grooves or ruts? - covenant presbyterian church | the same latin word, “discipulus,” meaning...

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My first few times down the giant slide at Mo-Ranch about 40 years ago were both exhilarating and terrifying. At that time, the flat metal slide had no sides and depended entirely on the keel of the sled staying in the groove down the center of the slide. Logically, I watched many other people make the trip successfully from the top to the bottom. Emotionally, it was a different story. e keel down the center of the sled projected little more than an inch from the bottom of the sled. e groove on the slide was only marginally deeper. It seemed entirely possible that if I leaned ever so slightly to one side or the other, it would pull the sled off the slide and send me plummeting to a gruesome death. But of course, I still went down it! On my first few runs, I was scared to death when I went down the big drop in the slide and could feel the sled pull away somewhat from the slide. e end seemed immanent, and yet the groove proved sufficient to keep me on track. ere’s a subtle difference between a groove and a rut that generally escapes us when we’re in them. A groove is a welcome aid to keeping us on track. A rut, though, tends to drag us along in a direction that is not good for us. Ruts on muddy or snow-covered roads pull us into ditches and draw us into places where snow or mud become more than we can deal with, and we get bogged down. Ruts keep us from turning in a different direction or turning around when we need to. Still, while we’re in them—particularly if we’re not paying close attention to where they’re leading us—they feel an awful lot like a groove. A groove can also get us stuck when it becomes compromised. e grooves on vinyl LP’s kept the needle moving towards the center of the record perfectly when they were new and clean. A scratch across the grooves or an accumulation of dust, though, could compromise the grooves, causing the needle to “skip,” returning to the same section of groove repeatedly. e needle, of course, would not be able to distinguish between getting stuck in this repetitive behavior and playing appropriately to the end of the record. Discipleship is a journey that leads us to grow in Christ and deepen in our love for and service to the world Christ loves. Finding grooves that lead us in that direction can be helpful. Yet it is also important for us to look around periodically and make sure our groove is leading us where we need to go rather than becoming a rut that distracts us. Fortunately, there are aids to help us find and stay in grooves that help deepen our discipleship. One is time spent in silent prayer and reflection on our life with God. In such quiet and honest times, we can ask ourselves and ask God to reveal to us how we are growing in love for God and loving others and how we are doing at tending to our inner garden—removing the weeds of self-interest, resentment, etc. and nurturing the fruit of compassion, generosity, etc. We can ask if we are using our giſts for God’s mission or mostly using them for our own comfort and security. We can question whether we generally see others as threatening or see others as hurting people in need of God’s love and grace. Time in quiet reflection can reveal a great deal to us if we are willing to be deeply honest with ourselves. Another aid to helping us find and stay in grooves is God’s word. Time spent reading, studying, and allowing the scriptures to become the spectacles (as John Calvin wrote) with which we view ourselves and the world brings our lives and discipleship into clearer focus. Likewise, learning from other disciples (and from those of a different faith or no faith) and being challenged by their perspective and witness can help us pull out of a rut and find a better groove. Finally (though by no means having created an exhaustive list), as we approach Lent it seems only appropriate to point out that either giving something up or taking on a new practice of discipleship for 40 days can be immensely helpful in our efforts to grow as disciples. In giving something up that is routine or important to us, we can discover the degree to which it has come to control us. Such a discipline reminds us that “discipline” and “disciple” come from the same Latin word, “discipulus,” meaning “student.” Disciplines of giving up something can help make us more focused on our life with God and less distracted by habits that have become ruts. Likewise, taking on a new discipline of faith can help us grow out of ruts that may have limited us. We can take on new practices of prayer, Bible study, or service, or focus on practicing such things as compassion, forgiveness, or patience. May we assess our own discipleship this Lent, striving to reinforce the grooves that deepen our walk of faith, to get out of the ruts that distract us or bog us down, and to deepen in the wisdom to know the difference. Grace & Peace, Dan Grooves or Ruts? By: Dr. Dan Milford, Pastor

