Keeping Up with

Covenant Presbyterian Church News

Wendell, North Carolina

DECEMBER 2018

Church office hours: Mon.—Thurs. from 9:00—2:00 p.m. covsecty1@raleigh.twcbc.com (919) 365-7979

www.covenantwendell.com “Celebrating the Past—Building the Future”

Covenant Presbyterian Church 125 S. Selma Rd. Wendell, NC 27591-9705

5:30 PM

Come join us for worship on Christmas Eve at 5:30 PM. We will retell the story of Christmas

with a live nativity (minus the animals) and candle lighting. All ages are welcome as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ – God’s

light in the world!

Members – Debbie Lawler, Tom Martin, Leta Thornton (cancer surgery), Carol Rich, Ron Hall (hip surgery, anticipated), Peggy Buffaloe, June Bowman, Sally Hines

Assisted Living - Beth Lewter (Zebulon House), John Chambers (Crescent Green of Carrboro), Peggy Fink (Brookdale, Wake Forest), Louise Weant (Stone Ridge, Cary) Member Friends & Family – Harold Forrester (Tammy Strickland’s father) Stacey Swart (sister-in-law of Susan Smithson, breast cancer) Steve Moody (Joan Davis’ cousin, cancer) Logan Barnes (Ewing’s sarcoma treatment) Gloria Baker (Judy McCurdy’s cousin) Mike McCurdy (Bill McCurdy’s brother, COPD) Arta Anderson (Juanita Taylor’s mother, lung cancer) Natalie Perkins (Vanessa Turner’s sister, lung cancer) Jennifer Carnes’ parents John & Mary Jane Roberts Christy Dunn (Stage IV lung cancer) Donald Bullock (Buck Bullock’s brother) Richard Ives (Bob & Becky Morgan’s brother-in-law, throat cancer)

Mike Belliveau (friend of Kevin Dale, cancer) Susan Studt (Judy Raybon’s niece, brain tumor) Joseph Ricketts (Olive Martin’s brother, recovering from major surgery) Scot Shaver (Reuben & Patty’s nephew, liver transplant) Marie Blackwell (David Driver’s mother, Parkinson’s Disease) Kay Perry (Walter Perry’s mother) Carolyn Thompson (Judy McCurdy and Peggy Buffaloe’s friend, brain tumor surgery) Marjorie Lawler (Bud Lawler’s mother, declining health) Pat Holt Yelton (Tammy Strickland’s friend, breast can-cer treatment)

Please let us know of folks we need to add/delete from the prayer concerns by either calling the church office, Pastor Debbie or turning in a prayer request card during worship.

The Grief Group meets on the first and third Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in the Sessions Room. If you are grieving a loss, don’t try to do it alone. Share your feelings with others as we “walk” together through the wilderness of grief. At the end of our journey togeth-er, may we be able to experience the wonderful memories we have of those we have lost. If you have any questions, contact Judy Shotts at 919-366-0849 or jshotts65@att.net.

Prayer Concerns

Church Staff: Transitional Pastor Reverend Debbie Osterhoudt, 478-363-2010 (mobile)

Revdeb2017@gmail.com

Pastor Emeritus Reverend Bob Borland

Directors of Christian Ed. Linda Berry lberry61@hotmail.com Dorine Newton dorinenewton@nc.rr.com

Administrative Assistant covsecty1@raleigh.twcbc.com

Minister of Music Wanda Ramm wjramm1@gmail.com

Church Musician Jeff Bottoms Innerkid13@earthlink.net

Clerk of Session Fred Lanzi fredlanzi@bellsouth.net

Church Treasurer Carol Rich crich319@gmail.com

Accounts Receivable Judy McCurdy mccurdyj@aol.com

Webmaster Lisa Bailey lbailey513@aol.com

Results For The 2018 Stewardship Campaign:

Building on the Past, Envisioning the Future

When the Finance Team started this year’s Stewardship campaign, we presented a challenge to the congrega-tion to increase our current budget by 10% to meet our growing financial needs. To date, as you probably have noticed by the Stewardship Flagpole, we have reached 80% of our goal in dedicated pledges. This total is certainly wonderful, and we are thankful, but we are hopeful and prayerful we can meet our goal!

We are all very blessed to be a part of such a wonderful church family! We have many programs that are di-rected to many types of needs and many wonderful people who make these programs happen. We are a di-verse congregation, and our church attracts members of all ages.

