meeting at 9:45 am
each
Sunday morning
________________________________________
Regular
Worship
in the Reformed Tradition
11:00 am in the Sanctuary
each Sunday morning
 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
~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~
June 2, 2013
10 am Traditional Worship
followed by
Fellowship Hour
each and every Sunday
Scripture Texts
RCL Year C
Psalm 96:1-13
1 Kings 18:20-39
Galatians 1:1-12
Luke 7:1-10
Liturgist
Nancy Blewett
Offertory
"Blest Be the
Tie"
Dorothy Wells
Beverly Antis, Organist
Sermon
"
It's Still A Contest "
Rev. Dr.
James E. Swanson
~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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 !
A
Brief History
of the
Presbyterian Church
in our country, 1706 to 2013
Online Periodicals
Butler Eagle
Online
Presbyterian
Outlook
Presbyterians
Today
The
Christian Century
Sojourners
Excellent Internet
Podcasts & Programs
TED Radio Hour
Inspirational & Educational.
Based on riveting TED Talks from
the world's most remarkable minds.
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with Krista Tippett
Promoting conversation, shared life,
and problem-solving within and across
religious traditions and across categories
of belief and non-belief
Sign up for
Email Newsletters,
Devotionals
& Bible Reading
Guides
Many to choose from!
Free!
Click
here to see the list.
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
See the Villa Calendar of
Events
Open to the Public
Get
Directions
__________________________________________
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
TED Radio Hour ~ NPR Podcast
Based on riveting
TEDTalks from the world's
most remarkable
minds
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"
Shopping for a church home?
Try worshipping with us this Sunday...
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
2013
Dates of Distribution
Patrons A - K
Mon. May
20
& Thur.
May 23
Patrons L
- Z
Thur.
May 30 only
(Closed on May 27,
Memorial Day)
~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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 articles
HungryHearts webpage
______________________________________
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)
Shopping for a church home?
Try worshipping with us this Sunday...
|
Covenant Presbyterian Church
READ "
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