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My fi rst few times down the giant slide at Mo-Ranch about 40 years ago were both exhilarating and terrifying. At that time, the fl at metal slide had no sides and depended entirely on the keel of the sled staying in the groove down the center of the slide. Logically, I watched many other people make the trip successfully from the top to the bottom. Emotionally, it was a diff erent story. Th e keel down the center of the sled projected little more than an inch from the bottom of the sled. Th e groove on the slide was only marginally deeper. It seemed entirely possible that if I leaned ever so slightly to one side or the other, it would pull the sled off the slide and send me plummeting to a gruesome death. But of course, I still went down it! On my fi rst few runs, I was scared to death when I went down the big drop in the slide and could feel the sled pull away somewhat from the slide. Th e end seemed immanent, and yet the groove proved suffi cient to keep me on track. Th ere’s a subtle diff erence between a groove and a rut that generally escapes us when we’re in them. A groove is a welcome aid to keeping us on track. A rut, though, tends to drag us along in a direction that is not good for us. Ruts on muddy or snow-covered roads pull us into ditches and draw us into places where snow or mud become more than we can deal with, and we get bogged down. Ruts keep us from turning in a diff erent direction or turning around when we need to. Still, while we’re in them—particularly if we’re not paying close attention to where they’re leading us—they feel an awful lot like a groove. A groove can also get us stuck when it becomes compromised. Th e grooves on vinyl LP’s kept the needle moving towards the center of the record perfectly when they were new and clean. A scratch across the grooves or an accumulation of dust, though, could compromise the grooves, causing the needle to “skip,” returning to the same section of groove repeatedly. Th e needle, of course, would not be able to distinguish between getting stuck in this repetitive behavior and playing appropriately to the end of the record. Discipleship is a journey that leads us to grow in Christ and deepen in our love for and service to the world Christ loves. Finding grooves that lead us in that direction can be helpful. Yet it is also important for us to look around periodically and make sure our groove is leading us where we need to go rather than becoming a rut that distracts us.

Fortunately, there are aids to help us fi nd and stay in grooves that help deepen our discipleship. One is time spent in silent prayer and refl ection on our life with God. In such quiet and honest times, we can ask ourselves and ask God to reveal to us how we are growing in love for God and loving others and how we are doing at tending to our inner garden—removing the weeds of self-interest, resentment, etc. and nurturing the fruit of compassion, generosity, etc. We can ask if we are using our gift s for God’s mission or mostly using them for our own comfort and security. We can question whether we generally see others as threatening or see others as hurting people in need of God’s love and grace. Time in quiet refl ection can reveal a great deal to us if we are willing to be deeply honest with ourselves. Another aid to helping us fi nd and stay in grooves is God’s word. Time spent reading, studying, and allowing the scriptures to become the spectacles (as John Calvin wrote) with which we view ourselves and the world brings our lives and discipleship into clearer focus. Likewise, learning from other disciples (and from those of a diff erent faith or no faith) and being challenged by their perspective and witness can help us pull out of a rut and fi nd a better groove. Finally (though by no means having created an exhaustive list), as we approach Lent it seems only appropriate to point out that either giving something up or taking on a new practice of discipleship for 40 days can be immensely helpful in our eff orts to grow as disciples. In giving something up that is routine or important to us, we can discover the degree to which it has come to control us. Such a discipline reminds us that “discipline” and “disciple” come from the same Latin word, “discipulus,” meaning “student.” Disciplines of giving up something can help make us more focused on our life with God and less distracted by habits that have become ruts. Likewise, taking on a new discipline of faith can help us grow out of ruts that may have limited us. We can take on new practices of prayer, Bible study, or service, or focus on practicing such things as compassion, forgiveness, or patience. May we assess our own discipleship this Lent, striving to reinforce the grooves that deepen our walk of faith, to get out of the ruts that distract us or bog us down, and to deepen in the wisdom to know the diff erence. Grace & Peace, Dan

Grooves or Ruts? By: Dr. Dan Milford, Pastor

Don’t forget to celebrate your birthday with us!

The Birthday Fund

Do you want to celebrate yourself and create a lasting legacy?

Do you want to teach your children the importance of giving to others?

Then we have a giving opportunity that is perfect for you. A great way to celebrate yourself and help others!

Your birthday is a special day that deserves a special celebration!

It’s simple.

