Church office hours: Mon.-Thurs. from 9:00 – 2:00 p.m. covsecty1@raleigh.twcbc.com (919) 365-7979

www.covenantwendell.com “Celebrating the Past – Building the Future”

Covenant Presbyterian Church

125 S. Selma Rd. Wendell, NC 27591-9705

Pastor's Notebook: Time to Say Goodbye

It has been my great privilege to be your pastor for the past six and a half years. As I think back over our years together, my heart is filled with memories of times we shared – good times and sad times.

Perhaps the greatest privilege of the ministry is to be invited into people’s lives at moments of great joy and great grief. Thank you for allowing me to be your pastor and your preacher. Thank you for your faithfulness to being Christ's disciples in this place. My prayer will be that God uses all I have done for the up-building of Christ's church here in Wendell.

From time to time many of you have asked me for a copy of my benediction. I thought it would be appropriate for my final words to you.

Go now in the fellowship of God's presence; And as you go remember:

In the goodness of God you were born; In the providence of God you have been kept every moment of your life; And in the love of God, fully revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord, you are

redeemed.

And remember: Wherever you go and whatever you do in the days ahead,

you are there for a purpose: To be God's child, to be Christ's disciple in that place,

To love God and to love your neighbor.

And now may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the father,

and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you now and every moment of your life.

Amen

Grace & peace, Claude

Keeping Up with Covenant Church

News from Covenant Presbyterian

Wendell, North Carolina

FEBRUARY 2017

Worship Elders Carol Rich & Tim VanGelder

For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. (Matthew 18:20)

CHOIR CHATTER:

MEYMANDI HALL here we come!

Your choir is participating in an extraordinary event this spring. We are part of a mass choir of 220 people that will present Pepper Choplin's Come to the Cross and Remember at Meymandi Hall in Raleigh on April 2nd at 7:00 p.m. We will be accompanied by a full orchestra and Pepper will conduct his work. Seven choirs were chosen for this project. The experience is certainly worth the extra rehearsals. Tickets will be $10.00 each. (By the way, our beautiful Christmas Cantata, Night of the Father’s Love, was written by Pepper Choplin.) The Covenant Concert series continues with The Master's Men on February 26th at 7:00 p.m. As you know, this concert is always excellent and attracts a huge audience. Please plan on bringing some kind of light refreshment to share. If you've never attended the Master's Men concert, come. You'll be glad you did.

See you in church,

Wanda

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6

YOUTH GROUP MEETINGS HAVE RESUMED FOR 2017!

PLEASE SIGN UP TO PROVIDE DINNERS AT 5:30 P.M. AS THEY

BEGIN THEIR MEETINGS!

COFFEE & CONVERSATION: NEW GROUP FOR PARENTS

(Or anyone interested). Meet at 10 a.m.

in Fellowship Hall. We provide the coffee; you

provide the conversation. A great way to relax,

share with other parents or grandparents while the kids are in

Sunday School.

Good news! We are resuming children’s church on February

5th even if repairs are not complete in the Education Building!

We will announce on Sunday whether we will meet in Fellowship

Hall or if we can go back “home” to the Ed. Building. Thank you

for your patience.

It isn’t summer yet but it will be here before you know it!

If you are interested in helping with planning, preparing, or

participating in Vacation Bible School, please talk to Leann Dale

(919-917-4731) or Linda Berry (919-585-4414).

Christian Education Elders Becky Abate & Paula Perry

The Back-Pack-Buddies program sends food home in needy students’ backpacks on every Friday to be sure that they do not go hungry over the weekend. There is a designated bin in the Narthex and lists with suggested items on the bulletin boards. Emphasis for February: tuna, soup, Jell-O & fruit cups. Feed the Future! The Food Pantry is an on-going project supplying bags of groceries to families in our area. Emphasis for February: Canned meats, Spam, Vienna Sausage, chicken. We are grateful to Wendell UMC for providing space and volunteers to staff the pantry. If you would like to volunteer at the pantry, let the church office know. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 1, 2017, as we prepare for Easter Sunday on April 16th. Every year, Wendell Council of Churches sponsors Lenten Lunches throughout Lent and also Monday through Friday during Holy Week. They begin at 12:15 p.m. with devotions followed by lunch, both provided by the churches of the council. This is a great way to observe Lent and also to get to know our fellow Christians. Covenant is providing the devotions & lunch on March 29th and on Thursday of Holy Week. Please plan to attend these luncheons and to assist when it is our turn to be host.

