Pastor’s Notebook: “C S Lewis on the Resurrection”

Easter has come and gone. But, in truth Easter will always live on, for it has changed the world. Here’s how C S Lewis puts it: " Then we come to the strangest story of all, the story of the Resurrection. It is very necessary to get the story clear. I heard a man say, “The importance of the Resurrection is that it gives evidence of survival, evidence that the human personality survives death.” On that view what happened to Christ would be what had always happened to all men, the difference being that in Christ’s case we were privileged to see it happening. This is certainly not what the earliest Christian writers thought. Something perfectly new in the history of the Universe had happened. Christ had defeated death. The door which had always been locked had for the very first time been forced open. This is something quite distinct from mere ghost-survival. I don’t mean that they disbelieved in ghost- Church office hours: Mon.-Thurs. from 9:00 – 2:00p.m. survival. On the contrary, they believed in it so firmly that, on more than [email protected] (919) 365-7979 one occasion, Christ had had to assure them that He was not a ghost. www.covenantwendell.com The point is that while believing in survival they yet regarded the “Celebrating the Past – Building the Future” Resurrection as something totally different and new. The Resurrection narratives are not a picture of survival after death; they record how a Covenant Presbyterian Church totally new mode of being has arisen in the universe. Something new had 125 S. Selma Rd. appeared in the universe: as new as the first coming of organic life. This Wendell, NC 27591-9705 Man, after death, does not get divided into “ghost” and “corpse”. A new mode of being has arisen. That is the story. What are we going to make of

it?"

C.S. Lewis, “What are we to make of Jesus Christ?”

Grace & peace,

Claude

Worship Elders Keeping David Meyers Up & with Carol Rich Covenant Church News from Covenant Presbyterian Wendell, North Carolina March 2016

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when For where two or three come together in my name, he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6 there am I with them. (Matthew 18:20) CONFIRMATION CLASS The Confirmation Class will meet at 4:00 p.m. on Sundays beginning on April 10th. Please keep these young CHOIR CHATTER: people and their families in your prayers as they study to Your choir has had a busy spring! On Easter Sunday, we led become full members of God's church. worship with Mary McDonald's Jesus Shall Reign. While the YOUTH DINNERS: presentation required a lot of work, the message is worth the effort. Thank you to everyone providing dinners for the youth groups. There Joyful Noise presented an excellent program on March 13th. Thank are still dates open. Hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, any kind of pasta - keep it you Joyful Noise members along with Robin Harris and Susan simple and they will love it. Plan on enough for about 15. Meals start at 5:30 Smithson for all of your work. on Sunday evenings in the Education Building kitchen. You are invited to stay On April 17th at 7:00 p.m., the Capitol City Girls' Choir, conducted and share the meal with the group if you wish. This is a good way to get to by Meredith College's Fran Page, will present our next concert. We've know our terrific young folk. had the Raleigh Boy Choir in the past, and now we have the wonder- JOYFUL NOISE CHOIR th ful opportunity to hear these girls. Please don't miss this evening. The youngsters sang during worship on March 13 and did a great job! I've heard them, and they're fabulous! No admission will be charged, Thank you to Robin Harris and Susan Smithson for leading this enthusiastic but an offering will be taken. group! Practice is immediately after the worship service and sessions are brief - about 15 to 20 minutes. If you have youngsters that like to sing, contact Robin See you in church, Harris [email protected] or 919-602-6705. Wanda VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL This year is St. Eugene's year to lead VBS and they . are trying something new. Due to the shortage of workers during the week, they are scheduling VBS for Friday evening, July 15th, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, July 16th from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This is only a few hours less than the traditional daytime schedule. If you can help with teaching, planning or other areas, contact Linda Berry and she will let you know when planning meetings begin. Her email is [email protected]. FUTURE PLANS Future plans include service projects, a summer movie ("Cool Running" about the Jamaican bobsled team), and other fun events.