During your birthday month, you contribute a gift to the church that amounts to the age you are turning. Anyone can participate. It doesn’t matter how young or old you are.

February 14, 20187:00PM

Worship Service

6:00PM Soup & Salad Dinner

Begin Lent with a simple soup and salad supper on Wednesday, February 14 at 6:00PM, followed by a time of refl ection during the Ash Wednesday service at 7:00PM. Sign up to bring soup or salad in the Narthex. Join others in fellowship and worship.

You’re Invited! Young at HeartPotluck Lunch

11:30 AMBring a dish to share.

Guest Musician will perform.

Saturday, Feb. 10in Mission Hall

Come and join the choir!

New members are always welcome. Choir Practice is on Wednesdays from

7:00-8:30pm in the Choir Room.

For more information, talk to Josh Pepper

210-342-5253.

Christmas Shopping Ministry Update

We thank the congregation for its amazing response to the families at the SAMMinistries Transitional Living & Learning Center this past Christmas. Th e donations of both money and time shopping were very generous. We shopped for groceries for 38 families and spent $6,207.74 We also have seed money left for next year. Th e families were so grateful and wanted to thank the entire congregation for the gift s of food.

• February 4th – Sunday School for All Ages• February 11th – Sunday School for All Ages • February 18th – Sunday School for All Ages• February 25th – Mission Focus Sunday (Classes will

be held for Preschool/Kindergarten and 1st – 4th Grade only. Everyone else is invited to Mission Hall)

February Adult Classes:“Newcomers Class” – Samaritan Classroom

Christ & Culture and Your God is Too Small in Emmaus Classroom

February Youth/Children Classes:

Preschool/Kindergarten, Elementary (1st – 4th Grade), Middle School (5th – 8th Grade), and

Senior High (9th – 12th Grade)

“Newcomers Class” January 28th – March 11th

Sundays @ 10:00am in Samaritan ClassroomLed by: Dan Milford

What is God up to in the world? How do we live as followers of Jesus? Where did the Presbyterian Church come from and how are decisions made in it? What’s membership at Covenant Presbyterian all about and what is the history of this congregation? Why do we worship the way we do? Th is class is a great opportunity for newcomers to learn more about the Christian faith, the Presbyterian Church, and life here at Covenant. Th e class is led by Dan Milford, and runs for six weeks beginning Sunday, January 28th.

Book Study: Christ & Culture by H. Richard Niebuhr

& Your God is Too Small by J.B. Phillips

January 28th – March 11th Sundays @ 10:00am in Emmaus Classroom

Led by: Al Kissling & Scott Simpson

Adult participants are invited to explore two classic literary works that explore the topics of Christ, Culture, Ethics, and views of God. Led by Scott Simpson & Al Kissling, each week a diff erent topic from the books will be explored. An overview description of each book follows: Christ & Culture focuses on the ways that Christianity and culture interact. In a message that rings as true today as it did fi ft y years ago, H. Richard Niebuhr speaks of Christ and culture as the two points of reference for faith and ethics and challenges a new generation of Christians to be true to Christ in a materialistic age. In Your God is Too Small, J.B. Phillips explains that the trouble facing many of us today is that we have not found a God big enough for our modern needs. In a world where our experience of life has grown in myriad directions, and our mental horizons have been expanded to the point of bewilderment by world events and scientifi c discoveries, our ideas of God have remained largely static. J.B. Phillips explores the ways in which we can fi nd a truly meaningful and constructive God for ourselves, big enough to account for our current experience of life and big enough to command our highest admiration and respect.

Preschool/Kindergarten10:15am - 10:45am in West Wing Room 107

Led by: Trish HopkinsTh e Preschool/Kindergarten class is interactive and includes hearing the Bible stories read, as well as

Sunday School in February

Weekly Bible Studies:Kerygma Bible Study

Monday Evenings, beginning January 16th 6:00pm – Shalom Conference Room

Led by: Al KisslingTh e Kerygma Bible Study is a comprehensive exploration of the Bible as a whole and its meaning for life today. For more information, please contact Al Kissling.

