Church office hours: Mon.-Thurs. from 9:00 – 2:00p.m.covsecty1@raleigh.twcbc.com (919) 365-7979

www.covenantwendell.com“Celebrating the Past – Building the Future”

Covenant Presbyterian Church 125 S. Selma Rd.

Wendell, NC 27591-9705

Pastor’s Notebook: "Thank You, Linda"

Our Church Secretary of 4 ½ years, Linda Hess, has decided to retire. Linda and Joe plan to take some time to travel and enjoy being retired – again. Linda’s last day is May 31 (unless we find a new secretary sooner than that.)

Linda has not only done a great job getting all the work done around the church office, she has done a superb job at being the care coordinator, information disseminator, part-time counselor, Mudcats game promoter, and cheerleader for everything we do around Covenant. She has also been a terrific friend and support for me as your Pastor.

It goes without saying that Linda will be missed.

Sharing in the ministry of this church with Linda has been a joy for me. Linda’s faith, good humor, and gracious, caring personality have made it a real pleasure to work with her. I know all of you join with me in saying THANK YOU! to Linda for all she has done.

Grace & peace,

Claude

Keeping Up with Covenant Church News from Covenant Presbyterian

Wendell, North CarolinaMay 2015

Worship Elders David Meyers & Brenda Johnson

For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. (Matthew 18:20)

CHOIR CHATTER…..  Your choir has been extremely busy during April. Then Came Sunday, with which we celebrated Christ's death and resurrection, poignantly told that story. The question becomes do we live in a way to reflect that love? Your choir does. On Good Friday, choir members came to my aid and moved me while I was with my brother in the hospital. They worked tirelessly to get me to my new home. That's living the message. I am so very grateful.     What now? For several years, we've tried to have a particular guest soloist on Heritage Sunday. This year, it's happened. We have Bill McCul-loch, Scottish tenor, to sing for us. When I asked what he wanted me to say about him, he said that we probably should be brief and that we should mention that he's Scottish. He went on to say, "And since I'm in Scotland, I'll be brief." Be here on Heritage Day; it's not to be missed.     What else? On Friday, May 15th, the Triangle Youth Brass Band will end our 2014/2015 concert series with a concert at 7:30. Please notice that the performance is on Friday evening. Invite everyone you know. This group was with us in the fall of 2012, and we're delighted to have them re-turn.

See you in church,

WandaJoyful Noise Choir is taking a summer break and will resume in the fall. Thank you, Raquel Dexter, youngsters, and parents, for your

contribution to our worship. We look forward to seeing and hearing you in the fall.

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6

The Youth are sponsoring First Wednesday Dinner in May.Shepherd's pie, salad, rolls, dessert and beverages are on the menu. Accommodation will be made for special diets (vegetarian, lactose intolerant, and onion/garlic allergies) so come enjoy a delicious meal with no preparation and no dishes to do. Your donation will support the Youth Mission Trip this summer. They are preparing a brief skit to entertain us. They will begin serving at 6:15 p.m. to leave time for the skit but if you can't come early, don't worry - there will be plenty of food!

No Youth Meetings May 10th, 17th , and 24th May 31 will be our end of year dinner and game night.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL!! Plans are proceeding and it will be an exciting program! Covenant is hosting the program this year in cooperation with St. Eugene Catholic Church. It will be an evening program running from July 12th through July 16th with classes for all ages through adults. We need lots of help! Planning meetings are held on the fourth Monday of the month at 7:15 p.m. (immediately following the Christian Education Committee meeting which is at 6:00 p.m. If you are able to help in any way, come to the meeting or contact Jennifer Cuthrell at 919-266-2621 or Becky Abate at 919-671-3580.

Some plans for the future: Mission Camp, Youth Sunday, Sunday

School Teachers Breakfast, and much more. Come join us!

Christian EducationElders Jennifer Cuthrell & Becky Abate

Many thanks to all who helped with the two Luncheons that Covenant hosted this year, one during Lent and one during Holy Week. Both events were successful, not to mention delicious, thanks to all of the assistance!

We will be hosting a Visitors and New Members Luncheon after the worship service on Sunday, May 31.

FOLLOW UP

ON

FOOD DRIVE

Wendell Council of Churches sponsorstwo Community Food Drives a year - spring and fall. On April 11th, teams from the various churches left empty grocery bags on front porches in Wendell with instructions to fill them with non perishable foods and leave the filled bags on the front porch for pick up the following Saturday. Our Girl Scouts pitched in and Covenant dropped off about 200 bags.

