T H E C O V E N A N T E R H -...

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M E M B E R N E G E O R G I A P R E S B Y T E R Y , S Y N O D O F T H E S O U T H A T L A N T I C , G E N E R A L A S S E M B L Y O F T H E P R E S B Y T E R I A N C H U R C H ( U S A ) COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH THE COVENANTER SEPTEMBER 20, 2015 1065 Gaines School Road Athens, Georgia 30605 706-548-2756 or 706-613-2344 www.covpresathens.org COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Come and See, Grow and Share! The month of SEPTEMBER is sponsored by the Upper Room Church School Class and will be collecting for the Athens Area Emergency Food Bank: cold breakfast cereal, rice, canned tomatoes, any kind of pasta. AND as always brown paper bags. Thank you Covenant and may we all have enough! JAM’s doing a NEW thing! See page 3 ... The week of October 411 gives us the opportunity to provide shelter to our homeless neighbors. We will temporarily host homeless families for IHN. Now is the time to sign-up on the board in the Gathering Room. Check the board for the many ways you can serve the LORD by assisting our neighbors in need. An electronic version of the sign-up board is main- tained on Covenants web page (IHN Volunteers spreadsheet), or call the Church office (706 548-2756) to sign up. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.(Matthew 25:35) Laurie Anderson Memorial Mission, Peace and Justice Fund A year ago many members of the Covenant congregation gave generously to start a Laurie Anderson Memorial Fund. After much deliberation we reached a decision to dedicate the fund to the support of Covenant church missions, including opportunities to contribute to vital issues of peace and justice in the world. Those funds were used to help support the Covenant mission to Olomouc, Czech Republic, this summer, a mission whose success benefited greatly from your generosity and support. We would like to continue this tradition supporting further mission work. Consequently, we are soliciting your assistance again this year in perpetuating the Laurie Anderson Memorial Mission, Peace and Justice Fund. Pledge envelopes will be provided. We encourage you to give generously. It will be an opportunity to enhance the mission efforts of Covenant Presbyterian Church. Thanks for your support, Jim Anderson on behalf of the Witness Ministry Team

Transcript of T H E C O V E N A N T E R H -...

M E M B E R N E G E O R G I A P R E S B Y T E R Y , S Y N O D O F T H E S O U T H A T L A N T I C , G E N E R A L A S S E M B L Y O F T H E P R E S B Y T E R I A N C H U R C H ( U S A )

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T H E C O V E N A N T E R

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 , 2 0 1 5

1065 Gaines School Road

Athens, Georgia 30605

706-548-2756 or 706-613-2344

www.covpresathens.org

C O V E N A N T P R E S B Y T E R I A N

C H U R C H

Come and See, Grow and Share!

The month of SEPTEMBER is sponsored by the Upper Room Church School Class

and will be collecting for the Athens Area Emergency Food Bank:

cold breakfast cereal, rice, canned tomatoes, any kind of pasta.

AND as always brown paper bags.

Thank you Covenant and may we all have enough!

JAM’s doing a NEW thing!

See page 3 ...

The week of October 4—11 gives us the opportunity to provide shelter to

our homeless neighbors. We will temporarily host homeless families for

IHN. Now is the time to sign-up on the board in the Gathering Room.

Check the board for the many ways you can serve the LORD by assisting

our neighbors in need. An electronic version of the sign-up board is main-

tained on Covenant’s web page (IHN Volunteers spreadsheet), or call the

Church office (706 548-2756) to sign up. ” For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty

and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Matthew 25:35)

Laurie Anderson Memorial Mission, Peace and Justice Fund A year ago many members of the Covenant congregation gave generously to start a Laurie Anderson Memorial Fund. After much deliberation we reached a decision to dedicate the fund to the support of Covenant church missions, including opportunities to contribute to vital issues of peace and justice in the world. Those funds were used to help support the Covenant mission to Olomouc, Czech Republic, this summer, a mission whose success benefited greatly from your generosity and support. We would like to continue this tradition supporting further mission work. Consequently, we are soliciting your assistance again this year in perpetuating the Laurie Anderson Memorial Mission, Peace and Justice Fund. Pledge envelopes will be provided. We encourage you to give generously. It will be an opportunity to enhance the mission efforts of Covenant Presbyterian Church. Thanks for your support, Jim Anderson on behalf of the Witness Ministry Team

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Title: All That God Creates Theme: We sing for joy at the goodness of God’s creation and pray to reflect it in our lives always.

