August 28, 2013

Dear Covenant family,

And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work – Nehemiah 2:18

For this Labor Day Sunday, let me tell you one of my earliest ‘labor’ tales: I remember ‘exciting’ sleep depraved nights as a kid. It was Saturday 4 a.m.. We were about to build a fort with my neighbors and I couldn’t wait until sunrise. It was building time! When the people in the Story of Nehemiah finished rebuilding Jerusalem’s wall they were so excited that they wept out loud. Many of them had worked hard and given up sleep for weeks. It was building time! What is God calling you to build? It may be a family, a career, a testimony, a legacy or…. At CBC, God is also calling us to build together: not a wall, but His Church! The book of Nehemiah provides us with an awesome blueprint of how to build. This Sunday we will seek to lay that blueprint against anything we might be building and I pray God as the Master Builder will help us examine and improve any of our ‘building projects’ – whether as a church ‘together’; or the individual things we are working on. After all, it’s labor day weekend!

 For this Sunday, please read Chapter 21 in ‘the Story’ – the story of Nehemiah 1,2, 4 and 6-8, Ezra 7 and Malachi 1-4. This is our last Old Testament Chapter. Next week will mark the start of the New Testament in ‘the Story’.

Church Wide Prayer Time ‘Together’: Friday, September 13 from 7-9 p.m. and Saturday, September 14 from 8-12 a.m. at CBC

This annual weekend has proven to be a key time of seeking God together as we look out at the year ahead. Our time will be marked by worship, confession and the praying and planning for the future. The word ‘together’ is derived from the book of Acts when it is often used to describe God’s people ‘together’ in prayer, seeking His Face. It’s time to rise and build!

Prayer & Praise Requests Individuals:

Health: Norm Smith, Dick Slater, Ramona (Brad’s sister), Elaine (Jan’s sister), Kim (Byron Huebschen’s sister), Mary Janzou’s back troubles are lessening, thanks for prayers.

Wisdom for leadership and implementation with the annual plan for CBC.

Church Calendar:

 

Wednesday, August 28

6. 00 – 6.45 p.m. Intercessory Prayer

7.00 p.m. ‘The making of a Godly Man’ - Men’s Bible Study

 

Friday, August 30

1.30 p.m. Bible Study - St. Francois Manor

 

Sunday, September 1

9.30  -  Sunday School- Al & Jan Gainer – ‘Romans’

10.45 a.m. ‘Let us rise and build’ – the Story, Chapter 21

 

P.M. – Growth Groups North, Central and South will meet at each group’s discretion at this Labor Day weekend

 

Nursery: Britney/Misty

Cookies/clean up: Berg

Children’s Church: Crystal’s team

 

Wednesday, September 4

6. 00 – 6.45 p.m. Intercessory Prayer

7.00 p.m. ‘The making of a Godly Man’ - Men’s Bible Study

 

Saturday, September 7 – (re) start Men’s Breakfast

Sunday, September 8 – Annual Evie Potluck Dinner – 5.30 p.m.

Friday, September 13, 7-9 pm and Saturday, September 14,, 8-12 a.m. ‘Together’

Saturday, September 28 – Caregiver Training ‘Bridge of Hope’; Valley Creek Coffee House, Farmington – 9-3; $50. Sign up sheet available on mission bulletin board

Friday, October 4 at 7 pm until Sunday, October 6th – 2 p.m. Family Weekend at PineCrest Christian Camp in Cherokee Pass.

August 21, 2013

Dear Covenant family,

 

‘And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?’ – Esther 4:14

 

As we prepare for Chapter 20 in ‘the Story’, looking at the life of Queen Esther, this song ‘for such a time as this’ by Wayne Watson says it well:

 

Now, all I have is now
To be faithful, to be holy and to shine
Lighting up the darkness
Right now, I really have no choice
But to voice the truth to the nations
A generation looking for God

 

For such a time as this
I was placed upon the earth
To hear the voice of God
And do His will, whatever it is

For such a time as this
For now and all the days He gives
I am here, I am here and I am His
For such a time as this

 