Filled bags were picked up on April 18th and taken to Wendell Baptist Church to be distributed to the Food Pantries in Wendell. The drive received a total of 345 bags! Some houses had more than one bagful on their porch and one house left this note:

"God Bless you in your efforts in this food drive. I pray that God pours out his favor and that each bag is multipiled. I pray for those that receive it.

Your Neighbor in Wendell" At Covenant, we contribute to the Food Pantry with our bins in the narthex. The Community Food Drive provides a way to give for those who

do not have a church. The instruction sheet included with the bags lists all the church in the Council and lets our neighbors know who we are and where we are! Plan to help next year. It only takes about an hour and does a world of good.

Financial Report for April 2015

Month Year to date Needed $20,946 $89,076

Received 21,323 88,780 Difference $377 ($296)

Heritage Fund for April 2015 - $1,520 Year to date - $6,433

A STEWARDSHIP REPORT - PENNIES FOR HUNGEROn the last Sunday of the month, our children have a good

time after the children's sermon by collecting pennies from the congregation. Ideally, each family puts a few pennies aside with every meal in gratitude for our blessings and then gives them to help feed others.

This is Mr. Penny's report: "Mr. Penny is the happiest man in our church! He received a report from Shelton Raybon (who counts all those pennies!) for the first quarter of 2015 of $391.00!! (If you wonder why it comes out even you have to check Shelton's piggy bank.) Lots of people will have food thanks to your generosity. See you on the last Sunday of the month. Thanks!! "

DON'T FORGET YOUR GROCERY CARDS Gift cards for both Lowes Foods or Food Lion are available after worship

in the narthex or in the church office during office hours. (9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday.) As we use the cards, the stores return a percentage to Covenant. The cards do not expire and do not have to be used in one trip - any balance stays on the card for your next visit to the store.

Cards are available in $25, $50, and $100 amounts and make great gifts! They are very welcome at the Food Pantry for families to use for produce, milk and other items not available at the Pantry. What a great wayto help our church budget!!

Mission/Outreach Elders Mike Smithson & Annette Kirk Finance

Elders Jeff Davis & Hugh Cashion

Revenue from the gift cards goes into our Reserve Fund which is used for unexpected expenses - and they always seem to crop up!   Thank you!!

The committee meets on the fourth Sunday of the month after worship in the session room across from the pastor’s office.  New

members and new ideas are welcome!First Sunday Fellowship Sunday, May 3rd The Perry Family invites you to join them after church on May 3rd for a snack and time of fellowship.

First Wednesday Dinner Wednesday, May 6th

Enjoy a meal and support our youth! No need to cook again this month! Our youth will be whipping up a treat AND entertainment! Gather up the family and be at Fellowship Hall at 6:15 p.m. on May 6th, .ready to eat and laugh! (If you are late, there will be plenty of food!) Everyone is welcome!Men’s Breakfast   

There will be no men's breakfast in May due to Heritage Sunday. The guys will be cooking again in June on the third Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Be sure to stay for the Heritage Day meal following worship on May 17th.

Breakfast Fellowship Monday, May 4th & 11th The Clayton group will meet at Jones Café, 415 E. Main St. in Clayton at 9:30 a.m. on May 4th. The Zebulon Group will meet at 9:30 a.m. at McLean's in Zebulon on May 11th. EVERYONE is welcome – you can even go to both groups!Ladies Book Club Tuesday, May 12th

And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hossein is a novel about how we love, how we take care of one another and how the choices we make resonate through generations. Following its characters and the ramifications of their lives and choices around the globe - from Kabul to Paris to San Francisco to Tinos - the story becomes more emotionally complex with each turning page. Hossein is also the author of The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns. Books available in the copy room. Please sign out your

book and return it to the book bag or at the meeting as it is a book club kit book. The meeting is at Alli Buus' home, 6 S. Buffaloe St. Wendell, at 7:00 p.m. Susie Alden will lead the discussion.

Prayer Shawl Sunday May 17th The knitters meet at 5:00 p.m. on the third Sunday of the month to

create shawls for members and friends of our church family who may be having problems or who are celebrating a birth or other happy event.

