September Newsletter
Covenant Lutheran Church
September 5, 2018
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Links for More Information:
* Please take a look to see when you are scheduled to serve!
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Christian Education Classes Resume THIS SUNDAY at 9:30 am
Classes begin for ages 3 - adult; adults are encouraged to attend the Redevelopment Discussions at 9:30 am through September 16. (Starting on September 30 for adults, Pastor Ele will lead a fast trip through the Bible "Reading Biblical Literature," which will include video presentations.)
Also this Sunday:
- Dr. Liz Johnson, Gift Planner with the Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest, will give a temple talk at both services.
- We will have special music by guest Cynae Punch-Brown at the 11:00 am service. Listen to Cynae's music here!
- Cub & Boy Scouts will be here all morning to talk to the congregation about scouts and how to join.
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Message from Pastor Ele
Boundaries….as Blessings??
We’re back to the Gospel of Mark for a few more weeks, as this first narrative record of Jesus’ ministry speeds us through lakeside and countryside, villages, towns and cities, in, out and around political and geographical boundaries.
In our text for this Sunday, Jesus encounters other kinds of boundaries that are part of our human condition. To capture the signature moments of each encounter, we have to acknowledge that religious and cultural norms (boundaries) of his time were huge obstacles to the kind of inclusive and compassionate ministry that drew crowds to Jesus. Yet Jesus stayed on track with his mission, as the Gospel records it, “Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God” (Mark 1:14)—unapologetically unhinging several glitches in our web of human interactions, from perceptions, to biases and beyond.
It is interesting how relatively unaware we are of boundaries, until the crossing of one requires us to pause and take stock of what we are about. Take for example the very mundane conventions for traveling. As I drive west to east and back several days a week to and from Covenant, I am forced to recognize and navigate through and along any number of physical boundaries. The ones that make the deepest impression on me as I drive are the pavement markings that create driving/walking lanes, street signs, traffic lights, and the flashing lights of construction sites, emergency vehicles and patrol cars. In a mobile society like ours, these boundaries are branded with fairly common agreed-upon interpretations that allow us to choose wisely in our encounters with them.
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CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILY NEWS
OTHER EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
GENERAL & COMMUNITY NEWS
GENEROUS LIVING OPPORTUNITIES
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3785 Barker Cypress Rd,
Houston TX 77084
281-578-8799
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Sunday, September 9, 2018
16th Sunday after Pentecost
Isaiah 35:4-7a
Psalm 146
James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17
Mark 7:24-37
8:15 am - Heritage Worship
9:30 am - Christian Education
11:00 am - Contemporary Worship
Nursery available for ages 3 and under
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Children, Youth & Family News
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Christian Education Classes start Sunday!
Classes resume THIS SUNDAY at 9:30 am for ages 3 through adult. Come check out the what's happening your your age group!
We would still welcome some volunteer teachers to help fill in for middle school and high school
classes when necessary.
To find out more, contact
Debbie Winkelmann.
Redevelopment Discussions
at 9:30 am THIS SUNDAY and September 16 at 9:30 am
- These group conversations are opportunities to talk about this "new thing" we voted to be a part of through the ELCA's program for congregational vitality.
Come find out what "Redevelopment" means for us!
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Other Events & Activities
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Handbell Choir Begins September 12!
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If you have ever wondered about playing handbells, this is your opportunity!
On Wednesday, September 12 from 7:00 - 8:00 pm,
Covenant Carillon, the Handbell Choir, will begin weekly rehearsals in the Sanctuary! Our group is a mix of experienced and new ringers. The ability to read music is helpful but not necessary. Come give it a try!
Contact Sue Tabbert
if you are interested in coming or have questions.
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All 15 buckets have been adopted and half of them have already been returned with supplies! Thanks to those who have already filled and returned buckets and to those in the process!
Remember to return your filled buckets!
