Graduate Recognition June 3
18/22 Generation Summer Kickoff
ProjectSHARE - This Sunday
Kids Wanted for Seek the City VBS – Registration Needed
Hand Chosen Adoption Support Group Sunday Dinner May 20
Coming in June – Hand Chosen Bible Studies
Seek the City Volunteers are Wanted
Checkout Greg’s List – We've Added A Category!

Sermons
Listen to sermons online
Subscribe to our podcast

Mike Ross on the Radio
Invite your friends to listen to
The Covenant of Grace:
• WHVN Heaven Radio (1240AM and 104.3FM) at 9:00 a.m. Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Sundays
• Radio programs online anytime at www.exalt1700.org and www.accradio.com.

Project SHARE – 2nd Sunday—Essentials for the Homeless
On Sunday May 13 we will be collecting items for men who are being ministered to through the organizations who care for those who have no personal support network.  Look for the truck parked by the main entrance of the Worship Center to drop off your donations or leave them at the Information Desk in the main lobby.

Pssst! Can You Keep a Little Secret?
We’re planning a cookie reception after morning worship next Sunday, May 20 to honor Dr. Marni Halvorson for her many years of service in Christian education, including her leadership at our own Covenant Day School. You are invited, and if you would like to make cookies to share we would be very grateful. Just click here for cookie details.  Thank You!

Kids!!! Come to Seek the City VBS – June 25-29
Registration for Seek the City Vacation Bible School, June 25-29, is now open to children 5-12 years old (must be this age by June 24).  Children with Special Needs are also welcome. Vacation Bible School will be at Christ Covenant Church from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Limited number of spots.  Registration required.  Register at www.seekthecity.com.  Free.

Comfort for Mother's Day
Mother’s Day is a special day for many women, but for some it can be a very painful time.  For women who have lost babies, who are struggling with infertility, or who are post-abortive, this is a bittersweet day.  Morning Will Come is a collection of stories from couples who have been through a loss or are infertile.  If you have experienced a loss, please visit the Caleb Ministries table in the main lobby to obtain a free copy of this book.  For additional help and encouragement, please visit Caleb Ministries’ web site at www.calebministries.org or call 704-841-1320 or toll-free 1-877-4U-CALEB.

18-22’s! Welcome Home! Let’s Get Together This Summer.
It’s that time again. Every summer 60-70 college students or 18-22 year olds return home to Christ Covenant for the summer. Most of them get involved with 18/22 Generation’s Charlotte Summer Ministry. This is a 10 week summer ministry designed in order to help college aged students be further equipped and encouraged in their life with God. We will learn how to better study the bible, pray, share our faith and live in community. The kickoff for our summer ministry is on May 22 at the Campus Outreach House (the corner of Fullwood and 51 next to the SOAR house) at 6:30 p.m. Come hang out, eat some food, play some games and hear more about what’s going on this summer!

February’s Deacons’ Offering Provides Much Needed Transport for COTS –Thank You!
Elder Brent Anderson has sent us a terrific follow-up our response to a Deacons’ offering earlier this year:

         I wanted to take this opportunity to thank the Deacons and the Christ Covenant congregation for the generous Church on the Street (COTS) mercy offering in February.   The offering raised $7,230.  With these funds that God had graciously provided, we were able to purchase a replacement van for COTS.  The van is used to transport the food, tables, chairs and so much more each Sunday morning to our COTS location on North Tryon street under the Brookshire Freeway.  The old van, which had been in service for over 10 years, had finally died and was beyond repair.  We went for about a month with no van.  Without the van, COTS was still able to transport the food in other vehicles but we were not able to transport the dining tables and chairs.  The tables and chairs are necessary for people to sit and eat, so they can hear the preaching of God’s word and be ministered to by our COTS team.   This gift will enhance our ministry and should last many years.

