Vacation Bible School

August 2009

Our VBS program for 2009 started on Monday evening, Aug. 10, and ran through till Friday evening, Aug. 14. Because of the on-going basement renovation, VBS was held in the evening from 6-7:30 in the sanctuary and the fellowship hall.

Fliers were distributed to the homes in the surrounding neighborhoods on Thurs., Aug. 6th, and Sun., Aug. 9th. All children in grades kindergarten through 6th grade were welcome, free of charge.

The program consisted of Bible lessons, memory work, activity time, crafts, snacks and singing. The closing program, held on Friday, was preceeded with a pizza dinner for all the children and their families.

Pastor Gregson presented a devotional, which was followed by the introduction of the VBS program, including a puppet skit, the children reciting memory verses, and songs by the children with program inserts so the parents could follow along. Carol Jordan, the VBS director then presented all the children with certificates of completion.

Pastor Gregson closed with prayer.

It is our hope here at Covenant that these children and their families will continue to attend services and will become a part of the Covenant OPC family as they learn more about our Lord and Savior and His saving Grace.

Kenya Presentation

On Sunday, June 14, we were pleased to hear a presentation given by Leah who has recently returned from Kenya while serving in the Peace Corps. We are very happy to have her back with us.

Following Sunday School we kicked-off our summer schedule (seen at the end of this post) with a chicken barbeque followed by recognition of our Sunday School Teachers and the 2009 graduates in our congregation.

Chris Hopler, Sunday School Superintendent opened the program with prayer. He then recognized the graduates and teachers and closed with a short devotional and prayer.

Annie Sawicki

Greg Humphrey

Rick Fosie

Caleb Buckman

Ben Rulison was also acknowledged but was unable to be present.

Two of the three Sunday School teachers were present to receive their gifts.

Nancy Kerr

Marilyn Lepper

Cindy McKenney was unable to stay for the program.

SUMMER SUNDAY EVENING SCHEDULE

As has been the tradition in the past several years, Covenant Church has begun it's summer Evening Schedule.

The first Sunday of each month is devoted to family time. There will be no evening activity.

The second Sunday of each month is devoted to a special fellowship activity which will be announced ahead of time.

The third and fourth Sundays are devoted to Vespers & Bible Study which will be held at various homes according to the sign-up sheet.

The fifth Sunday in August is devoted to our "5th Sunday Hymn Sing" which will be held at the church.

The Covenant Church congregation recently joined the Gregson family in celebrating the marriage of their daughter Tiffany to Jarid. It was a lovely day. The wedding was held in the
Gregson's backyard and the rain kindly held off until very late in the afternoon.

We are excited to announce that on June 7th, during the morning service, two of our young people will be making their profession of faith. Tomoko Ohya will be baptized, and Kristina Stears, who has already been baptized, will be professing her faith as a step toward church membership.

On June 14, Covenant Church will be hosting a BBQ immediately following Sunday School (at 12:30 p.m.) to recognize the Christian Education Department. We will be celebrating with the graduates and thanking the teachers for their faithfulness during the past year.

Holy Communion

Covenant OPC celebrates Holy Communion on the second Sunday of every odd number month during the year. This month we will observe this sacrament on the third Sunday, May 17 due to the fact that Mother's Day fell on the second Sunday.

All who are members of any Bible believing church and who profess their faith in Jesus Christ are welcome to partake in the sacrament.

Upcoming Summer Sunday Evening Schedule

Beginning Sunday, June 7, we will begin the traditional summer evening schedule. There will be no service on the evening of June 7. On June 14 there will be a Pass-the-Plate dinner immediately following Sunday School (which ends at about 12:30). The focus of this dinner will be to thank the Sunday School teachers for their hard work and dedication throughout the year, and to congratulate all the young people who are graduating this June.

Mother's Day

In honor of Mother's Day, the men and teens of Covenant OPC hosted a dinner on Saturday, May 9. Moms were encouraged and exhorted to "sit back" and relax--meaning, don't prepare any food or do any of the work involved.

The men and teens did a wonderful job of preparing & serving the dinner, and cleaning up afterward.

In addition to the great food and fellowship, several people gave testimony to the influence their mothers had had on them growing up and as adults, and a short message was given by Pastor Gregson.

Upcoming Presbytery Meeting:

On Monday and Tuesday, April 27-28, Covenant OPC will host the spring Presbytery.