Covenant friends,

The newsletter is going to be a little more streamlined for the next few months. I enjoyed doing pictures and slideshows and the like, but I’m finding that I put it off trying to find a big chunk of time to get pictures resized and all of that. So I think for now, mainly calendar and news items.

VOLUNTEERS FOR THIS WEEK:

Cleaning before Sunday - Johnie & Gena
Extended Session - Amber and Luis
Nursery - Renee
Doughnuts - No one has signed up
Wednesday night (9-3) - No one has signed up

THIS SATURDAY:

Saturday morning, led by Cynthia Huddleston, a crowd of Covenant people will descend on the church to give the place a good going over. Well, we hope it’s a crowd anyway. It’s our yearly clean-fest. We could use your help, and it all begins at 9 am.

THIS SUNDAY:

Sermon text - Exodus 3:1-15, which is the story of Moses and the burning bush. Otherwise known as the day we found out what God’s name is.

This Sunday is the last Sunday before New Beginnings Sunday, which is September 7th. On that day, please come at 9:15 or 9:30. Cynthia says the former; I’ve been saying the latter. I ask you: Who do you trust more to have gotten the time correct?

9:15 it is.

Bring breakfast foods and plan to meet the new teachers and hear about the new classes.

OTHER MATTERS:

It’s Habitat for Humanity time:
Every other year it has been our tradition to work with Woodland Baptist Church on a Habitat for Humanity project. This year we are building on Saturdays between September 13 and November 8. If you would like to join us, get more information on the wall in the hall, or talk to Ben Chappell or Adrian Huddleston.

Advent Planning:
If you would like to be a part of planning Advent this year, talk to Gordon. There will be a planning date set in September. The date will be one convenient to those who plan on attending.

:: Aug.28.2008 :: News from Gordon :: No Comments »

How fast 6 weeks can go by. I knew I had neglected the news, but June was a tough month for me. Every week seemed like it was too small for what needed doing, so I scratched the things that itched the most.

Jeanene and the girls and I will be out of town for a vacation. Going to spend some time in Colorado. July is a light month for us. The news I’m posting today should last for a couple of weeks.

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This Sunday:

This Sunday is Proper 10. We are now in the season of Ordinary Time, which will take us all the way through the summer and fall. Our text is Genesis 25:19-34, the famous story of Jacob stealing Esau’s birthright. We’ll be talking about sin. Not the easy, watered-down kind of sin you hear preachers shouting about from television pulpits, but the more difficult, darker, and sinister picture of sin in the Bible as the brokenness of humanity, often expressed in our willingness to trade our birthright as God’s children for things that are even sillier than a bowl of soup.

The Green Justice League meets THIS Sunday morning at 9:30 am. If you want to join people in our church who are talking about economic and social justice issues and what we can do to make a difference, come to church at 9:30. This is exactly why we have time off from Sunday School in the summer. Makes things like this possible.

Our second Franciscan retreat open to the public was at the end of June. We had 13 retreatants from around the country. It was a wonderful time. Our retreat center appears to be one of those nice things that happens in God’s time and way. Watch for a retreat this fall just for our folks.

Click pictures for larger version. Click here for a complete slideshow from the weekend. Note: At the slideshow, click the pictures for captions.

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Coming Events:

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Third Franciscan retreat open to the public

Our last planned retreat is for clergy persons from around the country. It is:

-August 8-10 (Clergy Retreat)

You can read more about this at Gordon’s blog. We need volunteers to help this us as hospitable as possible. Need drivers and cookers and cleaners. Contact Amy Soupiset if you want to volunteer or if you would like to attend the retreat.

Potluck August 24th & Baby Shower for Meredith Alvarez

:: Jul.11.2008 :: News from Gordon :: No Comments »

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Our third Franciscan retreat was last weekend. If you are interested in attending our next retreat in the fall, talk to Tim or Paul or Ben.

Click pictures for larger version. Click here for a complete slideshow from the weekend. Note: At the slideshow, click the pictures for captions.

