The Covenant CallN e w s l e t t e r o f C o v e n a n t P r e s b y t e r i a n C h u r c h

M a r c h 2 0 1 1

In the English language, the special season before Easter is called “Lent.” Th e word comes from the “lengthening” of daylight hours as we progress from the darkness of winter to the new light of spring. But other languages, such as Spanish, have a name for this season that is derived from the word for forty. It is the season of the forty days. Why 40 days? Because, the bible tells how Jesus fasted and was tempted in the wilderness for 40 days. Lent is a time of fasting, prayer, temptation and repentance for believers. Lent is not required anywhere in scriptures, but it has become a custom. Christians have observed Lent for almost two thousand years. However, just to confuse things, Lent is actually 46 days rather than 40 days. Why? Because the 40 days of Lent are supposed to be days of fasting. Th ese are days of discipline and self-restraint. Sunday, the day designated as the Lord's day by Christians, should never be a day of fasting, but a day of celebration. Each Sunday Christians suspend Lenten disciplines and celebrate. Lent is 40 "fasting" days spread over a total of 46 days beginning on Ash Wednesday. Did you ever wonder why he was out there for forty days rather than seven or ten or fi ft y? Th ink back to the Old Testament. Noah and company in the Ark watched rain fall for 40 days and forty nights. Moses was up on Sinai receiving the 10 commandments for 40 days. Th e Israelites wandered around the desert for 40 years. Canaan was spied on for 40 days. Goliath taunted Israel for 40 days. Elijah fasted and journeyed to Horeb for 40 days. Ezekiel bore the iniquity of Judah for 40 days. Jonah warned Nineveh of judgment in 40 days. So, why all these forties? Possibly because forty weeks is the average that a woman carries her developing baby. Possibly because 40 years was a generation

then. All these “forties” are a necessary and not-so-comfortable prelude for something new. In Noah’s case, it’s the rebirth of a sinful world that had been cleansed by raging fl ood waters. In Moses’ case, it was the birth of the people of the covenant. For the nomadic Israelites, it was the start of a new, settled existence in the Promised Land. And Jesus? What did his forty days mean? Th e birth of a new Israel liberated from sin, reconciled to God, and governed by the law of the Spirit rather than a law chiseled in stone. Th is Lenten season we are lift ing up the number “40” as a launching place for study and refl ection. Beginning March 2nd, during Recharge and on March 13th during Sunday School, we will be combining the Lectionary readings, original art and group activities in a creative mix to help us participate in prayerful refl ection and celebration of Lent and Easter. Th e study of the scriptures will provide opportunities to understand, to explore and to appreciate God's blessings of life and salvation. Th e “40” class will look at the various wilderness experiences, the fl ood, and Jesus’ temptation, to see how we can use them to live more disciplined lives. Shirley Owens will be using art as a way to guide our study in the wilderness. Th ere will be a pause in the schedule on the 9th of March for a special worship service on Ash Wednesday at 7PM with a dinner at 6PM. On March 16th we will be back on schedule and meet until Holy Week. Th erefore, you have a choice of attending on Wednesday nights at 6:30PM aft er supper or on Sunday mornings at 10:15AM in the Mission Hall Classroom. Everyone is invited to attend either or both of these off erings. Rev. Don Owens

40 Days

Th e work and business of the session continued at its regular stated meeting held on Sunday, February 20, at 12:30PM in the Parlor/Library. Session meetings are always begun with prayer. Don Owens, our moderator, asks the last person to enter the room to lead the prayer, so most of us have had the opportunity. Th ere is a devotional led by an elder, and then we begin the session business of approving minutes, receiving reports and acting on items requiring a vote of the session. Th ese reports and minutes of the meeting are available in the church offi ce. Highlights of this month’s meeting-- Celebrations! As we celebrate the arrival of our new pastor in May, we also celebrate our Interim Pastor, who will be leaving us in April. Th ere will be a “Pot Luck Party Foods” celebration honoring Don and Shirley Owens on Sunday, April 17 from 3:00 - 5:00 PM. Don’s last Sunday with us will be Easter Sunday, April 24. Th en there will be a combined worship service on Sunday, May 15 to welcome Dr. Dan Milford and his family. Also this month, the Annual Statistical Report was approved. Th is report documents our active membership for the prior year and is reported to the PC(USA). Here’s a snapshot of the statistics: Active Membership as of December 31, 2009: 434Gains 12 9 - Affi rmation of Faith (Confi rmation) 1 - Certifi cate (Transfer of Letter) 2 - Reaffi rmation of Faith Losses (64) 9 - Certifi cate (Transfer of Letter) 6 - Death 49 - Inactive Roll or removed at member’s request

