Covenant
Matters
The All-Church Picnic is Today!
Covenant's Annual All-Church Picnic is today, May 3, at the Skaggs ranch
(13600 FM 1826). The fun starts at 4 p.m. and goes until about 8. Drinks are
provided. Bring your own food for your family, and cookies to share. We will
have a cookie bar! Come prepared for softball, kickball, running around and
more. The Sons of the Saltfork will entertain us with their music! Find directions on the web at covenant.org/annual-church-picnic.
Raising a Modern Day Knight
Every man wants to succeed with his son and be a great dad, but we can't
do that alone. This May, the men of Covenant will dive into the Raising A
Modern Day Knight class. This is an incredible opportunity to learn what
God designed fatherhood to look like, and to hear from others who are on
that journey. The class will run from 6:30-7:30 a.m. from May 7 through June
11 in FE 200. For more information and to register, contact Skip Crowe at
[email protected].
Folk-Celtic Concert is May 13
Covenant’s Folk-Celtic Band is having a special concert and hymn sing —
“How Can I Keep from Singing” — on Wednesday, May 13, at 6:15 p.m. in
the Sanctuary. Enjoy a musical evening with this unique ensemble that takes
advantage of fiddles, cello, other acoustic strings and hand percussion. Paul
Glasse, a former national mandolin champion, will join on mandolin. The
group has been enthusiastically received in Sunday worship and looks forward
to presenting some of its favorite songs in an evening concert and hymn sing.
Volunteer for Upward 2015-2016
Upward Basketball brings nearly 200 kids and their families onto our campus
for games and practices every week in January and February. Upward needs
volunteers for the leadership team for next year. If you are interested or want
to learn more, contact Stephanie Schultz at [email protected].
May 3, 2015
covenant.org
covenant.austin
Wednesday Nights in May
Teacher Appreciation Breakfast
Covenant will serve its last supper of the 2014-2015 academic year on
Wednesday, May 20. That night, Covenant youth leaders, Nathan Richards
and Whitney Bell, and others will talk about the youth and family mission trip
to Belize over spring break. On Wednesday, May 6, the children's choir will
give an encore presentation of the Sailor's Bible and on May 13, the Covenant
folk group will perform and invite the congregation to join in on several hymns.
All May programming will start at 6:15 p.m.
Let's show the teachers at Webb Middle School, Covenant's adopted school,
how much we appreciate all they do for their students. We'd like for them to
start their day with a special breakfast on May 5. Please contact Kathy Willis
at [email protected] or at (512) 826-6309 if you'd like to make a contribution, help set up or serve.
Vacation Bible School
This year's VBS, Everest: Conquering Challenges with God’s Mighty Power, is
June 15 – 19 from 9 a.m. to noon. Get ready for a week of faith, fun and friends.
Kids learn about God and the Bible through song, taste, smell, touch and sight.
It’s a glorious week of activities that center around God. Each family must
provide an adult volunteer for at least two days. We welcome and encourage
all parents and caregivers to show up at 11:45 and worship with us. Camp
Everest is for kids Ages 2-4; Everest is for Pre-K to incoming 5th grade; youth
volunteers are incoming 6th graders and up. To register and get more information, visit covenant.org/vbs. To volunteer behind the scenes, contact Ashley
Ellison at [email protected].
Register Now for Youth Summer Trips
May 3 is the deadline for early registration for the trips that our middle and
high school students will take this summer. The 7th and 8th graders will travel
to Oklahoma City for a mission trip from June 20-26. Our kids will help in
soup kitchens, and with vacation Bible school, tornado relief and more. Our
high school students will return to Fun in the Son in South Padre Island. This
weeklong conference, which runs from July 12-17, is filled with worship, amazing speakers, encounters with Jesus, playing in the ocean and more. More
information is available at covenant.org/student or from Nathan Richards at
[email protected].
Preschool and Summer Camp Now Enrolling
Come, be a part of our wonderful school! Covenant Presbyterian Preschool
and Child’s Day Out is a part-time program created and supported by a
community of parents, teachers and children working together to provide
high-quality experiential learning in a Christian environment for ages nine
months through five years. There is space still available for 2015-2016 in our
three's and five’s classes. We are also currently registering for summer camp
for kids ages two (2) - six (6). To find more information and downloadable
applications that we accept year-round, visit covenant.org/preschool or call
(512) 454-8370.