Vespers Service Friday Night

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The Cross at Night

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Ben’s Breakfast

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Closing Communion Service Saturday Morning

Covenant friends,

Wednesday Night:

Amy Soupiset is bringing brisket and birthday cake tonight in honor of Paul’s 39th birthday. (Yeah, 39th. How many years is that now, Paul?) So bring the stuff goes good with that.

This Sunday:

This Sunday is Proper 3. We are now in the season of Ordinary Time, which will take us all the way through the summer and fall. Our text is Matthew 6:24-34, the famous words of Jesus on worry. Tim is preaching.

Reminder: There is no Sunday School until the Sunday after Labor Day.

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Other News

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Something New at Covenant - Retreats

We are hosting three retreats this summer for people from all over the United States. The dates are:

-June 6-8
-June 27-29
-August 8-10 (Clergy Retreat)

You can read more about this at Gordon’s blog. We’d like to invite the people of Covenant to join us in a ministry of hospitality. A number of the people coming to this retreat read Real Live Preacher but are not Christians. We want to make them as welcome as possible. Would you consider sponsoring a meal? We expect between 15 and 20 people at the first retreat. We’d like to have a snack supper for Friday night. We also need snacks for during the retreat and lunch on Saturday. Contact Amy Soupiset if you would like to sponsor a meal.

Labyrinth News:

The Covenant labyrinth is functionally complete! There are some decorative elements still to be done, so if you didn’t get to work on it and wanted to, check with Paul. There are five stones left to lay to close out the path, and I thought Paul ought to put them in place on Wednesday night. So you can come and walk the labyrinth starting now.

Potluck - Youth Fundraiser - and Film Screening June 1st:

We have something rather interesting in store for everyone on June 1st. We’re moving our potluck to that Sunday, thereby avoiding Memorial Day weekend. COVENANT YOUTH are making lunch in returns for donations to help with youth camp. During lunch we will be showing a fascinating short film called “The Story of Stuff.” It’s a way of opening an ongoing conversation about our care for the environment and our American tendency to get caught in a vicious cycle of aquisition and consumption. I promise you will enjoy this short film. It’s very informative and quite funny.

:: May.21.2008 :: News from Gordon :: No Comments »

Covenant friends,

Wednesday Night:

JoAnn Chappell is bringing dinner tonight.

click picture to see Paul’s pics from our first retreat.

Franciscan Retreat This Weekend:

Our third Franciscan retreat is this weekend. If you wish to come, contact Tim Heavin or Ben Chappell or Paul Soupiset. We’re not full so you just need to be at the church Friday evening around 6pm.

This Sunday:

This Sunday is the first Sunday in Ordinary Time. Our text is the entire FIRST creation story from Genesis 1:1-2:4. Yes, there are two separate accounts of creation in Genesis. The second begins in 2:5. I thought we would talk about the beauty and goodness of creation. And yes, I think we should talk a little bit about how we modern people read this beautiful story in light of our scientific understanding of the world.

Labyrinth News:

The Covenant labyrinth is functionally complete! There are some decorative elements still to be done, so if you didn’t get to work on it and wanted to, check with Paul. There are five stones left to lay to close out the path, and I thought Paul ought to put them in place on Wednesday night. So you can come and walk the labyrinth starting now.

Sunday School News:

It’s hard to believe it, but another Sunday school year has past. This Sunday is the last Sunday left in our Bible Study year. Those of you who have been with us know that we stop Sunday school stops from Memorial day until the Sunday after Labor Day. It gives our teachers a rest. There have been several people talking about organizing various book studies or other spiritual groups to that might meet at 9:30 on Sunday mornings through the summer. If you are interested in one of these, talk to Tim or Gordon.

Potluck and Film Screening June 1st:

We have something rather interesting in store for everyone on June 1st. We’re moving our potluck to that Sunday, thereby avoiding Memorial Day weekend. We want to do a simple lunch - sandwhiches. During lunch we will be showing a fascinating short film called “The Story of Stuff.” It’s a way of opening an ongoing conversation about our care for the environment and our American tendency to get caught in a vicious cycle of aquisition and consumption. I promise you will enjoy this short film. It’s very informative and quite funny.

