Covenant Coverage

Volume 40, Number 5, May, 2010

OUR MISSION IS TO FOLLOW JESUS, MAKE DISCIPLES, TRANSFORM THE WORLD
Our purpose is to go as one voice to hundreds of people and proclaim new life in Christ

Covenant United Methodist Church Non-Profit Org.

6824 Tuckaseegee Road US Postage Paid
Charlotte, NC 28214-2734 Charlotte, NC
Permit 1760
Return Service Requested

CHURCH INFORMATION
David Lee, Pastor pastor@covenantcharlotte.com
Wanda Vassey, Administrative Assistant office@covenantcharlotte.com
Elaine Potter, Director of Music music@covenantcharlotte.com
Juston Smith, Organist organist@covenantcharlotte.com
Jill Honeycutt, Youth Director youth@covenantcharlotte.com
Covenant United Methodist Church Web Site www.covenantcharlotte.com
Telephone Numbers: Pastor: (704) 692-9394 Church: (704) 392-3925
• Church Fax: (704) 393-8900 Church email: see above or covenantcharlotte@att.net
• Administrative Assistant: Office Hours: 9 AM - 1 PM, M–F
• Bulletin deadline: Wednesday by 12 Noon
• June Newsletter Deadline: May 16, 2010
• Scheduling church facilities, vans, and all activities: Contact office in order to prevent conflicts.
• Phonetree: If not on the phonetree list; call the office to update your phone number.
• Bulletin Board near office: Check this board often as news and information is posted regularly.
UMC & DISTRICT INFORMATION
• General UMC Information: www.umc.org • WNCC web site: www.wnccumc.org
• Lake Norman District UMC Web Site: www.lakenormandistrict.org
• Lake Norman District address: 10115 Kincey Avenue, Ste 190, Huntersville, NC 28078-(704) 948-2307
UPCOMING SPECIAL DAYS BIBLE STUDY
May 2 Golden Cross Offering
May 7 National Day of Prayer 8 am-8 pm - Sanctuary Open “In the dust of the Rabbi”
May 9 UMW/Mother’s Day/Children’s Sabbath 10:55am Study on the heart and life of a Christian disciple.
May 31 Memorial Day Wednesday Nights @ 6:00 PM
June, July August – No Wonderful Wednesdays!
 FROM THE PASTOR
What does it mean to be an “Easter people”? We’ve
just celebrated Easter, the resurrection of our Lord. He
was put to death on a cross, buried in the ground, and
three days later –rose from the dead. What does that
mean? The apostle Paul tells us,
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new
creation, old things have passed away; behold,
all things have become new.” [II Corinthians
5:17]
What a convicting verse. It gives great clarity to the
impact of the Gospel in the lives of people. As
Christians, we are commanded, not asked, by the
Creator of the heavens and the earth to end our lives
and start new ones. Not fix our lives, not clean up our
lives, but end our lives as we know them and start over.
However, we keep trying to downsize our rebirth and
make it more of an adjustment to what we already have
and who we already are. We compromise. We tell a
“small” lie, or we do something dishonest at work, or
we gossip behind someone’s back and think nothing of
it. After all, it is only a “small” sin. Or in the life of a new
believer we see them compromise and think nothing of
it because it takes time to adjust to a new life to Christ.
But that is not what is expected of us. Scripture tells us,
in fact, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” The
old life is a thing of the past, and we have become new.
The Gospel does not improve our lives, help our lives, or
even change our lives. The Gospel enters us and
eviscerates our old life –who we were. Then the Gospel
creates a new life and a new person that did not
previously exist. Becoming a Christian means starting
over.
Let us as new creations celebrate with the rest of our
Father’s creation! Not just as changed people, or better
people, but completely new and different people that
did not previously exist. We did not really have life until
Christ; now we have a great, new life as we are in love
with God, who loves us far more. Let us embrace and
rejoice living as new creations.
--David
Covenant UMC Stewardship Report - March, 2010
2010 Annual Budget $203,317.00
YTD Expenses through March $ 46,687.95
YTD Offerings through March $ 44,227.50 *
*Offerings designated to budget
Average Attendance for March
Sun. School-73; Worship 9AM-36
Worship 11 AM-103 (Includes Youth Sunday)
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
July 11-15, 2010
Join us on our starship Galactic Praise to see our awesome
universe and our awesome God in a whole new way. The
fun will begin each night with a light supper at 6:00 at the
Astro Bistro (fellowship hall kitchen) and continue with
Bible study at the Good News Galaxy, science activities at
the Orbital Observatory, music at Moons and Tunes, crafts
at Cosmic Crafts, and fun for all at our Mission Control
Center. Join us for this cosmic adventure.
From the Choir Director
MUSIC MATTERS!
Spring is a wonderful time to get out of the house and
try something new. I would like to invite you to think
about sharing your gifts and talents with the music
ministry at Covenant. Please let me know if you
