Keeping Up with Covenant Church
News from Covenant Presbyterian
Wendell, North Carolina
January 2016
Pastor’s Notebook: “Be Not Afraid”
Church office hours: Mon.-Thurs. from 9:00 – 2:00p.m.
covsecty1@raleigh.twcbc.com
(919) 365-7979
www.covenantwendell.com
“Celebrating the Past – Building the Future”
Covenant Presbyterian Church
125 S. Selma Rd.
Wendell, NC 27591-9705
When the angel host appeared to the shepherds, we understand why
they told them, “Be not afraid!” No doubt the shepherds weren’t sure what this
display of angelic wonder was all about and the angels’ first task was to
reassure them.
But the message “Be not afraid” echoes through the whole gospel story.
Again and again Jesus reassures his disciples with the same message. One
theologian even says that being Jesus’ disciple can be summed up by saying
that what Jesus calls us to is a life grounded in trust, not fear.
We seem to be living in a time when fear, not trust appears to be
winning out. History is full of illustrations that when we make decisions out of
fear, we often later regret them. But more importantly for us as followers of
Jesus Christ, we have to be wary of getting caught up in fear. Fear is the
enemy of faith. Faith and trust go hand in hand. Indeed, faith is often defined as
trust in God.
As Christ’s followers our calling is to love God and our neighbor. As we
live through this latest fearful time, let 1 John 4:18 be our guide:
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.”
Happy New Year,
Claude
Worship
Elders David Meyers & Carol Rich
For where two or three come together in my name,
there am I with them. (Matthew 18:20)
THANK YOU! To our youth and their leaders for their
leadership in worship during Advent. Thank you also to the
talented group who created the Jesse Tree ornaments. The
stories were inspiring, as was the experience of these future
leaders of our church lighting the Advent candles with
drama and readings. We look forward to more participation
by this talented group.
Children’s Ministry Volunteer Schedule
January/February 2016
Date
Children’s Sermon
Nursery Volunteer
Acolyte
Jan. 3
Tom Martin
Carrie Petrosky
Emma Buus
Jan. 10
Eb Strickland
Ray Dunn
Megan Buus
Jan. 17
Don Mailliard
Robin Harris
Dylan Haswell
Jan. 24
Mary Selke
Alli Buus
Caroline Byrd
CHOIR CHATTER:
Jan. 31
Bob Fleming
Stella Martin
Emma Buus
When is your choir not busy? When I find out, I'll let you know! As you
are aware, we had a very busy 2015. With extra presentations of tour music
and an extra Christmas cantata presentation, we had no shortage of activities.
Jeff and I feel fortunate to work with such a diverse, talented group of fun
people.
Now we look ahead to 2016. In January, we'll be pausing to go out to
dinner and have fun. The date will be announced shortly. Of course, we'll
continue our worship preparation. We'll begin Mary McDonald's Jesus Shall
Reign by the third Wednesday of January at the latest because Easter is on
March 27th. This is possibly McDonald's strongest work - a poignant telling of
the Easter story.
In late summer or early fall, we'll go on tour. The music choice varies this
year because it's our twentieth year. To choose the music, choir members
voted from the list of all the songs we've done on tour since its inception. We
are very excited about this presentation.
If you can sing and want to give us a try, please do. Remember, if dogs
howl and cats run under the bed when you sing, we need good listeners, too.
Happy New Year,
Feb. 7
Jennifer Carnes
Pam Hardee
Megan Buus
Feb. 14
Tom Martin
Robin Harris
Dylan Haswell
Feb. 21
Eb Strickland
Ruth Crawford
Caroline Byrd
Feb. 28
Don Mailliard
Robin Harris
Nick Abate
See you in church,
Wanda
Nursery Worker:
The nursery will be staffed from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each
Sunday morning by Miss Lindsay Pearson.