:: May.14.2008 :: News from Gordon :: No Comments »

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Covenant’s Abbey Road

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Covenant friends,

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Wednesday Night:

I don’t think we have anyone signed up to bring food tonight. So bring whatever food you want. We’ll put it on the table and eat whatever comes. See you at 6 pm.

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Labyrinth News:

The Covenant labyrinth is functionally complete! There are some decorative elements still to be done, so if you didn’t get to work on it and wanted to, check with Paul. There are five stones left to lay to close out the path, and I thought Paul ought to put them in place on Wednesday night. So you can come and walk the labyrinth starting now.

So - official structural work is done. Maintenance and improvement begin now and go on…forever. That’s part of the charm of this project. There will always be weeds to pull and rocks to straighten. I promise you, God’s little servants will be out there at night, rooting around with their noses and pushing the rocks aside with their roots and stalks. The animals and plants are a kind of automated “God-program” for long-term maintenance. We’ve noticed over the years that God does not temporarily suspend this program for our benefit. Must be a lesson in there for us.

I’ve had hundreds of cactus needles in my skin over the years. Back in the days of clearing the land it was a regular occurrence. The cactus by the edge of the labyrinth took a little swat at my hand, just to remind me that I’m not really in charge of anything.

As you walk the labyrinth, feel free to fix, straighten, and impose our gentle order. Like most meaningful journeys, this one never really ends.

The Whole Labyrinth Story:

If you want to know more about the labyrinth, Paul chronicled the entire journey at his blog. You can read the story of the labyrinth here. His latest entry is at the top.

Covenant kids trying out the labyrinth last Sunday

Click here to view a slideshow of photos from Sunday, taken by Paul.

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***Labyrinth Group Photo***

We’ll be taking a group photo at the labyrinth on Sunday. We invite anyone who has worked on the labyrinth or the prayer path (JAM kids, that would be you!) to join us after church for a group photo in the center of the finished labyrinth. (Note: We’re looking for someone to climb a ladder and take the photo)

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Sunday School News:

It’s hard to believe it, but another Sunday school year has past. We have only 2 more Sundays left in our Bible Study year. Those of you who have been with us know that we stop Sunday school stops from Memorial day until the Sunday after Labor Day. It gives our teachers a rest. There have been several people talking about organizing various book studies or other spiritual groups to that might meet at 9:30 on Sunday mornings through the summer. If you are interested in one of these, talk to Tim or Gordon.

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This Weekend:

This Sunday is the Pentecost Sunday, the last Sunday in the season of Easter. Our text is Acts 2:1-21, the story of the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church. Gordon is preaching.

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Coming Soon:

–Deacons meet tomorrow night (May 7th). The elders meet May 14th.

–Our third Franciscan Retreat is coming May 16 and 17. Those of us who are gathering will be continuuing our work on a rule for living. Contact Tim Heavin or Ben Chappell for details.

:: May.07.2008 :: News from Gordon :: No Comments »

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Covenant friends,

I had a chance to wander around the property yesterday while waiting for folks to arrive for dinner. The cacti are blooming. Tender young cactus shoots have burst out of the weathered, gray pieces of aging cacti. And a species of wild lillies have sprouted all over the developing labyrinth. Here are a few photos from around the property.

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Click images for larger picture. Click here to view a photos from Sunday,
April 13th and more nature photos from the property.  Slideshow here.

The Taco fundraiser went off without a hitch.

A Word About Wednesdays:

I want to invite you to join us on Wednesday’s for dinner if you can. Our church has few events, and it is hard for us to get to know each other. Wednesday nights are perhaps the most relaxed time we have to chat and allow our relationships to deepen. I know it can seen difficult to come to church in the middle of the week. But if you’ll put forth a little effort, we’ll end up closer and more of a community. Enough said.