Total Active Membership as of December 31, 2010: 382

If you would like to see the complete report, call the church offi ce. Session members take an active part in the ministry teams they serve as Liaison. Currently, the liaisons for each team are:

Administration/Planning/Personnel Vacant

Christian Education/Spiritual DevelopmentDennie Hawkins

Communication/MembershipDenise Haley

Community/FellowshipJoan Ruiz

EvangelismJay Dowell

FinanceRichard Galloway

MissionsBarb Melzer

Older AdultsShirley Elmore

Property/Building UseBeverly Burris

StewardshipKarl Hays

Worship/MusicJohn Guntharp

Youth/Young AdultsBrian Worden

You’re always welcome to call any of us with questions, concerns, or suggestions, or if you would like to serve on a ministry. Th ank you for the trust you have placed in us to serve and lead this church.

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Session CornerBy Denise Haley, Clerk of Session

Young @ Heart Games Players

March 28 at 12:30PM

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Young @ Heart...Almost a year old!

We have celebrated, been educated, entertained and fed. We had our fi rst gathering on April 9, 2010 as we celebrated Fiesta! We had 87 in attendance and it was a rousing beginning with lunch prepared by the Young at Heart team. We have been entertained by Irish singer, Mike Clancey; Paula Jo Peterson, a stand-up comedienne; Frank Gugadon and his hula dancers; sing-a-longs; talent day; and most recently by singer David Richards. We have been educated by Liz Irvine about her prisoner of war experiences in the Philippines

during WWII, identity theft and safety precautions by the Castle Hills Police Department, and senior adult services and opportunities. We have met for lunch with the Lunch Bunch on the last Friday of the month, played games on the last Monday of the month, enjoyed fi eld trips to the Lighthouse for the Blind and the Toyota Truck Manufacturing Plant. In March we will be celebrating the ‘wearing of the green’ as we enjoy St. Patrick’s Day traditions.

Covenant Financial UpdateAs of January 31, 2011

From the Finance Ministry

Revenues & Expenses:

Total Revenue: $36,060Total Expenses: $34,406Net Surplus $1,654

We were in the black for January but only because our staff is below levels provided in the budget. Our pledge receipts and non-pledge offerings were below budget by $5,659 or 14.6%. The Trustees have completed moving the bulk of our reserve funds from certifi cates of deposit to investments in the Texas Presbyterian Foundation. This has already resulted in an increase in our investment income. We successfully completed the conversion of our bookkeeping software to Quickbooks and have implemented direct deposit for staff payroll.

The Finance Ministry would welcome any suggestions you may have.

The Finance Ministry

Bill E. Martin, ChairmanG. Richard Galloway, Session Representative

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Th ank you is not enough, but it’s all I know to say to all the wonderful Covenant friends who have helped in so many ways since my surgery and “long” recovery period. For all the meals (homemade and picked up somewhere) Bill and I are most thankful. For picking up Katherine from school when we couldn’t we owe you big time. For rides and helping me get a few things done for Christmas....that was above and beyond. I could go on and on but would take up too much room in the newsletter. We have the best church family and most caring friends anywhere - and we praise God for sending us to San Antonio and Covenant.

Laura Lucks

Sunday, April 17, 20113:00 - 5:00 p.m.

For a “Pot Luck Party Food” Celebration of Don and Shirley Owens’ ministry with us. More information to come!

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The Presbyterian Cluster Presents

HOLY SMOKE 2011

A fund-raiser for the cluster’s Habitat for Humanity house.

Sunday, April 3, 2011 Covenant Presbyterian Church

211 Roleto (78213)

Dinner 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

(Provided by cluster pastors and/or their staffs)

Entertainment 6:45 p.m. (Featuring performers from cluster churches)

Tickets Adults: $10 in Advance or $15 at the Door

Children: 4 - 5 Years - $5; 3 years and under - Free (Make checks payable to "SA Presbyterian Cluster Habitat"; write "Holy Smoke"on memo line.)