would be interested in being part of a trio or quartet.
There are so many talented musicians in our church
that are not able to sing in the choir every week. This
is a great opportunity for you to be able to participate
in a small music group that will meet for a limited
number of weeks during the spring and summer.
Our adult choir is working on some great musical
selections. In June we hope to perform an original
composition written by a cousin of Carolyn Helms. We
hope you are enjoying the blend of traditional and
contemporary music that we are singing each week.
Many thanks to Teresa and Bailey Smith for the
beautiful liturgical dance they performed for our
Easter service. The performance reminded me of
when King David danced in praise to God. There are
many ways to praise the Lord and we hope you will
continue to praise Him with enthusiasm at Covenant.
Kidz Klub
Thank you to our children for their very special music
on Palm Sunday. They did a wonderful job! On
Sunday, May 9, Mother’s Day, our children will again
bless us with the bells and their singing. Please have
your children in the fellowship hall by 10:45. Also,
thank you to the parents for making sure the children
are at Kidz Klub on Wednesday night for practice. In
the month of May, we will learn about honesty and
what the Bible teaches us about this character trait.
Our last regular Kidz Klub night will be at the end of
May but, stay tuned for what we have in store for you
over the summer. We will not meet every Wed. night
in the summer but we have planned special activities
for you. These dates will be announced in the June
newsletter. Hope to see you on Wednesday nights.
 Diversity Youth
C.A.R.E. (Caring And Remembering Each Other)
meets the 1st Sunday of each month from
5 – 7 PM when a need is requested. If you
know of someone who needs love and
support, please let Jill know. Youth will be
contacted for scheduled meetings.
United Methodist Women
Covenant UMW’s spring Project of Camping Supplies for
Bethlehem Center’s Summer Camp Program was a
success, due to the generous donations from the
congregation. Thank you all so much for your
participation.
Five Unit members are scheduled to attend the Lake
Norman District Mission Study on April 24. The study is
about Sudan. We’ll post a follow-up in the next
newsletter.
May will be an active month for our UMW Unit. Our
second quarterly meeting will be May 8, here at church.
We will have a short business meeting, followed by a
Prayer and Self-Denial program presented by UMW
Lake Norman District Spiritual Growth Coordinator
Dawn Revere. Those of us fortunate enough to hear
Dawn giving the devotion at the District Prayer
Breakfast know her as a dynamic, inspirational speaker.
All women of the church are invited to come and be
blessed by participating in this session. The meeting
opens at 10:00 AM.
Then the following day, on Mothers’ Day Sunday, May
9, UMW will be presenting the 11:00 AM service. As
our mission focus is on children, youth, and women; the
children and youth will use their gifts in the service.
Grace Hrisak as Unit Spiritual Growth Coordinator and
also as Lay Speaker at Covenant, will present the
message. UMW members will be actively involved in the
service. Come share with us the joy of women in
service to Christ.
UMW Community Outreach Project: Place “Tops for
Education,” “Campbell Soup” bar codes, and “Greeting
cards” in baskets under UMW bulletin board near
office entryway.
United Methodist Men
The United Methodist Men will meet on the second
Tuesday, May 11 at 7:00 PM. We hope to see you there
for our meal and meeting.
Willing Workers Circle
Note! Change in Meeting Schedule - We will meet on
Thursday, May 4 at 11:00 AM for our program and
lunch. All our welcome!
Isabel Lawing/Helen Reames Circle
This circle will meet on the second Tuesday, May 11 at
7:00 PM. We will have a meal with the UMM and then
have our meeting. We welcome all women who would
like to join us for this evening of fellowship and UMW-
related studies and activities.
Mountain Toppers
Note! Change in Meeting Time. We will meet at
Covenant on Tuesday, May 25 at 10:00 AM to go to
Kings Mtn Park for picnic.
Unique Sisters
Note! Change in Meeting Time. We will meet on
Tuesday, May 18 at 10:30 AM. Detailed trip plans to be
announced later.
Fireside Chats
Have you signed up to participate in Fireside Chats?
See Jim Smeltzer
Blessing Brigade
If you have someone in mind with a need (i.e.
transportation, food, or personal contact), please call
Billie Bass or David Lee. The brigade committee
members will be notified of the next meeting.
Scouts
Continue to bring your rinsed aluminum cans for Cub
Scout Pack 77. They collect these on Tuesday evenings in
lieu of dues.
Church Sign
See Ralph Percival to sign up to change the sign at the
front of the church.
Body and Soul Exercise Classes
Body and Soul Senior Fitness meet on Monday,
Wednesday, and Friday at 10 AM. Class cost per
month: $20.00 - call Kathy Joy: 704-277-3267.