Nursery Volunteers:
The nursery volunteer is asked to bring a light snack and juice (no popcorn
please). If you are unable to serve on your scheduled Sunday, please call
anyone from the nursery volunteer list. If you have trouble finding a substitute,
please contact the coordinator Robin Harris at robinrfharris@gmail.com or 919602-6705
Volunteer Schedule for January/February 2016
Date
Lay Assistant
Audio
Greeters
Jan. 3
Lisa Bailey
Tim Harris
Becky Morgan &
Judy McCurdy
Jan. 10
Joe Bowman
Rachael
Stevens
Pam Hardee &
Olive Martin
Jan. 17
Marc Johnson
Billy Cuthrell
Tom & Stella
Martin
Jan. 24
Kasey Oldham
Jan. 31
Feb. 7
Deb Park
Hulon Perry
Kevin Dale
Tim Harris
Leeanne Stanton
& Olive Martin
Becky Morgan
& Judy McCurdy
Rachael
Stevens
Pam Hardee &
Olive Martin
Feb. 14
Tammy
Strickland
Billy Cuthrell
Tom & Stella
Martin
Feb. 21
Leann Dale
Kevin Dale
Olive Martin &
Leeanne Stanton
Feb. 28
David Meyers
Tim Harris
Becky Morgan
& Judy McCurdy
Usher____
Gary Hardee,
Mike Smithson,
Ron Oldham,
Dane Oldham
Steve Buus,
Bob Morgan,
Phil Kirk, Al Cates
Mark & Becky
Abate
Ed & Barb Sneade
Don Agee,
Leeanne Stanton,
David Meyers
Doug Petrey
Tommy Crawford,
Craig Carnes,
Rich Warner
Ron Hall
Gary Hardee,
Mike Smithson
Ron Oldham,
Dane Oldham
Steve Buus,
Bob Morgan
Phil Kirk, Al Cates
Mark & Becky
Abate
Ed & Barb Sneade
Don Agee,
Leeanne Stanton,
David Meyers
Doug Petrey
Lay Assistants and Audio: Please arrive by 10:30 a.m. for sound check.
Finance
Elders Hugh Cashion &Judy McCurdy
Offering Envelopes are Ready!!
Please pick up your box of offering envelopes - they are in the back of
the sanctuary and are in alphabetical order. If you are able to take a box to a
shut-in, that would help cut down on mailing expenses. Most important, don't
forget to use them!!
If you did not yet turn in a pledge card you still can! Blank forms are
available on the ushers' table. Just fill it out and put it in the offering plate.
If you turned in a pledge, THANK YOU for supporting your church staff,
programs and activities as well as pay the usual bills.
FINANCIAL REPORT FOR DECEMBER 2015
Look for the year end report in Covenant
Connections and the bulletin. It will also be in
February's newsletter.
Heritage Fund December Update
Received in December $ 2,445
Year to Date $20,263
Mortgage Balance as of end of December - $1,161,194
GROCERY GIFT CARDS - ALWAYS AVAILABLE!
When you buy a gift card for either Lowes Food's or Food Lion, it has
lots of advantages. You can keep it in your wallet and not carry lots of cash
when shopping. You can give it to someone as a thank you gift. You can give
it to the Food Pantry so that neighbors with limited or no resources can use it
to by fresh produce, meat and other items not available at the pantry.
Best of all, when you buy & use the gift cards, the store give a
percentage back to our church. Little by little it adds up!
You can purchase cards in the Narthex on Sunday after worship or in
the church office during the week. Cards come in $25, $50, $100 and $200
amounts. They do not expire and you don't have to use them all at once. Be
sure to pick a couple up this week!
Christian Education
January Birthdays
Elders Jennifer Cuthrell & Becky Abate
"Train a child in the way he should go, and when
he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6
JANUARY IS A TIME OF NEW BEGINNINGS!
If you have not been attending Sunday School, this is a great time to
give it a try. Classes for children of all ages begin at 10 a.m. in the Education
Building. Three adult classes begin at 9:30 a.m. - the men's Stomp & Holler
Class and The Underhill class in the Education Building and the Serendipity
Class in the Session Room. There is a 9:30 Muffins & Movies class for
youngsters whose adults want to go to a 9:30 class. It lasts until regular
classes begin at 10 a.m. The Wired Word adult class begins at 10 a.m. and
discusses current events in light of our Christian faith. The topic is emailed to
class members. See Claude for more information.
HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THE NEW STAR WARS MOVIE???
It is hard to miss! We don't have the latest release
but we will enjoy an earlier episode on January 23rd at
6:00 p.m. Popcorn and beverage are provided. If you
would like, come as your favorite Star Wars character!
.
YOUTH DINNERS - 2016
The sign up sheet for 2016 is on the bulletin board. Providing dinner for
the youth on Sunday evening is a great way to support our youth AND their
hard-working leaders. A simple meal for about 15 hungry people - they love
pasta, pizza, hot dogs, etc. - is needed. Paper products are available. Meals
should be ready at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday's in the Education Building kitchen.
Staying to share the meal with the youth is a great way to get to know these
great young people - and a lot of fun.
If you can't provide a meal, providing
financial help to purchase pizza on nights when
no one has signed up is very helpful.
Our youth leaders give their time and
talents to nurture the future of our church.
Let's give them our support!!
Jan. 2
Susie Alden, Sarah Tiller
Jan. 5
Claude Wilson-Stayton
Jan. 10
Mercedez Sanderson
Jan. 11
Mark Byrd
Jan. 12
Anne Strickland
Sarah Strickland
Bonnie Hood
Jan. 18
Jan. 20 Megan Buus
Jan. 21
Jan. 25 Nancy Koziak
Rhone Oldham
Tessa Perry
Jan. 26 Doug Petrey
Jan. 27
Jan. 28
Colleen Kopp
David Kopp
DeAndra Field
Jan. 29
Alisha Turner
Jan. 31
Cindy Bazemore
Darla McClaren
Ronica VanGelder
Jan. 22 Anne Lanzi Schweitzer
Jan. 24 Judy Shotts
Amy Stevens
January Anniversaries
Jan. 4 Norm & Mary Moak
Jan. 18 Ed & Barb Sneade
Jan. 30 Roger & Betty June Dale
NOTE: If your special day is not listed, (or is incorrect) please let
the office know so we can set the record straight.
Congregational Care
LIFE LINE SCREENING ON FEBRUARY 2, 2016
Once again Covenant is hosting Life Line Screening, a leading provider
of community-based preventive health screenings, on February 2, 2016 in
Fellowship Hall. The screenings offered are frequently not covered by
insurance but provide important information which is sent to the primary care
provider.
Five non-invasive and painless health screenings
will be offered. They scan for potential health problems
related to: blocked arteries which is a leading cause of
stroke; abdominal aortic aneurysms which can lead to a
ruptured aorta; hardening of the arteries in the legs
which is a strong predictor of heart disease; atrial
fibrillation or irregular heart beat which is closely tied to stroke risk; and a bone
density screening, for men and women, used to assess the risk of
osteoporosis.
The screenings take 60 to 90 minutes to complete. A Wellness Package
includes four vascular tests and osteoporosis screening for $149, however, we
receive a $10 discount.
In order to register for this event and to receive a $10 discount off
any package priced above $129, please call 1-888-653-6441 or visit
www.lifelinescreening.com/community-partners.
Elders Kimberly Stevens & Paula Perry
HAVE YOU SIGNED UP YET??
EIGHT AT EIGHT
Join a group to meet about once a month
to share a meal and friendship.
The group chooses the time & place.
Use the forms available at the church or
send an email to Kimberly Stevens at
jkstvns6@gmail.com (or the church office)
with your name(s), contact info, and any food allergies.
BUT HURRY! Deadline is January 10th and lists will be
distributed on January 17th!
First Sunday Fellowship
Sunday, Jan. 3rd
The Stomp & Holler Men's Class is hosting Sunday fellowship this
month. Join them immediately after worship on the first Sunday of 2016.
And sign up to sponsor a Sunday with your family or group. The sign up sheet
is on the bulletin boards.