Many of you have participated in the survey to define what our church’s future Mission Statement and vision will become. Likewise, the annual Stewardship season is a time to reflect and realize that through God’s Grace, we can grow in our faith, perseverance, service, and Christian witness. Your expression of love for Christ and the mission of Covenant Presbyterian Church is expressed in your gifts of time, talent, and finan-cial support.

Thank you for your willingness to support our Church and its vision to further God’s work, and if you have not made your pledge, we ask you to please prayerfully consider it. It is not too late to make your pledge for this year. Please note all pledges are confidential, and you may return your pledge card to Judy McCurdy or place it in the offering plate.

Thank you for your consideration, and we look forward to serving together in 2019!

Sincerely,

Your Finance and Stewardship Committee

Did you know?

In the Presbyterian Church the congregation votes on three things: the election of your

leaders, the call of a pastor or matters related to that call, and the encumbrance of property.

All other matters are the responsibility of the Session. This is a “thank you” to everyone at Covenant Presbyterian Church, and a spe-cial “thank you” to Mary Jo and Hugh Cashion, for the surprise pre-birthday lunch they planned for my 90th.

I was shocked and honored to all the friends of Covenant who attended, sent cards and gifts, and the turn-out of everyone. I cannot explain in words how I felt. I did not know that you all thought about me in such a way.

I know that this church family is very loving, especially for special occasions. Please accept my love and gratitude to each and everyone. This is a birthday I will never forget.

Thank you all. God Bless each and everyone. ~ Olive Martin

GIFT CARDS: Thank you for supporting our church by purchasing gift cards through Covenant! We continue to raise almost $4000 per year and that has really helped the budget. Food Lion, Lowes and Walmart are available in the narthex before and after service. There are now over 700 retailers who give a percentage to Covenant –nothing

out of pocket!! Order on Sunday and have your gift card the following Sunday.

Please think about paying for your groceries, prescriptions, gas, gifts, household items, restaurants, travel, etc.

using gift cards. For more information, please call Susan Darby at 919-605-5792 or David Meyers at 919-524-

0244 or email sddarby@hotmail.com.

DECEMBER

Birthdays Anniversaries Dec 3 Gary Hardee, Trevor Johnson Dec 5 Sherman & Louise McClaid

Dec 5 Dawn Morrall, Mary Jo Cashion Dec 7 Ron & Kasey Oldham

Dec 7 Corey Haswell Dec 15 Chris & Heather Wolfgang

Dec 10 Christine Mailliard Dec 21 Joe & June Bowman, Doug & Angie Petrey

Dec 11 Chris Murphy Dec 22 Reuben & Patty Hart

Dec 13 Margie Hopkins Dec 27 Tommy & Ruth Crawford

Dec 16 Faye Kelley

Dec 17 Donna Waszak, George Labusohr

Dec 21 Troy Byrd, Jennifer Carnes

Dec 24 Bill McCurdy

Dec 25 Carol Rich

Dec 6 Brigitte Sanford

Dec 28 Caroline Byrd, Tim VanGelder

Dec 29 Kimberly Stevens, Allison Page, Grace Page, Grant Christopher

Dec 31 Pete Dunlow

Confirmation Class

Pastor Debbie’s Confirmation Class for youth, grades 5 and up,

began in October. This class is exploring our Presbyterian heritage,

beliefs, and our Christian discipleship which includes opportunities

for the youth to engage in mission/outreach. These young folks will

share their statements of faith with the session and congregation in

December.

Tuesday Bible Study

On Tuesday, November 27, at 10:00 AM, we will begin an Advent Study, using Thomas Moore’s book “The Soul of Christmas” as a resource. You do not have to purchase the book to join us. Thomas Moore

helps us rise above the commercialism of the Christmas season and the nostalgia of childhood memories to rediscover God’s message to us and our world. The Christ Child reminds us of the infinite possibili-ties of life available to us, even in the darkest of days. I hope you will come join us! We will break for

the holidays December 25 until January 8, when we will resume with another study of one of the books of the Bible.

Listen for the Bells!

