Thursday, July 24, 2014

This Sunday, July 27, 2014
 
This Sunday, July 27:   
Traditional Worship Services
8:30am & 11:00am, Sanctuary
Don't Even Know What to Pray For 
Tracy Keenan preaching
 
Forum  in the Lounge 

Church After Karen: What the Coming Year Looks Like, Tracy 


Alternative Gathering Service
10:00am, Fellowship Hall  

I Need an OT Fix 

Katie preaching

 
 
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In the Hospital
-Don Luther is at OSU Med. Center.
- Judy Gray (Bobbie Gier's mother) is at OSU Med. Center.
- Chuch Veverka is at Riverside.
- Bonnie Mitchell is at OSU East.

Prayer Request
Robert Spencer
Joan Spencer 
Dianne Annis
Claire Hamilton
Bev Schmidt
Judy Gray
Dan & Myrna Dupler
Juliana Graves
Amy Albert
Jerome Dillon
Natalie
Don Rorapaugh
Greer Rouda
Ethel Thomas
Alta Moser 
Alexa Hobbs
Jenny Ryan
Janet Bartels
Bill Mitchell
Polly Morrison
Rikki Graves
Madison Hanosek
Larry Limes
Rev. Curtis Miller
Whitney Von Voigt
Steve White 
Yvonne Nowels
Judy Gallagher
Jacob Patterson
Homebound / Limited Mobility 
Bill Miller
Bob Bartels   
Peggy Dinger
Stan Erikson
Phyllis Flaig
Manette Friske
Jack Lyons
Alice Patton
Leona Rapp
Judy Sechler    
Marvin White
Mary Jo Bayer 
Keep us updated on those who wish be on the prayer list. Call the office (451-6677) or email JP when you want a name added or removed; New names will appear near the top of the list for one month. If you'd like the name to remain on the list after that, call the office.  
 
YOUR DEACONS 
Deacons invite the congregation to participate in 
occasional and one-time services to our members. Contact Donna Harder, 847-6039, [email protected] or Carol Petro, 485-0994, [email protected].
 
- Be a part of communion service support to the congregation the first Sunday of every month. Contact Deacon Tim Scott, [email protected]
- Pray for someone. 
- Prepare all or a part of meal.  
- Provide a ride to church or an appt. 
- Help serve breakfast at Ronald McDonald House 
- Participate in the Mid-Ohio Food Bank.
 
Also, If you know a member with a need, or for more information contact Carol Petro, 485-0994, jpetroball@ao,com. 

Deacons serve breakfast at Ronald McDonald House the first Sat. of each month. Contact a deacon below. 
Moderator, Pete LuPiba 
2014 
Christy Charlton, Peggy Hicks,  
Pete LuPiba, Andrew Patterson, Janice Schaefer, Gina Spicer, Lisa Swartz 
2015 
Charlie Bergmann, Gail Griffin, Donna Harder, Katy Nowels Fair, Bonnie James, Carol Petro, Tom Ulry 
2016 
Milissa Campbell, Bobbie Gier, Bob Lowery, Cathleen McComas, Rusty Miller, Tim Scott, Sharon Steingass 
Youth Deacons 2014 
Charlotte Gross, Charlie Vazquez
 
OPPORTUNITIES:
SOS Food Pantry Sundays
Every 1st Sunday of the month Bring non-perishable foods to be distributed to families in need. 
     Anytime: Bring in your favorite brands of mac and cheese, baked beans, tuna, and peanut butter and jelly. Donations can be placed in the SOS bin at the North entrance of the church. The SOS Food Pantry, which delivers to homebound households in need, is funded solely by your contributions.  It is not a part of the church budget. Thank you for your continued donations of food and money to purchase perishables. Checks can be made out to the church and mailed in or dropped in the offering plate. Note SOS in the memo line.  For info about SOS Sundays, the pantry or to volunteer to make deliveries when you can, contact Lou Ann Doub 488-3919 or Gerlinde Lott 486-8607. 
 

Seeds of Hope Community GardenThis year many of the seeds were started at home so that we could plant specific varieties. Work also has been started on a fruit orchard for apple trees and berries. There are several new volunteers this year, including John Griffin. So, keep your fingers crossed and your eyes on the Garden as this mission activity of Covenant continues to provide nutritious, organic food to local food pantries and those in need. If you have questions, suggestions, or wish to help, contact Bob Tannehill, 488-7587, [email protected].

