Friday Update

Since we have the freedom to worship in this Nation, due to the sacrifice of so many of our forefathers, I do hope you will use that freedom and come to worship the Lord this Sunday. We will begin our services with the Presentation of Our Colors and Pledge of Allegiance and then worship our Lord who gives us freedom from Sin and Death.

It will be a first Sunday of the Month, so we will celebrate Holy communion and then let us not forget our ICAN food offering to go to the UCO Food Pantry. Lets load up our foyer, so we can load up their shelves at UCO, and they can help load up empty stomachs.

In view of the day, you may want to wear Red, White, and Blue, not a requirement, but your preacher doesn't want to look like the only Flag in the crowd.

I will be preaching on the song: "Battle Hymn of the Republic"-  Come hear the story behind the song, the story in the song, and the message I feel lead to share.

Work is moving slowly on our building. Monday, they will be drilling our pillar holes and filling them with concrete to help make the foundation strong and secure. But it is moving. We are told they will finish on time and on budget - Yeeeaaaa! 

We will also be praying for our Nation and Our Leaders, and I will have prayer guides to send home with you.

Memorial Service for Chris Constantine

It is with great sadness that we must announce that Chris Constantine, the adult son of Ambrose Constantine, was tragically killed by a hit and run driver last Sunday morning. Chris had very generously donated his organs and tissues in order to save other lives.

We will be having his Memorial Service here at Covenant this Saturday morning at 10:00am. We know that you will want to fill up our Sanctuary with love and your prayers for the family at this time.

Rev. Ralph Ford, former pastor, and Rev. Byron Aucoin will be leading this service of Resurrection and the Celebration of Chris Constantine Life.

Tuesday Update

Attendance wasn't the best, but the worship last Sunday on Father's Day was. If you were here, thanks, if not, we missed you. This coming Sunday, the song of the week is Precious Lord, Take My Hand. Brother Byron will be delivering the message.

Susie and I are headed to Dallas to meet her siblings and their families for a few days. We will be back for Sunday.

Pray for good weather. We can't have concrete poured for our new building parking lot unless it dries out for at least two days. Hopefully, on Sunday you can see 1/2 of the parking area.

Finally, but not least in importance: VBS is just around the corner, we have 85 kids registered already, and more to come, which means we need a few more volunteer adults. Either register in church this Sunday with Jennifer Manuel, or call the church office to volunteer.

Sincerely,

July 17, 2012 Sermon Download Available

Yesterday's sermon, God of Our Fathers, is now available as a free MP3 download from our website. http://tinyurl.com/5j6nl3. This is part of Brother Chris' Then Sings My Soul sermon series.

Covenant News - June 12, 2012

Don't forget, Wednesday is our Mid-Month Summer Solace. A special worship service lead by West Heights UMC Youth Group. But this worship is not just for youth. We will close with Holy Communion. Come by 6:00 for worship and come prepared to offer a Free Will Love Offering for the Youth Group leading our service. Since we are uncertain as to the time the group arrives, we will not be serving a meal for us, sorry, but please come worship with us.

Friday evening - Family Movie Night at the church - Best Price in Town for a Movie and Popcorn. Can you get it any cheaper then Free? Games at and popcorn at 6:30, movie begins at 7:00. Come one, come all.

Kairos Report

Lives were Changed at Kairos #34!

How blessed we were to “listen, listen, love, love” the 29 residents that God chose for Kairos #34! How grateful we are for Covenant’s support through monetary donations, cookies, colored pictures, personal notes, and prayers! God truly showed up in an amazing way, and lives were changed!

Among the participants were a mother and daughter who hadn’t looked each other in the eye or spoken to each other in over three years, though they were living in the same dorm! The Kairos community at LCIW had been praying they would both be able to attend the week-end, and at the last minute, the mother was picked from the alternate list. She had been hospitalized, because she was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. It was so clear that God was in control of their relationship, and His ways were not our ways. Friday morning, during a chapel service, in the middle of the first meditation on Forgiveness, the daughter had a grand mal seizure. We witnessed the mother on her knees and crying out to Jesus to help her “baby”, and we knew there was hope for their relationship. Their “walls” continued to come down, and they began to share hugs, as the Week-end progressed. The mother does have some emotional issues, and they need a lot of healing, but I know the Kairos community will stay after them to keep reaching out.