Congregational Care Christian Education Elders Kimberly Stevens & Paula Perry Elders Jennifer Cuthrell & Becky Abate First Sunday Fellowship Sunday, Apr. 3 Martha’s Ministry provides meals in time of need. If having a meal The Stevens Family is hosting First Sunday this month. Join them delivered would give you a lift, please let the church office know (919-365- immediately after worship for fellowship and refreshments. And sign up to 7979). This may be due to illness, stress, or any other reason. If you are sponsor a Sunday with your family or group. The sign up sheet is on the able to help prepare and/or deliver meals, please call Paula or Kimberly. bulletin boards.

First Wednesday Dinner Wednesday, Apr. 6th Pizza Party!! Also salads and desserts. All you can eat for just a small donation! What a deal! 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Don't miss it! th Men’s Breakfast Sunday, Apr. 17 Presbyterian Women WOMEN'S The coffee is hot and good. The food is always great. All men of the church Judy Shotts are welcome. Breakfast is served at 8:30 a.m. on the third Sunday of the RETREAT month in the kitchen of the Education Building. If no one steps up to cook, the “THE SEASONS OF OUR LIVES” guys head to McDonalds in Wendell. To sign up for a turn, call Hugh Led by: Lee-ann Ahders Cashion at 919-365-6313 or 919-793-3561. Begins Friday, April 29th at 7:00 p.m. Breakfast Fellowship Monday, Apr. 4 & 11 with an ice cream social. The Clayton group will meet at Jones Café, 415 E. Main St. in Clayton at th 9:30 a.m. on Apr. 4th and the Zebulon group will meet at 9:30 a.m. at McLean's Resumes Saturday, April 30 at 8:30 a.m. in Zebulon on Apr.11th EVERYONE is welcome – at either or both groups! with Continental Breakfast Prayer Shawl Sunday, Apr. 17 $5.00 includes lunch on Saturday The knitters meet at 5:00 p.m. on the third Sunday of the month and Lee-ann is a "seasoned" retreat leader and promises a create shawls & throws for comfort in time of need. New members welcome! No need to be an expert; experienced wonderful experience for all! Knitters are happy to help and share patterns. Yarn and some We will get to know each other Friday night with ice cream. needles are available. Call Christine Mailliard at 919-366-0883 Saturday, after a continental breakfast, the retreat begins at for more information or if you know of someone who could 9:00 a.m. with a break for lunch which is provided. use a shawl. This is a time of sharing & fellowship with Christian women Join a special care ministry (Contact Kimberly Stevens at 919-269-3881 or Paula Perry at with NO WORK INVOLVED! 919-269-0057 for more information.) Please register with Judy Shotts 919-366-0849 or Care Team Ministry assists the pastor in visiting home bound and [email protected] so that we order the right amount of hospitalized members and reaching out to visitors. We meet on the second materials and food. Wednesday of the month in the session room at 10:30 a.m. Talk to Claude if you are interested working with this group. All women welcome; invite your friends! Handy Hands is a group of people available to help with home repairs and chores for those who find it difficult to manage themselves. Mission/Outreach Classroom Supplies: Elders Annette Kirk & Leta Thornton Mission Outreach is collecting classroom supplies for Carver Elementary. Donations may be left in the marked box in the copy room. Items needed: hand sanitizer, kleenex, paper towels, & antibacterial wipes. WENDELL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES These are not supplied by the school but are essential for a roomful of kids! COMMUNITY WIDE FOOD DRIVE Backpack Buddies: The annual food drive will be April 9th and 16th. What is the Back Pack Buddy Program? Many of the Our community is divided into territories and each children at Carver Elementary School come from families with little church is assigned an area. On Saturday, the 9th, or no income. Often their biggest meal of the day is their free our youth and Girl Scouts will cover Covenant's area school lunch. On weekends, meals are sparse and nutrition leaving grocery bags with instructions on front porches. suffers. The Back Pack Buddy program collects bags of non- Residents are asked to please fill the bag and put it back perishable food items and puts them in the back packs of children on their front porch the following Saturday March 16th for who are particularly at risk of hunger during the weekend. pick up. The filled bags are sorted and disbursed to food pantries in Wendell. Suggestions for food items are listed on the bulletin boards, and Churches have bins for donations. This food drive provides an opportu- the bin for contributions is in the narthex. If you hate to shop but nity for giving tor those who do not attend a church regularly want to help, gifts of money are welcome. Mark your check WE NEED YOUR HELP! "Backpack Buddy" and place it in the offering plate. Adults are needed to drive especially for pick up on the 16th . Sorting donations at Wendell Baptist on the 16th and transporting donations BACKPACK BUDDIES: Focus for April from Wendell Baptist to the food pantries are other areas needing help. 16 oz. cans of vegetables and Fill a bag! If you receive a bag on your front porch on the 9th, fill it generously canned chicken. and set it out for pick up on the 16th. When we all work together, it is amazing what we can accomplish!! Matthew 25: 40 ….Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my children, ye have done it unto me. FOOD PANTRY: Focus for April The food pantry is in need of non-food items too! Toilet paper, paper towels, tooth paste, shampoo and feminine hygiene items are so important in family life and are often not affordable. Of course, any non-perishable food is welcome and so are grocery gift cards which help purchase fruit, milk, meat and other perishable items. The Wendell Council of Churches Food Pantry is located in the United Methodist Church.

