From The Desk Of Pastor J. R.205-599-3363 Ext. 13

May2011

From The Desk Of Pastor J. R.205-599-3363 Ext. 13

NOTE FROM PASTOR J. R. FOR 5-1-2011

Have you ever known someone

that seemed happy all the time?

Regardless of what happened to them,

that person seemed to rise above it all

and maybe you found yourself a little

jealous, wishing, why can't I feel like

that? I think all of us have at some point

in our lives. Maybe you have heard the

saying "A cheerful heart is good

medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up

the bones." [Proverbs 17:22] However if

you are like me, there have been times

when it's hard to break away from the

crushed spirit thing that was going on in

my life It is in those times when you

need to know and remember that "There

Is Help Available." Maybe this little story can help you.

A woman named Vicki once knew a young

person at church named Betty. Betty always

seemed effervescent and happy, although

Vicki knew she had faced struggles in her

life. Her long-awaited marriage had quickly

ended in divorce. She had struggled to get a

grip on her single life. She hadn't chosen it,

but she decided she would live it with utmost

enjoyment and satisfaction. Betty was active

in many different ministries at her church

including some in which Vicki was also

active. Vicki enjoyed knowing Betty. Betty's

whole face seemed to smile.

One day Vicki asked Betty, "How is it that you

are always so happy, you have so much

energy, and you never seem to get down?"

With her eyes smiling, Betty said, "I know the

Secret!" "What secret is that, what are you

talking about?" Vicki asked. Betty replied, "I'll

tell you all about it, but you have to promise

to share the Secret with others." Vicki

agreed, "Okay, now what is it?"

The Secret is this: "I have learned there is

little I can do in my life that will make me

truly happy. I do the things I can to help

myself, but I must depend on God to make

me happy and meet my needs. When a

need arises in my life beyond my ability to

meet, I have to trust God to supply according

to HIS riches. I have learned most of the

time I don't need half of what I think I do. HE

has never let me down. Since I learned that

Secret I am happy."

Vicki's first thought was," That's too

simple!" But upon reflecting over her own

life she recalled how she thought a bigger

house would make her happy - but it didn't!

She thought a better-paying job would make

her happy - but it hadn't. When did she

realize her greatest happiness? It was when

she was sitting on the floor with her

grandchildren, playing games, eating pizza

or reading a story, or just being in the

presence of her friend, Betty; all simple gifts from God.

Betty knew the secret, Vicki learned the secret,

and now you know it too!

We can't depend on people to make us

happy. Only God in His wisdom can do that.

Trust HIM! And now I pass the Secret on to you!

The reality is that the circumstances of each of

our lives are unique and one size doesn't fit all.

However, the good news of our One Lord and

Savior, Jesus Christ does apply to us all.

Appearing before the disciples for a second time

one week after His resurrection, His encounter

with "Doubting" Thomas, reminds us of His

promise to never leave us nor forsake us and

"There Is Help Available."

I invite you to join us in worship this

Sunday, one week after celebrating the

Resurrection. I will continue the sermon series

"When Life Happens, Remember...". This week

we will be remembering that "There is Help

Available."

The scriptures used for this sermon is

Numbers 11:13-17 and John 20:30-31

From The Desk Of Pastor J. R.205-599-3363 Ext. 13

NOTE FROM PASTOR JR FOR MOTHER'S DAY

I want to take this opportunity to say Happy Mother's Day to all of you who are Mothers or who occupy a maternal role in the life of others. As a devoted Mamma's boy, you probably can surmise that Mother's Day is not an easy holiday for me. This will be the 21st year I face Mother's Day without my Mom. The pain of that lost has gotten better over the years, but you never get over it. Time does have a way of easing the pain of such a great loss; and yet, some of the wonderful memories of my Mom are still as fresh to me as if they happened yesterday. I guess one way I would describe my Mom would be that she was "The Strength of Sanctified tubbornness." I realize that stubbornness is not normally considered a virtue to be praised in a person. However, notice I said "sanctified stubbornness." That's means I'm talking about a different kind of stubbornness than the one Webster's Dictionary describes. When I use the term "Sanctified Stubbornness" I'm trying to describe my Mom's unconditional love and devotion for her children and family. That's what made James Ella Reid Finney, not just a good Mom but a Great Mom.

I found this job description circulating on the Internet this past week. As I read it, it described in so many ways the memories I hold dear of my Mom. I hope you enjoy it.

WANTED: MOM

JOB DESCRIPTION: Long term team player needed for challenging permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidate must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in faraway cities. Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Must provide on-the-site training in basic life skills, such as nose blowing. Must have strong skills in negotiating, conflict resolution and crisis management. Ability to kiss and make boo-boos better - a strong plus. Must be able to think out of the box but not lose track of the box, because you most likely will need it for a school project. Must reconcile petty cash disbursements and be proficient in managing budgets and resources fairly, unless you want to hear, "He got more than me!" for the rest of your life. Also, must be able to drive motor vehicles safely under loud and adverse conditions while simultaneously practicing above-mentioned skills in conflict resolution. Must be able to choose your battles and stick to your guns. Must be able to withstand criticism, such as "You don't know anything." Must be willing to be hated at least temporarily, until someone needs $5 to go skating. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf

. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair and stuck zippers. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must have a diverse knowledge base, so as to answer questions such as "What makes the wind move?" on the fly. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.ADVANCEMENT/PROMOTION POSSIBILITIES: Virtually none. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.WAGES AND COMPENSATION: You pay them, offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

Greetings from Pastor J. R.

It is a pleasure to welcome you to the website of Covenant Community Church, Birmingham, AL. Our technology ministry has designed this website to make it easy for you to move about the various pages learning more about Covenant and it's ministries. I encourage you to do so by clicking on the links at the right.

If you are living in, or find yourself visiting the Birmingham metropolitan area, we invite you to visit our new worship center and ministry complex and enjoy the exciting and uplifting worship at Covenant. You will be warmly and graciously greeted. After all, Covenant is "an inclusive community of faith - Offering Hope + Showing Faithfulness + Sharing Joy." We hope to see you soon.

Again, welcome to our Covenant website.

Blessings In Abundance,

Covenant Community Church

2205 3rd Street NECenter Point, AL 35215.Phone: 205-599-3363

Fax: 205-453-1013

Sunday09:00am - Breakfast10:00am - Youth Bible Study (Grades 7-12)10:00am - The Lighthouse (Adult Class)11:00am - Morning Worship **Wednesday6:00 pm – Family Night Supper6:30 pm - Upper Room Prayer7:00 pm - Bible Study

For 30 Years, An Inclusive Community of Faith in the City of Birmingham, Alabama

Offering Hope + Showing Faithfulness + Sharing Joy