Because of the generosity on one of our members, a digital carillon will be in-

stalled the first week of December, in time for us to hear Christmas music calling

us to worship. A carillon is a musical instrument composed of at least 23 bells,

arranged in sequence according to their pitch, to produce harmony when they are

sounded together. It was originally invented in the 15th century. The carillon giv-

en to us is a digital instrument but recorded from actual bells. We will have a list

of some 500 hymns which will be played at certain times of the day, after the ring-

ing of the bells.

Sound System

The Session is working methodically to resolve our sound system problems. It is not a quick fix. Some parts

will need replacing. We want to be good stewards of our resources, so we ask for your patience!

Worship

Elders Barbara Sneade & Tim VanGelder

Choir Chatter

As usual, your choir is busy, and December is one of the major busy months for us and you. Please mark your calen-

dars for December 16th at 6:00, the choral presentation of Joseph Martin's Appalachian Winter followed by refresh-

ments. This cantata incorporates many familiar Christmas songs that remind us to take time to truly appreciate the

meaning of Christmas.

We appreciate your support all year and love sharing God's word through song. Consider becoming one of us dur-

ing the coming year.

See you in church,

Wanda

Survey Results Gatherings

The results are in! The Session met with a representative of Holy Cow Consulting on Sun-day, November 4 for an afternoon. Susan Czolgosz, an organizational psychologist who has been working in this field for 30 plus years, spent 3 hours with us reviewing the results. The Session is now prepared to share those results with you in small groups, enabling you to re-spond. Please join us for either:

Breakfast on December 9, 9:00 AM (Sunday)

Or

Lunch on December 4, 12 noon (Tuesday)

Food will be provided and the gatherings should last approximately 1 hour. Session members will facilitate the sharing of information and conversation. Hope to see you there!

Congregational Care Committee Meeting - December 23, 2018 at 12:15 p.m. - Session Room

Presbyterian Women of the church normally meet the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall but will not be meeting in December due to Christmas. We invite all women to come join us for a great night of fellowship when we resume in January. We enjoy lively discussions about what the Bible is saying to us and how we can put the message into action in our daily lives. Come and join us as we all journey together to strengthen our faith.

Breakfast Fellowship December 10 Come join us for breakfast. Everyone is welcome! The second Monday of each month at 9:30 a.m. in Zebulon at McLean’s Restaurant.

Prayer Shawl Both knitters and crocheters are welcome! We meet at 5:00 p.m. on the third Sunday of the month and create shawls & throws for comfort in time of need. Want to join the group?

Experienced knitters are happy to help & share patterns. Some supplies are available. Call Christine Mailliard at 919-366-0883 for more information or if you know of someone who could use a shawl.

Join a special care ministry (Contact Paula Daniels at 919-675-0363 or Jeannie Driver at 919-365-5521 for more information)

Handy Hands helps with home repairs and chores for those who find it difficult to manage by themselves. They have installed several ramps for those with prob-lems with mobility. Need is more important than ability to pay, so donations are appreciated.

Martha’s Ministry provides meals in time of need. If you are experiencing difficulties - illness, stress or any other reason, and having a meal delivered would give you a lift, please let the church office know (919-365-7979). If

you are able to help prepare and/or deliver meals, please call Paula, Jeannie or the church office.

Men’s Breakfast - The third Sunday of each month at 8:30 a.m. in the Church’s Education Building. The breakfast is held in the kitchen in the Education Building.

Congregational Care

Elders Paula Daniels & Jeannie Driver

Member Directory is ready for pick up. Copies will be in the narthex and outside the

church office. If your information is incorrect, please contact Mary, Church Office Administrator,

at 919-365-7979 or covsecty1@raleigh.twcbc.com.

During the month of December, we need one large poinsettia at $65.00 and

two small poinsettias at $35.00 each.

If you would like to contribute in memory, or in honor of someone

please see Judy Raybon.

Goodbye to Mary DeFino

Mary has tendered her resignation to the Session effective December 1, 2018. She has done an

excellent job as our Administrative Assistant over the past year. She has decided to pursue oth-

er opportunities that better meet her financial and scheduling needs. We wish her well on her

future life journey.

During the interim period before we are able to hire a permanent replacement for the Adminis-

trative Assistant, the position will be filled with volunteers or temporary employees. If you are

interested in a short term temporary position, please contact Bid Lawler or Barb Sneade

Carver Elementary Backpack Buddy Program - Don’t forget our weekend meals for Carver kids. We need canned vegetables, snack items, breakfast bars, small packages of cereal/oatmeal. Immediate need for protein items - peanut butter , tuna, meatballs, vi-ennas, soups; fruit, popcorn, sweet snacks. There is a designated bin in the narthex and lists with suggested items on the bulletin boards.

