Shopping for a church home?
Try worshipping with us this Sunday...
_____________________________________________
9:30 am each Sunday
in the Assembly Room
This month...
May 13, 20 & 27
Prof. Steven Tuell
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
presents a 4-part series:
" Who ARE Those Guys? "
a survey of the Minor Prophets
Nahum, Habakkuk,
Zechariah & Malachi
VISITORS ALWAYS WELCOME.
THE PUBLIC IS INVITED.
~ NO COST ~
_________________________________________
Regular
Worship
in the Reformed Tradition
11:00 am in the
Sanctuary
each Sunday morning
------------------------------------
PERSONAL RECEIVERS AVAILABLE
for Hearing Assistance
HANDICAP RAMP &
GROUND LEVEL ENTRANCE
in the rear off E. New Castle Street
( the back alley behind
Butler Jr. High School)
An ELEVATOR indoors
offers access
from the ground floor
to the sanctuary level
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May 13,
2012
Sixth Sunday of Easter
11:00 am Youth-Led
Mother's Day Service
Scripture Texts
RCL Year B
Proverbs
31:10-31
Worship
Leaders
Jade Bowers
Amanda Gilliland
Mark Hitchcock
Shayne Hoehn
Jailynn Voelker
Jesalynn Voelker
Tyler Zang
Offertory
Music
" Shout
To The Lord"
Tyler Zang, Mark Hitchcock
Guitar
Sermon
"
The Best for
Last"
Mr. Mark Hitchcock
Preaching
~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
We are a PC (USA)
congregation
of Reformed belief,
Caring hearts
and Inquiring minds,
following
where the Spirit of God beckons.
Join us on
our journey!
New
Visitors & Guests
Always Welcome !
ALL
ARE WELCOME HERE !
Even as
the world seeks to judge or divide us according
to our economic, racial and ethnic groups, ages,
gender, abilities, preferences, politics and
theological positions, we believe that in Christ
there should be no such division.
Our
congregation is strengthened through difference
and diversity, and in the name of our Lord
Jesus, we welcome all who come seeking
refuge and healing from condemnation, prejudice
and discrimination.
All are welcome here !
Online
Periodicals*
Butler Eagle Online
Presbyterian Outlook*
Presbyterians Today
The Christian Century*
Sojourners
*If
Login is required,
please use:
covenantbutler
for user;
member for password
What's Your Personality Type?
Quick links to websites for
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
and
Keirsey-Bates Temperament Sorter
Find Out Now...
For Rest, Relaxation
& Spiritual Renewal...
consider a day's visit to
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
616 N. Highland Ave., Pgh. PA
get directions
Villa Maria Retreat Center
Villa Maria, Pennsylvania
get directions
ANY YEAR CALENDAR
an eco-friendly, spiritual resource
Daily Meditations from
Alternatives for Simple Living
__________________________________________
QUIK-LINKS
Online Interlinear Greek-English Text
Gospel Parallels Bible Study
A wonderful on-line
tool to examine the
similarities and differences among the
gospel accounts. You should check this out!
Bible Gateway Online
All the popular
translations...and you can
even hear the
scripture read (streaming
audio icon)
Books of the Bible
All 66 books of
the O.T. and N.T. arranged
in order on a "visual bookshelf"
Religion-online.org
Full texts by recognized religious
scholars; more than 5,700 articles
Theology Matters
Quarterly Presbyterian
theological journal,
published by Faith, Family and
Ministry,
"a group of Presbyterian women and men,
clergy and laity who believe that theology
does matter.
All articles of all issues posted,
from its beginning in
1995 to present.
- Have you ever read
"The Cotton Patch Version"
of the New Testament? Author and
biblical
scholar, activist and founder of Koinonia Community,
Clarence Jordan,
offers a mind-opening
reinterpreptation
of Paul's epistles set in our own
time
and culture. To begin your journey....
click here.
- Read the
full text
of
The Cotton Patch Gospels
- Read more about
Clarence
Jordan at the
Koinonia Partners website
or
read a
biography at Wikipedia.
- Read about Millard Fuller's
vision for a changed
world and
the work of
Habitat for Humanity
International,
which he founded
in 1976 in Americus, Georgia.
QUESTION:
Have you ever wondered why
"bad
things" often happen to
"good people" ?
QUESTION:
Are you struggling to find some
bit
of comfort or to make some
sense out of all the pain
and suffering in the world today?
QUESTION:
Do you ever wonder what, if anything,
you yourself have done to deserve
the "bad things"
that have come
your way lately?
SUGGESTION:
Click Here
A PRAYER FOR BUSY PEOPLE:
Oh Lord, I am so tired. It
seems like my to-do list gets longer each day, and the
frenzy in my home each night gets wilder.
Help me, dear Jesus. Let me feel your loving arms
wrap me tightly in the warm embrace of your endless
love. Teach me to make wiser choices about my time, to
remember what is more important, and to say "NO"
whenever my "Yes" would take me away from your presence
and your peace.