                Our new van is a Ford 2003 E-150 with about 113,000 miles.  COTS purchased it for $7,400, which is almost the same amount as the mercy offering.  The tires are new, the body has no body damage or rust, and it runs great.  There’s even a cage just behind the front seats that will offer protection for the driver in case of a shift in the cargo.  We are in the process of outfitting the cargo area with shelves so we can load it up efficiently.  Once again, COTS is grateful to our God who has worked so graciously through the Deacons and Christ Covenant family. Click here to learn more about COTS.

Did you miss the video on Soar Scholarships
Last Sunday the Deacons took up gifts to be used to assist in providing scholarships so that children from families in need might take part in SOAR sports teams. SOAR has expanded its ministries and many of the players now being reached find the costs for uniforms and equipment along with basic team fees a challenge. Scholarships allow more players to benefit from the SOAR approach to sharing the Gospel through the team experience. Click here to see the video with Jason Miller talking about this expansion in SOAR’s evangelistic outreach.

Seek the City Volunteer Openings
We’re off to a great start but many openings are waiting for our volunteer army to enlist:  Make your selection(s) and sign up here:

Help Wanted at Christ Covenant Church

Grounds Maintenance position
Christ Covenant Church has an immediate opening for a qualified individual with at least one year experience in Grounds Maintenance to join the Operations Department in a full time position. The primary responsibilities for the successful candidate will be maintaining the grounds on Church property, practice athletic and ornamental turf maintenance, and practice appropriate landscape maintenance. Knowledge of the principles of landscape maintenance, ability to work alone or with a team, and a willingness to participate in routine maintenance or construction projects as requested by the Supervisor. The successful candidate will be self-motivated, hardworking, dependable and show initiative. Qualifications include a personal commitment to Jesus Christ and membership in an evangelical church. Interested candidates should send a cover letter and a current resume to Margie Johnston at mjohnston@christcovenant.org or call 704-814-1007 with questions.

Our Tithes and Gifts Report 
Pray we will trust God to supply every need as we acknowledge His many gifts to us. Thank you for your generosity.

Operating Budget (Calendar Year Reporting)
1/1/12 – 5/6/12        Actual        Budget      Difference      % (-) or +
Inflow                     1,581,538   1,640,000   (58,462)        (3.56%)

Faith Promise Budget
1/1/12 – 5/6/12      Actual      Budget     Difference     % (-) or +
Inflow                    191,644    124,700      67,644       54.55%

Wilcox Rise Up Campaign Summary as of 5/6/12:
Total Construction Costs Projected:          $850,000
Less: Cash Received so far                         (738,300)
January Pledges not yet paid                        (2,800)
June Pledges not yet paid                           (13,500)
Additional pledges needed                  $95,400

Project SHARE – 4th Sunday - Our HELP Center Needs Help THIS Sunday.
Our donations of food and basic necessities for families in need who are served by the Matthews HELP Center are proving to be a significant blessing to those in our community who would otherwise go without meals.  Our next big collection will be Sunday, May 27, when we will have collection truck by the door to the main lobby of the Worship Center. You can also drop off donations to the Information Desk on any Sunday.  Here’s a list to keep with your own shopping list. Thank you. Most needed items include:

A Sellout Last Time…The Screwtape Letters Returns to Charlotte Next Month
See The Screwtape Letters on Friday, June 29 or Saturday, June 30 at one of three performances at the Knight Theater, Levine Center for the Arts, 430 South Tryon Street in Charlotte. Save with group tickets for 10 or more. Call Andrew at 866-476-8707 or email andrew@fpatheatre.com.

We’ve Added a NEW Category on Greg’s List!!!  HANDMADE AND CUSTOM MADE ITEMS  
We think there are people in our congregation who smock, sew, weave, repurpose, craft, quilt, carve, mold, preserve all kinds of wonderful items that others would want to purchase - if they knew how to reach you!  Please sign up for Greg’s List and let your waiting market know about your bows, bow ties, bookends, barrel planters, bonnets, braided rugs… Whatever – We want to know about it.
And
Our church body includes many men and women who are professionals, tradespersons, service providers, small business owners and independent contractors. These people offer a wide variety of goods and services through their small businesses that could be of value to others in our congregation.