The Food Pantry is an on-going project supplying bags of groceries to needy families in our area.

Non-perishable foods are welcome.

Emphasis for December: Snack Packs, all canned fruits and vegetables, soups (chicken noodle), crack-ers, cans and dry, white rice, pasta, spaghetti sauce, powder milk, salt, pepper , hygiene items, deodorant, bar soap, shampoo, toothpaste and tooth brushes, feminine hygiene items, diapers (newborn, size 1, 2, 3), toilet tissue.

Don’t forget that the fourth Sunday of the month we receive Pennies for Hunger during worship.

Mission/Outreach

Elders Bud Lawler & Rusty Wagstaff

Christian Education

Elder Paula Perry

Sunday School lessons for the children, youth and adult mini-courses will focus on Advent during December. All Sunday School classes for adults, children, and youth begin at 9:45 on Sunday mornings.

Sunday School: Both elementary and youth will be studying the same scripture and stories but with a differ-ent emphasis.

December 2 Luke 1:5-25 Elizabeth and Zechariah

December 9 Luke 1:26-28 Mary

December 16 Luke 1:39-66 Mary and Elizabeth

December 23 Luke 2:1-20 Joseph, Mary, and Jesus

December 30 Luke 2:25-38 Simeon and Anna

The Hood-Underhill class is taught by Bob Fleming and Todd Turner.

Stomp ‘n’ Holler is a men’s class led by Bill Alden.

The Serendipity class is taught by Marc Johnson.

December mini-course: An Advent Study with Elaine Vaden

The basis of the class will be “Being Disciples: Essen-tials of the Christian Life” by Rowan Williams.

The three remaining lessons for December are:

December 2 Holiness

December 9 Faith in Society

December 16 Life in the Spirit

Lisa Cauley will present her 6-8 week mini-course on Ephesians during the months of January and Febru-ary.

Advent devotional booklets are available at the back of the church. Dates need to be changed, but the mes-sage is timeless and inspiring!

Children and Youth will be given Advent materials in their classes.

Young Adults A night of fellowship for young adults, ages 18-25, De-cember 20, Thursday, 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm, in the Fellow-ship Hall. Pizza, games, fellowship! Come join us and bring a friend!

Youth Ministry

Sundays, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Thank you to all who purchased butter braids to support the Youth and their mission trip for 2019! Butter braids will be delivered during the second week of December.

Dinner is served at 5:30. Please help provide a meal for our wonderful youth by signing up on the bulletin board in the narthex and outside the office. Plan to feed about nine people, including something to drink. Thank you so much for your time and generosity!

Bible Adventurers

Ages 4-10. This group leaves the church ser-vice after the Conversation with the Children. The children will learn about the Bible through a variety of “adventurers” with songs, stories, games, and crafts.

Come to the Christmas program presented by the children and youth of Covenant Presbyterian Church on Sunday, December 9 at 5:30 pm! You won’t want to miss this night of theater and music celebrating Christ’s birth!

Sunday School

Bring your food for the Back Pack Buddies and Food Pantry on Communion Sundays.

Wendell Council of Churches

We are very proud of the fact that our very own Linda Hess has been elected

to serve as the Moderator of the Wendell Council of Churches for 2019.

Wendell Council of Churches, of which Covenant Presbyterian Church is a

member, is a collaborative ministry in our community. WCC is responsible

for worship and luncheons during Lent and Holy Week, Easter Sunrise

Worship and services on National Day of Prayer. WCC also coordinates food

drives for our local food pantries as well as worship at the Oliver local

congregations. Congratulations and prayers, Linda!