Wednesday Morning Men’s Bible Study7:00am in Parlor

Join this group each week for biblical study and discussion. Th e study focuses and works through one book of the bible at a time, giving participants an opportunity to expand their biblical knowledge and familiarity. Men of all ages are welcome. Tacos and coff ee are provided.

Saturday Morning Men’s Bible Study

6:30am- ParlorStart your morning off with a great group of guys who gather for a video based lesson and discussion. Men of all ages are welcome. Tacos and coff ee are provided.

Faith CircleWomen of the church are invited to join us for Bible study at 10AM First Tuesday of the month. Join us on February 6th.

Ruth CircleWomen of the church are invited to join us for Bible study at 1PM fi rst Tuesday of the month. Join us on February 6th.

All adults are invited to join Young at Heart every Friday night at 6:30PM in Mission Hall for Game Night. Th is is a time of laughter, fun, friendship, and fellowship.

watching the story on DVD movies and expressing what we have learned through singing, art, and other creative activities.

Elementary (1st-4th Grade)10:00am - 11:00am

West Wing Room 103Led by Teresa Esparza, Rebekah Hernandez

Th is class features the curriculum, “Growing in Grace & Gratitude”, which helps transform the lives of children and those who love them, shaped by grace and gratitude. Each session shares a Bible story that reveals God’s grace for us. Th rough fun, age-appropriate activities, prayer, and singing, children will celebrate the meaning of this grace in their lives as they encounter a living God.

Middle School (5th – 8th Grade)10:00am - 11:00am

Esperanza Room (West Wing Room 101)Led by: Sharon Fowler, Vicki Moreno

From the Garden of Eden to slavery in Egypt, from the Wilderness to the Promised Land: journeying with God, through good times and bad, in the Old Testament Th is year, our Middle School students will explore the archetypal Old Testament stories of blessings and betrayals, promises and abandonment, villains and (literally!) shining heroes, from Genesis through Deuteronomy. Beyond the stories themselves, we’ll explore their relevance to our world today, and the enduring lessons they teach us for our lives now. Our goal: to engage deeper encounters with God, through the portal of these ancient Bible stories—and to come to know, love, and trust God more deeply, through them.

Senior High (9th – 12th Grade)10:00am - 11:00am

West Wing Room 201 (Youth Loft )Led by: Craig Hopkins, Carrie Pitcher, Jay Pitcher

Senior High students will study the four Gospels this year. Using the Gospels Parallel format, students will explore the stories written in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Th e curriculum puts these stories in chronological order to give students a unique way of seeing the life of Jesus and the good news off ered to us all!

Habitat for Humanity Get Ready, Set, Build!!! Founded in 1976 and distinguished as the fi rst U.S. affi liate of Habitat for Humanity International, Habitat for Humanity (H4H) of San Antonio is an ecumenical Christian non-profi t organization whose mission is to eliminate poverty housing in San Antonio through building decent and aff ordable homes in partnership with God’s people in need. H4H is not a charity or handout program, but rather it helps families help themselves. Built with volunteer labor Habitat homes are sold to low-income families at zero percent interest and no profi t. Th e average mortgage payment for a Habitat homeowner, including taxes and insurance is $500.00. Habitat Fact & Figures - Every family must earn:

• 300 “Sweat Equity” Hours - Th e minimum hours each habitat homeowner is required to invest to help build their home and the homes of their neighbors.• 22 Classroom Hours – Each Habitat homeowner is required to spend learning everything from home maintenance and repair to money management.

H4H is currently building two new communities: Lenwood Heights and Hope Village which will provide housing for 188 hardworking families. “Home Sweet Home”, “Estas en Casa”, “Make yourself at home”, the Habitat for Humanity Presbyterian Cluster (H4HPC) is gearing up to make these expressions true for Ms. Flor Villarreal and her family. Th e 2018 Build will be held at Lenwood Heights over a seven (7) Saturday build schedule beginning February 17th. Sponsoring a H4H house allows us to put our faith into action as we give of our Time, Talent and Treasure to become a living expression of Christian concern. If your “hammer swinging” days are behind you your fi nancial contributions are also needed, and of course please pray for the ministry of Habitat for Humanity. Th e churches in the H4HPresbyterian Cluster submit contributions individually and come together for a combined fundraiser Holy Smoke to raise the $57,000.00 required to sponsor a house.