 

Calling all knitters and those who crochet - The Creative Hearts and Hands and Prayer Shawl circles ask your help in knitting pocket prayer shawls for those working on rescue and those who have suffered loss in the mudslide in Washington. These small squares take under an hour to make. Check the church office for directions or call Gail Griffin, 457-2346.


Open Shelter
Help prepare, deliver, serve or contribute cookies/brownies for the homeless. Guaranteed  to be rewarding. Contact Carol Petro 485-0994, [email protected]
- To help prepare a meal for a member who is in need due to illness or death in the family, contact any Deacon. 
- Salt & Light opportunities. See the hall board.
 
Covenant Collections: 

There are baskets on shelves in the hallway marked for collection of eyeglasses.

They will be taken to LensCrafters to use in their mission to help others. 

Also, shelving in the coat racks has other collection bins. 

 
Need a Ride? CARES Program
For transportation to church, doctor appointment, etc., call Jay McLean, 209-7314 

 
For information about the latest news pertaining to the Presbyterian denomination, click here:  Presbytery of Scioto Valley  
 
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new tracy
Tracy Keenan

Dear Covenant friends and family,

    All week the church has been filled with children - singing, calling, playing, dancing, play-grounding, yoga-ing, laughing, helping, snacking, Bible-versing, tenting, crafting, befriending children!   A little crazy, a lot beautiful, and so many adults and teenagers working (and also playing) to make it all happen makes for a week where it's hard to think there are ever times when God's love seems distant or even non-existent.

     Just as joy fills our halls and hearts at times, there are also times in life when heaviness presses in and we can't see the light. It's in those dry, desiccated times when faith is scarce and fear runs rampant that some of those Bible verses, well-memorized or simply stumbled across, can bring peace to the quaking soul.  My favorite passage for such times is Romans 8:26-39; it has carried me through times of deep sorrow or pain.

     First of all, it removes the pressure of trying to know how to pray and what to pray for.  When prayer seems like just another thing at which to fail, along comes the Apostle Paul recommending that the Spirit act through our "sighs too deep for words" to connect us to the Giver of Peace.  When every circumstance seems worse than the last, Paul points out that nothing (followed by a practically exhaustive list), but nothing can keep God's love away from us.

     It can be hard to remember that.  Not so hard when the air is filled with the sound of children's helium voices, but when life presses in, the remembering can feel like grasping at wind.  Remembering is important to Christians.  Not the facts and chronologies, names and chapter-verse-type things, but remembering that God is a God who is faithful and has brought the people out of wilderness and oppression again and again since wilderness and oppression have existed.  Psalm 105:1-11, 45b is all about remembering that.

     Join us on Sunday as we celebrate God's steadfast love with the jazz piano praise of Dave Powers and the VBS children singing! Katie is preaching at Gathering on "I Need an OT Fix" and I will be speaking at Forum on "Church After Karen: our plans for staffing and ministry in the coming year."  

 

Grace and peace,

 

Tracy

 
xKaren
Karen
Dear Covenant Friends,
     It is with great sadness and an abiding hope that I announce I am moving on to serve God and the Church as the pastor of Faith Presbyterian Church in Greensboro, North Carolina. My husband Rob is finishing his interim work at Hilliard Presbyterian and has accepted a call to be the pastor of Community in Christ, Presbyterian in Greensboro.
     We have felt God's hand upon us throughout our ministry and especially as Rob began interim work at Hilliard. We knew a new beginning was coming, and feel blessed to be called to two churches in the same city. This will not be an easy move, but I am looking forward to working part time and spending more time with my family. We still have time for goodbyes and hugs and smooth transitions since we are not moving until the end of July, but I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude and love for you all.
     When I came to Covenant six years ago, bright eyed and eager to begin my first call to ministry, you welcomed me into this strong, vibrant, and caring community. You trusted my guidance for the youth program, and helped me find my voice as a preacher and a pastor. You encouraged me to explore new ways to worship and creative outlets for prayer. You worked with the staff to support and create the Gathering service - a glorious blend of powerful music, visual liturgy, interactive prayers, and teaching that brings the scriptures to life. I believe this service is strong and has great potential to impact this community.
     As my family grew, you embraced Gracie and Jake with open arms. You've taught them all about God's love through your love and care - by singing, dancing, playing, teaching, rocking, and walking them all over this church. At Covenant Presbyterian, my children learned that church is really fun! It is full of people who love you, good books, cool toys, and all the craft supplies you could ever need! These are especially vital things for pastor's kids to know (because they'll be spending a lot of time at church) but I believe we all seek a community who will laugh with us, create with us, cry with us, and help us grow. You are such a community, such a church.
     It has been a great blessing to journey with you. I know that God will guide you through this time of transition as you seek to respond to the need in the world, in the need in our community, and the need in every human heart with energy, intelligence, imagination and love.
Grace and peace,
Karen
      Remember, I'll still be with you until the end of July and I'd love to take a moment to tell you in person how wonderful you are and how much you mean to me. Stop by, give me a call, or send an email. 
 