New members welcome! No need to be an expert; experienced members are happy to help and share patterns. Yarn and some needles are available. Call Peggy Fink for more information or if you know of someone who could use a shawl. Join a special care ministry

(Contact Linda Higgins at 919-266-2354 or Kimberly Stevens at 919-269-3881 for more information.)

Care Team Ministry is a team of folks who assist the pastor in visiting home bound and hospitalized members and reaching out to visitors. We meet on the second Wednesday of the month in the session room at 10:30 a.m.

Martha’s Ministry provides meals in time of need.   If having a meal delivered would give you a lift,

please let the church office know (919-365-7979).  This may be due to illness, stress, or any other reason. If you are able to help prepare and/or deliver meals, please call Linda Higgins at 919-266-2354 or Kimberly Stevens 919-269-3881.

Handy Hands is a group of people available to help with home repairs and chores for those who find it difficult to manage themselves.  

   

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUPThe Grief Support Group will resume the fourth Thursday evening

in May (May 28th) and will continue meeting on the second and fourth Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m.. If any questions, please call Judy

Congregational CareElders Linda Higgins & Kimberly Stevens

Shotts at 919-366-0849 or the church office at 919-365-7979.

Presbyterian Women are going out!!May 19th at McLean's Restaurant in Zebulon

at 7:00 p.m. No reservation needed.

Just come and enjoy an evening together. All women of the church are welcome!

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN'S BIRTHDAY OFFERINGThe 2015 Presbyterian Women's Birthday Offering will be received

on Mother's Day in May. In 1922 women were challenged to give a penny for each year of their lives to benefit a mission school in Japan. Since

then, the offering has benefited missions for women and children throughout the world. Today the challenge is to give as you have been blessed - no need to tell your age!! Look for more information and plan to give generously on May 10th.

APRIL RETREATThe retreat held in April was well attended and was very worthwhile. The women are very grateful to our presenter, LeeAnn Ahders, and to Judy

Shotts who assisted and provided our delicious meals and snacks. We hope to have another one next year - don't miss it!

COMING IN THE FALL - - We will continue to alternate meeting at the church and going out

together for a meal - even months in Fellowship Hall for fellowship, fun, and study - odd months for casual, friendly dinners out at McLean's Ole Time Café in Zebulon.

We will begin a new Bible study in September: "BAD GIRLS OF THE BIBLE" which will be both informative and entertaining.

HERITAGE SUNDAY

Is MAY 17, 2015

TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY!

COME AND SPEND THE DAY!

Sunday School for Kids at10:00 a.m.

Adult classes at 9:30 & 10:00Worship at 11:00 a.m.

Special Music by Bill McCulloch, Scottish tenor

(and our choir, of course)

Stay for a covered dish Sunday dinner

after worship in fellowship hall.Dig out a favorite recipe and bring a dish to share

or just come and enjoy the feast!there will be plenty!

MOTHERS DAY

Presbyterian WomenSusan Hardee

is MAY 10, 2015

Come to church with Mom!

******************************

MEMORIAL DAY WENDELL AMERICAN LEGION CEDRIC HARRIS POST 148

Will hold their annual Memorial Day Service on SUNDAY MAY 24, 5 PM at the

Legion Building 5100 Wendell Blvd.

Everyone is welcome!

Covenant will have a guest speaker on May 24th. Joe Bowman will deliver the message while Claude is in

Texas attending his future son-in-law's graduation.

The church office will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2015

for the Memorial Day holiday

SECRETARY NEEDED!Linda Hess is stepping down as our

Church Secretary after nearly 5 years of dedicated service to Covenant.  We ap-preciate her service, hard work, and devo-

tion to this position.  We are sad to see her go, but are glad that she can finally have to time to travel and have some fun with Joe.

If you’d like to apply for the position, please contact Hugh Cashion (919--365-6313 or Jeff Davis (919-404-1617) for details.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2015 COVENANT CONCERT SERIESTRIANGLE YOUTH BRASS BAND

in concert

Friday evening, May 15, 2015at 7:30 p.m.

No admission charge - Offering will be takenAnd you will have a chance to win

NC Symphony Tickets

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ JOYS AND CONCERNS

SYMPATHY

To Wanda Ramm and family on the death of her brother,

William R. Jones, on April 8th.WELCOME

To Bud and Debbie Lawlor who have joined our church family .