Also participating were 2 women who professed to be Wiccans. We had heard the Wiccan “religion” is growing rapidly at LCIW, and it’s a very welcoming social group for all the young prisoners. They worship a goddess and nature and have the philosophy that if you’re not hurting anyone, then do what you want. These two women were “lost” and searching for truth and had been drawn into this popular group. As early as Friday morning, one of the Wiccans told the rest of the participants at her table family, “You can trust these women. Look at their eyes.” This particular woman presented herself as “tough”, but she was humbled, broken, forgiven, and cleansed, as she shed tears that had been held back all her life. She never knew what it felt like to be loved! The Kairos community cheered at Closing for both of these Wiccans who had received Jesus! It was this community who had submitted their applications and prayed for them.

These are just two stories of the transformations we saw in the women during the Week-end, but there were so many more! In their own words, the women said they arrived on Thursday night, “hopeless”, “unforgiven”, “blaming others”, “stressed”, “scared”, and “unloved”.    During the Week-end, they experienced “direction”, “a new family”, “mind-blowing love”, “mercy from Jesus”, “people who actually cared without wanting anything in return”, and “true forgiveness”.

One said, "If you came to Kairos, and you didn’t meet Jesus, you didn’t come to Kairos.” Another followed up by saying, “If you came to Kairos, and you didn’t change, you were sleeping!” And a third added, “I believe the antichrist would be changed at Kairos!”

Praise God, who was able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all we could have asked or imagined – to Him be the glory!

Carol Amo, Jennifer & Susie Blanchard, Melissa Bowen, Betsy Corley, Mary Fontenot, Donna Guidry, Shari Mirgon

Youth Report

The Church of the Covenant Youth Department jumped right into spring planning multiple events and fundraisers for our Youth as well as opportunities to have our parents involved. During May, the Youth group hosted a graduation night for our graduating seniors that included both fun and entertainment. The night featured each of the youth’s talents if they chose to participate. We would like to thank all the parents for helping us make that night a success and look forward to the next one. On May 27th the Youth will travel to Faith Community Church for a mystery themed dinner with their youth.

One of our goals for the Youth group is to first become a more closely bonded group of friends that share one common love, Jesus Christ. As a part of making this goal we have assigned a fun night to each of the youth leaders. On June 4th, at 6 pm, our outstanding members of the church, Michael Neal and Nick Wolfe, will be hosting a fun night at the church. No worries, parents, they promise to be on their best behavior! On June 18th at 6 pm the fun continues with Angelica Deforest and I will be hosting an exceptional surprise for their fun night at the church. Wrapping up our month of fun nights will be on June 29th at 6pm hosted by Jennifer Blanchard. Parents, make sure to mark each of these in your calendar as your youth will love to be here on these days. And remember, friends are always welcome!

We lastly began brain storming for what will be a successful fundraiser to help fund the many activities our Youth enjoy participating in. On June 10 we will have a sausage po’boy sale after church. The lunch will include chips and a sandwich for a fair price, all proceeds will go to funding the youth group. We will have tickets and more information ready for the congregation by May 27th.. Make sure to buy tickets for you, your family, your friends or whomever! This sale will only last so long until it will be time for the scrumptious Cajun style po’boys will be ready.

Becca Wharton

2012 Vacation Bible School

Mark your calendar for July 16- 20 as Covenant presents the Go Fish Praise Vacation Bible School. Open to kids entering Kindergarten through 6th grade. The program features the music and videos of popular praise group Go Fish. Kids will rotate through stations including music, crafts, mission, Bible story, and snacks as they learn how to apply lessons from the book of Daniel to their daily lives.

This high-energy VBS program is sure to excite everyone and your kids won't want to miss it. Check Covenant's website for online registration starting soon.

Any adults looking for a fun and exciting way to participate in the spreading of God's message should contact Jennifer Manuel at jenandwally@earthlink.net or 856-9462 to volunteer for VBS.

All adult and teen volunteers are welcome.

From the Associate Pastor

My favorite gospel quartet group is the Hinsons. In the early 80’s they recorded a song that is my favorite gospel song called “Look to Him.” I love the second verse.