When we gather to celebrate the Lord’s Supper on

the second Sunday of each month, we recognize

God’s amazing gift of Jesus Christ to the world and

the incredible sacrificial gift Jesus made for us. The

table of the Lord’s Supper is a table of incredible

love and grace shared for us all. But we are called

to be not only receivers of the gift, but givers of the

gift. What better way to share than to bring our food

to the table for the local food pantry and Back Pack

Buddies. Did you know that we provide bags of

food to some 30 plus families with children from

Carver Elementary School which will enable them

to put food on their tables for the weekend? We are

inviting you to bring your food - canned vegetables,

fruit cups, soups, etc., - Communion Sundays. The

children will collect your food during the

Conversation with the Children - just like they do

with their Pennies for Hunger - and then place the

food in the baskets at the communion table,

reminding us that we are called to be not only

receivers of God’s grace, but givers. We will

continue to gladly receive your food any time, in the

boxes in the narthex. Just remember to bring a can

or two on

communion

Sundays as

well! Many

thanks!

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1 1:00—3:00 Santa’s Secret Shoppe 7:00 AA

2 12:00 First Sunday Lunch 5:30 Youth Meet

3 7:00 Wendell Council of Churches

4 10:00 Bible Study 7:00 Grief Support

5 7:30 Choir Practice 8:00 AA

6 6:30 Finance

7 8 7:00 AA

9 5:30 Children’s Xmas Play & Dinner 6:00 Property 6:00 Outreach 7:00 Confirmation Class Meets - Session 8:00 AA

10 9:30 Breakfast Fellowship - Zebulon 6:30 Perennial Garden Club

11 10:00 Bible Study

12 7:30 Choir Practice 8:00 AA

13 14 15 7:00 AA

16 8:30 Presbyterian Men’s Breakfast 5:30 Youth Meet 7:00 Choir Cantata Presentation

17 18 10:00 Bible Study 6:30 CE Committee 7:00 Grief Support

19 7:30 Choir Practice 8:00 AA

20 21 22 7:00 AA

23 12:15 Congregational Care Meet 5:30 Youth Meet

24 5:30 Christmas

Eve Worship Service

25

Church Office Closed

26

Church Office Closed

27 28 29 7:00 AA

30 5:30 Youth Meet

31

DECEMBER 2018 Volunteer Schedule for December 2018—January 2019

Date Lay Reader Audio Greeters Ushers

Dec 2 Elaine Vaden Walker Driver Jim & Margie Hopkins

Becky Abate, Jeannie Driver, Al Cates, Sally Hines

Dec 9 Marc Johnson Billy Cuthrell Olive Martin,

Leanne Stanton

Tommy Crawford, Gary Hardee, Mike Smithson, Paula Daniels

Dec 16 Hulon Perry Tim Harris Judy McCurdy,

Sally Hines

Philip & Annette Kirk, Al Cates,

Steve Buus

Dec 23 Carol Rich Walker Driver John & Judy Shotts Don Agee, Doug Petrey,

Leanne Stanton, Pete Dunlow

Dec 30 Leanne Dale Billy Cuthrell Pam Hardee,

Carol Rich

Bud Lawler, Bill McCurdy,

Matthew Bills, Tim VanGelder

Jan 6 David Meyers Tim Harris Paula Daniels,

Nicole Bills

Chris & Heather Wolfgang,

Ed & Barb Sneade

Jan 13 Lisa Bailey Walker Driver Jim & Margie Hopkins

Becky Abate, Jeannie Driver,

Al Cates, Sally Hines

Jan 20 Nicole Bills Billy Cuthrell Olive Martin, Leanne Stanton

Tommy Crawford, Gary Hardee, Mike Smithson, Paula Daniels

Jan 27 Hubert Hines Tim Harris Judy McCurdy, Sally Hines

Don Agee, Doug Petrey,

Leanne Stanton, Pete Dunlow

Date Children’s Sermon Nursery Volunteer Acolyte

Dec 2 Jennifer Carnes Ruth Crawford Emma Buus

Dec 9 Bonnie Wagstaff Pam Hardee Megan Buus

Dec 16 Youth Bells Carrie Petrosky Mollie Smithson

Dec 23 Debbie Osterhoudt Robin Harris James Newton

Dec 30 Bonnie Wagstaff Rae Dunn Emma Cuthrell

Jan 6 Kimberly Stevens James Newton

Jan 13 Mary Selke Megan Buus

Jan 20 Jennifer Carnes Mollie Smithson

Jan 27 Don Mailliard Emma Cuthrell

Note to Volunteers: It is the responsibility of each volunteer to find a replacement in the event that you are unable to fulfill your obligation on the dates provided. Also, we are down to 3 audio volunteers and really need four. ~ Thanks Tim