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Weekly Update
Covenant Lutheran Church
May 22, 2019
Links for More Information:
* Please take a look to see when you are scheduled to serve!
ONE Service at 9:30 am & Congregational Forum
The last congregational forum to discuss the issues presented in the letter that was sent to congregational members recently from the Executive Committee will take place THIS SUNDAY at 10:45 am, following the ONE service at 9:30 am (due to Memorial Day weekend). The letter addressed Covenant's current financial situation, and we are inviting ideas and feedback on decisions moving forward. Your voice is valued so please plan to attend!
Thank You!
Thank you to everyone who attended the congregational forum these past two Sundays. I continue to be encouraged by our conversation about how we want to move forward as a congregation. We had lots of ideas flowing, and I appreciate everyone's input. Despite our uncertain financial situation and our deficit, I am excited for Covenant's future. I view these discussions as a great opportunity for us to examine what we are willing and able to do and more importantly WHO God wants us to be. I look forward to seeing you at the final of these forums: after the service on May 26 th  at 10:45 am (ONE service at 9:30 for Memorial Day weekend.) Please join us. We want to hear from you.
Julia Blackmore, Executive Committee President
Redevelopment Update
Dialogue
Have you ever felt like you were being followed by a voice that kept saying the same thing to you in different ways, through a variety of voices, themes, and contexts, wherever you went?
 
This particular shadowing voice is not new. However it became louder these past two Sundays as several of the more silent members of our conversation gave their voices to concerns that are in current conversation in our worshiping community. This was a very welcome happening. The overwhelming tone of our conversation has been about our life as a congregation, even in the midst of the concrete decisions we know we must now make. READ MORE...
Living with Strengths
Workshop
Coming This Summer!
Plan to participate in the “Living with Strengths Workshop” this summer.
Interpreting gifts as strengths immediately turns our attention to ways our contributions to ministry together is do -able. Interpreting gifts as strengths also suggests that the arena of contribution is inclusive —no one is left out, and no one needs undertake the burden of “doing everything.” Serving in a community in which strengths are engaged for ministry certainly opens the conversation about what we can do together , so that our ultimate choices reflect our real-time capacity, rather than idealistic dreams that can propel us into achievement anxiety

This summer, we are offering a workshop that allows us to investigate these “strengths” by means of a friendly assessment tool. Notice that “strengths” is the only column heading offered here. This is NOT a psychological measure to determine what failures you need to confess. READ MORE...

Please let us know if you are interested in participating in this workshop and need a book! Books are available for purchase ($15) in the church office. A date for the workshop will be set soon but it should be sometime in July.
Adult Education Study Coming in June 
* Discussions on the writings of spiritual writer and Franciscan Friar Richard Rohr - presented by Stephen Blackmore

How do we grow spiritually? There are many paths to spiritual growth. One way Jesus demonstrated was questioning the conventional wisdom of his day. Through interactions, parables and teachings, he tried to show the people and even the religious leaders of the time that they had too narrow an understanding of who God was, who they were in relationship to God, and how God wanted us to behave towards our neighbors, or even who our neighbors were in the first place.

Richard Rohr is a Franciscan monk who writes extensively about spirituality. We will use some of Richard's daily meditations to explore some of the same issues Jesus addressed: Who is God? What is God really like? How do we fit into God's plan? And how are we to relate to our fellow human beings (neighbors)? Buckle up, this could be a surprising and bumpy ride as Richard has some interesting and unusual perspectives on faith, God, the church and other issues.
  3785 Barker Cypress Rd,
Houston TX 77084
281-578-8799
Sunday, May 26, 2019
Sixth Sunday of Easter

Acts 16:9-15
Psalm 67
Revelation 21:10,22-22:5
John 14:23-29

9:30 am ONE Worship Service

10:45 am Congregational Forum

Nursery available all morning for ages 3 and under
Children, Youth & Family Ministries
Christian Education
Christian Education for children and youth is on hiatus for the summer. Watch for news of when classes will resume in the fall!