In response to many requests to provide members with information about church members with whom they might do business we have created an online directory for our website. The directory will be managed by our webmaster Greg Bartos so, of course, we have nicknamed our resource “Greg’s List.”

If you would like to be included in our listings please click here for application and policy details.

Greg’s List is offered as an information resource only. Listings should not be considered as any form of endorsement or recommendation by the Church. The individual listed is solely responsible for the accuracy of all information posted. Listings will remain for up to one year and must be resubmitted annually. The Church reserves the right to edit or remove any listing without prior notice when appropriate or necessary.

Covenant Day School Summer Reading Book Fair
Covenant Day School is having a "Summer Reading Book Fair" at Barnes & Noble this coming week. There are 3 convenient ways to allow a portion of your purchase support the CDS library/media center!

1. Shop at any Barnes and Noble Monday, May 14 – Saturday, May 19.  You will need the voucher that is on this CDS flyer in order for the CDS Media Center to benefit from your purchases.
2. Shop online at  www.BN.COM/bookfairs from 5/14/12 to 5/23/12 and enter the
   Bookfair ID 10732790  at checkout.
3. Stop by the main lobby of the worship center Tuesday, May 15 - Thursday, May 17 from 7:45-4:00 to browse summer reading suggestions from CDS personnel.  There will also be travel games and activities, Nook E-readers , and much more. 

Can our Children’s Ministry Pray for You?
We desire to partner with our parents and families as they strive to raise their children to love and serve the Lord.  We pray confidentially every Wednesday morning for specific needs that are shared with us.  There are prayer request cards at the Welcome Center (B-102) that can be filled out and left in a box on the counter, or you can send them to Karen Chambers at kchambers@christcovenant.org.

Women’s Ministries Letter from Susan Shepherd for May
Good May morning, sisters! 

Is it just me, or does it seem like Christmas was just yesterday???  What in the world?

Our family is counting down the days until our son is married later this month and, as we think together for the future, I have found myself reflecting almost daily on the steadfast faithfulness of the Most High God.  I know that I’m given to hyperbole, but truthfully, God’s gracious movement in our lives is nothing short of stunning (that was one of my dad’s favorite words J).  I hope I will never get used to such amazing mercy and kindness from the Father.  Today, I feel compelled to sing with the Psalmist,

“I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
For your steadfast love is great to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let your glory be over all the earth!”  (Psalm 57:9-11 ESV)

Probably more than you wanted to know about me…so let’s move on!  What’s going on in ministry???

We’re winding down!  This month, our Elective Bible Studies, the Anchor, T2 and Merea will each conclude their year.  This is always sort of a bittersweet time, as most of our women have thoroughly enjoyed their time together but a break from routine is welcome…at least for a season.  My encouragement would be to use the summer to informally maintain your connections with one another.  This will take a little more effort, but unstructured time around the pool, at the playground, or in a cool coffee shop should be a welcome and beneficial pathway to sweet friendship and continued partnership in faith.  I would also urge you to think now for your consistent spiritual development --- don’t “take the summer off” from strategic and intentional time with the Lord and in His Word.  The enemy does not take summers off.  Do not give him a foothold!  If you need some ideas on what to study, or how to have meaningful quiet times, let someone know…don’t flounder on your own!

That said, I just want to remind you that we will host a 5-week study on Tuesday evenings during the summer.  Beginning June 12 and concluding on July 10, Carolyn Carpenter will lead an in-depth study through the book of Jonah.  Carolyn is a gifted teacher and I’m so grateful for her availability; make plans to join the study if you can!  The registration link will be available from the front page of the website by Monday of next week (May 7).  The location will be determined as we get closer to the start date, depending on the size of the class. 