You, do you ever wonder why
Seems like the grass is always greener
Under everybody else's sky
But right here, right here for this time and place
You can live a mirror of His mercy
A forgiven image of grace

 

Can't change what's happened till now
But we can change what will be
By living in holiness
That the world will see Jesus

For such a time as this
I was placed upon the earth
To hear the voice of God
And do His will, whatever it is

For such a time as this
For now and all the days He gives
I am here, I am here and I am His
For such a time as this

Listen Online: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXcJUIAJNW0

Thank you for hosting our International Students

A big thank you for showing the love of Christ to our 30 some international students this past Sunday. Your hospitality, love, food and reaching out was a blessing to them. We love your feedback on this weekend as we develop our partnership with ICC.

Meet ‘new’ missionaries - Mission Opportunity this Sunday

We look forward to have John & Jo Beth Lee with us this Sunday during our Sunday School time (entire hour) and during the missions moment in the main service as they prepare to serve in Japan as missionaries with the EFree Church.

 

Church weekend at Pinecrest

This will be the first of several announcements on our Family Camp at Pinecrest Camp in Cherokee Pass from Friday, October 4 @ 7 p.m. to Sunday, Oct 6 (p.m.). We will be joining Christ Community Church (EFree) from St. Louis who have been doing this for many years.

What will we be doing?

There will be a guest speaker for the main sessions, as well as plenty of opportunities for fun and interaction. There will be a children program also.

Can I stay there overnight and/or commute?

Yes, you have the option to either camp (tent $15/day. RV $25/day), rent a room (from $85-105; includes meals) or commute.

What is the cost for meals? Meals are $8/adult per meal $4/child (ages 4 - 11). $40 should cover your five meals for the weekend.

How do I sign up? We will have a sign up sheet in the lobby.

 

Prayer & Praise Requests Individuals:

Health: Norm Smith

Byron Huebschen’s sister Kim – cancer has been found in lungs.

Wisdom for leadership and implementation with the annual plan for CBC.

 

Church Calendar:

 

Wednesday, August 21

6. 00 – 6.45 p.m. Intercessory Prayer

7.00 p.m. ‘The making of a Godly Man’ - Men’s Bible Study

 

Friday, August 24

1.30 p.m. Bible Study - St. Francois Manor

 

Saturday, August 24

Healing from Past Experiences (sexual abuse);  9:30am to 2:30pm. Lunch is included, childcare is available. RSVP 573-431-6001. Location: Esther Baptist Church, 412 7^th Street, Park Hills

 

Sunday August 25

9.30  -  Sunday School- Mission Emphasis Sunday School Japan (John & Jo Beth Lee)

10.45 a.m. ‘For such a time as this’ – the Story, Chapter 20

 

Nursery: Naomi

Cookies/clean up: Smith

Children’s Church: Larry

July Lawn Care: Randy Bose and Fred Nasser

 

Wednesday, August 28

6. 00 – 6.45 p.m. Intercessory Prayer

7.00 p.m. ‘The making of a Godly Man’ - Men’s Bible Study

 

Saturday, September 7 – (re) start Men’s Breakfast

Sunday, September 8 – Annual Evie Potluck Dinner – 5.30 p.m.

Friday, October 4 at 7 pm until Sunday, October 6th – p.m. Family Weekend at PineCrest Christian Camp in Cherokee Pass.

August 14, 2013

Dear Covenant family,

 

‘But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness’ – Mt 6:33

 

If you are looking for an interesting conversation piece with my in-laws from Wisconsin, please make sure you mention the Stillwater (MN) bridge. It has taken forever to build.

Although highly needed (parts of the old bridge could collapse at any time, and traffic jams are a regular occurrence) the construction has often been delayed. Why? The answer is simple: Opposition from environmentalists, politicians, budget hawks, etc….

In Chapter 19 of ‘the Story’ God’s People were called to return from exile to build the temple. Yet they were stopped by opposition, became discouraged and ended up being busy building their own homes instead. Did you know that God has called each and everyone of us to build His Kingdom? It’s to be our first priority, above everything else in our lives. Yet we can so easily find ourselves tempted to build something else. Why? The answer is the same: Opposition. Satan is out to stop us. As your pastor, I believe God is calling us to build. Let’s not be stopped! As we start our new year together at CBC it is my prayer that we would together commit to build His Kingdom – wholeheartedly, undistracted, faith-filled. With that as our heart attitude, I can’t wait to see what God will do next!