Holy Smoke is an evening to gather with folks from the whole cluster for dinner and entertainment. 2018 Holy Smoke will be held at Covenant on Sunday, April 29th. More details as they become available. Volunteers do not need to have prior experience to work on a site. Each house will have an expert House Leader to instruct us as well as all tools and equipment necessary. 14 years old and up may volunteer on a build day and 12 years old and up on Landscape Day. Although the Presbyterian Cluster will do a seven day build Habitat does construction year-round, Tuesday through Saturday, so you can volunteer to your heart’s desire! H4H of San Antonio operates three Habitat Home Centers. Th ey are new and used building material retail stores. New, donated and salvaged building materials are sold to the public at a reduced cost. Th e proceeds from the stores fund Habitats administrative expenses. Buy or donate new and gently used home improvement products. Deals up to 70% off !

Habitat for Humanity Presbyterian Cluster dates:• Seven (7) Saturday Build Dates: Feb. 17, 24, March 3,

10, 17, 24 and April 7• Mission Focus Sunday – February 25th – 10:00 a.m.• Build Make-up Day – Saturday, April 14th• Landscape and Dedication Day – Saturday, April 21st• Holy Smoke @ Covenant – Sunday, April 29th

Additional information in the Narthex:• Volunteer Sign-in Sheet or go to http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090c49a8ab29a5f94-presbyterian • Build Day Waivers• Map, directions and Build Summary• Bad weather information – 210.223.5203 x 184 or

www.HabitatSA.org• Photo of 2018 Homeowner Ms. Flor Villarreal

Habitat for Humanity will be the focus for Mission Sunday on February 25th at 10:00 a.m. in the Mission Hall. Th e Keynote Speaker will be Ms. Trisch Moy, Faith Relations Associate. Contributions by check should be made payable to: Presbyterian Cluster Habitat

Church contact – Martha G. Flores – 210-342-5253or by email: offi [email protected]

RGC2 Update Th e congregation responded very positively to RGC2 and, during just the fi rst 13 months of the campaign, gave almost 70% (68.4%) of the funds that had been pledged. Th ese accelerated payments allowed us to pay the loan down from an original loan of $1,290,500 to $572,000 and re-amortize the loan to pay less than $4,000 per month. An additional large principle payment of $100,000 was made on January 31st, allowing the team to re-amortize again in order to get the monthly required minimum payment down even further. Our remaining loan balance is now down to $472,000. Over the two campaigns combined, we have received about $2,206,000 in gift s, or over $500,000/year on average during the last four years. We have also spent about $2,627,000 on construction (plus campaign expenses and interest) during that period. We will spend about $53,000 on additional projects and $44,000 on further loan interest charges over the next two years, bringing the total spent through the end of 2019 to about $2,724,000. Our projection at present is that at the end of RGC2 (December 2019), our remaining loan balance will be $175,000-225,000. Th is will require our operating budget to absorb an additional $15,000-20,000/year mortgage payment beginning in 2020.

2018 Operating Budget Our 2018 proposed budget shows an increase of about $8000 from last year, but more accurately represents the funds needed for the maintenance of our facility and includes the use of $15,000 from our designated building and grounds fund to off set the higher maintenance budget. Contracts have been signed to allow basketball leagues to use our gym to help bring in additional building use fees, increasing the amount in building use fees we should receive in 2018 to the $15,000 budgeted to be used from this fund. Th e Session voted to balance the budget by using $38,450 from our operating reserve. Th is will be the fourth consecutive year (with this year’s amount

being more than the previous 3 years combined) that we will be decreasing our operating reserve to cover operating expenses. Clearly, this is not sustainable. Th e Stewardship and Finance Ministry team will be working with the Session throughout the year as we seek to fi nish the RGC2 campaign well (fi nishing in Dec. 2019), fi nd new sources of income (such as building use fees), and turn our attention to growing the ministries of the church again. While off erings to the operating budget of Covenant per average worship attender have increased steadily over the last six years despite our congregation giving generously to the capital campaigns, we have also steadily declined in the number of people attending worship and the number of people pledging. Th is has largely been due to member deaths and members who have moved away from San Antonio combined with a lack of growth to make up for those losses. Th e only way to cut the budgeted expenses to match the projected income would be to make multiple staff cuts. Th e Session does not believe that we will cut our way into a better fi nancial picture, but rather that we need to grow our way into it. Seeking God’s direction to grow in discipleship and reach out with the Good News of the grace of God given to us through Christ, the Session will continue to guide us forward through this challenging time.