I’d love for you to mark your calendars now for our 2012 Fall Women’s Conference planned for October 12/13.  We’ve reserved rooms at the Hawthorne Inn & Conference Center in downtown Winston-Salem and we’re pleased to provide you with several options that we hope will be easily affordable.  Registration for the conference will be open beginning Monday, May 14.  The theme for the conference is “Girls Being Girls: On Being Uniquely Feminine in the Body of Christ” and I’ll be teaching four sessions dealing particularly with issues around “what does it mean to be a godly woman in this culture…and in my circumstances?”  We’ll get started after dinner on Friday evening and conclude by 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.  In response to feedback from past retreats, we’ve made a shift to hosting these “overnight” events only every-other-year…we’ve chosen a venue that is close and less expensive…and we’ve planned the schedule to allow you to be home on Sunday.  Our hope is that these changes will allow for many of you to make this a priority.  I’d love the opportunity for lots of us to be together!!!  HOWEVER, we were able to reserve only a limited number of rooms with the option of additional rooms in a nearby location, so please do not wait to register.  If it looks like we’re going to hit our capacity at the Hawthorne, I want to make arrangements ASAP for more rooms!  SEE YOU IN OCTOBER!

Also, as you think about Fall, begin to consider where you might “fit in” for ministry.  T2 and Merea will both be starting new groups.  These are mentoring ministries.  If you are interested, check out the website to get more information or watch the Courier.  The Anchor will launch in late August/early September with the new small group ministry, so we’re anticipating starting numerous new groups.  If you would like to be in a small group of women, studying Scripture and “doing life” together, watch for Anchor registration and let us know what time/location best suits your schedule.  Finally, Elective Bible studies will begin in September.  These studies will primarily take place on Thursdays each week and you’ll have several topics to choose from.  Again, more info to come both in this newsletter and on the website.  But I thought it would be good to at least start the conversation!

Let’s see…on behalf of the Youth Ministry, I do want to commend to you the opportunity to participate in Seek the City this summer.  I know that you are likely overwhelmed with end-of-the-year stuff, but it would be so helpful to the Youth staff to not have to wait and worry for folks who sign up at the “last hour”.  Please go to this link and prayerfully consider how you can help.  There are options for every schedule…some of these needs do not require you to be on campus at all that week!  Let’s pull together and get this done before the end of the month!  http://www.seekthecity.com/Seek_the_City/Volunteering.html

One last thing --- and this is a SECRET (between the 900 of us) --- we’re hosting a celebration after worship on Sunday morning May 20 for Marni Halvorson as she retires.  We need lots of cookies, which I know is your specialty!  If you are able to deliver cookies on Sunday morning, would you please sign up at this link?  And please plan to join us to thank Marni for her thoughtful, gracious, godly service to Covenant Day and to our church for all of these years! www.SignUpGenius.com/go/9040C44A4AF0-cookie/765  (remember it’s a secret!)

I’ll close with a quick introduction to Lauren Holbrook --- our liaison to Campus Outreach.  Lauren is married to Andrew and mom to the sweetest baby girl, Haddie.  She is close to her family, with her folks nearby in Charleston and three sisters who continue to share their lives and families.  Andrew is the Campus Outreach Charlotte Regional Director and he serves on our Pastoral team at CCC.  They are often away visiting, encouraging, equipping CO staff and college students but Lauren leads an Anchor group here every week and is faithfully engaged in ministry to women at Christ Covenant.  She is a quiet and gracious woman with a great sense of humor and deep love for the Lord and His Word.  Her influence with women on the campus resonates in many of our daughter/granddaughter churches as her young friends graduate and move on to the next chapter of their lives with God.  Lauren’s affection for women, her support of her husband, her own commitment to Christ and her most recent embrace of motherhood is a delightful testimony to me and to those who have the privilege to know her.  Give her a hug when you see her --- she sits with Andrew in one of the first three or four rows of college students each Sunday!  (You’ll have to hurry; Lauren, Andrew & Haddie are off to Summer Beach Project in just two weeks!)

That’s it.  Much love to you all and thank you, as always, for the tremendous privilege to serve with you here.  What a gift. 

Grace,
Susan