DAILY BIBLE READINGS—

Monday September 21 Psalm 33: 1-9

Tuesday September 22 Psalm 51: 10-17

Wednesday September 23 Psalm 104: 24-35

Thursday September 24 Ezekiel 34: 25-31

Friday September 25 Isaiah 65: 17-25

Saturday September 26 Colossians 1: 15-20

Sunday September 27 Colossians 3: 10-17 Congregational Hymnsing

REMEMBER Barbara Burnett’s niece, with surgery Sept.25 for liver failure Patrick McMaster

& family in the recent death of his aunt Mary Ann Miller living near Montreat; June Meyers’ sister in PA, with

complications accompanying her esophageal cancer, and now seeking a rehab facility; our personnel search for

2 new musicians on staff; Missy Green, recovering well from Sept.14 surgery and staying with her parents; our

sister congregation Central Presbyterian in Athens, in a time of discernment; John Scott, in the death of his

friend & colleague Amy Holloway; Kent Wolfe, recovering from recent shoulder surgery; friend of Covenant,

Katharine Nelson home after a stay at Athens Regional; frequent visitor Pam Kovach, whose daughter-in-law’s

sister has a brain tumor; Grace Eubank, Bobbie Lindstrom, Bea Whitney, Bill Willis, and others at home.

We hope by now you have had a chance to read the Capital Campaign letter for Covenant's Jubilee celebra-

tion. While we are scheduling several Minutes for Mission to address specific dimensions of this campaign,

we realize that you may have questions that would be better addressed on an individual basis. So that this

process will be as helpful and transparent as possible, we wanted to offer a list of all the good people who

have been on the Capital Campaign Planning Team. Feel free to talk to them if you would like more infor-

mation about this important effort. While none of us may have all the answers to your questions, all of us

are committed to finding out whatever you need to know to become a committed participant yourself.

Thank you in advance for your prayers and generous contributions! Mark Harper for Dianne Simpson, Bill

Rigsby, Linda Rogers, Kent Silver, Gijs Schimmel, John Chamblee, John Scott, Joan Prittie, Jim Newland,

Dolly Barstow, Tom Cooney.

DOUBLE HITS: The same words or phrases can share a common expression. What term joins these two examples? 1. Has its ups and downs; haw’s partner: _____

2. Musical refrain; overexert: _______

3. Lean to one side; enumeration: ____

DOUBLE HITS: 1. Hen 2. Strain 3. List

Did you miss last week’s sermon? You can access the sermons on the

website at http://covpresathens.org/wp/?page_id=5 or go to www.covpresathens.org and click on news and events then

click on reflections!

suspended

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WHO’S WHO? Who at Covenant danced in an Augusta

College & Choral Society’s production of Berlioz’s

L ‘Enfance du Christ?

Moment For Remembrance

What's your favorite Covenant memory? Our 50th

anniversary calls for a full year of celebration and

thanksgiving. Whether you are a long-time member or

a newcomer, you are invited (encouraged, urged) to

share your memory in 60 seconds or less during our

weekly "Moment for Remembrance.” Add your name to

the sign-up sheet to reserve your preferred date or to

be contacted if you have questions. "Come Celebrate

the Journey Now and Praise the Lord!"

Covenant’s Jubilee 50th Anniversary is on

its way – Sunday, May 1, 2016 - as we count

down the days! Look on the easel by the front

doors for monthly postings of historic photos

from our life together, provided by

Linda Koehler.

Lunch Bunch meets monthly at DePalma’s Italian

Restaurant Eastside on final Tuesdays for

delicious food and conversation. So Join us

Tuesday, Sept. 29th at 11:30am. All are welcome!

