new lenten sermon series · 2017-02-24 · color of lent shining from our towers will be inviting...
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THE COVENANT CONNECTION Volume XXI No. 8 March 2017
Covenant United Methodist Church “To make disciples of Jesus Christ” whose Christ-centered lifestyles of personal and social holiness
help “transform the world” through Education, Health and Wellness, Creation Care, and other acts of Compassion and Justice in the world.
New Lenten Sermon Series
March 1, Ash Wednesday: Remember, You Are Dust We gather to acknowledge our mortality and our sinfulness, and to seek God’s mercy and guidance for the season of intensive formation and re-formation in the way of Jesus that lies ahead. Join us for Ash Wednesday Worship at 7pm.
First Sunday in Lent, March 5: Renounce We walk the way of temptation with Jesus and learn from him what it means to continue to renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of this world, and repent of our sin.
Second Sunday in Lent, March 12: Accept Through powerful images of new birth and the biblical story of the serpent in the wilderness, Jesus shows Nicodemus and us what it takes for us to accept the freedom and power God gives us to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.
Third Sunday in Lent, March 19: Confess In an encounter with a woman at a well in Samaria, Jesus confesses he is the Messiah, and she not only embraces this, but leads others to make the same confession.
Fourth Sunday in Lent, March 26: Nurture The response of the crowds to Jesus’ healing of a man born blind says much about how our congregation can actively “nurture one another in the Christian faith and life, and include these persons now before you in your care,” or fail to do so.
Fifth Sunday in Lent, April 2: Believe! The faith we confess, and the faith that transforms us, is more than intellectual assent to a theological construct. It is to stake our lives on the Triune God, and so join Martha’s confes-sion, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into this world.”
March Coffee Klatch Group. Monday March 20th at 9am at Verge Coffee Co in the same location as the Service Station, but under new owners and with a new name. VERGE COFFEE CO, 9315 N. Nevada. We’ve invited Pastor Roger to join us next month. Please come and get to know your pastor better! Any questions, please contact Betsy Hartman, 325-3342 or Chanie Christman, 939-8109. RSVP if you would like to come, but everyone is welcome to join us!
SEASONAL AND MONTHLY GUILD OF GARDENER'S/FOODIE'S POTLUCKS
Our Winter Preserve's Potluck and our February Guild of Gardener's/Foodie's Monthly Potluck were both well attended. Thank you for supporting these potlucks which help carry out a part of Covenant's vision state-ment of health and wellness, creation care, and educa-tion. Those attending are encouraged to bring healthy dishes that include organically grown, homegrown, or locally produced foods. Short video clips and talks on creation care are also presented. Our next Seasonal Potluck, the Spring Green's Potluck, will take place on Sunday, March 26th at 11:00am following worship. Linda Hahn and her Hospi-tality Team have done a great job of keeping the hot foods hot and the cold foods cold and serving them attractively on time. Thank you Hospitality Team! Our next Guild of Gar-dener's/Foodie's Monthly Potluck will occur on Sunday, April 9th at 6:00pm. The Monthly Potlucks take place in the evening on the second Sunday of the months that we do not have a Seasonal Feast Potluck.
P
GARDEN DESIGN SUB-COMMITTEE
The Garden Design Sub-Committee met most re-
cently on 2/16/17. After receiving feedback from
the group on the various plans drawn up so far, a
master plan is being worked on by Don Harris.
Since the snow is delaying any work that might be
done on the grounds, chairperson David Yar-
brough would like for us to get started on building
raised garden bed frames. We have been offered
several places where we can store the frames.
Funds are available through the Jeremiah Fund to
begin work on this.
Also rules for those using the garden are being
discussed. We hope to learn more about this and
the building of the garden beds at an upcoming
class on Community Gardening at SCC on Febru-
ary 28th.. (If interested in attending this meeting,
please register at http://extension.wsu.edu/
spokane/event/starting-a-commnity-garden or call
509-477-2048. Cost is $10.00). This should give
us additional information so that
we can go forth with further plan-
ning at our next meeting on March
9th. Several from the group will
be attending the class.