First Wednesday Dinner
Wednesday, Jan. 6th
Are you feeling a little CHILI???
Don't turn on the stove! The ladies are serving chili, salad
(onions & tomatoes on the side) and desserts at 6:30 p.m.
Bring the family, your appetite and a little something for the
donation jar.
Men’s Breakfast
Sunday, Jan. 17
The coffee is hot and good. The food is always great. All men of the
church are welcome. Breakfast is served at 8:30 a.m. on the third Sunday of
the month - January 17th.
Breakfast Fellowship
Monday, Jan. 4 & 11
The Clayton group will meet at Jones Café, 415 E. Main St. in Clayton at
9:30 a.m. on Jan. 4th and the Zebulon group will meet at 9:30 a.m. at McLean's
in Zebulon on Jan. 11. EVERYONE is welcome – you can even go to both
groups!
Prayer Shawl
The knitters meet at 5:00 p.m. on the third Sunday of the month and
create shawls & throws for comfort in time of need. New
members welcome! No need to be an expert; experienced
Knitters are happy to help and share patterns. Yarn and some
needles are available. Call Peggy Fink for more information or
if you know of someone who could use a shawl.
Join a special care ministry
(Contact Kimberly Stevens at 919-269-3881 or Paula Perry at 919-2690057 for more information.)
Care Team Ministry is a team of folks who assist the pastor in
visiting home bound and hospitalized members and reaching out to visitors.
We meet on the second Wednesday of the month in the session room at 10:30
a.m. Talk to Claude if you are interested in this group.
Martha’s Ministry provides meals in time of need.
If having a meal delivered would give you a lift,
please let the church office know (919-365-7979). This
may be due to illness, stress, or any other reason. If you are
able to help prepare and/or deliver meals, please call Paula or Kimberly.
Handy Hands is a group of people available to help with home
repairs and chores for those who find it difficult to manage themselves.
Presbyterian Women
Judy Shotts
The Christmas Party was a wonderful time of fellowship and food. We
shared “memories and traditions” from our families, it was a great way to get to
know one another better. We also had a Christmas devotion about “The
Legend of the Christmas Prayer” by Brian Morgan. We were challenged to
read a “Christmas prayer” each day and to read the Bible verse related to the
prayer. (A printed sheet with prayers for each of the twelve days and the Bible
verses was given to all.) Door prizes
and dessert ended a wonderful evening. Hope you didn't miss it!
The next Presbyterian Women’s meeting is Tuesday
January 26 at 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. We will continue our study of “Bad
Girls of the Bible”, our next bad girl is Lot’s Wife.
Come join us. If you have any questions or need a ride
call Judy Shotts 919-366-0849.
Joys and Concerns
SYMPATHY
Prayers and sympathy to Rodney, Dorine,
and James Newton
on the death of Rodney's grandmother.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Graduation on December 19th
Leah Frances Cauley
UNC Charlotte. - BA in Dance,
Certificate of Professional Training - Charlotte Ballet
THANKS
From Lisa Cauley (Leah's mother)
Thank you for supporting Leah through this journey!
Miss you all!
A note was received from T. J. Tucker who played trumpet for the worship
service on December 13, 2015. Wanda, Jeff and the choir contributed to a
gift to help with his goal of purchasing a new trumpet.
"Thank you so much. This gave me the opportunity to get
myself out there and do what I do. I really felt accepted at this
church compared to the others I played at. Along with that, a
huge thanks to everyone that donated and improved my pay.
Since I'm not old enough for a job, income typically isn't coming
in at all. Today's pay normally would've taken me 6 months to
save for my trumpet/college fund.
I just want all of you to understand how much I appreciate
what was done for me
T.J. Tucker
COVENANT CONCERT SERIES
FIRST CONCERT OF 2016
JANUARY 17TH AT 7:00 p.m.
GRAINS OF TIME
NC STATE A CAPELLA MEN'S GROUP
SINCE 1968
Mission/Outreach
Elders Annette Kirk & Leta Thornton
THE JESSE TREE - RECAP
The Jesse Tree project was the theme for Advent in
2015. This joint project of the Mission/Outreach and
Christian Education Committees took a lot of planning, time and talent!