This Weekend:

The youth and JAM are going on our first ever campout at the beach. Ben and Chris and Tim are brave souls. We’re tentatively calling it “Sandfest 2008.” Other suggestions were “Ride Tide Horror Camp” and “The Last Covenant Beach Campout.”

This Sunday is the Fifth Sunday in the Easter season. Our text from Acts is 17:22-31. It is the story of Paul bearing witness to Christ in Athens. We continue to look at the way the friends of Jesus acted in those early days of the church. I mentioned this passage a few weeks ago. Now we can look at it in detail.

This Sunday is Potluck! So bring food and let’s eat together after church.

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Coming Soon:

Our third Franciscan Retreat is coming May 16 and 17. Those of us who are gathering will be continuuing our work on a rule for living. Contact Tim Heavin or Ben Chappell for details.

:: Apr.24.2008 :: News from Gordon :: No Comments »

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Covenant friends,

This Weekend:

Steve and Cindy Saunders are having the kids who were in the Christmas musical for a sleep-over at the church on Friday night. Contact Cindy at 442-8250. ssaunders001—at—satx.rr.com

We lead worship at Graceland this Sunday after church.

Deacon gatherings are this Sunday afternoon. Half of the church will join Kathy and Sherry for lunch after church at Caparelli’s. The other half will be invited to go bowling with Lexie and Paula at 2pm on the same day at the Brunswick lanes on Thousand Oaks.

If you haven’t gotten a call or invitation, call a deacon for details:

Kathy - 646-7792
Lexie - 568-7807
Paula - 653-7709
Sherry - 651-7410

So what if you want to do both or maybe one instead of the other? Hey, it’s Covenant. We’re just interested in spending time with you. Feel free to attend either or both gatherings.

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Continued Work on the Labryinth…

Paul Soupiset has continued to do amazing work out on the Labyrinth. It’s about half finished. You can even walk parts of it. He wrote a poem about his labors at his blog. Check it out. Here are some photos from Paul’s blog. There are more photos there.

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Fifth Sunday of Easter
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There are 7 Sundays in the season of Easter. The texts we will emphasize come from the book of Acts and show us the early actions of the Church right after the resurrection. This week’s text is Acts 7:55-60. Tim is preaching this Sunday

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Looking Ahead:
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Graceland - We lead worship at Graceland on April 20th.

JAM and Youth Campout April 26 and 27.

Potluck Lunch after church on April 27th.

:: Apr.17.2008 :: News from Gordon :: No Comments »

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Covenant friends,

Continued Work on the Labryinth…

On a whim, literally decided that afternoon, Lillian and I joined the Soupiset family to do a little work on the labyrinth. We began it some weeks ago but decided to widen the paths. Jean Gomez gathered a lot of rocks and we almost used them up. The current plan is a series of concentric circles. Once we have that done, Paul will make the adjustments to turn it into a classic labyrinth pattern.

View all the photos at Flickr - View Slideshow
Any photo can be clicked for a larger version

On another note, we used the old Covenant campfire pit, which was recently uncovered when Johni J. moved a pile of debris that had been there since construction of the second building. We also found that, in a pinch, an old music stand will do fine for roasting hot dogs.

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Fourth Sunday of Easter
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There are 7 Sundays in the season of Easter. The texts we will emphasize come from the book of Acts and show us the early actions of the Church right after the resurrection. This week’s text is Acts 2:42-47. The title of the sermon is, “When We Were Young.” This mysterious passage is a look at an immediate effect the sense of community in the Spirit had upon the first Christians. It changed everything for them. The questions are as follows: Should we live this way? If not, why not? And if not, what lessons are there for us?

I look forward to sharing my own journey with this text on Sunday. ——Gordon

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Looking Ahead:
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Graceland - We lead worship at Graceland on April 20th.

Deacon gatherings - Our deacons are organizing some social get-togethers this month. Both are on April 20th. Half of the church will be invited to join Kathy and Sherry for lunch after church on that day at Caparelli’s. The other half will be invited to go bowling with Lexie and Paula at 2pm on the same day at the Brunswick lanes on Thousand Oaks. You’ll get a call or a letter.

