Covenant Lutheran Church
February Newsletter
  

  From The Desk of the Pastor
Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom.Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment 
Welcome to the Acts Bible Study!  I was extremely pleased with the organization and the celebration of ministry at the Annual Meeting.  For those of you who were there, we hope to build on that success for next year.  For those of you who missed the meeting, please make time next year.  One of the items we approved at the meeting is a 14 week Acts Bible Study.  This study is designed to lead us toward a mission and vision for our church, but I think you will find it also leads to much more.  The following is a summary of the study that will meet every week starting in Lent.First, each week you will meet in dyads or triads (2’s or 3’s).  You get to choose who you would meet with and what time you would like to meet.   You could meet in your homes, or at Starbucks, or after the Lenten service on Wednesday night.  We only ask that you meet in same sex groups.  This prevents husbands and wives from meeting together (though you can talk at home about parts of it).  It also promotes conversations and builds relationships.  I also ask that those on council meet with someone who is not on council.  If you were at the meeting, try asking someone who was not at the meeting.  The more people we get involved the better.  I hope we have everyone involved!Each session will have three parts.  First, you will check in with each other for 10 minutes.  We know that you will do this anyway so we make time for it.  How are you doing?  What’s going on?  It’s the kind of stuff we do when we greet a friend.The second part of the Bible Study is 20 minutes.  This section is for conversation about the text.  You will be asked to read two chapters of Acts before you get to the study each week.  Then you will answer a few questions about what you read together:  What is God doing in these chapters?  What are the people doing?  What is the Spirit doing?  What lessons are here for the church in that day?  What lessons are here for us today?  What does the text tell us about vision or mission? Etc.  You don’t have to answer all of the questions… the idea is to have a conversation.The third and final part of the Bible Study is prayer.  We ask that you commit to 15 minutes of prayer.  This may be hard the first week, but it gets much easier and great things can happen.  What do you pray for?  Our church, our city, our leaders, each other, problems or things you are thankful for.  You might pray for the mission and vision that God is lifting up or for our ongoing ministries.  You may pray aloud or silently or, more likely, some combination of both.  Trust the Spirit as it moves you.If you add up the times you see that 10+20+15 = 45 minutes.  If you go longer than an hour, you’ve gone too long.  We also ask that you contact Kristine at the church and let her know who you are meeting with and when and where you are meeting.  If you have a profound experience or a question, don’t be afraid to share with Pastor Heath or one of our leaders, Rick Low and Rachel Foraker.    When we get a hundred people reading God’s word and praying together, good things will happen.  You will be hearing quite a bit about this study the next few months, I hope you will be part of the conversation.  I pray God will guide you and bless you in the weeks to come.
Grace and Peace,Pastor Heath  
 President’s Ponderings
"For I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me." -- Philippians 4:13

I know I've probably used this verse before, but it's one of my favorites, and I don't mind revisiting it. Our annual meeting took place this past Sunday, and it was a great celebration of the things we have done in the past year because we have felt the Holy Spirit moving through us. I played an Allen Toussaint song as we got underway. For those of you who haven't heard it before, hop on iTunes, get a copy (the Pointer Sisters do a pretty good rendition of it too). It's infectious. And the words are great:

Now is the time for all good men
To get together with one another
Iron out the problems, iron out the quarrels
And try to live as brothers.
And try to find a peace within
Without stepping on one another.
And do respect the women of the world,
Remember we all had mothers.
Make this land a better land
Than the world in which we live.
Help each man be a better man
With the kindness that you give.

I know we can make it, I know that we can
I know darn well we can work it out.
Oh yes we can, I know we can
Yes we can can, why can't we if we want to
Yes we can can.
I know we can make it work
I know we can make it if we try
Oh yes we can, I know we can can
Yes we can can, great gosh almighty
Yes we can can

Take care of the children,
The children of the world.
They're our strongest hope for the future,
The little bitty boys and girls.


If you didn't hear it, or if you couldn't quite hear what Toussaint was saying, there you go. It's not labeled a Christian song, but I don't know how you get more Christ-like than that. I see another great year ahead of us. One in which we "make this world a better land than the one in which we live" by loving and taking care of those around us. Even when it's not easy, we can do amazing things through Christ who strengthens us.


