rev. Ed Boyd visiting and helping. I will be preaching from Matthew 13 - the parable of mustard seed and leaven.

And big treat - we will hear from our VBS - some great singing. You won't want to miss church this Sunday. In fact, I wouldn't know when you would ever want to miss church.

---

One other note: received information for all you school uniform shoppers. Big time sale at the Heymann Center Thursday-Saturday, where school uniforms were advertised cheap! Shirts - $4.50,  shorts - $7.00, pants - $7.50. Sounds pretty good to me.

Reminder - still looking for someone to help Novella Boudreaux get to Shreveport next friday - July 29th for an important doctors visit. If you can help, please email me back.

July 17 Sermon Download Available

This morning's sermon, What Do We Do With Our Weeds?, is now available for free download from our website. http://tinyurl.com/5j6nl3. This is part of Brother Chris' sermon series of Parables.

Mid-Week News - July 12, 2011

Don't forget our summer schedule -

• Wednesday begins with Pilates Exercise Class 8:00am in our fellowship hall
• Summer Solace - Food for the Body at 5:30pm. Taco Soup and Salad, chicken nuggets and Fries for the kids
• Summer Solace Service - 6:15 PM. John Wesley's Rule for Living

Covenant Getting Fit
We will have our first meeting of all parties that are interested in helping plan ways our Church family can get fit. We will meet immediately after the Summer Solace Service. A short meeting to talk about what we are doing, what we might do, and who might help us do it. I am so excited that so many of us are determined to do the best we can to feel the best we can so we can serve God the best we can for as long as we can. Everyone is invited to eat, worship, and to plan.

Sunday we will have church
We are planning on having two great worship events where we learn from God's Word,where we fellowship with the Holy Spirit and our church family, where we worship the Lord with our hymns of praise and worship, and where we get marching directions on how to live out our faith.

This month's Men's Breakfast has ben cancelled. We will pick back up in August.

One more important announcement - one of our church family needs a ride to Shreveport for an important doctor's appointment on Friday July 29th. Should you be able to do so, please email me back.

Sincerely,

July 10 Sermon Download

This morning's sermon, The Foolish Farmer Who Waste No Seed, is now available for free download from our website. http://tinyurl.com/5j6nl3.

What a Great Weekend

If you missed Sunday morning or Sunday evening here at Covenant, you missed a great blessing. Our morning services were great, the choir did an outstanding job with the choir special. We sang the patriotic songs with gusto. Brother Byron presented a great sermon and we gathered for a holy moment for Communion. And while our 9:00am service was missing a few, we still had a respectable crowd. Our Redeemed at 11:00am also lead us into a worshipful attitude.

But Sunday evening, we had a great day, fun jumps and water slides were packed with our young ones, and we served hundreds for the meal. A great big thanks for our special cooks - Ann & Stan, Mike & Jeaneen, Alan & Vickie, and all the other members who pitched in to help!  We could not have done it without them.

To Top it all off, The Sister's treated us to a great evening performance, truly Spirit filled.

Don't Forget - Thursday morning at 8:30am is our Men's Bull Session - coffee, food, great fellowship, and solutions for the world.

Sunday - July 10th - in spite of having such a great July 3rd weekend, we will still have church this coming Sunday. In preparation, read Matthew 13:1-9.

Sincerely,
Chris Blanchard

July 3rd Sermon Download Available

This Sunday's sermon, Take My Yoke, is now available for free download from our website. http://tinyurl.com/5j6nl3.

Covenant Independence Day Celebration

Just a quick reminder about the festivities this Sunday that you're not going to want to miss.

Sunday Morning

• Make sure you wear Red, White and Blue to worship. We will be celebrating Holy Communion at both services.
• It's also our monthly I-Can Sunday. Please bring your canned food offering and we'll make certain it gets to United Christian Outreach for distribution to those in need.
• And if that's not enough, Brother Byron will be sharing the Word of God through the sermon.

Sunday Afternoon

• Beginning at 3:00pm we will begin with FunJumps for the kids and other activities. Come, relax and fellowship.
• Then around 4:00pm we will be serving a virtual plethora of July 4th style foods with all the fixins'. We'll be serving hot dogs and three, count them, three different style hamburgers: beef, turkey & veggie.

Sunday Evening

• And last but not least, at 6:00pm in our Sanctuary, a special concert by SISTERS. 2011 SGN Music Award winners for Female Group of the Year and Gammy nominees, SISTERS will bring us their special witness and share the Love of God in harmony and witness. A love offering will be collected.

Sincerely,
Chris Blanchard

From the Associate Pastor - July 1, 2011

I have received several e-mails that were inspired by Pastor Chris’ message on June 12th about living a healthier life style. When Chris first told me about what God had laid on his heart for the body (no pun intended) at Covenant, I was inspired as well.

After by-pass surgery and having type 2 diabetes, you would think I would get the picture. But, two and half years after the surgery, I am heavier now than before the by-pass. Martha, Hazel, Myra and others have urged me to drop the pounds, but I would always respond “I know, the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” Sunday, turning in the commitment card along with 120 others, I felt a peace knowing that this is not something to dread, but something to live for. Live for a healthier spirit, healthier soul and a healthier body. Pray for me as I pray for you that we CAN, with God’s help, turn our bodies into a “temple” pleasing to Him.

Rev. Byron Aucion