This Sunday, July 27
 
Montreat Youth Conference - High School July 27-Aug. 2
Youth are part of a Presbytery group traveling to Montreat, NC for this world famous youth conference! 
 
Do you tweet? 
 Don't miss the fun @CovenantGather. We live tweet some of our services and share other interesting and important updates. Search for us at #covenantcbus and follow Tracy - @TR_Keenan

Follow Puppet on Twitter - Puppet, famous for talks with children on Sunday mornings, now has a Twitter account.  You can find and "follow" Puppet @Puppet2070. Stay in touch!

 

Flowers by the chancel are from Dick and Betsy Campbell, Linda, Lisa, and Mark in loving memory of Alice Campbell. 
 
Hymns
No. 452  "O Day of God, Draw Nigh" 
No. 369  "I'm Gonna Live So God Can Use Me"
 
Musicians: Dave Powers, Piano; VBS Children
 
SUNDAY MORNING
Adults 
     8:30am    Worship in the Courtyard
     9:45am    Forum, Lounge: Church After Karen: What the Coming Year Looks Like. Tracy
    10:00am   Gathering, Fellowship Hall,  Need an OT Fix. Katie
    11:00am    Worship in the Sanctuary
Children - ages 3 years - 6th grade 
      9:45am    Welcome and Gathering in Fellow. Hall
    10:20am    Treasure Finders (Sunday school)            
    10:55am    Dismissal from classrooms
     12:00pm   Ice Cream, Hallway
and/or 
    11:00am    Worship in the Sanctuary
    11:20am    Talk with Children and then dismissal
    11:35am    Wiggle Worship
    12:00pm    Dismissal from rm. 112 
Youth
10:00am    Youth @ Gathering, Fellowship Hall - Meet friends and youth leaders. Worship with some rockin' music, interactive messages, prayer stations, and a casual atmosphere. 
 
Stephen Ministers - After each worship service Stephen Ministers go to the front of the sanctuary to pray with anyone who desires it.  If you want to discuss something, you can then go to a more private place, or you can simply stay there and share a prayer. Stephen Ministers are trained listeners who have committed themselves to compassionate caring and praying for others.   
 
SUNDAY AFTERNOON & EVENING

 

No Youth Fellowship

Bible Study, 6:30pm, rm. 120 - Join us as we study Exodus and Israel's move from bondage to Pharaoh to bonding with God. Contact Lisa Wallace or Colleen Davis 766-4871. 
 
EVENTS & NEWS 
For more about Covenant events, mission opportunities, and things to know for adults, youth and children, visit  www.covenantpcusa.org

  

Covenant + Columbus Schools = Books on the Bus
A HUGE SUCCESS....with more to come!
WOW! Covenant folks contributed 852 children's books and area neighbors donated 1,234! Empty bags and program info was distributed to nearby residents a few weeks ago asking them to fill the bags with books for this Columbus City Schools reading effort that Covenant is supporting. And neighbors really responded! Another distribution to other neighborhoods is planned for Sat., Aug. 16 with books then to be picked up Sat., Aug. 23. To get involved with this inspiring educational endeavor, contact Jeff DuBois. 

 

Habitat for Humanity - This year's house will be located at 1502 Duxberry Ave. It is going to be a three bedroom unit and building takes place on Thursdays and Saturdays. All you need is a hammer and a nail apron. For more info, call Dave Fecht, 451-9770.   

PRESCHOOL Registration 
School is out for the summer, but it's time to sign up for fall! Young children who will be 3 years old by Dec. 30 are invited to enroll 2 or 3 mornings a week. Children entering kindergarten in 2015 can attend up to 4 mornings a week. Our high-quality licensed program has small classes and low teacher/student ratios. Visit our web page www.covenantpcusa.org/covenant-preschool.html to find out more and download an application. Contact Caroline McGeoch at [email protected] to ask questions or schedule a visit.