Meet you there!

Covenant Breakfast Club

at

Cracker Barrel on Epps Bridge Road,

Monday, September 21 at 8:00am

Good food and good conversation among friends! All are welcome!

JAM’s doing a NEW thing! The annual fall event for Jubilee Adult Ministries (JAM) will be on Saturday this

year, rather than a weekday, so retirees & folks of all ages involved in older adult ministry will be able to

attend. Come to First Presbyterian Church in Winder on Saturday, October 3, from 10am-2pm, for some

great fun & fellowship, lunch & learning & laughter, as well as reflections on “Growing Spiritually in Our Lat-

er Years,” led by the Rev. Marvin Simmers of Atlanta, who at one time headed our PCUSA national office for

older adult ministry in Louisville along with the Rev. Miriam Dunson, and more recently Marvin has taught

classes at Columbia Seminary, helping establish the certification courses there. Cleda Locey will also share

about “The Humor of Religion,” and Susan Stone will share what’s new about the upcoming Oconee Village,

one of the Presbyterian Homes of GA. Come & join us! The first 25 people to register will get a FREE hot

lunch (usually $7.00)!!! Orange flyers have been mailed to your congregation, so spread the word. And

everyone please register by Friday, September 25, to help the JAM Team and our Winder hosts get ready for

you! Phone Kathy Woodall at the Winder church #770-867-2424, or email her at

[email protected] – and then signup on Covenant’s bulletin board too, if you need a

ride. Blessings and peace for a beautiful autumn season in God’s good creation. Your JAM Team

WHO’S WHO: Kent Silver

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The purpose of Christian Education at Covenant Presbyterian Church is to nurture our discipleship, build our spirit of community and cultivate clarity of thought about our faith.

WONDERFUL WEDNESDAYS RETURN!

SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

COVENANT CONNECTION

5:15pm—6:00pm K-2nd grade Choir; 3rd-5th Servant Time: Youth (supervised)

6:00pm—6:30pm Family Dinner for children, youth and adults ($15.00 donation for meals per semester)

6:30pm—7:15pm 3rd—5th grade Choir; K-2nd Servant Time; Youth (6-12 grade) Faith & Film

6:30pm Adult Bible Study This class enjoys a video series format, viewing a portion of a study topic and

discussing it afterwards, coordinated by Beecher Mathes.

Ancient Roads from Christ to Constantine, by history professor Jonathan Phillips (PBS)

We meet from 6:30-7:25pm and follow the Covenant Connection schedule all year.

7:00pm Evening Devotions 7:25pm Adult Choir

Now's your chance!

To sign up to lead the activity of your choice for this fall's K-5 Sunday school. A lesson, supplies,

and an adult shepherd are provided! Choose from cooking/science, crafts, games, or drama. We've

got a great group of kids who need you if you can volunteer just two Sundays this fall. There's a sign

up sheet on the bulletin board, or email Shari Cobb at [email protected] or Nancy Omdahl at

[email protected] with any questions. Feel free to stop by any Sunday to look over the

curriculum also. Thanks!

Youth Group this week (September 20th) will be from 5-7pm and we will be talking about what worship means to us and the different ways it can be formatted. This discus-sion will be for both the middle and high school groups but will additionally help the high school group prepare for their Youth Sunday on October 18th. Please remember that the middle school Youth Sunday date is being rescheduled to next semester.

