Blog of the Covenant

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Food Truck Lunch Alternative

Next Friday, December 20, from 11am-1:30pm, the Hibachi Hero food truck will be serving from out parking lot. So if you are out shopping or are just looking for a great lunch distraction, come on over.

www.facebook.com/TheHibachiHero

Monday, December 2, 2013

December Children's Ministry

The Mom’s Bible Study on Thursday mornings will be starting a new series, “Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free” on Thursday, December 5. We meet from 10-11 in the Fellowship Classroom. Come join us for a great morning in God’s word. Bring a friend and a Bible!

Parent’s Day Out—Covenant Kid’s is hosting their annual Parent’s Day Out on Sunday, December 8th from 2-5 p.m. All children up through 5th grade are invited to join us for an afternoon of movies, snacks, Bible lessons and fun. Parents can enjoy a few hours of quiet time to rest, go to a movie or get some Christmas shopping done! If your child is three years old and younger, you must RSVP so we can assure we have enough nursery workers. Please either sign up in the narthex or lobby or email the child’s name and age to children@covenantum.org.

Children’s Christmas Pageant—Sunday, December 15 during the Sunday school hour. The children of Covenant will be giving our congregation an early Christmas present with their presentation of their Christmas pageant. You won’t want to miss seeing all of their hard work come together as they share the true meaning of Christmas with the church.

Birthday Party for Jesus—Sunday, December 22nd during the Sunday school hour—All are welcome to join the children as we celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. The party starts at 10:30 and will be complete with cake and music! Join us as we celebrate the birth of our Savior!

With all of the hustle and bustle of the holidays underway, we will once again have the opportunity to give the children of Covenant the gift of prayer. We will have prayer hands with the name and age of all of the children of Covenant in a basket at each service. Please take a hand and pray for this child every day. There is no sweeter gift than fostering the spiritual growth of a child.

Lindsay Perry

December Youth Report

Youth had a great month wrapping up the “To Save A Life” series with a guest mental health professional to speak with them. The next week fourteen youth participated in the homeless dinner downtown, serving the less fortune right here in Lafayette. This prepared our hearts for a season of giving as we have several mission projects lined up for December. December will be an awesome month with giving, holiday functions, and great worship.

God Bless and Merry Christmas!
Craig and Melissa Hartwell

With God All Things Are Possible

Let me first say, this is a reprint of an article I read years ago, but cannot even document its source, but it is most appropriate for us today. “Every year as the holiday season approaches you have the choice to either survive it or thrive in it. When Thanksgiving dinner is barely cold and the pressure of Christmas looms on the horizon, it is tempting to resent the expected pace and emotional stress that’s coming. What should a Christian do? This year why not try to approach Thanksgiving and Christmas with something new that will carry you down the road rejoicing? Here’s one thought that might lift you to a new vista: Christmas teaches us that all things are possible with God.

If God wants something done, can it be done? A more personal way of asking this question is: If God has a goal for my life; can it be blocked, making its fulfillment impossible? Imagine God saying, “I’ve created you and given you life, I’ve made you my child and now I have something for you to do. I know you will not be able to do it, but give it your best shot.” That kind of reasoning makes God appear heartless and ludicrous. Imagine yourself as a parent saying to your child, “I want you to go out and mow the lawn. Unfortunately, the yard is full of rocks, the mower does not work and there is no power. But give it your best.” Once again, such reasoning sounds crazy.

Now here comes Christmas. God gave a staggering goal to a little maiden named Mary. An angel told her that she would become a mother while she was still a virgin, and that her son would be the Savior of the world. When she inquired of the angel about this seemingly impossible feat, the angel simply said, “Nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37) You would never dream of giving your child a task he/she could not complete; and neither does God. His goals for you are achievable, certain, and possible, no matter how large or difficult they might seem to you. When Mary was faced with what seemed to her life an impossibility, she responded, “Behold, the bond slave of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38) Now that’s faith in the face of overwhelming circumstances!

Think of the overpowering assignment that confronted Mary: She was to have a baby without being with a man. She was to raise the boy who would save the world from their sins. The entire course of history would change because of her son. The eternal destiny of untold millions was on the line! The fact that we celebrate Christmas is proof that Mary’s faith in God to do the impossible was all she needed to complete God’s will for her. Here’s the lesson: We need faith in God for whatever impossible challenges face us.

What struggles do you face this holidays season? The first Christmas without a loved one? Health issues? Broken relationships? Financial strain? Uncertainty? A broken heart over a child? When you feel overwhelmed with responsibility or overcome with pain, remember that God is able to do above and beyond all we ask or think. Christmas teaches us is that God is still looking for humble servants who are willing to trust God to do the impossible. Let’s give thanks that with God all things are possible!” Haven’t we seen God’s hand at work over and over again in our lives here at Covenant. Thank you for helping God do the impossible.