February 18, 2015

Dear Covenant family,

 

‘Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.’ – John 12:24

 

Let me start with some good news: Spring is Coming! Really….! Not only is today the first day of Lent, Easter is only 40 days away. If you start to think about spring cleaning: Ever wondered how much that particular item that has been sitting around for a while could be worth? It reminds me of the ‘Antique Road show’, in which experts would come in to tell you that that obnoxious little thing that has been laying around in your basement is actually worth thousands! I wonder if that is not a reflection of the Gospel. In our new Lent Series ‘Undersold’; we will follow the Gospel of John in the Passion Week (Ch 12-17), each week discovering new truths about the journey of the death and resurrection of Christ – making it’s way in and through our lives. But we begin by asking ourselves a big question. Has this Gospel been laying in the shelves of our lives, without us fully comprehending and/or living in it’s truth? Have we made it less that it actually is? Do we ‘get’ it’s meaning and value? If we do, the words of martyred missionary Jim Elliott make perfect sense: He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. Words very close to Christ’s when he talked about the way to find a full life: You want to find your life? Lose it and you will find it! Here is my Spring prayer: may we, as a church body, discover more of the full meaning of the Gospel during this Lent Season.

This Sunday: Children Worker Meeting immediately following service

 

Prayer and Praise Reports:

Some serious family related illnesses:

Byron’s sister Kim - cancer has spread, found a tumor in back of her neck near the spine.  MRI today.  Very weak, using two canes or walker, even wheelchair . 

Dawn (Bill & Ann’s daughter) – cancer, diagnosed as stage 3, has spread through lymph notes

Bud Masson’s sister Jackie (63) – serious health problems, on dialysis, ventilator and feeding tube. Family to make some difficult decisions

Norm Smith

Casting our Nets – for God to lead and send us in reaching out to the world around us

 

Church Calendar:

 

Wednesday, February 18

1.30 p.m. Prayer at the home of Dick & Gwen Slater, 1156 Adams Road, Desloge

 

Thursday, February 19

Pray for: 9 am Meeting area pastors to pray & plan community wide prayer for revival

 

Friday, February 20

1.30 p.m. St. Francois Manor Bible Study

 

Sunday, February 22

9.30 – Sunday School – Al & Jan Gainer – 1 John

10.45 – Service – New Series: ‘Undersold-; #1 –  Ch. 12 Gospel of John

Children Worker Meeting immediately following service

 

Tasks:

• Worship: Kari/Pat/Michael
• PowerPoint: Nate
• Coffee/Clean Up – Davis
• Children’s Church – John Pierce
• Nursery – Rebekah Pierce

 

Growth Groups:

• North: 6 pm; Contact Bud & Donna Masson (631-3930) or Al & Jan Gainer (636-543-1387)
• Central: 5.30 pm Contact Bill & Ann Bratberg (631-0555) or Howard & Linda Davis (756-4154)
• (Young) Families: None this week

 

Wednesday, February 25

1.30 p.m. Prayer at the home of Dick & Gwen Slater, 1156 Adams Road, Desloge

 

Thursday, February 26

5.00 – 6.30 Youth Night(s) at van Raalten’s (teen style dinner included)

6.30 –Bible Study at Viox house in Ste. Genevieve

 

LENT - Sunday, February 29

9.30 – Sunday School – Al & Jan Gainer – 1 John

10.45 – Service ;’Lent Series’ Gospel John, Ch. 13

 

Tasks:

• Worship: Steve/Evie/Michael
• PowerPoint: Nate
• Coffee/Clean Up – Gainer
• Children’s Church – Donna Masson
• Nursery – Naomi Smith

 

Growth Groups:

• North: 6 pm; Contact Bud & Donna Masson (631-3930) or Al & Jan Gainer (636-543-1387)
• Central: 5.30 pm Contact Bill & Ann Bratberg (631-0555) or Howard & Linda Davis (756-4154)
• (Young) Families: ‘Parenting with Purpose’ – meet during Sunday School at CBC

 

March 12

6.30 pm, YFC Banquet – Alexander’s in Farmington

 

Saturday, March 21

5k Fundraiser Shared Blessings – in conjunction with Youth Event @ premises