Their address is:232 Mill Creek Dr.; Clayton, NC 27527

919-243-0056THANK YOU

From Wendell Middle School:Thank you all so much for the

wonderful school supplies that your church provided in August. We so

appreciate the love and care and time that went into this effort and our

students have greatly benefitted from this. Please know that your work has made a positive impact on the lives of students and families in need in our

community.CONGRATULATIONS!

To Mary Grace Roberson who gradu-ated on May 16th from

Charlotte Law School with a Juris Doc-

torate degree and is the granddaugh-ter of Ramona Mozingo Webb.

To Kelly Hood who has been accepted into NC State Veterinary School

To Linda Hess, this year's nominee from Covenant

for the Outstanding Older Adult Awardpresented April 26th at Rocky Mount.

New address for Mary Carnes:9112 Nolley Ct., Unit F; Charlotte, NC

28270

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO LOUISE WEANT!   Mary Louise Swicegood was born May 17, 1925 in Salis-bury NC Her family invites you to help celebrate the milestone that

isLOUISE'S 90TH BIRTHDAY!!

2 - 5 p.m. Saturday, May 23, 2015Ellis Community Center

3541 Old Mocksville Rd. Salisbury, NCIce cream - cake - drinks - coffee

RSVP to janiegreenthumb@yahoo.com or 919-622-6322

(If you would like to send Louise a card, her address is:360 Pilot Riley Rd.Zebulon, NC 27597

AN INVITATIONLisa and Larry Bailey invite you, our

Covenant Presbyterian family, to the wedding of Erin Bailey and Adam Hamrick. The service is Sat-urday, May 16 at 4:30 p.m. in the church sanctu-ary. After their marriage, Erin and Adam will con-tinue to live in Clayton. Their address is 107 N. Essex Lane, Clayton, NC 27520. Thank you for your love, support and prayers.

May Birthdays

2 JoAnn Lanzi, Becky Morgan 3 Marshall Page

4 Dylan Haswell, Rachel Page 6 Lauren McClaren9 Emma Buus, Lisa Cauley 10 Richard Warner12 Allison Buus13 Betty June Dale14 Terrell Thomas15 Kristen Myers17 June Bowman, Louise Weant, David Field18 Cheryl Kelley19 Maggie Grace Creech20 Nancy Clemmons

21 Angie Petrey 22 Mary Carnes

23 Mollie Smithson24 D. B. Wagstaff26 Richard Rosenberger29 Susan Hardee, Sherman McClaid, Linda Warner30 Hugh Cashion31 Alan Driver, Ron Hall

May Anniversaries  

12 Rusty & Bonnie Wagstaff 13 Larry & Lisa Bailey17 Bill & Melanie Hurley23 David & DeAndra Field26 Tim & Ronica VanGelder27 Bob & Carolyn Fleming, Buddy & Kelly Hood

NOTE: Please let the office know of any omissions or errors.

Lectionary for May 2015

5th Sunday of Easter—May 3 Acts 8: 26–40 Psalms 22: 25–31 1 John 4: 7–21 John 15: 1–8

6th Sunday of Easter—May 10 Acts 10: 44–48 Psalm 98 1 John 5: 1–6 John 15: 9–17

7th Sunday of Easter—May 17 Acts 1: 15–17, 21–26 Psalm 1 1 John 5: 9–13 John 17: 6–19

Day of Pentecost—May 24 Acts 2: 1–21 or Ezekiel 37: 1–14 Psalm 104: 24–34, 35b Romans 8: 22–27 or Acts 2: 1–21 John 15: 26–27; 16: 4b–15

Trinity Sunday—May 31 Isaiah 6: 1–8 Psalm 29 Romans 8: 12–17 John 3: 1–17

Children’s Ministry Volunteer Schedule May/June 2015

Date Children’s Sermon Nursery Volunteer Acolyte

May 3 Bob Fleming Stella Martin Caroline Byrd

May 10 Jennifer Carnes Robin Harris Dane Oldham

May 17 Tom Martin Susan Smithson Megan Buus

May 24 Eb Strickland Alli Buus Emma Buus

May 31 Don Mailliard Ruth Crawford Caroline Byrd

June 7 Mary Selke Robin Harris Dane Oldham

June 14 Juanita Taylor Sherry Pearson Megan Buus

June 21 Bob Fleming Susan Smithson Emma Buus

June 28 Jennifer Carnes Alli Buus Caroline Byrd

Nursery Worker: The nursery will be staffed from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each Sunday morning by Miss Lindsay Pearson.