All proceeds benefit The 2012 Habitat for Humanity Presbyterian Cluster House

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Presbyterian WomenDistributions to Mission –

P.W. Winter Craft Sales February 8, 2011

Jim Ritchie – Spring Break Mission Trip Expenses $ 485.00 (Proceeds of Agapita Flores’s Tamale-making Class)James Payne Fund $ 250.00Pastor’s Discretionary Fund $ 260.50House of Neighborly Service $ 275.00Mission Road Developmental Center $ 250.00San Antonio Rescue Mission $ 275.00Tools for Development $ 250.00Campus Crusade for Christ International “Gary Price Family # 0246016” $ 275.00Literacy & Evangelism International (LEI) “For Ted & Emily Lodes” $ 275.00PW Budget Account # 7825 Faith, Mary Martha, Lydia-Dorcas & Ruth Circle Contingencies $ 200.00

Total Distributions to Missions (Account # 8264 P.W. Bazaar) $ 2,795.50

Faith Circle Tuesday, March 1Parlor at 10AM

Ruth Circle Tuesday, March 1

Parlor at 1PM

Lydia Dorcus Circle Wednesday, March 2

Bride’s Room at 6:30PMDinner at the Church

Mary Martha CircleMonday, March 7Parlor at 10AM

March Presbyterian Women’s Circle Meetings

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MISSION INDIA LITERACY TRAINERSAshok Kumar Rohit Kumar

PC(USA) MISSIONARY TO MEXICOSusie Frerichs

MEMBERS: ILL/HOSPITALIZED/NEED PRAYERSCoyle WilliamsBeth MockBetty Brooke

SHUT-INSCarroll Anderson Willie BarhamJeanine CloughBob CristAnnie Laurie CulbertsonMichele & Stuart Dinmore Minnie Mae Evridge Harry & Jane Huff Douglas & Rosemary LewisDorothy Maese Kathryn Mahan Mary Jane MahavierDoug MebaneDeanie NolanBruce Stansbury Lorene Travis Betty UllmannCoyle & Winnie Williams

THOSE SERVING IN THE MILITARY Brian Brower Chris Byrd David ByrdJustin Courtney James Dowell Brent Heeren Satha KeoKeith Lemmon Daniel Martinez Robert Mason James MillardBen Piepgrass Joe Rosales John Stauff er Nathan Yates James Wynn

COLLEGE AND GRADUATE STUDENTSKrystal AdairTony AragonAlexandra AndersonSteven DeHoog

Jaimi Douthit Lorin DouthitGabriel Durand-HollisMattie FariasJessica Kerr Shelley KlinzingSam Mabry Will Mabry Eloy Martinez Eric MelendezJacob MooreLewis Nichols Wayne NolteChris RuizMatthew Ruiz Josh RosalesMelanie RunyanMelissa Runyan Matt Scoggins Reagan Stone Steven Todd Emily TurnerErica Quintero Rebecca Walthall Laura WrightLogan WalshElizabeth WalthallAlex Ward Nicholas Ward

EXTENDED FAMILYJeff Cardelli, close family friend of Suzanne Snyder

Jane Hardy, sister of Beth & Roy Mock

Jef & Hetty Vrinds, parents of Jacqueline Walsh

Prayer ChainWe have a prayer chain, both email and phone, for prayers for members and friends of our congregation, and for our church. If you would like to add your email to the prayer chain, email the church offi ce at offi ce@covenantcares.org with the subject line “prayer chain.” If you want to be on the telephone prayer chain, call the church offi ce at 342-5253. If you have a prayer request, email or call the church offi ce.

Prayer Requests

Covenant Presbyterian Church211 Roleto DriveSan Antonio, Texas 78213Website: www.covenantcares.orgEmail: offi ce@covenantcares.orgPhone: 210-342-5253

Return service requested

NonprofitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDSan Antonio, Texas

Permit No. 1091

March Birthdays 2011 SSunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 Jay Pitcher

2 Gabriel Ruiz Matt Scoggins

3 Bill A. Martin

4 Sara Braswell David Crouch

5 Vickie Moreno

6 Sally Welge

7 Jason Esparza

8 Nick Arnone Helen Habeeb

9 Victoria Moore

10 Karl Hays Edward Marquardt

11 Pam Klinzing

12 Beverly Miller Gabriel Ramirez

13 Daniel Kearns

14 Matthew Runyan

15 16 17 Eloise Dietzmann Gabriel Durand-Hollis Melinda McCarty Tyler Walthall Gary Wesson

18 Robert Rice

19 James Dodds Jared Esparza

20 Sean Cunningham Robert Houssiere Armando Vazquez Katelyn Wynn

21 Scott Simpson

22 Rowena Nadig

23

24 Joe Haley Robert West Eli Worden

25

26 John Lorch

27 David Dehls Eva Rivas-de-Miguel

28 Jacquelyn Driesslein Barbara Durand-Hollis Alexander Manibusan

29 30 31