Now I know that questions can, Lord,
they can seem so hard to understand,
But then I know someone who knows it all 
His eyes see even that little sparrow fall 
Yet He can hold back the sea with just one hand 
He's so big He rides on the wind that blows
Yet in your heart the only one that knows 
the heartache and all the trouble you're in
When life seems everything but good 
Remember Him cause He's the only one that could, 
If you'd only dare Look to Him.

Do you dare? Do you dare to look to Him when the storms in your life seem overwhelming? He is the only one that can calm the troubled seas in your life. Only dare to ”Look to Him.” Go to YouTube.com and listen to the whole song, it will bless you.

Seeking Children's Ministry Director

There is an opportunity open for a person feeling called to serve God by serving the children of Covenant, to shape the future of our children’s program, to have fun and inspire our team of volunteers, to continue organized efforts to put vision into action...to make a difference in the life of Covenant. If this is you, or someone you know, please contact me. If you have any questions or interest, please let me know. Prayer and the power of God will place the right person. So, I do ask for the church to be praying for that as well. Thank you.
Melissa Bowen

United or Untied?

Many years ago, on one of my seminary papers, I had inadvertently written the Untied Methodist Church. As you can imagine, the spell checker missed it, but the professor did not. Circled in red ink along with the comments: “probably more true then we wish.” In the United Methodist church, our system of governance has equal number of lay and clergy reps from around the world meet to discuss and decide policy and finances issues. No one, not a Bishop, not a local pastor, not a DS, not an agency ever speaks on behalf of the United Methodist Church, only the vote of the General Conference.

The Conference held every four years, just concluded their meeting in Tampa Florida. I wish I could report that the conference brought greater unity in purpose and focus on making Disciples for Jesus Christ, but I can not. From my perspective, it appears as if the United Methodist is now more untied then ever before. We have great divide over such issues as the ordination of practicing homosexual pastors; how and where we spend our connectional funds; how the church needs to streamline our bureaucracy headed into the future; and even how we are to evolve if we are truly to become a global church. But why should we expect our church to be any different from our nation?

It appears as we head into a national election, that our nation has become more untied than united. Red State; blue state; more taxes; less taxes; more spending; less spending; pro this; con this; on and on we go, until it seems as if the only thing certain, is divisiveness and strife, when our nation needs and deserves different. It seems as if discussion and compromise were possible when we knew everyone wanted the best for the nation, but now, our core values seem so different, that there appears to be little middle ground.

It seems as if financially, we are asking fewer people, fewer congregations to continue to raise support for bigger budgets. We can have all the discussions about fairness and how to those much is given, much is expected, but in my simple mind, it is a question of sustainability. How long can fewer continue to support more? This applies to our denomination as well as our nation. But what is a solution? Not 'the' solution, but a solution.

Apparently the answer is bigger then anyone of us can provide, so we best start praying, earnestly praying for God's wisdom and God's solution for our church and for our nation. Secondly, we must learn to be civil and considerate of others. I watch TV, and I see constant bickering, and name calling, and trying to over talk someone else. A discussion used to be two parties talking and two parties listening. Thirdly, we can't afford to sit back and do nothing. That is probably one of leading causes of our current issues, instead of waiting for someone else to do something, become involved. Pick up something besides the TV guide and read, immerse yourself into the topics, and then after praying, after discussion, make up your own mind and do something, something about our nation and about our church. I apologize for using this column as a place to vent, but hey, if I can't do that with some of my closest friends, then with who?

One sidebar to this column, in spite of what happens in our nation and in spite of what happens in our denomination, God can and will continue to use His people here at Covenant to make a Christian difference in the world. For that I am so happy to be your pastor, and look forward to many years together.

See you in your place of worship real soon and real often!

Crafters Rummage & Bake Sale

Starting Early this morning until 3:00pm on Friday .and then again Saturday until noon. Come out and support this group of dedicated women turning trash into treasure. A steeple, a piano, carpet, have all come from their love and efforts. and great plans for the remodeled sanctuary. If you don't need stuff or need to get rid of stuff, at least come buy a few cookies or other delicious items.

Don't forget this Sunday Services. Our Kairos Team will be leading the service  along with Holy Communion and the Opportunity to Give. I CAN food offering for UCO Food Pantry.