We will be discussing the best practices we have found for each age group.  Also, we need your feedback on the curriculum that we have been using – what you like and see as effective, and what you think doesn’t work for us and our children.

This year we are looking at enlisting more teachers and helpers, so talk to your friends and bring them along to hear more.  Some activities we are looking at include Parent Follow up on lessons for those whose children attended, and Parent Follow up for those who were absent – just to make sure things are OK, and to keep the lines of communication open.

Be in prayer about what you feel the Lord would have you do in these areas.

See Associate Care Pastor Linda for more info.

It's Time to Tighten UP!

Does your financial plan include a lottery win?

Join us February 19th as we begin a 4 class journey to sustainable control of your money. In this series we will learn:

• The benefits of being financially faithful and having a plan.
• How to determine our real financial values and how to modify them.
• Where money comes from and where it goes.
• Where you want to go for the future.
• A new attitude for finances and an understanding of the effects of your decisions on your future and your walk with the Lord.

This series will challenge each person to step forward, will ensure the results and will show you the rewards for following through! Please sign up for the class on the sheet in the vestibule, or email us at CovenantoftheCross@gmail.com and let us know how many will be attending.

Covenant’s Financial Facelift will address these issues and so many more.  This four week series will start February 19th and continue through March 11th.  We will meet Sundays, after Morning Worship,  in the Activities Center and start with a shared meal, then go into the class.

This will be the warmup to the main even in March when we spread out across Nashville to take over the bowling alleys and see who is the fiercest competitor at the lanes. So bring your inner child or outer child for those with children to an afternoon of fun!! Please RSVP if possible just to have a starting count for when I get there. We will not be reserving an area, but would like to sit together upon arrival. Looking forward to seeing all that can make it!

Sign Up Here!

“THE FOOD OF LOVE: AN ITALIAN FEAST”

That’s Amore!!

Put on some old Dean Martin LPs, and channel your Inner Italian!  This month’s theme should bring in everything from Pizza-pie to cannolis.

Bring a dish and join our Covenant Family for a Fellowship Meal after morning Worship Service.

If you are not able to bring a dish for Potluck, we’d like you to stay and fellowship anyway.  There is a donation box by the silverware bin for you to help out with expenses.

More details will be made available as time approaches, but make your plans now to attend.  There will be a sign-up sheet in the on the Connections Booth, or see Linda Brendlinger for more details.

Join us as various area restaurants participate in this charity event, and get a great meal as well!  Click here for more details – Dining Out.

I wanted to tell you how important it is for recovering addicts to receive assistance in this way, it helps them boost confidence by helping them have a better self image as well as helping them have appropriate clothing for work and interviews but they also learn that people really do care about their well being. People often times don’t understand just how important one tiny gift can change a person’s life and I think you need to know just how much a little really does benefit. On behalf of the DeKalb County Drug Court…thank you!!   Corey Pedigo

Among the details I could fill in around those events on my calendar is a little time I spent with God.  The time came in the car and it was interrupted by my disdain for other drivers, my anxiety around some looming decisions that are weighing on my mind and the occasional invading random thought from nowhere (did I turn off the coffee maker?).  I don’t think the time would qualify as quality.

While I know I can steal moments with God anywhere and anytime in my day, I know those moments are often like the scattered conversations I have with my kids sometimes.

Me: “How was your day?”

Nick (12 years old): “Good.  Hey, are we gonna see Mission Impossible this weekend?”

Me: “Maybe.  How was school today?”

Nick: “Okay.  Have you heard ‘Red Solo Cup’?”  He shows me a picture of a red solo cup he’s snapped and saved on his phone as his wallpaper.

Me: “Yeah.”  (Insert paternal eye roll.)

Nick: “It’s funny.  Kinda stupid, but I’ve been singing it all day.”  He starts singing, “Red solo cup, I fill you up, let’s have a party!”

(Slight pause.)

Nick:  “Can we go to Starbucks?”

That’s pretty much how my conversations with God go.

Me: “Hi God.  I love You.  Thanks for being awesome.”

God: “I love you too.  I have a job for you to do.”

Me: “Great, God.  Anything for You.  So I was wondering about my record.  Will you please open the door for me to start    recording soon?  All for Your glory!”

God: “Trust me and doors will open.  I have a job for you to do.”

Me: “I know You speak to people through my music.  I believe my ministry would change minds about You, open people up to love and hope.  Don’t You?”

God: “I do use you, my son.  I can do great things through you, especially when you are obedient and submit to My will.  There’s something I’d like you to do.”

Me: (to the driver who just merged on top of me without a signal) “Geez, ever heard of a rear view mirror?  Cars have ‘em.  You should look into it.”  Then I chuckle to myself because I made an unintended pun.  I get through the red light and realize I’ve left God hanging.  “God, I love You.  Thanks for being awesome.”

And it continues.

I want to be centered in God’s will for my life.  And I want my time with Him to be meaningful and on purpose.  I’m glad I can blurt out my thoughts, feelings and dreams to Him anytime.  But I know He is also looking for time and energy that is intentional and fully devoted to Him.

“God, I love You.  Thanks for being awesome.  What do you want to say to me today?  How can I serve You today?”

Most merciful Father,

The only question I have is if we really mean it when we pray it within the setting of Worship.  Many recite this, and other prayers as part of Worship – maybe even as part of their daily routine, but do they really engage our thoughts, hearts, and lives.  Have we merely brought them to a place of liturgical use rather than opening our hearts to the true meaning of the words we say.  Are we really sorry for the things we have done, and not done.  Do we truly repent for not loving God with our whole heart, or our neighbors as ourselves.

I suspect that we WANT to repent and we want to be sorry, but that we too often get back into the same grind of life without taking the time to reflect and transform from the caterpillar into the butterfly.

If you want to truly repent and become new take some time and mull over what sins you have committed – ask God to point them out – remember He convicts not condemns.  Ask God to show you where you did not love Him completely and where you did not love your neighbor as yourself.

When you do, you will find power and promise from on high.  AND you will stop chatting and start praying.