October 30, 2011 Sermon Download Available

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

October 23, 2011 Sermon Download Available

This morning's sermon, With Gratitude for Being Contagious, is now available for free download from our website. http://tinyurl.com/5j6nl3.

October 16, 2011 Sermon Download Available

This morning's sermon, God, Just One More Time, is now available for free download from our website. http://tinyurl.com/5j6nl3.

Pumpkins are Coming!

Tomorrow morning you are entitled to all the coffee you can drink, and all the donuts you can eat, as we unload our LAST Pumpkin Truck of the year!

As you remember we are having to receive our loads early due to freezing conditions in New Mexico, so Tuesday (tomorrow) come early if at all possible - 7:00am - to help us unload pumpkins

What a great way to start the day!

October 9, 2011 Sermon Download Available

This morning's sermon, Putting Prayer into Practice, is now available for free download from our website. http://tinyurl.com/5j6nl3.

MidWeek Update - October 4, 2011

Join Us
for this week's events

Wednesday

• 8:00am - Pilate's Exercise Group
• 9:30am - The Explorer's Interdenominational Bible Study
• 5:00pm - Handbell Practice - they will be playing this Sunday
• 5:30pm - Delicious Home Cooked Meal
• 6:15pm - Holy Communion & Prayer
• 6:15pm - Children's Ministry Activities
• 6:30pm - Marriage Enrichment & Intro to Revelation

Thursday

• School Fieldtrips in the morning.
• 12noon - we need all hands on deck. We have one of another three trucks coming with Pumpkins. A big freeze is headed towards New Mexico and the pumpkins have to be harvested and shipped before the freeze arrives. So not only do we have a truck at noon on Thursday, we will have one coming this Sunday, hopefully by noon, and then another one next Tuesday morning 7:00am.
• We will also have Zumba classes on this Thursday for our other Get Fit Group.

Saturday & Sunday

• Saturday, the Preschool will be cooking for this Pumpkin Patch and its Family Fun Day.  Invite Invite Invite - prizes and games for the little ones. 
• Followed by Sunday, the Angel Tree group will be grilling.

Crying Shame we don't have anything to do around here. 

So come on over and help stir the pot, and
join in the fun and fellowship.

October 2, 2011 Sermon Download Available

This morning's sermon, Expecting the Unexpected, is now available for free download from our website. http://tinyurl.com/5j6nl3. This is part of Brother Chris' sermon series on the Parables of Jesus.

Children's Ministry Update - October 1, 2011

One of the regular events we offer for children is on Wednesday nights. We've revamped it this year and are offering a time of Bible study, craft fun, thought-provoking games, and some great music. (Father Abraham is wearing the adults out!) If you have children in grades K-6, make sure they join us for a great time on Wednesday nights beginning at 6:30 (parents are welcome to bring their children in about 6:15 so they can participate in Communion). Many thanks to Ms. Amanda Arceneaux for leading the Bible study portion and to Ms. Kathy Lewis for leading music. Mr. Sam Ball is also there to help and is always willing to lend a hand wherever needed. We had 7 children the first night, 9 the second night...come on, let's beat the odds and shoot for 15 next time!

I also want to express thanks to Robin Stokes for taking over the coordination of Children's Worship. Susie Blanchard has done a great job and we appreciate all her dedication. Also coming in to help with Children's Worship is Sherry Goudeau, Emily Goudeau, and Diana Seiler. It takes a team to put this together every week and we have a great one!

Kim Goodman

From the Associate Pastor - October 1, 2011

I know we have an exciting month coming up with our pumpkin patch tours and the many activities on the weekends. But, I just wanted to let you know that we will still have the Wednesday night suppers and Bible studies. Bro. Chris is leading the study in Revelations and Kody and Melissa Bowen, Mac and Donna Guidry are leading the “Marriage Enrichment” class. The “F U E L” class on nutrition will only be meeting on October 18th this month.

Check in the bulletin or the mid-week email from Pastor Chris to find out when the “Healthy Living and Exercise” class will be offered, as we are still trying to find the best day and time for the class.

Also check bulletin to see date and time for our Zumba class.

Don’t miss our mid-month Solace on October 19th. Dale White will be leading the devotional so I know we will be blessed. On October 26th a three week study on Ruth and Esther will begin.

Showers of Blessing

In an old gospel hymn, Daniel Whittle shared these words:

“There shall be showers of blessing: this is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing, sent from the Savior above.

There shall be showers of blessing, if we but trust and obey;
There shall be seasons refreshing, if we let God have His way.”

I want us to focus on those showers of blessing, that the Lord continues to send our way. Our worship service continues to grow as we gather to celebrate the Goodness of God and lifting our hearts and hands in praise. Our music teams; the choir, Redeemed, and soon our Handbell choir will bless us. Just this past week, a group of women, knocked our socks off by offering their gift to the Lord and to our congregation. Our music team of Ken, Pat, Jennifer, Lisa and all the many volunteers—thank you for showering us with blessings, sent from the Savior above.

By the time you receive this note, our front yard will have been converted into our annual Pumpkin Patch. A place where thousands of children can gather to hear and see and experience in fun and creative ways, a great field trip. A place where families can gather for a free hayride, pumpkin looking, photo opportunities, fun jumps, and great hospitality offered by our Covenant folks. This outreach would not take place without the leadership of the Mason Family, and the great number of volunteers who offer their time to be a blessing to others, sent from the Savior above.

Our Christian Education program continues to grow, whether it is our children, our youth, or our adults. Each week we have opportunities for Bible Study, great fellowship, educational programs on marriage, Get Fit, or a variety of topics. Jump into one of these small groups and be blessed as we are committed to not only Hear the Message of Jesus, but to do the mission of Jesus. Some of the missions we have been able to help because of your generosity, has been additional gifts to UCO Food Pantry feeding people in our city; extra special gifts to the Louisiana Children's Home to help provide care for the foster children in their care. Thank you for being a blessing to them, a blessing sent from the Savior above.

Finally, I want to mention our Building Program. It has taken much longer then anyone expected to design and plan for all the details of the building we need. It is very apparent that our committee cares about what we do, and we want to make certain that we don't miss the opportunity to offer the best building we can to our congregation. As we write this, we have already received over $400,000 in pledges and in cash. Because we are wanting to minimize any interest expense to our budget, we will need others to help fund this dream. Should you wish to discuss with me the possibility of giving a gift even before we ask the congregation, I will be happy to be showered by your blessing.

Why not just stop, bow your head, and praise God for His showers of blessing upon us all.