ABOUT SUNDAY
Worship
The scripture readings for Sunday are Jeremiah 1:4-10 and Luke 13:10-17. The title of the sermon is "Unbent, Unbound and Set Free."

We will also have our annual “Celebration of Education” this Sunday during worship. At both services, we will ask students at all levels, teachers, administrators, nurses, therapists, crossing guards, cafeteria workers, volunteers—anyone involved with education—to stand and be recognized. Then we will pray for these very important people in our community during the school year ahead.

YOUTH NEWS
Youth Schedule--
This year, Sunday School will play an integral role in the Youth Ministry at Covenant. The expectation is that we all join together at 9:30 am on Sunday to prepare ourselves for worship and to focus on some really exciting lessons. We are planning to split into two classes for these sessions. These classes are not necessarily Jr. and Sr. High, rather, they will differ in their learning styles. Seth will lead a class that is higher energy, hands on learning; while Ed Cole and Thomas Loyd will lead a more thought provoking discussion oriented class. This gives you some options to think about how you will approach your own learning on Sunday Morning. Then the plan is to attend worship together, and we will intentionally be finding ways for you to be more involved in the leadership of worship at Covenant Presbyterian Church. After Worship, at about 12:00pm, we will split into two groups for a half hour. Those who would like to participate in Covenant Voices will go to rehearsal, while those who aren't up for singing will join Seth in a devotional reflection on the morning's worship service and help prepare any activities for Youth Group. Then we will have a quick lunch together. After lunch we will begin some activities together as the larger group. Sometimes these will be games, other times we will have mission activities, and sometimes we will have special projects. Our hope is that these changes will more closely tailor the Youth Ministry of Covenant Presbyterian Church to your needs and the needs of the whole Covenant Community.

Fall Youth Schedule
August 29 Welcome Back Sunday 9:30am-12:00pm
September 9/5 Sunday School 9:30-10:30 am 9/5 Youth Group 12:00-2:00pm
9/12 Sunday School 9:30-10:30 am 9
/11 Pie Party 2:00-6:00pm
9/12 Youth Group 12:00-2:00pm
9/19 Sunday School 9:30-10:30 am 9
/19 Noodlepalooza @ 1st Church 3:00-6:00pm
9/26 Sunday School 9:30-10:30 am
9/26 Youth Group 12:00-2:00pm

Welcome Back Sunday
Many of us know what this entails, but for those of you who don't--well--you will just have to wait and see. Plan on having breakfast together, and dress in clothes that you can play in--no fancy church duds please.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Gourmet Group Backyard BBQ
Join us August 28th at 6:00 PM at Woody and Donna Owens’ house, 12812 Cedarbrook NE, for an evening of food and fellowship. Bring table service, meat for the grill and a dish to share. BYOB. Please sign up in the Narthex so we will know how many to plan for.

Adult Sunday School
Hunter Downs will be teaching "The Case For Faith" September 5 - October 31. He will present some challenging questions so be prepared for lively discussions. The book, written by Lee Strobel, is available for $11. Makes checks payable to Covenant Presbyterian.

Women’s Book Group
The selection for this month for the Covenant Women’s Book Group is “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. It is still hard to get at the library but we have a few copies to pass around. Talk to Nancy Ramirez or Barbara Donaldson to get one.

Dinner Groups
Once again it is time to organize our fall Dinner Groups. We encourage new members to join us in groups of eight at a host’s home to share a meal and get better acquainted. Each group is to dine twice in the fall then we will reorganize into new groups and add participants for two dinners in the spring. Please complete a coupon and place it in the envelope in the Fireside Room by Sunday, Sept. 5th. Couples and pairs of single persons should use one coupon. Please join in the fellowship. Contact Bob Beale - 293-6701

Mary Ruth Circle
Our first meeting for fall is early this year – Wed. Sept 1 at 9:30 am in Fellowship Hall. Leader is Mary McGee; Lesson – Phyllis Finlayson; Devotions – Lyn Leshner; Hostesses - Carol Stocks and Ann Anderson.

EGGS, EGGS, EGGS
Well, the avalanche of egg cartons is over and we need another egg carton fall. We are ready to take some more - we prefer the smaller cartons, but will take all that come in.

It's Pie Bakers And Workers Sign-Up Day For Asbury Cafe's 50th Anniversary
Our delectable pies will once again be featured on the opening weekend, September 11th and 12th, at the New Mexico State Fair as well as September 18th and 19th. Pie kits will be available today and next week in the Fireside Room. If the dates don't coincide, we would be happy to have you make the pies and put them in our new freezer, to be baked later at the right time. We have enough cherries for all the pies needed, thanks to Dolly and Ralph Kress, and are looking for the kind person who left 40 2-cup bags of frozen strawberries in the freezer. If you know this donor, please let us know so they can be given a big vote of appreciation also. We also need WORKERS at the Cafe from 2:00-7:00 PM on Wednesday, September 15th and 8:45-2:00 on Friday, September 24th. Sign up on Sunday. Questions? Call Lyn Leshner (294-8082) or Dale MacLennan (237-1884) T-shirts and caps celebrating the Anniversary can be purchased for $15 each, as well as 50th Anniversary cook books at $8 each. All proceeds go to the Cafe, of course. The Mission Committee is most appreciative that our new Youth Elder, Sarah Cole, and her assistants helped begin our "Pie Campaign" today. We're looking forward to making more pies and having fun at the scheduled Party on Saturday, September 11th. The "Anniversary Pies" on the cart, baked by Beth Miller, Lyn and Dale will be given after worship to several members on the Prayer List.

MEDITATION
The Rev. Thom Shuman posted two poems this week, one for the beginning of school and one for the gospel reading. I think I’ll share the one for the beginning of school. I hope that it will be a helpful addition to your prayer as you prepare for worship:

leaning, leaning

i am only a little boy: my first day at school starts tomorrow; i'll be brave for my mom, and not let her see my cry; but, can i lean on you? i am only a young girl: i'll get back on the bus this week wondering if the boy who teased me last year will be in his old seat, if that group of girls who giggled behind my back will still be knotted together; so, can i lean on you? i am only a teacher, not a super hero: i have good days and rotten mornings; i have tears shimmering in my eyes behind the happy face i wear every day; can i lean on you? i am only a hypocrite slipping into my clay feet each morning striding forth into the world bent by my skeptic spirit, hoping that today i might be bowled over by faith; till then, can i lean on you?
(c) 2010 Thom M. Shuman

See you in church!

Peace,
Catherine