Mr. & Mrs. Dwight Jackson
Invite you to share in the celebration
of the marriage of their daughter
Amanda Arline
to
Jason Dale Sumpter
Saturday, the Twenty-Second of May
Two Thousand Ten
At Four O’clock
6173 Vesuvius Furnace Road
Iron Station, North Carolina
Reception to Follow
RSVP: Kindly respond by May 1
(number accepting or regretfully declining)
By calling Glenda Jackson
(704) 827-8016
Words of Thanks
The family of Jack Moyle is grateful to God for his life,
for your friendship, prayers, kindnesses consisting of
cards, food, telephone calls and visits during Jack’s
years of declining health. He was most grateful also and
appreciated every kindness shown him before his
death. Know you have a special place in our hearts.
Katherine, Evelyn, John and
Jackie
Words of Thanks
To My Church Family: Thank you for the wonderful
cards, many prayers and calls during and after my
recent surgery. Your support means so much to me. I
love each of you.
Judy Goble
CUMC Prayer Chain
The prayer chain is a special ministry for those with
crisis or chronic needs. If you wish to activate the
prayer chain, call David Lee, Grace Hrisak, Joyce
Gorman, Carolyn Helms, or Wanda Vassey.
Prayer List
Flo Jarrett, Margaret Nance, Christine Sexton, Linwood
Cannon, Gloria Navy, Wanda Hilliard, José Bazan,
Harold Faggart (brother of Hallie Rowe’s), Hallie Rowe,
Jim Coates, Rachel Ranson, Jim Coates, Billie Bass,
Nancy Blanton, Johnny Brown (Linda Efird’s brother),
Mr. Laurie Auten (son-in-law of Katherine Moyle),
Annette Friedman (daughter of Marjorie Tockman),
Jim Mullis, Linwood Cannon, Angie Gilbert Cosby
(niece of Glenda Jackson), Joan Beacham, Wayne
Lawing, June Hurley, Johnny Hrisak, Margaret
Newton, Bob Murphy (brother of Gayle Mull), Betty
Hilliard (daughter-in-law of Wanda Hilliard), Abby
Brown Lancaster (sister of Amy Jackson), Gayle Mull,
Sarah Blevins
The prayer list is for recent and lingering illnesses, and
life crises. To add or remove a name from the prayer list,
place a note in the offering plate, in the office mailbox;
call or e-mail Wanda.
Homebound Members
Luella Behr, Sarah Blevins, Billie Glover, Judy Dotson,
Mary Huggins, Dorothy Jones, Mabel McCauley, Buford
& Margaret Nance, Betty & Buford Williams, Christine
Sexton, Sarah White
Long Term Care
Alexander Place, Gastonia: Edward Smeltzer, brother
of Jim Smeltzer
Alamance Rehabilitation: Danny Newman, son of
Evelyn Newman
Genesis Health Care, Salisbury: Harold Faggart,
brother of Hallie Rowe
The Place at Southpark: Sarah White
Sunrise Living Center, Rea Road: Dorothy Jones
We express our Christian Sympathy to
Katherine Moyle in the death of her husband,
Jack O. Moyle
on April 5, 2010
May God’s presence and love be comforting to
this family in this time of death.