January 9

Dear Covenant family,

 

This Sunday we will start ‘the Story’. The first line of the Story reads, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). 

 

Right off the bat we find the main character in the story is not you or me.  It’s God.  And the rest of The Story will unfold out of the nature and person of this character. It doesn’t take long to find out what God’s great passion is.  Birds?  Nope.  Animals?  Not quite. Sun, moon or stars? Bright guess.  No, in Genesis 3:8 we find that God is walking in the Garden with Adam and Eve in the “cool of the day.”  God is near.  He is right with Adam and Eve.  And he is right here with us.  His simple vision for his creation was to spend time with them every day, to take a walk with them.  God’s supreme passion is to be with you! 

 

Some people live with the idea that God is some angry cosmic kill-joy who sits in the heavens and watches you, waiting for you to make a mistake so he can zap you.  Or, you feel he is distant and doesn’t care or has simply forgotten you. But from the beginning he has shown us this is not the case.  He wants to be with you.  He has not forgotten you.   In fact, this might be the perfect time for you to go for a walk.

 

Let’s begin our journey this Sunday! Please read Chapter 1 in the hardcover book to prepare for Sunday. If you haven’t had a chance to obtain your copy of ‘the Story’, and the ‘Participants Guide’ for growth group, there still are copies available in the church lobby.

 

Thank you church family

I hope you know that you are a real encouragement to me and to my family. Your kind words, prayers, patience and support mean a lot to us. We were also blessed through the Christmas and pastor appreciation gifts. The cards and comments received mean a lot! Thank you so very much!

 

Growth Groups Started

This past Sunday marked the start of our growth groups, as the following plans were made. Growth Groups meet:

South – potluck lunch after service at  John & Rebekah Pierce’s house (561-3765) in Fredericktown

North – Sundays at 6 pm; rotating homes each month, call Bud & Donna at 631-3930 or 358-7994 for location and information

Central – Sundays at 6 pm, rotating homes each month, call Bill & Ann Bratberg at 631-0555 for location and information

 

"Single Focus" Conference

This is a multi-denominational, area wide conference for adults who are single or single again. Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013 from 8:00 am- 4:00 pm at Solid Rock Family Church in Farmington, MO. The conference website is up and ready for registration. http://www.singlefocusconference.com/. More information can be sent to you by contacting the church office.

 

CBC Women Outreach with Pregnancy Resource Center

Darlene Berg writes: we will have first planning meeting this Saturday am the 12th at 10am at the home of Darlene Berg, 1119 Old Logging Rd in the St. Francois subdivision 1mile west of Farmington off Rte 221. Any and all are welcome to come, explore ideas, offer thoughts. The Tea will be themed around Forgiveness and will be for our women and as an outreach. We will open this up to women from Parkland Pregnancy Resource Center. Will need child care and children's activities. Both Crystal and Velma have offered to work with the children's activities. Jan Gainer is working on the devotion. We have changed the date of the tea to Feb 2nd at 1pm to give us more time to plan and to invite others to come. Please feel free to offer ideas and to offer to help. Will need food items which Ann Bratberg is coordinating. Would like those with sewing skills to help make some of the table decorations. I do need someone with computer savvy to make a "playlist" of song videos to help set the tone and as background music. If someone wants to sing one of the songs please feel free to volunteer. I have one poem in mind that would be good for someone to read, preferably someone younger than myself to appeal to younger women who may attend.  I know all those interested cannot make it this Saturday but let me know when you can meet for a second planning time. Darlene Moore Berg  home phone 756-9484.

 

Prayer & Praise Requests Individuals:

 

Prayer:

Velma is back at work – pray for continual recovery of her foot. If you want to help offer her a ride to and from work, please call her at 760-5270

Pat Mason’s surgery went well. Pray for recovery from surgery, and a return of all her ‘bodily functions’. Feel free to call her at 631-2738 or visit her at Barnes, room 4911 at the Center for Advanced Medicine. Earliest release date is Friday at this time.

Mildred Stringer is back home; released Monday – pray for Grace.

 

Church Calendar:

 

Wednesday, January 9

8:15 a.m. - “Moms In Touch” meeting at St. Paul Lutheran Church Sanctuary, for Students' Chapel, then to Farmington Skate park, 9:15 a.m.

 

6. 30 p.m. Prayer

7.00 p.m. Bible Study

 

Thursday, January 10

6:45 a.m. – Prayer with Allyson – Farmington Middle School

 

Friday, January 11

1.30 Bible Study St. Francois Manor

 

Saturday, January 12

10.00 a.m. Women’s Tea & Outreach at Darlene Berg’s residence (see information above)

 

Sunday, January 13

9.30 - Sunday School with Al & Jan Gainer - Galatians

10:45 a.m. Service – The Story, Chapter 1

Growth Groups meet:

South – potluck lunch after service at  John & Rebekah Pierce’s in Fredericktown

North – Sundays at 6 pm; call Bud & Donna at 631-3930 or 358-7994 for location

Central – Sundays at 6 pm, call Bill & Ann Bratberg at 631-0555 for location

 

Nursery: Brittany/Misty

Snacks/clean up: Slater

Call to Worship/Missions Moment: Velma - YFC

 

Wednesday, January 16

8:15 a.m. - “Moms In Touch” meeting at St. Paul Lutheran Church Sanctuary, for Students' Chapel, then to Farmington Skate park, 9:15 a.m.

 

6.30 Prayer Meeting

7.00 Bible Study

 

Mark Your Calendars:

 

Saturday, February 2

8.00 a.m. Men’s Bible Study

1.00 p.m. Women’s Tea

 

Sunday, February 3

9.30 a.m. CBC Membership Class