January 22, 2010
Dear Covenant Kin,
EEWWWW!!! Snow can be quite beautiful when its fluffy and white and you don’t have to drive in it, but today it’s just nasty. Hope you’re staying warm and safe. Here’s what’s happening around the church:

ABOUT SUNDAY
Worship
The scripture readings for this Sunday are Exodus 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 5:12-15; Leviticus 25:1-7; Mark 2:23-28. The sermon is titled “Sabbath and Simplicity.”

The Annual Congregational Meeting & Potluck
will be held on Sunday, January 24, 2010 immediately following the 11:00 AM worship service. The purpose of the meeting is to receive the 2009 Annual Report, receive the 2010 Budget as approved by Session, review the adequacy of compensation for the Pastor and Associate Pastor, and to elect members for the Congregational Nominating Committee.

Please bring a dish to share for the potluck following the meeting.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Youth News
Jan. 24th—NO YOUTH—church wide potluck
Jan. 24th—Sr. High Retreat Registration Due!!!
Jan. 28th--Confirmation Class 4:15-5:30
Jan. 31st—Youth Group (Swing Lessons?) 12-3:00pm

NO YOUTH GROUP--due to the congregational meeting and potluck at 12 pm this Sunday, we will not be having Youth Group, but please come for the meeting as most of you are voting members of the congregation!

Telephone Directories
We are planning on printing new phone directories in February. Toward that end, please check the listing on the table in the Narthex and correct any information on your address, various phone numbers, and email addresses (and for your children). You can also call the office to review your information.

Sunday School Teachers
We will be having Sign-ups for Spring Sunday School Teachers during the month of January so please prayerfully consider serving the children of Covenant.

Covenant Has Talent
As part of our ongoing efforts to help fund the youth heading off to Triennium, we will be hosting a church-wide Talent Show on Sunday, March 7th at 6:00 PM. If you would be interested in participating, sign up today!

Flower Ministry -- If you wish to purchase flowers for the Sanctuary, the sign up sheet is posted on the Narthex bulletin board. The cost is still $20 - mark flowers on your check. The month of January is open – so sign up today and be sure to take your flowers after the 10:30 AM service.

Per Capita
The Per Capita assessment for 2010 is $34 per member. Please mark your Per Capita payment plainly so the counters know to credit you. If you have previously picked up a box of envelopes, you will note the amount is incorrect.

Sexual Misconduct Class
This class, sponsored by the Presbytery, will be held at La Mesa Presbyterian on Friday, February 26 at 10:00 AM. Everyone involved with children or youth at Covenant needs to take this class. If you have gone to a class previously, but it has been more than 2 years, you need to attend another class. Talk with Seth for more information.

The Psalm of the Day
Join Helen Bennett in the Green Room for her class discussing the lectionary psalm of the day.

GodViews
A class based on the book GodViews will begin January 24th at the 9:45 Sunday School hour. This study will consider five different perspectives – all rooted in the Gospel – such as the Activist GodView and the Devotionalist GodView. Join Lola Blackwell in exploring these concepts. Books are available.

Dinner Groups
Once again, it’s time to shuffle our dinner groups. We encourage new members to join us at a host’s home to share a meal and get better acquainted. Fall participants will be included in spring groups. More information and registration coupons are with the envelope in the Fireside Room. Please return your coupon by January 17th. I invite you to join in the fellowship – Bob Beale 293-6701.

Dismas House
Due to a recent break-in and robbery at the women's Dismas house, the women are in need of a computer. If you have a computer you were thinking of donating, please speak with Bob Mennonna or Dan Pedrick.

The board of directors of Dismas House is in need of a treasurer. This volunteer position would include reviewing monthly bank statements and budgets and attending one executive committee meeting a month, as well as bi-monthly board meetings. The time commitment should be no more than eight hours a month, including meetings. If interested, speak with Bob Mennonna or Dan Pedrick.

Girl Scout Cookies
It is Girl Scout Cookie Time!!! Girl Scouts will be available between services to take your orders.

Sunday School Teachers
We will be having Sign-ups for Spring Sunday School Teachers during the month of January so please prayerfully consider serving the children of Covenant.

Church Women United
February 5 - 9:30 AM registration & coffee, 10:00 AM program at St. John’s United Methodist Church, 2626 Arizona NE. Remember to bring new and gently used children’s books for preschool and primary school age children for Martineztown.

MEDITATION
Keeping with our theme of Sabbath, this week our meditation comes from a book entitled, The Sabbath, by Samuel H. Dresner. Enjoy!

…Indeed, one can never truly know the inward feeling of Sabbath without the outward form. The Sabbath is not a theory to be contemplated, a concept to be debated, or an idea to be toyed with. It is a day, a day filled with hours and minutes and seconds, all of which are hallowed by the wonderful pattern of living that the nobility of the human spirit has fashioned over the course of centuries.

See you in church!

Grace and Peace,
Seth