Elaine Vaden is back! Elaine has returned from her trip to Iraq and Lithuania and reports her trip was "bittersweet" due to conditions she encountered in some areas. She looks forward to sharing information and stories so look for information on programs in the near future. CARVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Stewardship-Finance Elders Hugh Cashion & Judy McCurdy Lectionary for April 2016 Second Sunday of Easter—April 3 Financial Report for March 2016 Acts 5: 27–32 Psalm 118: 14–29 or Psalm 150 Month Year to date Revelation 1: 4–8 Needed $22,269 $65,415 John 20: 19–31 Received $20,524 $66,575 Difference $ (1,745) $ 1,160 Third Sunday of Easter—April 10 Acts 9:1–6 [7–20] Heritage Fund Update: March $ 1,515 Year to date $ 4,885 Psalm 30 Mortgage Balance $ 1,145,765 Revelation 5:11–14 John 21:1–19 Gifts to the Heritage Fund are applied to the principal on the mortgage and may be given in honor or memory of a loved one, to celebrate a Fourth Sunday of Easter—April 17 special event or "just because." All gifts are appreciated! Acts 9:36–43 Grocery Gift cards to Food Lion and Lowes Foods are sold in the Psalm 23 narthex following worship and in the church office. When we use the Revelation7:9–17 cards to purchase groceries, the stores return a percentage to the John 10:22–30 church. Cards do not expire and do not have to be used all at once. They make great gifts and are just another way to support our church Fifth Sunday of Easter—April 24 programs. Acts 11:1–18 Psalm 148 Revelation 21:1–6 John 13:31–35

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MR. PENNY REPORT Boy, those pennies sure do add up! For the first quarter of 2016, The youngsters have collected $410 on the last Sundays of the month. That will feed a lot of hungry people - and for just a few pennies at a time! APRIL BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES GOOD WORK!! 15 Stewart Aull 1 Leann Dale Matthew Carnes Jeffery “JJ” Harris Steve Page Joys and Concerns SYMPATHY 3 Tom Martin 18 Eric Woodruff To Dickie & Jackie Murray 4 Shyla Haswell on the death of Jackie's mother, Susan Smithson 19 Kelly Hood Edith Graham Jacobs on March 10th.

5 Patty Hart 20 Celia Glenn To Edna Davenport and family on the death of Edna's nephew 6 Billy Cuthrell 22 Dorothy King Charles Lamm 23 David Driver on Easter Sunday morning.