Peace,
Jen 
Covenant Lutheran Youth
December’s Noisy Offering collected over $50.00 for the Salvation Army fund.  Sunday School Noisy Offering for January-March will help buy Vacation Bible School materials.
 Covenant Preschool 

 Beginning in February we will be raising funds for a new playground set.  February 7th a “Love Our Playground” jar will be placed at the end of the hallway. Everyone is encouraged to fill the jar with coins, bills, or checks - all will be appreciated.  On February 23rd (Feb. 28th if bad weather) we will have our Peace Parade. Children, church members, parents, grandparents or other volunteers will walk laps to raise funds. Everyone is encouraged to ask friends and family members to pledge an amount for every lap of the parking lot that they walk or just make a donation. Pledge envelopes will be available in the church office. During our parade we will have snacks, music and peace pops for all in attendance.  We will be selling Groovy T-shirts for $10.00 as part of our fundraiser as well.  T-shirts will be worn at our Peace Parade, while asking for pledges, or just to show your support. Everyone is encouraged to share the Love of Covenant Lutheran. Thank you for your support!Peace, Kathryn 
Grace Growers 
Those who need transportation should contact the church.  The Van brings Country Lane residents.  Consider putting the Wednesday Bible study on your calendar and share the word, which is the Gospel lesson for the coming Sunday each week.   
 Worship and Celebration
 Community Christian Unity Observed at Covenant 
The 12th Annual Service of Christian Unity in Temple was hosted by Covenant on January 19 with local clergy leading the service.  It was a celebration of the Family of God with the theme “We Will All Be Changed by the Victory of Our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Sixty attended with more than 10 churches represented.  The $400 offering received will benefit Family Promise.  Thanks to the Covenant folks that kept our tradition of being friendly in greeting, ushering and serving dessert following the service.  Covenant has been host to this important prayer observance 3 times and is sponsored by the Central Texas Prayer Network with Pat Dalrymple as coordinator.  The CTPN is a servant ministry encouraging, connecting, and equipping leaders to mobilize cooperative strategic prayer initiatives to reach Central Texas for Christ.  The CTPN also coordinates the annual National Day of Prayer for Central Texas.  A prayer group meets weekly on Monday nights @ 7 pm.  Location changes every month to different churches and ministry sites.The schedule is posted on the web site: www.centexprayer.org.   C.T.L.C.
 CTLC:  Please bring canned soup for CTLC on Sunday February 5th and then stay after the Late Service for a bowl of homemade soup with proceeds going to the Salvation Army.  Thanks, Miriam  
Family Promise 

Family Promise for Covenant will be Tuesday, Feb. 7, and Friday, Feb. 10. This is a program designed for homeless families with children who have been screened and qualify.  They spend the nights (one week at a time) at host churches while they are finding work and saving money to become

self-sufficient again.  We need food and folks to host at First Lutheran.  We will be informed of how many folks are in the program the week before we host.  A sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board. 

Call the Grays if you have questions.