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In October, the Women's Group will sponsor assembly of Christmas boxes for the seafarers who come through the Seafarer Center at the Port of Houston. We will need items such as men's toiletries, stationery goods, magazines, etc. and shoe boxes. Pick up a list of suggested items in the lobby.
Read more HERE.
Items will be collected October 7 - 21. On October 21 at 7:00 pm the boxes will be assembled and wrapped - all are welcome!
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Sunday,
September 23
ONE SERVICE ONLY at 9:30 am
Followed by service projects at Covenant and in the community!
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Covenant Acts - September 22-23
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This is our annual weekend of service to our community.
There is an opportunity to serve on Saturday, and several opportunities on Sunday, immediately following the one service at 9:30 am.
READ HERE
for a brief look at these opportunities.
NOTE:
We are collecting travel size hygiene items and bulk packages of rice and beans
for some of our projects, so please bring them to Covenant!
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Mentor a Student at Schmalz Elementary
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Now is a great time to consider becoming a mentor at Schmalz Elementary,
our partner in ministry. It only takes
one hour a week
to visit with a student (play games, talk) to make a huge difference in a child's life! To find out more,
contact Sue Tabbert
or
attend the KEYS Kickoff at the Merrell Center in Katy on Friday, September 21 from 8:00 - 9:30 am.
You may also contact Heather Sanders at 281-396-2468. You can
fill out an application online
to become a mentor!
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Altar Flowers
The flowers on the altar this Sunday are given by Pastor Ele with thanksgiving for God's gifts of healing and wholeness, made available to us through Christ Jesus our Lord.
If you have a special date you'd like to honor or memorialize someone special, take a look at the Flower Chart on the bulletin board near the Fellowship Hall, and sign up.
The cost to sponsor is $50 and you may take the flowers home after services on your special day.
We have openings for September 30
and several more dates
through the end of the year!
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Covenant Lay Pastoral Ministry Team
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If you have a pastoral care concern this week, please contact
Irvin Smith
and
Connie Smith
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For emergency pastoral concerns, contact Pastor Ele at 281-698-0681.
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Meals on Wheels Trainings
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The Meals on Wheels distribution at Covenant has two routes, and help is always needed.
There are monthly volunteer trainings from 10:00 - 11:30 am, in the Covenant Conference Room. The next training will be October 2.
(The monthly training days are the first Tuesday of the month.)
Contact Sue Tabbert
with any questions. We encourage you to participate if your schedule allows!
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Church Disaster Summit - October 11
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Pastor Ele and Carol Flores are looking for others who may be interested in attending this summit to discuss disaster recovery efforts. The purpose is to activate churches for sustainable and transformational long-term response. This is an opportunity for church leaders to be inspired to engage in their own community recovery efforts as well as learn from disaster response experts and more.
Contact
Pastor Ele
or
Carol Flores
if you are interested.
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Life Line Screening - Wed., November 7
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Line Life Screening will be at Covenant again on November 7
to do several important, non-invasive health screenings.
More information and
REGISTER ONLINE HERE
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Covenant will receive $25 for each of our congregation members who has screenings done.
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Generous Living Opportunities
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Easy Ways to Help Covenant:
Kroger Plus Card
We only have 13 families using the Kroger Community Rewards program, so please
remember to use your Kroger Plus Card when you shop or consider signing up for the program
to direct donations to Covenant! If you selected Covenant as your charity of choice last year, you do not need to renew!
If you haven't selected Covenant yet or need to check to see if you are enrolled, find out how
HERE!
It is an easy way to help our church.
If you still need help signing up, contact
Sue Tabbert.
Remember, you can support Covenant when shopping on Amazon!
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We can use your help in our ongoing need for gift cards!
Please remember to pick up a gift card (suggested $25) for a grocery store or Wal-mart or Target, etc. for our Grocery Givers program to help those in our community who need support.
Also suggested are $10 gas station gift cards. Cards may be dropped in the metal box attached to the Information Desk.
Please mark the value of the gift card.
Thank you!
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Covenant Leadership
during Redevelopment
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