Lunches during Lent are held at Wendell United Methodist Church and during Holy Week at Wendell Christian Church.

WENDELL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

The Council meets on the first Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church on Main St. The various churches of the Council provide prayer before Wendell Town Council Meetings and a brief devotional service on Sunday mornings at Oliver House. This year we are scheduled for prayer at Town Meetings in March & October and for services at Oliver House in June & October.

The Oliver House services are informal & brief and can begin between 8:30 & 9:00 a.m. This is a great opportunity for service for Sunday School classes, committees or individuals. They love to sing the old hymns! Check the office to get on the schedule & for details.

Mr. Penny had a great year! THANK YOU to all the youngsters who collect the pennies and THANK YOU to everyone who contributes. We were able to give

$1,502.70 to help alleviate hunger for people who cannot afford enough groceries for their families. All from the pennies collected on the last Sunday of the month!

Financial report for January 2017

Month Year to date

Needed: $22,021 $22,021

Received $28,989 28,989

Difference $6,968 $ 6,968

Heritage Fund: January - $2,410 Year to date - $2,410

Mortgage balance: $1,080,035

Gifts to the Heritage Fund are applied to the principal on the mortgage and may be given in honor or memory of a loved one, to celebrate a

special event or "just because." All gifts are appreciated!

GIFT CARDS GALORE!! AND NOT JUST FOR GROCERIES!

Nearly $4,000 Cards come in many varieties & sizes! The list of participating retailers

includes stores all over the country – Target, Amazon, Belks, even Cruise Lines,

so take a look, make your list and turn it in to the nice people at the table in

the narthex or to the church office. The cards will be in your hands a week

later & your check will not be cashed till the cards arrive! You get the full

value of your card; the retailers send a rebate to Covenant; EVERYBODY wins!

FOOD LION AND LOWES FOODS CARDS ARE AVAILABLE

IMMEDIATELY IN THE NARTHEX AFTER WORSHIP ON SUNDAY AND IN

THE CHURCH OFFICE.

Mission/Outreach Elders Leta Thornton & Bud Lawler

Finance/Stewardship Elders Hugh Cashion & Barb Sneade

First Sunday Fellowship Sunday, Feb. 5th A trio of hostesses! Mary Selke, Christine Mailliard & Linda Higgins will

provide goodies on February 5th following worship. (Sign up to host a First Sunday on the sheets on the bulletin boards.) Come meet visitors and new members as well as old friends. First Wednesday Dinner - YOUTH FUNDRAISER! Wednesday, Feb 1st. Sit back and relax! Our youth are not only cooking and serving the meal for us, they will entertain us with short skits! Dinner Theater!! All we have to do is come and enjoy! Chicken Spaghetti, salad, etc. is on the menu but alternatives will be available for vegetarians and those with lactose intolerance. Meals will be served starting at 6 p.m. but come when you can – you will be served with a smile! Men’s Breakfast Sunday, Feb. 19 Time is 8:30 a.m. in the kitchen in the Education Building. All men are invited to come enjoy lots of hot coffee, a delicious breakfast and fellowship. Philip Kirk & Hugh Cashion are manning the stove – and coffee pot! Y’all come! Breakfast Fellowship Monday, Feb. 6 & 13 The Clayton group meets at Jones Cafe at 9:30 a.m. on the sixth & the Zebulon group meets at 9:30 a.m. at McLean's in Zebulon on thirteenth. EVERYONE is

welcome – at either or both groups! Prayer Shawl Sunday, Feb. 19th

The knitters meet at 5:00 p.m. on the third Sunday of the month and create shawls & throws for comfort in time of need. New members are very welcome. No need to be an expert; experienced knitters are happy to help and share patterns. Yarn and some needles are available. Call Christine Mailliard at 919-366-0883 for more information or if you know of someone who could use a shawl.

Join a special care ministry (Contact Kimberly Stevens at 919-269-3881 or Jeannie Driver at 919-365-5521 for more information.)