Please mark your calendar—the new, new date for the Mobile Mission Trip is June 25- July 1. Thank you to everyone who signed up to prepare a dinner for us during the semester! Our sheet is now com-pletely full for this semester! Reimbursements are available up to $95 per dinner this semester (there are a lot of leftover funds from last semester). If you are signed up to cook a dinner, please stop by the church to see what is in the refrigerator already. Anything that is labeled "Youth Group" or that is not labeled at all, is able to be utilized. You may also use anything in the large, white Youth Group cooler under the table in the kitchen. You can also send me an email to check for you. Justin Van Wicklen, Youth Director

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Dear Friends, As you may know, we rely on the generosity of our local congregations to provide dinners for us on Sunday evenings at the Presbyterian Student Center. This is a key part of our program and a great way for our stu-dents to connect with local congregations. Here is the link to sign up for Sunday dinners along with some helpful information: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HR_jVe43Lluzunu5V3BKQdpl13DeBI8inZzwelMHSVI/edit?usp=sharing We would be grateful to have someone or a group of people in your congregation join us one Sunday even-ing. Please forward this email to anyone whom you think would be willing to sign up. If you have any ques-tions, then I would be happy to hear from you. Thank you for your partnership in this ministry. Sincerely, Andy Andy Cooke, Campus Minister ____________________________ PresbyterianStudentCenter@UGA 1250 S. Lumpkin Street Athens, GA 30605 706-548-5932 http://pscuga.org

All Plastic Bags are Not Created Equal Kroger and Publix both provide bins for plastic bag recycling. The bins at Publix offer no information about which types of plastic bags are acceptable and which are not. Kroger’s bins, however, feature these guidelines on their sides: “TURN BAGS INSIDE OUT NO RECEIPTS OR OTHER ITEMS PLEASE.” Please include the following:

Grocery bags

Retail bags (no drawstring handles)

Plastic newspaper bags

Plastic dry cleaning bags

All clean, clear bags labeled with the #2 or #4 recycling symbol

DO Not include the following: The following are considered film contaminants

No food Wrap (e.g. Saran Wrap)

No Film (bags) that has had direct contact with food or organic material.

Recycling can be confusing, but we Presbyterians

pride ourselves on being well-educated, thoughtful

people. The Green Dream Team encourages you to

continue to educate yourselves about the many

ways that you can care for God’s creation, and to be

especially thoughtful when it comes to recycling.

Caren Snook for the Green Dream Team

THE CAVE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM NEEDS YOUR HELP! We are in need of new blood to help bolster our rankings of volunteers. Even if you're only available an occasional Friday here and there, you will be doing us a great service. Please email Justin with questions or if you're interested in helping. Please also take a look at the trifold in the window across from the church mailboxes for more info.

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WEDNESDAY EVENING DEVOTIONS September 23 at 7:00pm

7:00pm - gathering time 7:05pm - contemplative time with

quiet, music, Scriptural resources, and candles

7:25pm departing time

Make Plans

to

Celebrate Cardboard, Bottles & Cans!

at

the 20th Anniversary

of the Athens-Clarke County Recycling Facility

Sunday, September 27, 2015

2pm—4pm

Location: ACC Recycling Facility

699 Hancock Industrial Way

Athens, GA 30605

Presentations, tours, finger foods, crafts & entertainment by Check the Signs.

RSVP by September 21, 2015 by contacting Cema Wallace at 706-613-3512

Welcome to our newest member, Kathy Boardman, who met with the Session on Sunday, Sept.13. She comes to us by transfer from First Presbyterian in Washington, GA, as they withdraw from the PCUSA. Kathy grew up in Athens, while her late father was a UGA professor in psychology, and the family attended First Presbyterian downtown. Her brother now lives in Madison, also caring for their mother in a nursing home. A graduate of the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, Kathy spent 20+ years as a Director of CE in the Charlotte area, most recently at Myers Park Presbyterian Church. She has also worked in insur-ance/banking, doing home inspections, and is now in sales from her home. She has long been active on com-mittees within Northeast GA Presbytery, now serving on the New Church Development team, hoping she can help connect our smaller churches in the Washington area. Kathy will only be able to worship with us once a month. We look forward to getting to know each other better in the years ahead. Add her contact info to your church directory: 510 Orchard Street, Washington, GA 30673 [email protected]. Highlights of the stated Session meeting on Sun.Sept.13 include: 1) welcome & transfer of Kathy Boardman from First Presbyterian Church in Washington, GA; 2) approval for Green Dream Team to be a sub-committee of the Stewardship & Finance Team; 3) celebration that our mortgage was paid off in full on Sept.11; 4) notice that there is no Advent Global Market this year, but instead during the Jubilee celebrations next spring; 5) approvals for $14,000+ in 2015 mortgage savings and $38,000+ from the proposed 2016 budget be earmarked for Capital Reserves; 6) approval to pursue funding for bathroom/plumbing renovations and for a playground replacement. Ongoing copies of the minutes of Session meetings, as well as Ministry Team minutes, can be found on the table in the narthex. All Session meetings are open to anyone’s attendance.