Submitted by Sharon Arnold
Spaghetti Feed & Silent Auction To support
Boy Scout Troop 218 Sunday, March 19, 2017 12:00 noon—2:30 pm
Only $5 per person or $20 per family.
With hundreds of wonderful items up for bid, there will be something for everyone.
For more information and to purchase advance tickets, contact: Kaydin Millsap, 466-3172, the
boy scouts will also be at church on Sunday, Feb. 26th to sell tickets.
Eat, bid, win, have fun, & support Scouting!
Living the Story:
From Lent to Easter, Reflection to Action
You have already heard, I am sure, of a new thing about to happen at
Covenant. We are about to shine a light from our two church towers
(the “eyes” of the F.R.O.G.) into the surrounding darkness.
The light we shine, however, will be no ordinary light. It will change
colors. For the 40 days of Lent, it will be purple. Then on Easter Sun-
day it will change to a bright gold, and remain so for the “Great 50
Days” of Easter, celebrating God’s triumph over death and darkness. In other words, liturgically appropri-
ate, the light we shine will not be just any light. It will be the light that rehearses the story of him who
Christians know as the Light of the World.
And so we are invited. During this season the Church historically prepared new converts for baptism. It is
also a time for those already baptized to contemplate God’s call to re-commitment. This year the purple
color of Lent shining from our towers will be inviting us to a time of reflection. There is help for this.
Please do consider signing up for our daily devotional “40 Days with Wesley” by Bishop Rueben P. Job.
With meditations on “Living Prayerfully,” “Listening for God,” “Our New Nature,” “When All I Hear is
Silence,” the devotional will lead us to a deepening appreciation that “we can choose to love God and
grow in grace.” Such daily acts of devotion, combined with choosing to be regular in our acts of worship
during Lent, will prepare us for the adventure of Easter. Consider also joining the Wednesday evening
Lenten Life Group for an hour of Chr istian conversation and prayer using the daily devotional as
our friendly guide. It will help us journey together through Lent towards a deeper relationship with God
and each other.
I can hear the glorious sounds of brass instruments to the tune of “Christ the Lord is risen today” already.
Bryan is sniffing out the musical talented amongst us and Easter Sunday morning promises to be glorious.
How much more glorious will it be if we have observed a holy Lent leading us through intentional acts of
devotion and acts of worship to similar ly intentional Easter acts of compassion and acts of justice
during the 50 days?
Covenant wants to shine! But shining different colors from our church towers will only be window dress-
ing - unless we also shine God’s love in tangible, practical, real-world ways. Won’t you consider allowing
the Holy Spirit to guide you through acts of devotion and worship during Lent? Pray that God might lead
you to specific acts of compassion and justice during Easter, acts that shine God’s love into the darkness.
The Season after Epiphany ends this Sunday. Lent begins Ash Wednesday on March 1st. Then comes res-
urrection! Walking with Jesus will help us be who we want to be, Covenant United Methodist Church –
“Coloring our Neighborhood and city with the Light of Christ.”
Thank you for the privilege of serving Christ with you in this place.
Pastor Roger
DNH DG SILWG
In our Prayers
Joe & Jane Clements following the passing of their son Evan.
Doris Dyer George Newell
Ken & Beverly Stam Barbara Thornbrugh
Covenant
Caffeine
Did you know that you
can get your favorite
espresso drink and
support our Youth
Program on Sunday
mornings?
Come to the kitchen
window to place your order before or
after worship!
Coffee cards are $20 for 7 drinks!
Large drinks $4, Medium drinks $3.
Adult Education News February 26,at 10:45 am
Room 13
Hospice: Caring for Persons and Families
Experiencing Terminal Illness
Presenters: Dr. Jim Shaw, David McDou-
gall, Ted Ketcham and Jim Edwards
We have members of our congregation who are
intimately involved in the mission, and we are
privileged to hear from them this week.
This is their description of the program:
“Following a short video, our panel will talk about
the Hospice experience from four overlapping
points of view. Dr. Jim Shaw will discuss the im-
portance of palliative care; Head Chaplain Jim
Edwards will discuss the spiritual dimension of
Hospice; Director of Volunteers Dave McDougall
will talk about the role of Hospice volunteers, and
Hospice Volunteer Ted Ketcham will speak of his
experiences with Hospice clients and families.”