Handy Hands is a group of men available to help with home repairs and chores for those who find it difficult to manage by themselves. They have installed several ramps for our members as well as others with problems with mobility. Need is more

important than ability to pay so donations are much appreciated

Martha’s Ministry provides meals in time of need. If having a meal delivered would give you a lift, please let the church office know (919-365-7979). This may be due to illness, stress, or any other reason. If you are able to help prepare and/or deliver meals, please call Jeannie, Kimberly, or the church office.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN An open invitation to all women: January ended the current study and a new one will begin February 28th. Did you ever wonder why??? Why do we change the paraments on the communion table, pulpit & lectern? What do we do differently at different times of the year? Why are bulletins sometimes ivory and sometimes lilac? We will be using a Presbyterian Women's study about the reasons we do what we do during the different seasons of the church year as far as vestments, banners, etc. Carol Rich can order books so each women can follow the study; the books cost $6.00 each. Please contact Carol if you are interested in ordering a book. her email is: csrich319@gmail.com phone: 919-626-0092. Even if you do not want to buy a book, come anyway. All women are invited to join us for devotions, study and fellowship. A chance to relax, share, laugh, pray. Join us!

**************************** PARTY!

Claude is leaving and we are not happy!

However, it is the perfect excuse for a party!

Sunday, February 26th is his last Sunday at Covenant.

What could be more appropriate than a POT LUCK LUNCH!

The kitchen in Fellowship Hall will be accepting your dish as

early as 9:30 a.m. on Sunday. Plan to stay after church and

help Claude celebrate his retirement!

Beverages will be provided.

Congregational Care Elders Kimberly Stevens & Jeannie Driver

A message from Fred Lanzi

WATER, WATER, WATER

Three years, 2015, 2016 and 2017, each with water issues! In 2015, it was a frozen water line in the Sanctuary Narthex. Last year, it was water from Hurricane Matthew in the Sanctuary building. This year it is a frozen water line in the Education Building. Thankfully, we have insurance that covers most of the repair costs.

The 2016 Sanctuary Building repairs in the office hallways, sanctuary and narthex are complete, except cleaning the sanctuary carpet. This will be done the week of January 30. The cleaning service company’s schedule did not allow this to happen while the pews were removed. To date, the money we received from the insurance company covers all these costs.

All may look finished in the Sanctuary, but there are items that remain. The two main ones that hopefully, will prevent future wind driven water damages like those to the sanctuary ceiling and windowsills are: 1) Re-caulking ALL the building windows and 2) Replacing the Roof Ridge Vent. Sorrowfully, these two items are due to substandard workmanship during the 2005 building construction and they were not included in the insurance company’s damage report. We are obtaining estimates for these two repairs. We believe we will have enough money from the insurance reimbursement less the construction costs to date, to cover these two expenses.

The Education Building frozen water line issue occurred the night of January 8th when we had the 10 degree temperature. We are working with our insurance company obtaining damage reports and getting construction repair estimates. We also need to compile a “total loss” report for the insurance company. Presently, we anticipate the repairs will be completed sometime in March. No youth activities will be held in the building until the restoration work is finished. Only the two adult Sunday School Classes and AA are meeting there.

We also have a couple future projects that need to be done. Most immediate is repairing, cleaning and painting all the non-vinyl surfaces of the sanctuary building. The other is replacing the “smoked” windows in the Sanctuary building. We are obtaining cost estimates to do this work.

Please contact Property Committee members Tommy Crawford(chairman), Pete Dunlow (co-chair) or Fred Lanzi if you have any questions.

MARCH 1, 2107

LENT BEGINS!!

FIRST WEDNESDAY DINNER

Will be a soup supper sponsored by

The Outreach/Mission Committee.

Everything will be provided.

Just come and enjoy!

BONUS: Your donations will go to support the

Youth Mission Trip

To New York.

HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY

(also known as

Bob Borland’s birthday

91 this year!)