So what if you want to do both or maybe one instead of the other? Hey, it’s Covenant. We’re just interested in spending time with you. Feel free to attend either or both gatherings.

JAM and Youth Campout April 26 and 27.

:: Apr.09.2008 :: News from Gordon :: No Comments »

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Covenant friends,

POTLUCK THIS SUNDAY. Don’t forget that we put off our normal monthly potluck by one week. Bring food on Sunday and let’s have lunch together.

A Letter from the Salvation Army to those who helped us last Christmas:

“Dear Friends,

On behalf of the Salvation Army, I would like to thank each of you who participated as a volunteer at our recent Kettle Drive at the Walmart Store in Schertz this past Christmas season. Because of volunteers such as you, the Salvation Army is able to help hundreds of people in need with emergency food, medicine, rent assistance, shoes for children, summer camping, transportation needs, prescription medicine, life skills classes, and overnight accommodations for those in need. These are just afew of the programs you help to support.

I do hope that the expperience was a significant one for you and look forward to working with you again this next year.

A special thanks your pastor Gordon Atkinson for his direction in this campaign. Without him, all our efforts might have been for nought.

……..Peter Christian Olsen. Comal Country Salvation Army

You know your church is in trouble when…

Yes, nothing says welcome to our church quite like a buzzard on the sign. We did have rather low attendance last Sunday. Hmmmm?
(Click any image for a larger version)

On a lighter note, Chloe looked nice in her post Easter outfit. And as you can see, the Jammers are still plugging away at the prayer path. They’re working on the section that leads to the future labyrinth. BIG THANKS to Ben, Paula, Mike, and our JAM kids.

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Third Sunday of Easter
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There are 7 Sundays in the season of Easter. The texts we will emphasize come from the book of Acts and show us the early actions of the Church right after the resurrection. This week’s text is Acts 2:14, 36-41. The title of the sermon is “The Medium is the Message.” We’ll look at the first evangelistic effort of the new church. What did they do and say? As important, what did they NOT do and say. Gordon is preaching this week.

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Looking Ahead:
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Deacon gatherings - Our deacons are organizing some social get-togethers this month. Both are on April 20th. Half of the church will be invited to join Kathy and Sherry for lunch after church on that day at Caparelli’s. The other half will be invited to go bowling with Lexie and Paula at 2pm on the same day at the Brunswick lanes on Thousand Oaks. You’ll get a call or a letter.

So what if you want to do both or maybe one instead of the other? Hey, it’s Covenant. We’re just interested in spending time with you. Feel free to attend either or both gatherings.

JAM and Youth Campout April 26 and 27.

:: Apr.03.2008 :: News from Gordon :: No Comments »

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Covenant friends,

Quick news about tonight. Paula says she is bringing chicken, so bring stuff that goes with chicken.

The stations of the cross were more wonderful than I could have imagined. Thanks to all who participated. This evening we’ll store them safely so that we can bring them out again sometime. Praying the stations of the cross is not something you only do on Good Friday.

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Click here for the full collection of pictures.  Slideshow here.

Stations of the Cross Video
Note: I got station 7 wrong. The Alvarez family did that one.

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Easter Sunday was nice as well. It was fun to see some old friends. Charles and Charlotte Shields came by, as did Lyle, Cathy, and Steven Clark.

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Click here for the full collection of pictures.  Slideshow here.

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Second Sunday of Easter
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There are 7 Sundays in the season of Easter. The texts we will emphasize come from the book of Acts and show us the early actions of the Church right after the resurrection. This week’s text is Acts 2:14:, 22-32. Tim is preaching this week.

Looking Ahead:
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Brotherhood is on April Fool’s Day, of course.

Deacons meet April 2nd, Elders April 9th.

JAM and Youth Campout April 26 and 27.

Deacon gatherings - Our deacons are organizing some social get-together’s in April. Everyone in the church will be invited by a deacon. This is a good time to get to know people if you are relatively new to our community.

:: Mar.26.2008 :: News from Gordon :: No Comments »