July 3, 2009
Dear Covenanters,
What a nice, soaking rain we’re getting today! I hope that the weather won’t interfere too much with anybody’s holiday plans.

ABOUT SUNDAY
Worship
REMEMBER--THERE WILL BE NO WORSHIP AT COVENANT ON JULY
5 Special Worship on July 5
We have been invited by First Presbyterian Church to attend the Annual Independence Day Band Concert, Worship, & Picnic at Hart Park, Menaul School. This event will be held July 5th from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM. The Albuquerque Concert Band plays patriotic and big band music from 9:30 to 10:00 AM. We will worship from 10:00 to 11:00. There will be a semi-catered picnic starting at 11:00.
Each church attending is responsible to bring either a dessert or salad/side dish. If your last name begins with the letters A-M, please bring a dessert and if your last name begins with N-Z, please bring a salad/side dish. We hope to see everyone there.
The Scripture reading for worship on Sunday is Revelation 7:9-17. The sermon is titled “O, What a Foretaste.” The Rev. Mike Elliott, a dear friend of Covenant Presbyterian, will be preaching!

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
YOUTH NEWS
Youth News - Summer Schedule
July 5th Menaul School Concert and Worship
July 10th Movie Night/Hinkle Night
July 13-17th Vacation Bible School—Youth Help Lead
July 19th Ice Cream Social
July 16-31st Youth Mission Trip to Jemez
Aug. 7th Bowling/Movie Night
Aug. 23rd Water Balloon Olymipics and festival at Menaul???
Sept. 11th Fall Youth Program Begins
Sept. 13th Welcome back Sunday

Stock Certificates
The youth will be selling Stock Certificates beginning this Sunday. These will help fund the youth Mission Trip to Jemez Springs this summer where they will provide a week of VBS for the area kids. You can purchase a certificate for $10 which goes a long way in supporting the youth and also provides you with an inside glimpse of the youth mission trip without having to sleep on the floor of the Jemez Springs church!

VBS Volunteer Orientation
Next Tuesday night, July 7, there will be a VBS volunteer orientation at 7 pm. We need you all to be there. Please RSVP to Seth if you are planning on being a part of VBS and the mission trip ASAP. We have to make sure we have enough people to make this work. Thanks!

Vacation Bible School
"The Real Deal - God's Promises"
July 13-17 from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
This year we are talking about God's Covenants and will be featuring original music by Jeff Jolly. There will be crafts, games, storytelling, skits, science and discovery, and much more. Come join the fun! The cost is $20/child or $30/family.

We will need brown paper bags with handles and 70 Altoid tins. Whenever you have an empty one, please bring it in. We will also be collecting backpacks and school supplies for Sombra del Monte Elementary School. Thanks!

HELP!! The “flower lady” is running out of containers! If you have any containers you don’t need, please bring them to the church office or call Lauretta at 296-5614 and she will pick them up. NO vases or very large containers please.

Special Series - The Roots of Christian Music
The last class -- Sunday, July 12 - “The Mass as Opera” -- will be held during the Sunday School hour (9:45 10:45).

PW Mission Project
Presbyterian Women of the PCUSA are gathering in Louisville, July 11-15. Each triennium, a mission project is chosen so that that those attending and their local churches can participate. This year the project is asking churches to provide $20 gift cards from big b ox stores (Sears, K-mart, Target, etc.) that will be given to survivors of disasters here in the United States to help them put their lives back together. If you would like to participate, please buy cards in $20 increments (several can go together). At this point it would be best to send the cards to Sharon. Her address is: 71 Arroyo de Tajique, Estancia, NM 87016

Hymn Sing
It’s time to have another Hymn Sing! On August 9, during both services, we’re just going to settle in and have a good ol’ time singing! What’s your favorite hymn? Let us know! Even if it’s not in the hymnbook, let us know! We’ll try to find it! Remember that your old favorite maybe a new one to your neighbor, and20your neighbor’s old favorite may be a new one to you. We’ll try to get a good balance! Write your favorite down and put it in the offering plate; email the church office (covpresb@gmail.com) or email Seth (sethfinch@gmail.com). Catherine will be on vacation that Sunday, so don’t email her!

Oscar20Schroll’s 100th Birthday
Oscar is turning 100! And Covenant will celebrate with him in a potluck after the second service on September 6, 2009. The Schroll’s daughter, Elaine Sheldon, is hoping to collect at least 100 greeting to present to him at the celebration. Send greetings/memories/blessings her at elaine.prays@yahoo.com or by snail mail to Elaine Sheldon, 4752D Back Valley Road, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219. If you want Oscar to be able to read them, make the print large!

The Cody Unser First Step Foundation
Be sure you check out the attached file for information on Chris Schueler's production of "The Cody Unser First Step Foundation." It will show on Wednesday, July 8 at 5:45 pm at the KiMo Theater.

What’s In Your Closet Or Cupboard?
Covenant is a giving church. In fact, our Mission Statement reminds us all that we are committed to “reaching out to local and global neighbors by educating, feeding, clothing, and comforting those in need of a healing touch”. Please check out the list on the Mission page to see what you may have lurking around your house that might be of use to our neighbors in need. You will find plastic bins and tubs in the Fellowship Hall for collection of these items.

MEDITATION
As we prepare for the 4th of July and for our worship on Sunday, perhaps this prayer for our country (from our Book of Common Wo rship) will be helpful:
Almighty God,
you have given us this good land as our heritage.
Make us always remember your generosity
and constantly do your will.
Bless our land with honest industry,
sound learning,
and an honorable way of life.
Save us from violence, discord, and confusion;
from pride and arrogance,
and from every evil way.
Make us who come from many nations
with many different languages
a united people.
Defend our liberties
and give those whom we have entrusted with the authority of government
the spirit of wisdom,
that there might be justice and peace in our land.
When times are prosperous, let our hearts be thankful;
and, in troubled times, do not let our trust in you fail.
We ask all this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

See you in church!

Peace,
Catherine