A group of talented ladies hand made ornaments for 50 kits. That
comes to a total of 1,250 ornaments telling Bible stories from creation till Jesus
birth. Most materials were donated but 50 devotional books and 50 plastic
boxes to package the kits were purchased.
Twenty-four of the kits were given to families of children
active in church programs. Others were given to ornament
creators and donated to the silent auction. Others were sold at
$40 each and the proceeds more than covered the cost of
making the kits. The kits will be keepsakes for years to come as
families retell the story year after year. Two kits remain unsold.
If you would like to purchase one of them, contact Linda Berry
(lberry61@hotmail.com).
THANK YOU to the Mission Outreach and Christian
Education Committees, everyone who helped and especially
to Alli Buus who suggested and led this wonderful project!
FOOD PANTRY:Focus for January:
Let's start the New Year with Breakfast! Boxes of cereal, pancake
mix, syrup, biscuit mix, etc. will get the day off to a good beginning. Leave your
donations in the boxes in the Narthex. Of course, any non-perishable food is
welcome and so are grocery gift cards which help purchase fruit, milk, meat
and other perishable items. The Wendell Council of Churches Food Pantry is
located in the United Methodist Church.
BACKPACK BUDDY PROGRAM - CARVER SCHOOL
Our donations of light-weight food is taken home on Fridays by
youngsters whose families are below the poverty level and who may not have
enough food to get through the weekend. Light-weight because the food must
fit into a backpack and be carried by a child. This occurs EVERY WEEK, so
when doing your weekly shopping, remember to pick up something for the bin
in the copy room. Lists of suggested items are on the bulletin boards.
Session News
Lectionary for January 2016
Second Sunday after Christmas—January 3, 2016
NEW COMMITTEE CHAIRS ASSIGNED
With the New Year and new Session members, we have some new
chairs for committees:
Worship: David Meyers (chair) & Carol Rich
Stewardship/Finance: Hugh Cashion (chair) & Judy McCurdy
Congregational Care: Kimberly Stevens (chair) & Paula Perry
Mission/Outreach: Annette Kirk (chair) & Leta Thornton
Christian Ed: Jennifer Cuthrell (chair) & Becky Abate
Property: Tommy Crawford (chair) & Pete Dunlow
Our committees are always looking for new members and new ideas. If
you are interested in joining a committee, contact one of the Committee Chairs
or let the church office know and we will pass the information on to the correct
people. Please keep the Session members in your prayers as they assume
their duties.
Jeremiah 31:7–14
Psalm 147:12–20
Ephesians 1:3–14
John 1:(1–9) 10–18
Epiphany of the Lord—Wednesday - January 6
Isaiah 60:1–6
Psalm 72:1–7, 10–14
Ephesians 3:1–12
Matthew 2:1–12
Baptism of the Lord—January 10
Isaiah 43:1–7
Psalm 29
Acts 8:14–17
Luke 3:15–17, 21–22
Second Sunday after the Epiphany—January 17
Isaiah 62:1–5
Psalm 36:5–10
1 Corinthians 12:1–11
John 2:1–11
Third Sunday after the Epiphany—January 24
.
UNSUNG HEROES
Did you notice how neat and trim the grounds
around Fellowship Hall look? Thank you to Pete and
Barbara Dunlow who trimmed the bushes and to
Tommy Crawford who spread pine straw to spruce up the area! THANKS!
THANKS ALSO to Mary Jo and Hugh Cashion who change the church
sign on S. Selma Rd. so that everyone passing by can see special events and
know we are here! At the Christmas Cantata, several attendees said they
came because they saw it on the sign.