8 Joshua Brunza 25 Bob Fleming Edna Davenport DID YOU SIGN UP FOR Jackie Murray 26 Leah Cauley 9 Guili Abate 8 @ 8? Rusty Wagstaff 27 Hubert Hines If not, you are missing a lot of fun! So far, there are three 10 Tommy Crawford 29 Ashley Davis groups of about 8 people - couples & singles - who meet to share Juanita Taylor a meal about once a month at about 8 o'clock - or whenever they want. April Anniversaries Groups have gone out after church on Sunday, met at a 1 Frank and Mindy Jarrett restaurant on a Saturday evening, gathered at a home and

13 Tim & Angie Sherrill brought side dishes. Anything is possible, even breakfast if the group agrees. In a month or so, the groups will be reorganized 19 John & Leeanne Stanton giving a chance to socialize with different people. 23 Richard & Ledda Rosenberger Would you like to get in on the fun? Just phone or email either 26 Denny & Carol Rich Kimberly Stevens or Paula Perry to get your name on the list.

NOTE: If your special day is not listed, (or is incorrectly listed) please let the office know so we can set the record straight. LAY ASSISTANT: Arrive at least 15 minutes before THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS! Worship for a voice check with audio and to get any lastminute announcements. Preside Every Sunday our greeters, ushers, acolytes enhance over the beginning of the service including an- our worship and keep things running smoothly. nouncements. The bulletin is emailed (or given) Basically unseen but VERY important are the to you ahead of time. volunteers in the nursery and up in the audio room. Children's sermon leaders need imagination and courage! AUDIO: This takes special abilities. You must be You never know what the youngsters might say! able to climb the circular stairs to the audio room. Then you will be trained in the myster- CONSIDER THIS YOUR INVITATION TO JOIN THE RANKS ies of our sound system. Without this impor- OF THOSE WHO SERVE! tant expertise, we would be unable to hear We need help in all areas: the service properly! We have very talented GREETERS: These are the first people most visitors meet. workers but lost Joshua and Amy Stevens Job description: Be here about 15 minutes when they left for college. Rachael has been before the service to stand near the doors and faithfully performing her scheduled duties and greet members and visitors alike. Smile, shake substituting when needed BUT she will be hands, and answer any questions. graduating in the not too distant future! She

USHERS: Give a bulletin and a smile to worshippers will probably leave for college! We will wish as they come to worship. Remain near the her well but she will leave a huge gap. If you doors to assist anyone who may need to leave like technology, (and can climb stairs) please or enter during the service. Collect prayer think about joining the audio team. We need cards during children's sermon & collect the you! offering. To volunteer for any of these areas, please call or email CHILDREN'S SERMON: Prepare and present a brief (less the church office and we will arrange for training. cov- than 5 minute) children's sermon. Material is [email protected]; 919-365-7979 available in the copy room to use or to give you Robin Harris coordinates the Nursery Volunteers and ideas to create your own story. Alli Buus is in charge of the acolytes. COVENANT CONCERT SERIES Presents NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

CAPITOL CITY GIRLS CHOIR THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016 April 17, 2016 The National Day of Prayer is celebrated in Wendell with a 7:00 p.m. service at noon thanking and praying for our town officials and work- ers. Lunch is provided by the Wendell Council of Churches. At 7:15 p.m. on the 5th in the Community Center there will be another service led by representatives of the churches of the coun- cil. Covenant's choir will sing. The whole community is invited. Na- tional Day of Prayer has been around for a long time. Here's a little history. 1775 – The first Continental Congress called for a No admission charge National Day of Prayer An offering will be taken 1863 – Abraham Lincoln called for such a day. 1952 – Congress established NDP as an annual event by a joint resolution, signed into law by President Truman (82-324) 1988 – The law was amended and signed by President Reagan, No admission - Offering will be taken designating the National Day of Prayer as the first Thursday in May (100-307). Come and bring friends for an evening of delightful music.