Fill me
with patience, a desire for simple pleasures, and a
sense of humor and mirth. Remind me of your deep love
for those who are lost, and let your sweet gift of
non-judgmental love encourage me to face life with
courage and hope instead of fear. Amen.
_________________________________
The Blessing in "No!"
I asked God to take away my pride.
God said, "No.
"It is not for me to take away,
but for you to give
up."
I asked God to make my
handicapped child whole.
God said, "No.
"Her
spirit is whole--
her body is only temporary."
I asked God to give
me patience.
God said, "No.
"Patience is a
by-product of tribulations.
It isn't granted, it's
earned."
I asked God to give me happiness.
God
said, "No.
"I give you blessings.
Happiness is up to you."
I asked God to spare me
pain.
God said, "No.
"Suffering draws you apart
from worldly cares
and draws you closer to me."
I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, "No.
"You must grow on your own,
but I will prune you to
make you productive."
I asked God for all things
t hat
I might enjoy life.
God said, "No.
"I will give
you life so that
you may enjoy all things."
I asked God to help me
love others,
as much as He loves me.
God said,
"AAAhhhhhhhhh!
Finally, you have the idea!"
Author Unknown
__________________________________
A Treasury of Links
Click
Here
HUNGRY HEARTS newsletter . . .
Check It Out !
Reformed Spirituality, Spiritual Practices,
Daily Office,
Electronic Libraries,
Sourcebooks, Benedictine
Spirituality,
Calvin texts, Art & Music,
Thomas
Merton,
and many many other topics!!!
The American Colonist's Library
A Treasury of Primary Source Documents Pertaining to
Early American History:
An invaluable collection of literature
and historical writings relevant to the colonists and
arranged in chronological sequence from 500 B.C. to 1800
A.D.
~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
ReligiousTolerance.org
"Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is
strong."
|
Even as the world seeks to divide us according to our economic,
racial, and ethnic groups, ages, gender, abilities, preferences,
politics and theological positions, we believe that in Christ there
is no such division. Our congregation is strengthened through
difference and diversity.
We welcome all
to our church community and its activities, especially those
who feel estranged, misunderstood or are searching for respite from the stresses and anxieties of life. Our
programs, services and pastoral care are available to members and
non-members alike.
If you feel a desire
to deepen your faith... or to "come back to God"
because you've been disappointed with or "nudged away" from
a previous faith community...
...don't give up.
We may be what you are seeking ~ a place to think and talk
and learn about matters of the spirit within an open and
accepting, Christ-imitating, neighbor-loving family of
faith.
Covenant is a
Welcoming Church
for all
!
-
Grow in your knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ
-
Enjoy the fellowship of others who are also seeking spiritual
strength and loving encouragement to meet the demands of
stressful life
-
Open your mind to better understand and appreciate other
persons, cultures, religions and lifestyles
-
Experience uplifting worship with traditional, classical music
and insightful contemporary preaching
-
Find respite from weariness, release from guilt, and mentors to
guide you on your spiritual journey
-
Feel the unconditional acceptance of a community of believers
who welcome the stranger, the needy, the lonely and "the
different"
We offer reserved space
24/7 Leased Parking
to Anyone in the Community
at a monthly rate of $30
(or $75 in advance for 3
months
at the discounted price of $25 /
mo.)
Call the Church Office to Inquire
724.287.7731
______________________________
 Covenant
Cupboard
Community
Food Bank
HOURS
FOR DISTRIBUTION
9 AM to 11 AM
DOWNSTAIRS in FELLOWSHIP HALL
PLEASE
ENTER BY E. NEW CASTLE ST. DOOR
2012 Dates
of Distribution
Patrons A -
K
Mon.
May 14 & Thur. May 17
Mon.
June 18 & Thur. June 21
Mon.
July 16 & Thur. July 19
Mon.
Aug. 20 & Thur. Aug. 23
Mon.
Sept. 17 & Thur. Sept. 20
Mon.
Oct. 15 & Thur. Oct. 18
Thur.
Nov. 8 & Mon. Nov. 12
Mon.
Dec. 10 & Thur. Dec. 13
Patrons L - Z
Mon.
May 21 & Thur. May 24
Mon.
June 25 & Thur. June. 28
Mon.
July 23 & Thur. July 26
Mon.
Aug. 27 & Thur. Aug. 30
Mon.
Sept. 24 & Thur. Sept. 27
Mon.
Oct. 22 & Thur. Oct. 25
Thur.
Nov. 15 & Mon. Nov. 19
Mon.
Dec. 17 & Thur. Dec. 20
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Baskets for your food donations are
located at the E. Jefferson
St. entrance.
Food donations welcomed!
Call 724-287-7731
before
delivery. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
No qualification needed;
no proof of income;
no other requirement...
except that of being
hungry
!
All are
welcome, including families.
Each and
every weekday,
here's
where you can go in the city of Butler:
Click Here to See Complete List
of Times & Locations
_____________________________________
Access Full Archive of
past HungryHearts Issues
______________________________________
Also Be sure to
Visit
PC(USA)
OFFICE OF
THEOLOGY & WORSHIP
Theological Issues, Worship,
Confessional Resources,
Conferences and Events,
Science and Faith, Christology,
Publications and more...