Nehemiah 8:1–3, 5–6, 8–10
Psalm 19
1 Corinthians 12:12–31a
Luke 4:14–21
Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany—January 31
Jeremiah 1:4–10
Psalm 71:1–6
1 Corinthians 13:1–13
Luke 4:21–30
THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS
Lay Readers
Children's Sermon
Hulon Perry
Tammy Strickland
Leann Dale
David Meyers
Lisa Bailey
Joe Bowman
Marc Johnson
Kasey Oldham
Deb Park
Mary Selke
Bob Fleming
Jennifer Carnes
Tom Martin
Eb Strickland
Don Mailliard
Greeter Teams
Pam Hardee & Olive Martin
John & Judy Shotts
Tom & Stella Martin
Olive Martin & Leeanne Stanton
Becky Morgan & Judy McCurdy
Audio
Tim Harris
Rachael Stevens
Billy Cuthrell
Kevin Dale
NEW
YEAR!!
Usher Teams
Gary Hardee, Mike Smithson, Ron Oldham, Dane Oldham
Steve Buus, Al Cates, Bob Morgan, Phil Kirk
Ed & Barb Sneade, Mark & Becky Abate
Don Agee, Doug Petrey, Leeanne Stanton, David Meyers
Tommy Crawford, Craig Carnes, Rich Warner, Ron Hall
Jeannie Driver
Nursery
Carrie Petrosky
Rae Dunn
Robin Harris
Alli Buus
Stella Martin
Pam Hardee
Ruth Crawford
HAPPY
Acolyte
Caroline Byrd
Emma Buus
Megan Buus
Dylan Haswell
Nick Abate
Thank you for your dedication and service to Covenant.
Would you like to help with one (or more) of these groups?
If so, please email the church office: secty1@raleigh.twcbc.com
MAY THE NEW YEAR
BRING YOU
JOY AND PEACE
AND GOD'S
RICHEST BLESSINGS
January 2016
11:00 a.m. Worship Service
10:00 a.m. Wired Word Class
9:30 a.m. Adult Sunday School
10:00 a.m. Children and youth Sunday School
9:30 to 10:00 a.m. Muffins & Movies
5:30 p.m. Youth Groups
Joyful Noise Choir follows worship
Sun
Mon
Tue
3
12:15 p.m. First
Sun. Fellowship
5:00 p.m.
Worship Com.
4
9:30 a.m.
Breakfast
Fellowship Clayton
6:30 p.m.
Girl Scouts
10
Communion
11
9:30 a.m.
Breakfast
Fellowship Zebulon
6:30 p.m.
Girl Scouts
6:30 p.m.
Wendell
Perennial
Garden
Club
5:30 Mission/
Outreach
6:00 Property
7:00 Session
Recycling
Pick up.
17
18
8:30 a.m.
Men's Breakfast
11:00 a.m.
Children's
Program
5:00 p.m.
Prayer Shawl
7:00 p.m.
"Grains of Time"
concert
24
12:15 p.m.
Congregational
Care
6:30 p.m.
Girl Scouts
6:00 p.m.
CE Mtg.
25
6:30 p.m.
Girl Scouts
Recycling
Pick up.
31
Pennies for
Hunger
Wed
Thu
5 EPHIPHANY 6
10:00 a.m.
Women's
Bible Study
6:30 p.m.
Girl Scouts
12
10:00 a.m.
Women's
Bible Study
6:30 p.m.
Girl Scouts
19
10:00 a.m.
Women's
Bible Study
6:00 p.m.
Girl Scouts
26
10:00 a.m.
Women's
Bible Study
6:30 p.m.
Girl Scouts
7:00 p.m.
Presbyterian
Women
6:30 p.m. First
Wed. Dinner
7:30 p.m. Choir
practice
8:00 p.m. AA
13
Fri
7
1
2
8
9
15
16
6:30 p.m.
Finance
Com
14
10:30 a.m.
Care Team
7:30 p.m. Choir
practice
8:00 p.m. AA
20
Sat
Girl Scout Sleep Over
4 p.m.
To 11:00 a.m.
21
22
7:30 p.m. Choir
practice
8:00 p.m. AA
27
7:30 p.m. Choir
practice
8:00 p.m. AA
23
6:00 p.m.
Movie Night
STAR WARS
28
29
30