 

For this Sunday, please read Chapter 19 in ‘the Story’ (Ezra 1-6, Haggai 1-2, Zechariah 1;8)

 

Building Together This Sunday: International Students – Bring a lawn chair

We look forward to have about 36 international students and their guests with us this Sunday. Please pray for God to move in their hearts and for them to move one step closer to ‘come home’ to the Savior as they ‘come home’ into our homes. If you are hosting, plan to pick up your guests at 6.30 p.m. on Saturday, enjoy dinner with them at your home and join us for our Sunday Service with potluck lunch afterwards. Please bring a dish. If the weather permits, we will eat outside. Please bring a lawn chair and some fun outdoor games. The back lawn of the church looks beautiful – ready for a party. A list of assigned hosts with your guests is at the bottom of this email.

 

Prayer & Praise Requests Individuals:

Health: Norm Smith

Rebekah Smith; daughter of Lonnie & Debbie Smith, missionaries in France – recovery from surgery

Byron Huebschen’s sister Kim – cancer has been found in lungs.

Wisdom for leadership as we draft the annual vision for CBC. Wisdom for implementing

as we seek to be led by God together as a church family.

 

Church Calendar:

 

Wednesday, August 14

6. 00 – 6.45 p.m. Intercessory Prayer

7.00 p.m. ‘The making of a Godly Man’ - Men’s Bible Study

 

Friday, August 17

1.30 p.m. Bible Study - St. Francois Manor

 

Sunday August 18

9.30  -  Sunday School-Sam Mason – ‘Know Your Enemy’

10.45 a.m. ‘Coming Home’ – Service with International Students - the Story, Chapter 19

 

Nursery: Britany/Misty

Cookies/clean up: Slater

Children’s Church: Children with us during service

July Lawn Care: Randy Bose and Fred Nasser

 

Wednesday, August 21

6. 00 – 6.45 p.m. Intercessory Prayer

7.00 p.m. ‘The making of a Godly Man’ - Men’s Bible Study

 

Upcoming Events:

Saturday, August 24 –Healing from Past Experiences (sexual abuse);  9:30am to 2:30pm. Lunch is included, childcare is available. RSVP 573-431-6001. Location: Esther Baptist Church, 412 7^th Street, Park Hills

Sunday, August 25 – Mission Emphasis Sunday School Japan (John & Jo Beth Lee)

Saturday, September 7 – (re) start Men’s Breakfast

Sunday, September 8 – Annual Evie Potluck Dinner – 5.30 p.m.

Friday, October 5 at 7 pm until Sunday, October 9^th – p.m. Family Weekend at PineCrest Christian Camp in Cherokee Pass.

 

Host/Guest list for the night of August 17^th

 

Mason, Sam and Pat -  Bill and Lori, Leticia and Mbuke,(Tanzanian Mother/daughter) Dave and Marilyn

Slater, Dick and Gwen -  Alejandro family of 4 (2 boys, 5 yr, 13 yr)-Mexican/Bolivian

 

Edgar, Richard & Carolyn - 631-2303  Avi family of 4(Boy 5 yr, girl 3 yr) –Indian (No car)

Van Hoogstraat, John and Pat - 454-2106  Naphtali family of 3 (Girl of 3 yr old)  S. African

Huebschen, Byron and Crystal - 747-8366 Li Li and Zijie -2 Chinese single Women  (No car)

Masson, Bud and Donna - Weijiang family of 5-(3 boys, baby, 6 yr, 12 yr) Chinese

Berg, Mike and Darlene -  Guotian Hu family of 4,  Rose and Jeff(son 17 yr)- Chinese families

Davis, Howard and Linda - Moses and Hannah Ju –Young S. Korean

Van Raalten-Yanfei Ma family of 3 (Boy 8 yr old) Chinese  (No car)

 

August 7, 2013

Dear Covenant family,

 

“‘Daniel replied…’but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries’”.  Daniel 2:28

 

It was a warm day in Mexico. I was serving with Mercy Ships at the time and after playing soccer with some of my crew members and a group of Mexicans I decided to go for a dip to cool off. and as I jumped in the ocean. As I started swimming, I was suddenly pulled away by the strong ocean current. I was in too deep and couldn’t get back out. No matter how hard I swam, the current pulled me farther away from the shore.