_____________________________________
Quote of the Day
Listen
to a
Daily Podcast
of the
Mission Yearbook
for Prayer & Study
or Read Today's entry:
 Our
Denomination
More than two million people
call the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) their
spiritual home. Worshiping in more than 10,000
Presbyterian congregations throughout the United
States, they engage the communities in which they
live and serve with God’s love.
Presbyterians trace their history to the 16th century and the
Protestant Reformation. Our heritage and our history began with
John Calvin (1509-1564), whose writings
crystallized much of the Reformed thinking that had come before
him (e.g., Martin Luther, Philipp Melanchthon, Ulrich Zwingli).
The thinkers and theologians in addition to Calvin who influenced
our faith and practice include the Scotsman John Knox, early
American educator and religious leader William Tennent, and
others.
READ A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN THE UNITED
STATES
Do you know Jesus as your
Personal Lord and Savior?
Are you looking for a website to explain the Gospel Message
or
seeking a discipleship tool to
share the Good
News with another?
GO HERE TO
FIND
WHAT YOU SEEK!
A BLESSING PRAYER FOR THOSE
WHO ARE
ABOUT TO LEAVE ON A JOURNEY:
O Lord our God, you have
created a wide and wonderful world in which to travel. I ask
your blessing upon [names] as they are about to leave on a
trip.
May you,
Holy Guide of all travelers, be their ever-present companion,
spreading the road before them with beauty and adventure. Free
that road from harm and threat, and send your Holy Spirit as escort
and protector.
On
this journey may [names] take with them a heart wrapped in
wonder and a mystical map to see the invisible meanings of the
events to unfold.
Abide with them, Lord, and grant unto them your patience through
disappointments and delays, possible breakdowns and rainy days, that
they might interpret all that will happen in light of your love.
Now let [names] depart in your peace and grant them your traveling
mercies in the name of Christ our Lord. Amen.
ADAPTED FROM
PRAYERS FOR THE DOMESTIC CHURCH: A HANDBOOK FOR WORSHIP
IN THE HOME by Edward Hays
__________________________________
Prayers for Milestones
and Moments in Life
Daily |
Morning |
Meals |
Bedtime |
Adoption |
Aging |
Baptism |
Celebrations |
Death |
Parenting |
Children’s Milestones
|
Moving |
Children’s Prayers
|
Divorce |
Illness |
Marriage |
Pregnancy & Birth |
Comfort |
Compassion |
Depression |
Fear |
Forgiveness |
Gratitude |
Guidance |
Healing |
Hope |
Loneliness |
Loss |
Peace |
Praise |
Protection
|
Strength & Courage |
Stress |
CLASSIC
PRAYERS - JOHN CALVIN
As you read these prayers, catch a glimpse into Calvin's heart
of loving devotion towards God. These were uttered at the end of
each of his lectures to his students on the book of Hosea.
1.
Grant, Almighty God, that as
thou hast once adopted us, and continue to confirm this thy
favour by calling us unceasingly to thyself, and dost not only
severely chastise us, but also gently and paternally invite us
to thyself, and exhort us at the same time to repentance, -- O
grant that we may not be so hardened as to resist thy goodness,
nor abuse this thine incredible forbearance, but submit
ourselves in obedience to thee; that whenever thou mayest
severely chastise us, we may bear thy corrections with genuine
submission of faith, and not continue untameable and obstinate
to the last, but return to thee the only fountain of life and
salvation, that as thou has once begun in us a good work, so
thou mayest perfect it to the day of our Lord. Amen.
2.Grant, Almighty God, that as thou
hast not only of late adopted us as thy children, but before we
were born, and as thou hast been pleased to sign us, as soon as
we came forth from our mother's womb, with the symbol of that
holy redemption, which has been obtained for us by the blood of
thy only begotten Son, though we have by our ingratitude
renounced so great a benefit, --
O grant,
that being mindful of our defection and unfaithfulness, of which
we are all guilty, and for which thou hast justly rejected us,
we may now with true humility and obedience of faith embrace the
grace of thy gospel now again offered to us, by which thou
reconciles thyself to us; and grant that we may steadfastly
persevere in pure faith, so as never to turn aside from the true
obedience of faith, but to advance more and more in the
knowledge of thy mercy, that having strong and deep roots, and
being firmly grounded in the confidence of sure faith, we may
never fall away from the true worship of thee, until thou at
length receives us in to that eternal kingdom, which has been
procured for us by the blood of thy only Son. Amen.
To read more of John Calvin's prayers,
click HERE.
THE SERENITY PRAYER
God grant me the serenity
to
accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things
I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at
a time;
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships
as the pathway to peace;
taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
trusting that He will make all
things right
if I surrender to His Will;
that I may be
reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
forever in the next.
Amen.
--- Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)
|
Covenant Presbyterian Church
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