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This workshop, conducted by Georgia Hall of Fame writer, Terry Kay, is designed to emphasize

basic techniques used in all fields of writing, from fiction to memoir, screenplays to poetry, emails to

annual reports, business letters to church bulletins. Kay will share his concept of the DNA of

writing, his use of outline, and his list of do's and don'ts, regardless of genre.

Don't miss this incredible opportunity to learn from the best while supporting your local charity!!

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2015 ADVENT DEVOTIONAL

BOOKLET

Journey to Jubilee!

Thank you to everyone that signed up

to submit a devotional for the 2015

Advent Devotional Booklet. Devotionals

are due in the office by October 4th. Questions? See Pam Knox.

Just a reminder to please empty the trash cans in the kitchen after use to avoid roaches and other bugs! Thanks!

NEWS ABOUT WHEELS ON MEALS!

ROUTE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Join one of the most rewarding community

service programs in town. Your help would be greatly appreciated SIGN UP TO-

DAY. Call the Athens Area Council on Aging (ACCA) 706-549-4850 and ask for

Jessica or Morgan.

Also, donate your gently used magazines to clients on meal delivery routes. Ladies’

or general interest ones preferred. Drop them off in the RED box marked

MAGAZINES near the wheel chairs at the main entrance.

Your donations will brighten the lives of may people! :)

CONFIRMATION CLASSES! Sundays, 3:30pm-5pm

Calling all Youth, Grades 6—12! TODAY-September 20th

Come to discuss with your peers & your pastors what is means to be a

child of God and a responsible church member, preparing to make your

own mature decisions about the Christian faith. It’s a time for study,

fellowship, and outreach projects. Each class member (Seeker) will be

connected with an Elder of the church, as your Covenant Partner, to talk

& have fun together, attend worship, and complete a Timothy Task of

service to the church and/or community.

Leaders are: Craig Barber, Mark Harper, and Beecher Mathes.

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WITNESS SUNDAY, Oct. 25 at 8:30am & 10:45am. Look here each week for travel logs from the Witness Mission Team that visited Olomouc, Czech Republic in July, 2015: Our trip to Olomouc this summer

Susan Harper

One thing that we took away

Hanna and Tommy

SPRING HILL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH is excited to announce that Lauren Peters will be our new Campus Minister. The session of the church voted to hire Lauren, and she begins work on September 16. Lauren will be part of the staff at SHPC and spending a lot of time at the University of South Alabama where she will lead the Presbyterian campus ministry group known as UKirk (“U” for University and “Kirk” which is the Scottish word for church). Lauren holds a B.S. degree from Georgia College and State Univer-sity (Psychology major and business minor) and a M.Div. from Columbia Theological Seminary. She is completing the ordination process to become a minister (“teaching elder”) in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Lauren has a strong background in campus ministry, fundraising, and student leadership development. Mark Scott, chair of the Campus Ministry Committee has this to say about Lauren: “I feel she will be just what the Campus Ministry program needs to grow a vibrant ministry to students at the University of South Alabama. Lauren will be a wonderful addition to our staff at Spring Hill Presbyterian Church.” Here’s what Lauren has to say about the importance of campus ministry:

“College can be a balancing act for students. They are trying to keep up grades and plan for their future all while experiencing life for the first time not under their parents' roof. It's a time where they choose who they want to be, which is exciting. Campus ministry is an opportunity for them to explore their spiritual gifts and connect with a community that can walk alongside them during this time of discernment. Campus ministry was a key factor in my faith formation, so I very much look forward to being able to guide and spiritually support them through this process, and to connect them with the community at Spring Hill Presbyterian!” The Campus Minister position is a new part-time position that is supported by the Alabama Presbyterian Campus Ministry Board and a generous grant from the Presbytery of South Alabama. The Campus Ministry Committee of Spring Hill Presbyterian Church oversees this vital ministry on behalf of the presbytery and the Presbyterian Church (USA).