 Prayer Corner  
PRAYER is one of the 3 classic Lenten disciplines of the Lutheran Church.  The other two are: fasting and almsgiving.The Acts Bible study includes 15 minutes of prayer in the meeting of 2 or 3 people that commit weekly for 14 weeks.  The Holy Spirit will be the teacher in building confidence to be an intercessor.  Together we’ll do “greater things,” as a result of prayer.  We learn to pray by praying.  As disciples we are “learning followers” of Jesus, just as in the early church.  Let us pray that a ministry team of lay people for Covenant will be a result of the Acts Bible study that will meet regularly and be intentional about covering the ministry of the church in prayer.PRAYER RESOURCES Covenant provides the “Portals of Prayer’” quarterly devotion books that has daily, seasonal, and numerous prayers for other needs and concerns.   ELCA Prayer Ventures is a guide to prayer for the global, social and outreach ministries of the ELCA Covenant Daily Prayer Calendar includes prayers from Sundays & Seasons, NT-NL Mission area, local events and Covenant ministry.
 Women’s News
My Dearest Sisters in Christ, A new year has begun.  I am so excited to be your new President.  There are lot’s of great ideas for us to grow in our faith walk with Christ.  Hopefully I can meet with the other officers and announce the calendar of events for the rest of the year. February has two events.  We will be continuing our study of the Gospel of Mark.  This month it will be on Thursday, February 16th @ 7:00 in the fellowship hall.  The second event is the Annual Women’s Prayer Conference at Temple College.  This year’s theme is “Living the Commented Life.”  It will be Friday, February 24th from 6:30-8:30 and Saturday February 25th in the TC pavilion.  Let us all attend to show our faith and support for the praying women of Temple.  Please see Pat Dalrymple for details and registration. Covenant and first Lutheran are going to host the Spring Gathering.  We are only in the early stages of planning.  The theme is Bind Us Together, Lord.  Any one interested in helping with the event or sewing a lap quilt for the event, please contact me. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you this year.  I look forward to us praying, working and praising together. Your Servant in Christ, Miriam Yauk
CLCW
New CLCW Officers were elected at the Advent Meeting in December:President - Miriam YaukVice President – Jean EggertSecretary – Carol FrasierTreasurer – Joy Gray 
February Special Events and Announcements 
Adult Dinner GroupSaturday, February 25th, 6:30 P.M. at Joe's Italian Restaurant.If you have any questions, please let me know.Carol Frasier
 Ash Wednesday is February 22nd
NT-NL News Highlights
Please click on the link to note the highlights from our Mission Area

NT_NL_News@mail.vresp.com

 Six new Synodically Authorized Worship Leaders have been installed!Briarwood is hosting a golf tournament.The Executive Director position is open at the Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest. 
Remember in Prayer
Prayer Requests

Karen Cox Carol RichThelma Lucas Paulette MeseckeMike & Linda Glymph Leah ParkerArian RatherEthan Goble Tommy GrishamLoraine MillerRowan BarnettCarl BozonBrandi Charles SmithCobiRachel Clarke

New Born Kjelland Premature Twins Weston Keifer Osborn
 

Deployed Military Personnel Rick LynnCol. Scott Efflandt 
Foreign Mission Field Pr. Kate WarnSierra Leone

 Lord, we lift up our prayers for all those who are sick, that are waiting for test results or that have had surgery.  We also pray for the families whose loved ones have passed from their presence to Your heavenly home.  Give them peace and comfort.  Lord, we ask Your blessings on all military personnel and their families.  Protect them all and give them peace.  We pray for your strength and your blessings on these, your faithful people.  In Jesus' name, Amen. 
February Eternal Candle Tributes 
5th  My sister Kathryn’s B-day    Jane Snodgrass 
12th  In Memory of Organ Donors   Tetzlaff’s  
Birthdays and Anniversaries 

Bonnie Kuehl2/1
Connie Stulman2/3
Lauren Foraker2/15
Evan Low2/16
Geoff Eldridge2/17
Cade Hiley2/21
David Domelsmith2/23
Mike Glymph2/26
Aubree Gauna2/26
Sheryl Yauk2/27
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
Ron and Toni Gates2/8/1958
  
  

       
   COVENANT LUTHERAN CHURCH 4202 HICKORY ROADTEMPLE, TEXAS  76502  

CHURCH PHONE NUMBER: (254) 773-7718
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS:  Monday, thru Thursday’s8:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.
 CHURCH WEBSITE:              www.covenantlutheran.com
NEWSLETTER EMAIL: covenantlutheran@hot.rr.com 
STAFFPastor: Heath AbelOffice Administrator: Kristine LemertEmail address: covenantlutheran@hot.rr.comCHURCH COUNCILPresident:                              Jennifer JonesVP/Treasurer:                        Mitch MannFinancial Secretary:              Mack FreemanRecording Secretary:           Linda DomelsmithWorship & Music:                  Bonnie Kuehl Programs:                              Jane SnodgrassCaregiving:                            Jean Eggert    Enter subhead content here