Reason # 3 you may be called to Cuba
During this time of transition in Cuba, explore with our sister church its 2015
Biblical theme: The people of God celebrate hope and practice justice (Joel
2:-26-29). Continue building bridges between our churches with Jesus Christ
at the base of our partnership. Engage in activities together that always serve
to improve the bonds between our churches as we together enjoy fellowship
that reflects our faith in God and the experience of the love of Jesus in our
lives. Five spaces remain to join Jill Williams and a mix of 14 returning veterans
and first-time visitors. Contact Jack Kern at [email protected].
VISIONS LUNCHEON Is MAY 19
Join the Covenant VISIONS (Very Interested Seniors Investigating Our New
Seasons) group for lunch and a great program at 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday,
May 19, in FE 200. Dr. Dixie Stanforth, a lecturer at UT's Department of
Kinesiology, will talk about the small changes we can make in our lives that
will reap big rewards in our health and mobility. As a lecturer, teacher, author
and editor of many fitness publications, she is eminently qualified to teach us
how to remain fit as we age. To make a reservation, call (512) 454-5231. Lunch
is $6 at the door or whatever you care to donate.
MAY ARMCHAIR TRAVELERS HAS BEEN CANCELED
Armchair Travelers scheduled for Thursday, May 7, has been CANCELED
due to the presenter being unable to attend. Call Fred Hartmann at
(512) 345-4181 if you have any questions or comments.
What's for Dinner?
Wednesday Night Dinner Menus
May 6
Chicken Tchoupitoulas
Blackened Chicken Breast
Dirty Rice
Vegetable
May 13
Chicken Lo Mein
Egg Rolls
Dessert
Every Wednesday night, Covenant's Chef Mark Toussaint prepares meals for the congregation in the Fellowship Hall. Enjoy a tasty dinner at 5 p.m., then head over to one of
@cpcaustin
Covenant's many Wednesday night activities! Cost is $6 per person or $20 per family.
Stewardship Update
Manos de Cristo
Manos de Cristo, a mission of Covenant Presbyterian Church, works to empower
low-income individuals in our community with food and clothing, low-cost essential
dental care and educational opportunities for adults to learn English, basic computer skills or prepare for the citizenship process.
Covenant’s mission committee has made a three-year investment in the Manos
adult education program through a bequest by the Freeman Estate. This investment will help Manos de Cristo’s education program to expand its staff and provide
childcare while parents attend class. One goal of our partnership is to recruit 10 new
volunteer teachers to begin teaching classes at Covenant or at Manos de Cristo in
the fall. Visit with Manos de Cristo staff and current volunteers on the patio Sundays through May 24. Covenant members are also invited to join us in celebrating
our students’ successes at our end-of-semester celebration in Eaton Hall on May
14 from 6 to 9 p.m. To RSVP for the celebration to get more information, contact
Karen Green at [email protected] or (512) 628-4196.
submitted by Mary Alice Carnes
VISIONS Activities Day
Covenant seniors and friends are invited to the May 5 VISIONS Activities Day
to experience the nail-biting race against time during WWII as Alan Turing
and his team of code-breakers attempt to crack the code utilized by the
Nazis' communications machine. Our movie, "The Imitation Game" (2014), is
based on the real-life story of this legendary cryptanalyst played by Benedict
Cumberbatch. Meet in FE 200 for games, bingo and puzzles at 10 a.m. and
lunch at noon. The movie starts at 1 p.m. Donations accepted for lunch and
reservations are not required. Contact Martha Bombaugh at (512) 345-5916.
Learn Lightning Safety Tips
Covenant Scout leaders invite all interested, especially those who take
groups outside, to hear a presentation on lightning safety in FE 200 on May
14 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. The Austin-Travis County EMS will deliver a presentation titled "The Shocking Truth," which was developed in response to
the tragic incident involving a nine-year-old boy hit by lightning last August
in the Lake Travis area. For more information, contact Tom McClure at
[email protected].