And

Happy Valentine’s Day

Property Committee Elders Tommy Crawford & Pete Dunlow

February Birthdays

Feb. 1 Kasey Oldham Feb. 20 Avery Cauley Pam Labusohr Feb. 2 Bob Borland Feb. 23 Jeannie Driver Feb. 4 Rodney Newton

Feb. 24 John Stevens Feb. 5 Tim Staley Mary Russell Laurent Feb. 25 Kevin Dale Feb. 6 Lila Meade Reaves Feb. 26 Ben Thomas Feb. 8 Pam Mitchell

Feb. 10 Ramona Webb

Feb. 11 Sara Hurley Beth Hurley

Feb. 14 Mitchell VanGelder

February Anniversaries

Feb. 17 John & Judy Shotts Feb. 20 Brian & Lisa Cauley NOTE: If your special day is not listed, (or is incorrect) please let the office know so we can set the record straight.

SYMPATHY

To the family of Marjorie Thuis who died On January 10, 2017.

Marjorie was a long-time member of Covenant but had been unable to attend services for many years.

To Paul Ransford & family on the death of his wife, Sally, on January 10th.

Paul served twice as Interim Pastor of Covenant and was former Camp Director at Presbyterian Point.

To Tim VanGelder & family on the death of his mother, Lamora VanGelder, who died unexpectedly this month.

ADDRESS CHANGES New address for: Helen Garrison

Eno Pointe Assisted Living

5600 N. Roxboro Rd.

Durham, NC 27712

WELCOME To Matthew & Nicole Bills who joined our church family on

January 15th

. Their address is 1217 Ridge Haven Drive;

Wendell NC 27591. Matthew’s phone no. is 919-522-2207 &

Nicole’s is 330-413-0350.

They are expecting a son in April.

THANK YOU From Marlow Sherrill:

Thank you for granting me the scholarship. I appreciate the support that Covenant is showing me and the other college

students. It’s good to know that someone from home is thinking of me. I’m excited to continue my education with your support. I

will always feel a strong connection with Covenant. Thank you. Marlow Sherrill.

.

The Master’s Men All male a cappella group

in concert

February 22, 2015

6:30 p.m.

Covenant Presbyterian Church Concert Series

No admission, but an offering will be taken

Don’t miss this evening of fine music!

AND IN MARCH!

ANOTHER EXCEPTIONAL CONCERT!

The Triangle Youth Philharmonic

Will perform on March 5th at 7 p.m.

The Triangle Youth Philharmonic is the most advanced Youth orchestra of the North Carolina Symphony.

Its mission is to provide a stimulating atmosphere in which advanced young musicians from throughout the

region can further their musical skills in a full-orchestra setting by working with professional musicians and

performing great classical music.

THANK YOU, CLAUDE

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

FOR YOUR SERMONS

FOR YOUR HUMOR

FOR YOUR PATIENCE

FOR YOUR SINGING

FOR YOUR VISITS

FOR YOUR CARING & LOVE!

ALTHOUGH WE WILL MISS YOU,

WE WISH YOU ALL THE BEST!

And remember:

Wherever you go and whatever you do

in the days ahead,

you are STILL there for a purpose:

To be God's child,

to be Christ's disciple in that place,

To love God and to love your neighbor.

God Bless.

Lectionary for February 2017

Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany—February 5, 2017 Isaiah 58:1–9a [9b–12] Psalm 112:1–9 [10] 1 Corinthians 2:1–12 [13–16] Matthew 5:13–20 Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany—February 12

Deuteronomy 30:15–20 or Sirach 15:15–20 Psalm 119:1–8 1 Corinthians 3:1–9 Matthew 5:21–37 Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany—February 19, 2017

Leviticus 19:1–2, 9–18 Psalm 119:33–40 1 Corinthians 3:10–11, 16–23 Matthew 5:38–48 Transfiguration of the Lord—February 26, 2017

Exodus 24:12–18 Psalm 2 or Psalm 99 2 Peter 1:16–21 Matthew 17:1–9

Children’s Ministry Volunteer Schedule for

February/March 2017

Date Children’s Sermon Nursery Volunteer Acolyte .