Being a Christian is comparable to swimming against the current. The world around us pulls us the other way. From self-reliance, indulgence in self focused life, the pull is constantly away from God.

Daniel experienced this pull when he was exiled into Babylon. As a young man, he lost his family and faced strong opposition in a new land. Yet Daniel stood strong when others bowed, knelt when others ran and spoke up when others were silent.

I am sure you’ve experienced the pull as well – just like I have. What does it take to stand against the tide?  You may be surprised to find out that next to a strong relationship with God, Daniel also had a ‘band of brothers’ who stood with him against that tide. Chapter 18 of ‘the Story’ brings us a timely message as we re-start growth groups and focus on what this upcoming year might bring for all of us. May we join Daniel in telling the world around us ‘there is a God in heaven….’, and by doing so beat the tide to arrive safely on shore  – just like I did some years ago!

For this Sunday, please read Chapter 18 in ‘the Story’ (Daniel 1-3 and Jeremiah 29-31)

 

Kick Off ‘the Story’ this Sunday;

• Sunday School Story Overview with John Pierce and Bill Bratberg
• Family Style Service with skit, puppets – Byron and Crystal Huebschen
• Potluck Lunch & Kick off for  growth group
• Carrot Cake Desert Competition.

This Sunday we plan to kick off of ‘the Story’ by hearing an overview of the previous 17 chapters during Sunday School, followed by a family style worship service and potluck lunch afterwards. All three growth groups (North, Central and South) plan to meet during and after lunch. Each group will give a short description of their group. If you are not currently part of a growth group you are invited to join one that day. Not sure if a growth group is for you? We encourage you to still simply participate this Sunday only – you are under no obligation to stay committed to that group. We just look forward to have as many from our church family there that day; no strings attached! Last but not least: there will be a Carrot Cake Competition for desert.

 

Sign Up Host Home International Students

Thank you for all those that have signed up to be a host home for the international students that will join us August 18. There is still room for you to sign up this Sunday. Please plan to pick up your guests at 6.30 p.m. on Saturday, enjoy dinner with them at your home and join us for our Sunday Service with potluck lunch afterwards. Information on the number and nationalities of our guests will be available in the church lobby.

 

Prayer & Praise Requests Individuals:

Health: Norm Smith, Mildred Stringer

 

Upcoming Events:

Sunday, August 18 – Weekend with International Students from Columbia

Saturday, August 24 –Healing from Past Experiences (sexual abuse);  9:30am to 2:30pm. Lunch is included, childcare is available. RSVP 573-431-6001. Location: Esther Baptist Church, 412 7^th Street, Park Hills

Sunday, August 25 – Mission Emphasis Sunday School Japan (John & Jo Beth Lee)

Saturday, September 7 – (re) start Men’s Breakfast

Sunday, September 8 – Annual Evie Potluck Dinner – 5.30 p.m.

Friday, October 5 at 7 pm until Sunday, October 9^th – p.m. Family Weekend at PineCrest Christian Camp in Cherokee Pass.

 

Church Calendar:

 

Wednesday, August 7

6. 00 – 6.45 p.m. Intercessory Prayer

7.00 p.m. ‘The making of a Godly Man’ - Men’s Bible Study

 

Friday, August 10

1.30 p.m. Bible Study - St. Francois Manor

 

Sunday August 11

9.30  -  Sunday School- John Pierce and Bill Bratberg – Recap of ‘the Story’

10.45 a.m. ‘Band of Brothers’ – the Story, Chapter 18

 

Nursery: Naomi

Cookies/clean up: Gainer

Children’s Church: Kari

 

Wednesday, August 14

6. 00 – 6.45 p.m. Intercessory Prayer

7.00 p.m. ‘The making of a Godly Man’ - Men’s Bible Study