May VISIONS Trip
Save the Date: Gospel Concert is May 13
On Thursday, May 7, Covenant VISIONS (Very Interesting Seniors in their
New Season) will travel to Fort Hood to watch the 1st Calvary Division Horse
Detachment practice their ceremonial routines. Following lunch at the Fort
Hood Commissary, the group will visit Texas Central College to see two shows
in the Mayborn Planetarium. The price for this trip is $21 per person, which
does not include lunch. The bus will leave the church at 8 a.m. and return
about 5 p.m. Contact Jim Abbott at [email protected] or (512) 795-0063.
Covenant’s Sanctuary Choir and GraceNotes Vocal Ensemble will present “Rock my Soul,” an evening of anthems, spiritual and gospel songs, on
Wednesday, June 3, at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Both groups will perform some
of their favorite anthems from throughout the year, lively spiritual gospel
arrangements and songs from early Americana.
A Time to Celebrate
Covenant worship times are shifting! On June 28, we will start a summer
schedule. For nine Sundays during the summer, Covenant will have two traditional worship services — at 8:15 and 9:30 — and a contemporary service at
11 a.m. Starting Aug. 30, Covenant will again resume its winter schedule with
a slight modification. We will have traditional services at 8:15, 9:30 and 11 a.m.
Our contemporary service will begin at 11:10 a.m. The Worship Task force met
with many people, groups and staff members over the year, and conducted a
survey, concluding the delayed start time of the contemporary service offers
more flexibility to the preacher. Party on the Patio will also be on Aug. 30.
The Presbyterian Women’s Spring Luncheon is Tuesday, May 12, from 10 a.m.
to 1 p.m. in FE 200. This will be a joyful time of celebration and fellowship, and
a look at the year ahead. Beth Daniel will be the guest speaker and the new
officers for the Presbyterian Women Coordinating Team 2015-2016 will be
installed, followed by a delicious lunch. All women — members and visitors
— are invited. No reservation required. We hope to see you there! If you need
childcare, please email [email protected]. For more information, contact Cheryl Banks at (512) 789-2696 or [email protected].
Calling all High School Seniors
On May 17 in the 9:30 and 11 a.m. worship services, we will honor all our high
school seniors! We want to be sure to include everyone. If you are a high
school senior or if you have a child who is a senior in high school and would
like to be honored, please email Stephanie Kurio at [email protected].
Career Transitions continues
Covenant Career Transitions meets Thursdays at 7 p.m. in FE 100. This class,
is for those facing employment uncertainty or change. On May 7, David
Hughen, principal at Austin HR, will present “Adventures in Job Interviewing."
On May 14, Tommy Chiodo, licensed counselor and career coach, will present
“Managing the Emotional Impact of Career Transitions.” Each acts as a standalone workshop. Contact Kay Austin at [email protected].
Financial Update
For Period Ended March 31, 2015
GENERAL FUND
Revenues
Expenses
BUILDING FUND
Total Loan Balance
Principal Reduction YTD
YTD
Actual
YTD
Budget
$ 882,177
732,482
149,695
$ 936,991
817,239
119,752
$ 6,458,733
53,085
Worship Times Update
Pledged Income Lagging after Q1
Michael Knisely, Covenant stewardship committee chair, spoke to the congregation last Sunday, pointing out that we are strong in stewardship —
both
our time and talents, and our giving. He said we have three new members
to Covenant who are giving their time and talents as new members of the
Stewardship Committee. We are also nearly $38K ahead in unpledged giving
at the end of the first quarter. However, we are $90K short in pledged funds.
This money is part of our 2015 dream budget and has been directed toward
our missions and building debt. Update pledges online at covenant.org by
clicking on “My Covenant” in the left-hand corner of the homepage. If you
have questions, contact Duane Dube at [email protected].
Moms Group meets May 4
Covenant's MoMs Group will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, May 4, in the
Sanctuary Parlor. Member Carrie Cothran-Williams will discuss Love and
Logic, a parenting method that emphasizes setting love limits. Contact
Rachel Gossen at [email protected] or Becky Butterworth at
[email protected]. For childcare, make reservations 48 hours in
advance: [email protected].