Overall Our congregation has grown in stewardship and responded with amazing generosity over the last four years. Our renovations were expensive, but long overdue and deeply needed. Building on the foundations laid for us, we have established a campus that can continue to be a place where people experience the life-transforming grace and love of God for decades to come. Th e challenge to “Rebuilding God’s Community” is shift ing from bricks and mortar to hearts and lives. Join us in discovering and responding to the call of God at this time and in this place this year and forward into the future!

February Youth Events• February 3rd – Share Your Heart & Prayer Garden

Work Day• February 4th – SOUPer Bowl Sunday• February 10th – Prayer Garden Work Day• February 17th – Prayer Garden Work Day

Share Your HeartA FAMILY Mission & Service Event

Saturday, February 3rd 9:00am – Noon

Children, Youth, and Parents are invited to participate in a morning of caring for our community. Children and parents will be working together on various service projects, including: Snack Packs, Care Cards, and collecting & organizing Canned goods for SOUPer bowl Sunday. Youth and their parents will be working on the Prayer Garden outside. Along with serving our community, we have several opportunities for fun, including: S’mores, Snowfl akes, & Snowball! (YES—SNOWBALLS!) Please contact Chad Bosse if you plan on attending ([email protected])

Joshua Build It began with an inquiry among a group of San Antonio area PCUSA youth workers: Is there a way in which we could join together and have youth, children, and their parents participate in a Joshua Build for San Antonio’s Habitat for Humanity? Aft er many months of conversation and fundraising, the answer to this question was “Yes!” and 200 people from several area

PCUSA churches came together to build the walls for 2 Habitat for Humanity homes at Northwood Presbyterian Church on a Sunday aft ernoon in January! Covenant brought 20 participants with them—some children, some youth, some parents, and other adults who just wanted to participate.

Th ese 200 participants built the wall panels to complete two Habitat homes. One set of the completed panels will be brought to Lenwood Heights and will be used to complete one of the homes for the Presbyterian Cluster’s spring build! Th rough the generous donations of Covenant’s community and through the Youth Mission Fund, Covenant was able to contribute $3000 for the cause. Of the many things shared, one that stood out was stated during the blessing by the pastor at Northwood, who said that the sounds of all the hammers pounding the nails echoed for many blocks throughout the neighborhood, which was a witness that the church is active, vibrant, and full of life! It was a wonderful way to spend a Sunday aft ernoon--joining together with our sisters and brothers in Christ to help build homes. Many thanks to Northwood Presbyterian Church for hosting the event, and to Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio for organizing this opportunity. Details will be coming soon and made available in the narthex for anyone interested in helping with the Presbyterian Cluster’s spring build. Let’s keep up the great work!

Youth Prayer Garden Work DaysSaturday, February 3rd, 10th, and 17th

Covenant Presbyterian Church’s Community Garden has blessed many people with fresh produce to help feed their bodies in its short existence—and this Spring, it will

begin the process of being transformed into something that can help feed one’s soul as well! Abby Worden will lead several work days to help construct a Prayer Garden that can be used for meditation and contemplation. Covenant’s Youth are invited to help with her Gold Project on Saturdays February 3rd, 10th, and 17th. Please let us know that you are coming by signing up in the Narthex or e-mail Chad Bosse ([email protected]). Bring your work clothes, gloves, and closed toe shoes!