There will be various topics for adults (and older youth) in the summer.
If you feel a calling or have a gift for working with or supporting children and youth, contact Debbie Winkelmann or Sue Tabbert and we will be happy to find a role for you in our CYFM program!
Thank You, Teachers!
We would like to express our great appreciation to our Christian Education teachers from the past year, as the 2018-2019 education year is now complete. Last week's article listed the teachers and helpers, but we forgot one name: Michelle Farrell, who was a great help assisting with the Confirmation/Jr. High class this year. Thank you, Michelle!
Graduate Recognition
June 2
We will recognize high school, college and other graduates on Sunday, June 2. If you have a graduate you would like us to recognize, please send the graduate's name and information (from which school are they graduating, degree, future plans, etc.) to the church office by May 28.
Other Events & Activities
ONE SERVICE
Memorial Day
THIS WEEKEND!
Remember, there will be only ONE service this weekend, May 26, at 9:30 am, followed by the final Congregational Forum at 10:45 am.
FREE Volleyball & Basketball Camp
June 3-7, 2019
Registration is NOW OPEN for FREE Volleyball and Basketball Camps for 4th-8th graders at Covenant from June 3 - 7, 2019. Volleyball will be held from 9:30 - 11:30 am each day, and Basketball will be held from 12:30 - 2:30 pm.
Coaches will be high school players. Skills and scrimmaging will be the focus of the camp. Register HERE for VOLLEYBALL. Register HERE for BASKETBALL.
Space is limited!
Lutherhill logo - green
Day Camp - July 22-26
Registration OPEN!
This year's Covenant Day Camp, led by counselors from Camp Lutherhill, is happening the week of July 22-26 and registration is now OPEN! Camp is for kids in completed grades K-7th grade and runs from 8:30 am - 3:30 pm. (The 6th-7th graders are part of a junior leadership camp, and they have their own counselor.) Youth 8th grade and older are encouraged to help at camp as volunteers. This is a FUN and Bible-based experience. This year's theme is "Wonder." Take a good look at God's wonders - they'll take your breath away! The cost is $60/child for the week, and additional siblings are only $35/child. The best deal in town! REGISTER HERE!
Recycled Items being Collected for Day Camp
During Covenant Day Camp, campers will be coordinating arts and crafts with their daily bible studies. Campers will create props that go along with the Godly Play inspired Bible stories. 
They will need the following recyclable items:
 
   *Shoe boxes (1-2 per camper)
  * Egg Cartons ( 2 per camper)
  * Paper Towel Cardboard Rolls (2 per camper)
 
We expect approximately 50 campers so we need your help in collecting these items. Please start bringing your recyclable items to church after June 7. There will be bins in the lobby for collection.
Thank you for supporting Day Camp and our area youth.
Marian Shelton
Covenant Day Camp Coordinator
General & Community News
Altar Flowers
The flowers on the altar this Sunday are given by Corky Boutilier in memory of Wally. There are several open dates throughout the year. The next open date is June 23. You may sign up to sponsor future dates on the Flower Chart on the bulletin board near the Fellowship Hall, in honor or in memory of someone or a special occasion. The cost to sponsor is $50 and you may take the flowers home after services on your special day.
Covenant Lay Pastoral Ministry Team
If you have a pastoral care concern this week, please contact Toni Fleming & Janett Broddle . For emergency pastoral concerns, contact Pastor Ele at 281-698-0681.
Easy Ways to Help Covenant!
With our current financial situation, it is always helpful to be able to earn money for Covenant for doing what we already do! By turning in receipts from Clay's Restaurant, we just received a $300 check! So remember to drop your receipts in the lock box at the Information Desk after dining at Clay's!

If you shop at Kroger, make sure you are enrolled in the Community Rewards Program by linking your Kroger Plus card to Covenant. Reports show only 12 families at Covenant are participating in the Kroger program, so hopefully more of you will join in! You can do the same with your Randall's card!

By using AmazonSmile when you shop on Amazon , a portion of what you spend will go to Covenant! It's easy! Don't forget your Mother's Day shopping!

Call (281-578-8799) or email the church office to find out how to set up any of these opportunities!
Rise Against Hunger
Community Meal Packaging Event
June 22, 2019
Covenant and others have been invited to join in the movement to end hunger by the year 2030. On Saturday, June 22, from 11:00 am - 1:30 pm over 53,000 meals will be packaged to feed the hungry. You can also help by donating to the cost of these meals (each meal costs 32 cents, so your donation will go a long way)! The meals will be packaged at the Rise Against Hunger Warehouse, 8901 Jameel Rd, Ste. #130, Houston TX 77040. Read the FLYER to find out more.
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Covenant Leadership during Redevelopment
2019 Executive Committee
Ele Clay - Redevelopment Pastor
Julia Blackmore - president
Bill Broddle - secretary
Merle Garrelts - vice president
Irvin Smith - treasurer