Founded in 1987 as a community outreach of Meredith College by Dr. Fran M. Page, the Capital City Girls Choir is one of the nation’s premier choral music education programs for young people. It is a vocal and music training program for girls from Raleigh, NC and the surrounding communities. Children’s Ministry Volunteer Schedule Volunteer Schedule for April/May 2016 April/May 2016 Date Lay Assistant Audio Greeters Ushers____ Date Children’s Sermon Nursery Volunteer Acolyte Apr. 3 Kasey Oldham Tim Harris Olive Martin & Ed & Barb Sneade, Leeanne Stanton Mark & Becky Abate Apr. 3 Don Mailliard Jennifer Nelson Caroline Byrd Apr. 10 Deb Park Rachael Becky Morgan & Don Agee, Stevens Judy McCurdy Leeanne Stanton Apr. 10 Mary Selke Emily Anderson Megan Buus Doug Petrey Apr. 17 Hulon Perry Billy Cuthrell Pam Hardee & Tommy Crawford, Apr. 17 Bob Fleming Robin Harris Gracelin Hart Olive Martin Craig Carnes Rich Warner Apr. 24 Jennifer Carnes Pam Hardee Emma Buus Ron Hall May 1 Tom Martin Emma Buus Apr. 24 Tammy Strickland Kevin Dale John & Judy Gary Hardee, Shotts Mike Smithson May 8 Don Mailliard Megan Buus Ron Oldham Dane Oldham May 15 Mary Selke Gracelin Hart May 1 Leann Dale Tim Harris Tom & Stella Steve Buus, Al Cates, Martin Bob Morgan, May 22 Bob Fleming Caroline Byrd Phil Kirk

May 29 Jennifer Carnes Emma Buus May 8 David Meyers Rachael Olive Martin & Ed & Barb Sneade, Stevens Leeanne Stanton Mark & Becky Abate Nursery Worker: May 15 Lisa Bailey Billy Cuthrell Becky Morgan & Don Agee, The nursery will be staffed from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each Judy McCurdy Leeanne Stanton, Sunday morning by Miss Lindsay Pearson. Doug Petrey

Nursery Volunteers: May 22 Joe Bowman Kevin Dale Pam Hardee & Tommy Crawford, The nursery volunteer is asked to bring a light snack and juice (no popcorn Olive Martin Craig Carnes please). If you are unable to serve on your scheduled Sunday, please call Rich Warner, anyone from the nursery volunteer list. If you have trouble finding a substitute, Ron Hall please contact the coordinator Robin Harris at [email protected] or May 29 Marc Johnson Tim Harris John & Judy Gary Hardee, 919-602-6705 Shotts Mike Smithson Ron Oldham Dane Oldham Lay Assistants and Audio: Please arrive by 10:30 a.m. for sound check. April 2016 9:30 a.m. Adult Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Children & youth Sunday School 9:30 Muffins & Movies 12:00 p.m. Joyful Noise Children's Choir 5:30 p.m. Youth Groups Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 12:15 p.m. First 9:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 9:00 a.m. Sun. Fellowship Breakfast Women's First Wed. Finance Community 5:00 p.m. Fellowship - Bible Study dinner Com. Food Drive Worship Com. Clayton 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. (Drop off bags) 6:30 p.m. Girl Scouts Choir Girl Scouts practice 7:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. AA Wendell Council of Churches

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Communion 9:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 7:30 p.m. 9:00 a.m. Breakfast Women's Choir Community 5:30 Mission/ Fellowship - Bible Study practice Food Drive Outreach Zebulon 6:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m. AA (Pick up bags) 4:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Girl Scouts Confirmation Girl Scouts Class 6:30 p.m. 6:00 Property Wendell 7:00 Session Perennial Garden Club

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 8:30 a.m. Men's 6:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. 7:30 p.m. 2:00 p.m. Breakfast CE Com. Women's Choir Private 4:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Bible Study practice Shower Confirmation Girl Scouts 6:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m. AA Class Girl Scouts 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Prayer Shawl Presbyterian 7:00 p.m. Women Capitol City Girls Choir

24 25 26 27 28 29 30 8:30 a.m. 7:00 p.m. Women's 12:15 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Women's retreat Cong. Care Girl Scouts Girl Scouts Choir retreat 4:00 p.m. practice Confirmation 8:00 p.m. Class AA

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