SOUPer Bowl of CaringMore than 20 years ago, the Souper Bowl of Caring began with a simple prayer from a single youth group: “Lord, even as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us be mindful of those without a bowl of soup to eat.” Since that day, over $100 million has been raised for local charities across the country through Souper Bowl of Caring. It has become a powerful movement that is transforming the time around Super Bowl weekend into the nation’s largest celebration of giving and serving. Th rough this mission, young people learn what it’s like to make a positive diff erence in the world – as they collect food, raise money and volunteer to work in charities that provide shelter to the homeless, food to the hungry and compassion to those in need. Be a part of this movement that is sharing God’s love with those in need. Please give generously on Super Bowl Sunday. Covenant's Youth will collect non-perishable items and accept donations for the San Antonio Food Bank and Covenant's Food Pantry. Every dollar and non-perishable item donated will be split between these two organizations. Let's help fi ght hunger in San Antonio! For more information on Souper Bowl of Caring go to tacklehunger.org For a list of non-perishable items, see the outreach tab on Covenant's website: www.covenantcares.org Help Fight Hunger- Help Stock Covenant’s Food Pantry! It’s not too late to help Covenant's Youth fi ght hunger! Drop off your non-perishable items at the table in the narthex on SOUPer Bowl Sunday, February 4th. All items will be counted and reported that aft ernoon, and will be donated to Covenant's Food Pantry. Items that will not work for Covenant’s Food Pantry will be donated to the San Antonio Food Bank.

Food Pantry Needs:Peanut Butter & Jelly

Spaghetti PastaSpaghetti SauceInstant PotatoesRice (1lb bag)

Dry Beans (1lb bag)

Macaroni & CheeseLarge Can of Tuna in Water

Large Can of ChickenCan of Beef Ravioli

Can of SpamBox of Cereal

OatmealShelf Stable Milk

Canned VegetablesCanned Fruit

Midwinters @ Mo RanchSenior High & Middle School

Covenant is excited to participate in this year’s Midwinter conference at Mo Ranch! Th is year’s theme, “Beautiful Kinds of Beautiful Minds…God’s Welcome” is based on Romans 14:1-12. We are very proud to have three of our Senior High Youth serve on this year’s Midwinter Planning Team. Abby, Meredith, and Alex will do a fantastic job leading! We also would like to thank our adult sponsors, Scott & Rebekah, for spending the entire weekend with our group for the conference. We wouldn’t be able to do this without you!

30 Hour Famine6th-12th Grade YouthFebruary 23rd – 24th

Each year, hundreds of thousands of students in the U.S. and around the world unite to do the Famine. Th ey learn about hunger, raise funds to help the hungry, and then go hungry themselves. Th is year, Covenant will team up with youth from other San Antonio Presbyterian Churches to participate in the 30 Hour Famine. Participants will learn about hunger and poverty through educational, interactive (and FUN!) challenges. Th ey will stay overnight at Covenant and take time to serve in some local agencies on Saturday. Th e event concludes with worship and a meal. To participate or to ask questions, contact Chad Bosse ([email protected].

Pickleball!Looking to be more active this new year? Pickleball is a terrifi c court game for all ages, youth to young at heart, who have moderate mobility. Richard Galloway and Dave Lytle will give introductory lessons and facilitate group doubles play every Sunday evening from 6:30-9:00 p.m. in the Friendship Hall (gym). Come out a try this fun game. Please join us at any or all scheduled times for fun, exercise and fellowship. All equipment is provided. Dress is comfortable sportswear and tennis shoes, like that for indoor tennis. Pickleball has been described as "like playing table tennis on top of a huge table." If you'd like further information, please talk to Richard or Dave or call the church offi ce 210-342-5253.

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Covenant Presbyterian Church Choir RoomTuesdays and Thursdays 10:30am 11:30amCall SanAntonioOasis formore info:210 236 5954

Covenant Presbyterian Church211 Roleto DriveSan Antonio, Texas 78213Website: www.covenantcares.orgEmail: offi [email protected]: 210-342-5253

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February 2018 BirthdaysSUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

Edward Manibusan

Wanda BeebeLura Palladino

Nadia Rosales Eniko Warren David ParkerPerry Runyan, Jr.

Nancy HollowayBrent Mather

Shirley Poteet

Sandie MartinAna Alicia Valdez

Kay Todd Gabriel Durand Hollis,III

Ismael Palomino Robert Moore III Elizabeth Dyer

Abigail Worden Alexander Ward

Jo Reasonover Carla Turner