  

Preschool is looking for a part-time teacher for the 2014-2015 school year: 3 mornings, 12 hours per week, between 8:30am and 12:30pm. Candidates must have experience teaching and supervising young children in a classroom environment. A degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development is preferred. Required: FBI and BCI background check, certification in First Aid, CPR, Recognizing and Managing Communicable Diseases, and Child Abuse Prevention before beginning work in September. Contact Caroline McGeoch, Preschool Director, 451-6677 x23 [email protected]
  
 Covenant has a new Blog on our web site. 
 Join in from www.covenantpcusa.org.

  

WEEK OF July 28-August 3
BYOB&�L (Bring Your Own Bible/Lunch),Tues., July 29, 12:00pm, Rm 120  - Discuss Aug. 3 scripture: Matthew 14:13-21, Moved to Compassion. Katie preaching, but Tracy leading discussion this week.

  

Centering Prayer , Mon., Tues., Wed., thru Aug. 13, 8:30am, Lounge  - Taste and see that the Lord is good. Learn the easy method of being still and basking in God's love and then grow deeper into the practice and become more aware of God's love. Questions? See Katie Kinnison, Sandy Tullett, Jeanie Auseon, Cora Kuyvenhoven or Todd Cameron.
 
SOS Food Pantry Sunday, Every 1st Sunday of the month please bring non-perishable foods to be distributed to families in need. Contact Lou Ann Doub, 488-3919, or Gerlinde Lott, 486-8607 for info. 
 
bible.jpg
Wed. Night Bible Study: The Gospel of Matthew
 7pm, Lounge, led by Katie Kinnison 
Learn about the life of Jesus and how his life informs our living. Be part of this community digging into the scriptures together to listen for the Word of God so that we might lead lives of freedom and power the Spirit wills for us.

 

Joy Gym Continues Throughout the Summer
Fridays, 9:30-11am, Fellowship Hall
Little ones play in a safe place with riding toys, balls and running/crawling room. Coffee/refreshments for grownups. 

  

WEEK OF Aug. 4-10
Forum, Sun., Aug. 3, 10am

Gathering, Sun., Aug. 3, 10am
 
Young Adult/College Theology Pub
Wed., Aug. 6, 7:30pm, Rusty Bucket, Lane Ave. Food, friends and faith. Reconnect with Covenant folks home for the summer and meet new friends! You needn't be 21; There will be plenty of folks who are not drinking alcohol.

parents night out Parents Night Out, Fri., Aug. 8, 6-9pm 
 Children get dinner, games, a movie, crafts and fun. Parents get a night out to enjoy one another and have their own fun! No charge; Donations accepted. RSVP Katie. 
 

  

WEEK OF Aug. 11+

1st Annual Pet Blessing & Ice Cream Social - Wed., Aug.13, 7pm 
Dogs, cats, and other pets - furry, non-furry, small and large - are all welcome. If your pet is unable to come, bring a picture so he/she may be blessed in absentia. If your beloved pet is no longer with you, a special area will be set up in the courtyard to remember your pet. Write a favorite memory and bring a picture to place on our memory wall. There will be ice cream for the humans, and samples of pet food provided by PetPeople. The Ohio SPCA will have an info booth showing all the ways they take care of God's creatures. Please bring a monetary donation and/or something from their list: hay and horse grain, HE laundry detergent, clumping litter, canned cat food (fancy feast or 9 lives)  gas cards, towels, old blankets, comforters (no afghans), cat and dog toys, horse halters and lead ropes, Tractor Supply Company gift cards. We are excited to spend some time with you and your pets! 
 
2014 Covenant Block Party, Sept. 7, 12-2pm
Food, games, bounce house, music, fellowship! Volunteer sheets are available between services in August. Contact Terri Hayes or Jim Buchanan.

Open Shelter Dinner Opportunities
The next meals Covenant will prepare for the Open Shelter will be Mon., Sept 29 and Thurs., Oct. 30. If anyone would like to provide cookies, brownies or breads, they would be appreciated. Please bring to the church kitchen by 3pm those days. Questions? Contact Carol Petro - [email protected], 614-485-0994.

Spiritual Cinema
3rd Monday each month, 6:30-9 pm, Lounge
Watch a movie and share your reactions and find nourishment for our souls. Each movie is a jumping-off point for discussion about life and faith. We use subtitles.
- August 18 - No film
- September 15 - Quartet (2013) Beecham House is abuzz. Rumor is that the home for retired musicians is soon to get a new resident: A star. Reginald (Tom Courtenay), Wilfred (Billy Connolly) and Cecily (Pauline Collins) are in for a shock when the new arrival turns out to be their former singing partner, Jean Horton (Maggie Smith).
Contact Beth Askue 459-1445 or Susan Imel 262-7444 for information.