This week’s session will be a wonderful opportuni-
ty to talk about Hospice with people you know.
Grab a cup of coffee or tea and join us in room 13
after the morning service.
New Church Email Updates
Are you receiving weekly email updates from the church?
If you would like to receive this newest communication from the church, please
provide your email address to the church office and tell us to add you to our weekly
email list! Be sure to read the weekly updates and
watch for ways to connect and be involved at Covenant. If you don’t receive the up-
dates, check your spam folder for this email, some people have said this went to
their junk mail first. You may need to tell
your email server that this is desired mail.
New Church Directory
It is time to update our church directory!
Our directory includes everyone who considers
this to be their church home. You do not have to
be a member of the church to be included.
We would like to update everyone’s pic-
ture, address, phone contact, (include cell
phone numbers if you wish,) and email address-
es.
Gregg Longmeier will take pictures at
church for everyone who would like to have
theirs taken, or you can provide a digital picture
for us to use by email, disk or flash drive.
Picture dates are April 23rd & April 30th.
If you have questions, please contact the church office, 466-1768
United Methodist Women News Recycled Greeting Card Project We are collecting used greeting and holiday cards to send them off to St. Jude’s Ranch for children. The Recycled Card Program has been doing a super job of teaching chil-dren work skills for more than 30 years. Here’s what to do: Tear off the fronts of greeting cards—We don’t want the whole card! All card fronts are welcome: Birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Thank you, etc. Birthday and Thank you cards are especially nice as they are used all year long. Check that there is no writing on the back side of the fronts. Note: Disney, Hallmark and American Greetings cards can not be used because of copyright issues. Our monthly UMW meetings are on the second Mon-day of each month at the church and are open to all women to attend. Next Meeting: Monday, March 13 at 7:00pm
Dark Chocolate Easter Eggs Coming! Sister Church Fair Trade Sale-March 19th
Though the Easter bunny is still burrowed
under the snow, watch for Equal Exchange dark
chocolate Easter eggs to pop up at our next Sis-
ter Church Sale.
Organic Fair Trade Coffee, Tea, Olive Oil,
Hot Cocoa and Chocolate will be available March
19th before and after worship. We also have
three new chocolate bar flavors; Lemon Ginger
Black Pepper (lemony with a spicy kick!), Milk
Chocolate (just like the milk chocolate minis but in
a bar) and Extreme Dark Chocolate (88% cacao!).
We’ve also added Peppermint Herbal Tea to
our tea and coffee line up.
Your purchase helps send the children of our
sister church community in El Salvador to school.
We currently are supporting 81 elementary through
high school students, as well as five students pursu-
ing post-high school education. This would not be
possible without your continued
support!
**Contact Bob or Fleeta Hol-
comb if you want to pre-order
packs of Easter eggs (18 mini-
sized dark chocolate eggs for
$6), as they went fast last year!
466-3356 or fleetaholcomb49@gmail.com
Lenten Devotional: Forty Days With Wesley
Written by former United Methodist Bishop, Rue-ben Job, with journal entries from John Wesley's diary, this Lenten devotional, is recommended this year. Lent begins March 1st on Ash Wednes-day. Do plan now to actively seek after God during this holy season. Draw closer to our Lord, learn about Wesley, and join a weekly small group for prayer and discussion. We will place an order for the devotionals. If you would like to reserve a copy, please let the church office know. The cost will be $11.
Dear Covenant family,
I have the privilege of being on an United Meth-
odist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) team
travelling to Nepal March 25 – April 15 this
spring to provide medical care, education and
supplies to 3 remote and poor villages in the An-
napurna region. Please keep this team and the
Nepalese we are going to serve in your prayers.
We are also in need of donations for medicines
and a few specific medical supplies we will use
while providing care in the rudimentary health
clinics. In addition, we need non-medical sup-
plies such as toothbrushes, three-crayon packs
and stickers are great for the large number of
kids we expect to see. Your tax deductible dona-
tions can be made to Covenant, attention Nepal
UMVIM Trip 2017. Thank you so much for your
support.