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WEEK OF September 20, 2015 SUNDAY— 8:30am Worship 9:30am Church School for all ages 10:45am Worship 3:30pm Confirmation Class 5pm Youth Groups MONDAY— OFFICE CLOSED 8am Covenant’s Breakfast Club at Cracker Barrel 9am-2:30pm Jubilee Partners Council Meeting 6:00pm Scouts TUESDAY– 9:30am Athens Mothers’ Center 6:30pm Officer Training 8pm New Freedom WEDNESDAY- 10am Adult Bible Study 5:15pm Covenant Connection 6:30pm Adult Bible Study 7pm Evening Devotions 7:25pm Adult Choir THURSDAY— Mark on leave Sept. 25—27 2pm Knitters & Knotters 8:00pm Happy Squares FRIDAY— 9:30am Athens Mothers’ Center 3:30pm The Cave 8pm New Freedom SATURDAY– Fellowship Hall Cleaned

WORSHIP—September 27, 2015

8:30am

Reader: Judy Capie

Ushers: Dennis & Carol Calbos

Coffee Maker:

10:45am

Reader: Dolly Barstow

Ushers: Heide & Juergen Wiegel, Alex & Hilda Clark

Greeters: Terry Centner, Mary Ann Johnson, Anna Cobb

Piano: Marcia Verbrugge

Counters: Caren Snook, Sue Loegel

Flowers: Juergen Wiegel

Plant Care: Frank Allen

Open the Building: Tim Bemisderfer

Close the Building: Phil Koehler

Grounds Steward: Jim Bowden (Sept. 28—Oct. 4)

10:45am

Nursery/Super: Annemarie Braswell

Birth—Walking: Annemarie Braswell

: Josh Ballard-Myer, Sandy Whitney,

Lindsey Bowden

WORSHIP—September 20, 2015

8:30am

Reader: Warren Combs

Ushers: Judy Capie

Coffee Maker: Sharon Edwards

10:45am

Reader: Mary Barnett

Ushers: Brad Courtenay, Jerry & Sarah Shannon,

Evan Carrithers

Greeters: Kay & Paul Brooks, Paige Campbell

Piano: Marcia Verbrugge

Counters: Bill Barstow, Judy Capie

Flowers: Juergen Wiegel

Plant Care: Frank Allen

Open the Building: Alan Edwards

Close the Building: Alex Clark

Grounds Steward: Hank Tweedell (Sept. 21-27)

10:45am

Nursery/Super: Dell Whitehead

Birth—Walking: Dell Whitehead

: Wyatt Herndon, Patrick & Alice McMaster

WEEK OF September 27, 2015 SUNDAY— Congregational Hymn Sing 8:30am Worship 9:30am Church School for all ages 10:45am Worship 12:15pm Congregational Care Meeting 3:30pm Confirmation Class 5pm Youth Groups MONDAY— OFFICE CLOSED 6:00pm Scouts TUESDAY– 9:30am Athens Mothers’ Center 11:30am Lunch Bunch at DePalma’s Eastside 6:30pm Officer Training 8pm New Freedom WEDNESDAY- 10am Adult Bible Study 10am Presbytery Leadership Meeting—Conf. Room 5:15pm Covenant Connection 6:30pm Adult Bible Study 7pm Evening Devotions 7:25pm Adult Choir THURSDAY— 2pm Knitters & Knotters FRIDAY— 9:30am Athens Mothers’ Center 3:30pm The Cave 8pm New Freedom SATURDAY– Fellowship Hall Cleaned 10am—2pm Presbytery JAM Event in Winder