Bible Study for Mom's Starts THIS Thursday

A reminder that we will be starting our Bible study for Mom's this Thursday, September 19th. We will meet at 10 a.m. in the Fellowship classroom in the Holley building.  Child care will be provided.

You won't want to miss out as we go to God's word to help us in our daily lives as mothers. Bring a friend and your Bible and we will see you Thursday!

Lindsay Perry
Director of Children's Ministry
children@covenantum.org

September 1st Sermon Download Available

Sunday's sermon, We Need to Know Our Place, is now available as a free MP3 download from our website. http://tinyurl.com/5j6nl3. This is part of Brother Chris' Summer School sermon series.

Why Do We Sing?

Earlier this month, good friend and colleague, Lee Cooke, posted his thoughts on why sing in worship. As director of worship and music ministries at Asbury UMC, he has refined this wonderfully.

"All of us have music that we like to hear. Technology now lets us have music around us all the time. The availability of constant music is one thing that keeps us from singing. Why sing when you can listen to professionals? Well, there are several good answers to that question.

First, we sing because God created us to sing. The scriptures encourage us to sing to God and praise him!

Second, singing helps us to know what to think about God. The songs we sing are complex statements of faith that have stood the test of time. Our hymns form our faith!

Third, we sing because singing is a window to our souls. Lots of us make the mistaken notion that if we aren’t professionals, we shouldn’t sing. Nothing could be farther from the truth. God loves to hear us, just like we love to hear our grandchildren. We express who we are as we sing. Fourth (and last for this list, but not conclusive by any stretch—I’m not talking about how thrilling the sound of singing is, how fun it can be, how meaningful, etc.!!!!), people who sing together are a powerful force for faith. We are children of God redeemed by God’s wondrous grace. When we sing of God’s grace, there is a power present that is not of this world—it’s of heaven.

When we sing together, don’t just stand there with an embalmed look on your face. Sing like no one but God is listening. God doesn’t care how we sound. He just smiles and pats us on our collective heads!!!!"

See you Sunday,

Of Praise, Pumpkins and People

Time is flying by! First, a great big Praise! It seems like weeks ago, on Easter 2012, we marched out to our side lot, and turned a few shovels of dirt, as we prayed for the blessings of being able to build a new building. Some 15 months later, we have occupied the spot and have broken it in well. The official consecration service will be held Sunday, September 8th, at 10:00 AM. Our bishop, Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey will be present, as well as several former pastors. The Chancel Choir, Praise band, Redeemed, and our Handbell Choir will lead us in special music for the day. You won't want to miss this for anything. Following the service, we will take a few minutes to convert the space into our fellowship hall, and serve a meal. Brisket or chicken will be served along with whatever fixings you bring. Invite your friends and family for this grand celebration of all the Lord has been able to accomplish with your generous support.

Secondly, of Pumpkins. As you are aware, our Church has provided a Pumpkin Patch for our community. And while it will be different this year, with the absence of the Mason family, who lead this gigantic effort for the first 8 years, the Patch will go on. We have seen a great response from many people to step up and help put on this wonderful event. You will all be given the opportunity to jump in and help with the sales trailer, field trips, working weekends, etc. I know you will. Oh, did I mention the first two loads of Pumpkins will arrive Sunday, September 29th, with other trucks arriving October 13th and October 20th? All hands will be needed on those Sundays to help unload all those pumpkins to make a patch. Be on the watch for other details of events, etc. A short schedule is in this newsletter. New this year, we are asking some of the non profit groups that have been helped or need help in the future from our Patch funds to be here on the weekends. That way the community can see, as well as hear, about how funds raised benefit others.

Third, People. With Brother Byron having to “retire”, we are trying to discern where and what we need to help our church continue to grow. Some of our leadership will be studying our mission and our needs, in order to best determine what staffing, paid and unpaid, we need to have. Please, please be in prayer as we seek Gods’ will for us and how we are to be the Church our Lord Jesus needs us to be.

Finally, let me encourage you, if you are not now participating in a Bible Study or Sunday school group, to do so. We are called to be disciples, and a disciple is first and foremost a learner of Christ and the Life He calls us to lead. We have many excellent classes on Sunday morning for you, your children, and for your youth. Jump in. Ask me and ask around for the best fit for you and then try it out.

See you in your place of worship.

September 2013 Newsletter Available for Download

September Newsletter

The September 2013 Covenant Newsletter is ready to download and pick up.

1. You can pick up a paper copy in the church narthex the next time you are at church.
or
2. You can download it directly from our website – www.CovenantUM.org. Just look for the "Downloads" section in the right hand column of the first page and click on "Current Newsletter". It looks like this:

You will need to have the free Adobe Reader on your computer. If you don't have it, you can get it here.

See you Sunday,

August 25th Sermon Download Available

This morning's sermon, Bent Out of Shape is now available as a free MP3 download from our website. http://tinyurl.com/5j6nl3. This is part of Brother Chris' Summer School sermon series.

August 18th Sermon Download Available

This morning's sermon, Whole Hog - With Both Feet is now available as a free MP3 download from our website. http://tinyurl.com/5j6nl3. This is part of Brother Chris' Summer School sermon series.