Feb. 5 Bob Borland Pam Hardee Megan Buus/Emma Cuthrell

Feb. 12 Don Mailliard Ray Dunn Usher

Feb. 19 Mary Selke Ruth Crawford Emma Buus/Kaley McClure

Feb. 26 Kimberly Stevens Robin Harris Shauna Moody

Mar. 5 Bob Fleming Rae Dunn Gracelin Hart

Mar. 12 Jennifer Carnes Stella Martin Usher

Mar. 19 Tom Martin Carrie Petrosky Molly Smithson/Megan Buus

Mar. 26 Don Mailliard Robin Harris Emma Cuthrell/Emma Buus

Nursery Worker:

The nursery will be staffed from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each Sunday morning by Miss Lindsay Pearson.

Until the Education Building repairs are completed, the nursery will be located in Fellowship Hall.

Nursery Volunteers: The nursery volunteer is asked to bring a light snack and juice (no popcorn please). If you are unable to serve on your scheduled Sunday, please call anyone from the nursery volunteer list. If you have trouble finding a substitute, please contact the coordinator Robin Harris at robinrfharris@gmail.com or 919-602-6705

Volunteer Schedule for February/March 2017

Date Lay Reader Audio Greeters Ushers

Feb. 5 Tammy Strickland Rachael Stevens Pam Hardee & Don Agee,

Carol Rich Pete Dunlow,

Leanne Stanton

Doug Petrey

Feb. 12 Linda Hess Billy Cuthrell Brian & Paula Phil & Annette Kirk,

Daniels Al Cates,

Bob Morgan

Feb. 19 Lisa Bailey Kevin Dale Tom & Stella Mark & Becky Abate

Martin Ed & Barb Sneade

Feb. 26 Joe Bowman Tim Harris John & Judy Shotts Steve Buus,

Bud Lawlor,

Ron & Dane Oldham

Mar. 5 Marc Johnson Joshua Stevens Olive Martin & Tommy Crawford

Leeanne Stanton Gary Hardee,

Mike Smithson,

Tim VanGelder

Mar. 12 Hulon Perry Amy Stevens Becky Morgan & Don Agee,

Judy McCurdy Pete Dunlow,

Leeanne Stanton,

Doug Petrey

Mar. 19 Tammy Rachael Stevens Pam Hardee & Phil & Annette Kirk

Strickland Carol Rich Bob Morgan,

Al Cates

Mar. 26 Carol Rich Billy Cuthrell John & Judy Shotts Mark & Becky Abate

February 2017

Every Sunday 9:30 a.m. Adult Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Sunday School for Children & Youth 10:00 a.m. Coffee & Conversation Joyful Noise Choir following worship 11:00 p.m. Worship 5:30 p.m. Youth Groups

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4

6:00 p.m. 1st Wed. Dinner Theater

7:30 p.m. Choir Practice

8:00 p.m. A.A.

9:00 a.m. Choir rehearsal

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12:15 p.m. 1st Sunday Fellowship .

9:30 a.m. Breakfast Fellowship – Clayton 7:00 p.m.

Wendell Council of Churches

10:00 a.m. Women’s Bible Study

No Grief Support Group

7:30 p.m. Choir Practice

8:00 p.m. A.A.

No Grief Support Group.

6:30 p.m. Finance Com.

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Communion

Sunday 5:30 p.m. Mission/Outreach 6:00 p.m.

Property 7:00 p.m. Session

9:30 a.m. Breakfast Fellowship - Zebulon 6:30 p.m. Wendell Perennial Garden Club

10:00 a.m. Women’s Bible Study 7:00 p.m. Icebreakers

7:30 p.m. Choir Practice

8:00 p.m. A.A.

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 8:30 a.m. Men’s Breakfast 12:15 p.m. Congregational Care 12:15 p.m. Lunch 5:00 p.m. Prayer Shawl Group

NEWSLETTER ITEMS DUE

Presidents Day

10:00 a.m. Women’s Bible Study

12:30 p.m. Grief Support 7:30 p.m.

Choir Practice

8:00 p.m. A.A.

7:00 p.m. Grief Support

26 27 28 Pennies for

Hunger 12:15 p.m. Covered Dish Dinner

7:00 p.m. The Master’s Men Concert

Claude’s last Sunday

6:00 p.m. Christian Ed. Com.

10:00 a.m. Women’s Bible Study 7:00 p.m.

Presbyterian Women

7:30 p.m. Choir Practice

8:00 p.m. A.A.