Nursery Volunteers: The nursery volunteer is asked to bring a light snack and juice (no popcorn please). If you are unable to serve on your scheduled Sunday, please call anyone from the nursery volunteer list. If you have trouble finding a substitute, please contact the coordinator, Susan Smithson at slsmithson@centurylink.net or 919-359-2752

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS!

Volunteer Schedule for May/June 2015

Date Lay Assistant Audio Greeters Usher____

May 3 Hulon Perry Tim Harris John & Judy Tommy Crawford, Shotts Ron Hall, Craig

Carnes, Rich WarnerMay 10 Tammy Walker Driver Olive Martin & Don Agee, Doug Petrey

Strickland Leeanne Leann Stanton, Stanton Susan Hardee

May 17 Betty June Rachael Becky Morgan & Steve Buus, Phil Kirk Dale Stevens Judy McCurdy Bob Morgan, Al Cates

May 24 Leann Dale Billy Cuthrell Pam Hardee & Jeff & Joan Davis

Olive Martin Mark & Becky Abate

May 31 Roberta Hole Kevin Dale Roger & Betty Gary Hardee, June Dale Mike Smithson,

Ron Oldham, Dane Oldham

June 7 Lisa Bailey Tim Harris Tom & Stella Steve Buus, Phil Kirk Martin Bob Morgan, Al Cates

June 14 Joe Bowman Walker Driver John & Judy Jeff & Joan Davis Shotts Mark & Becky Abate

June 21 Marc Johnson Rachael Olive Martin & Don Agee, Doug Petrey Stevens Leeanne Stanton Leeanne Stanton,

Susan Hardee

June 28 Kasey Oldham Billy Cuthrell Becky Morgan & Tommy Crawford, Judy McCurdy Ron Hall, Craig

Carnes, Rich Warner

Lay Assistants and Audio: Please arrive by 10:30 a.m. for sound check.

May 201511:00 a.m. Worship Service

10:00 a.m. Wired Word Class 9:30 a.m. Adult Sunday School10:00 a.m. Children & Youth Sunday School 5:30 p.m. Youth Groups

Joyful Noise Choir will resume in the fall - Children's Church follows the anthem

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 912:15 p.m. First Sun. Fellowship

9:30 a.m. Breakfast Fellowship Clayton6:30 p.m. Girl Scouts7:30 p.m. Wendell Council of Churches

10:00 a.m. Women's Bible Study6:30 p.m. Girl Scouts

6:15 p.m. First Wed. Dinner 7:30 p.m. Choir8:30 p.m. A.A.

12:00 noonNational Day of Prayer - Town Sq. 6:30 p.m.Finance Com. 7:00 p.m.National Day of Prayer - Community Center

10 11 12 13 14 15 16Communion

SundayMothers' Day

No Youth Group

9:30 a.m. Breakfast Fellowship Zebulon6:30 p.m. Girl Scouts7:00 p.m. Garden Club

10:00 a.m. Women's Bible Study6:30 p.m. Girl Scouts7:00 p.m. Ladies Book Club

10:00 a.m.Care Team7:30 p.m. Choir8:30 p.m. A.A.

4:30 p.m.Wedding Rehearsal

7:30 p.m. Triangle Youth Brass Band

4:30 p.m.Bailey

Wedding

17 18 19 20 21 22 23Heritage Sunday12:15 p.m. Heritage Dinner5:00 p.m. Prayer Shawl6:00 p.m. Property Com.7:00 p.m. SessionNo Youth GroupNEWSLETTER ITEMS DUE

6:30 p.m. Girl Scouts

10:00 a.m. Women's Bible Study6:30 p.m. Girl Scouts7:00 p.m.PresbyterianWomen

7:30 p.m. Choir8:30 p.m. A.A.

2 - 5 p.m.90th

Birthday celebration in Salisbury for Louise

Weant

24 25 26 27 28 29 3012:15 p.m. Congregational Care ComNo Youth Group

Memorial DayNo meetings scheduled.

10:00 a.m. Women's Bible Study6:30 p.m. Girl Scouts

7:30 p.m. Choir8:30 p.m. A.A.

7:00 p.m. Grief Support Group

31Pennies for

Hunger12:15 p.m. Visitors LuncheonYouth Group end of year dinner and game night.