Peace, Jim Shaw
Worship Servants: Thank you for offering your gifts & service to our
morning worship experience.
You are appreciated!
February 26 Reader: Gail Harris
Greeters: John & Sharon Colman
Ushers: Bobbi Renner
Welcome Table: Sharon Arnold
March 5 Reader: Bob Iller
Greeters: Mahlon & Kathy Dirks
Ushers: Robert & Brenda Bumann
Welcome Table: Pam Tsuchida
March 12 Reader: Sue Jackson
Greeters: Jerry & Margy Fey
Ushers: Elizabeth Williams
Welcome Table: Ron & Cheryl Vaughan
March 19 Reader: Elizabeth Williams
Greeters: Gordon & Sue Jackson
Ushers: Tom & Nancy Morlock
Welcome Table:
Book Review Group March 14 Book: Big Little Lies By Liane Moriarty Reviewer: Carol Ellsworth Hostess: Barb Miscoi April 11 Book: Ordinary Grace By: William Kent Krueger Reviewer: Cheryl Vaughan Hostess: Gail Harris May 9th Book: A Man Called Ove By: Fredrik Backman Hostess: Marge Ruby Reviewer: Diane Thomas
Do you love to read? Join us! We welcome new people to join us for discussion and fellowship. Contact Jeannie Peer, 466-4623 for more information.
SAVE THE DATES
The Fig Tree
2017 Deepening Our Roots
Benefit Lunch Friday, March 10
Buffet begins 11:45am...Program 12-1pm
Benefit Breakfast Wednesday. March 15
Buffet begins 7:15am...Program 7:30-8:30am
BOTH are at Cataldo Hall at Gonzaga University
The breakfast and luncheon are complimentary.
Guests will be invited to donate to support The Fig Tree.
CALL 535-4112 or 535-1813 email mary@thefigtree.org
The Fig Tree, 1323 S Perry St., Spokane WA 99202
March Collections for New Hope The New Hope Resource Center needs fillers for Easter Baskets. Needed: Easter candy/individually wrapped snacks/gum, etc Baskets & plastic pails Plastic eggs Small toys NO BASKET GRASS PLEASE! All donations can be left in our collection barrel. Families will have the opportunity to pick out filled baskets for their kids in April.
Sunday Schedule
Worship .......................................................................... 9:30am
Children’s FROG Time .................................................. 9:45am
Adult Education Hour .................................................. 10:45am
Youth Group for grades 7-12 ......................................... 6:30pm
Covenant Staff Pastor ........................................................ Rev. Roger Hudson
Music Leader .................................................. Bryan Swenland
Pianist ........................................................................ Feng Tsai
Church Secretary ..................................................... Karen King
Custodian ................................................................... Bob Ratts
Youth Ministries .................. Skyler Lamberd & Aric Williams
Nursery Supervisor ............................................ Marcy Hansen
Preschool Director ............................................ Angie Canavan
Office Hours: Mon-Friday ..................................................... 9:30am -3:00pm
“The Covenant Connection” is printed once a month by Cove-
nant United Methodist Church. Deadline to turn in arti-
cles for the next newsletter is Tues, Mar. 21 at noon.
Covenant United Methodist Church 15515 North Gleneden Drive
Spokane, WA 99208-9743
Phone (509) 466-1768
Email: info@covenantmethodist.org
Website: www.covenantmethodist.org
Return Service Requested
Non-Profit Org.
US Postage
PAID
Mead, WA
Permit No. 20
A chance to meet our new Bishop. Bishop Elaine Stanovsky's "Threshold Event"
at Spokane Valley UMC. Sunday, Feb 26th from 2-4PM.
Spokane Valley UMC 115 N Raymond Rd
Spokane Valley, WA 99206
Covenant Blood Drive
The Inland Northwest Blood Mobile will be at
Covenant on March 19, from 9am-11am.
Mark your calendars now.
Donation appointments are now available.
Sign up through inbcsaves.org
Use Sponsor Code: “Covenant United”
or call the church office 466-1768.
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