Covenant Presbyterian Church

**What's the Point of Planning Your Future?**
*"Yet I perceived that the same fate befalls all of them... How can the wise die just like fools"* (Ecclesiastes 2:14b; 16b)

August 17, 2025
11:00 a.m. Worship
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Covenant Presbyterian Church
2881 Canton Road, Marietta, GA 30066
(770) 422-5130 www.covepres.com

Connecting @ Covenant Presbyterian Church

August 17, 2025, 11:00 a.m.

UNISON SCRIPTURE LESSON

Ed Putz, liturgist

John 14:1-3 KJV

SCRIPTURE LESSON

Ecclesiastes 2:12-16; 9:1-6

SERMON

Pastor, Dr. Don Esa

What’s the Point of Planning Your Future?

“Yet I perceived that the same fate befalls all of them… How can the wise die just like fools?” (Ecclesiastes 2:14b; 16b)

Click link Below to see 2024 SERMONS onLINE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZtbjf8Nty8&list=PLno0d7GMCf9dveCSSD-9DxB8HwQsxMFRo

ENJOY OUR SPECIAL MUSIC! with the Chancel Choir under Director, Joyce Carr.

**Ron, Linda Swor and daughter, Beth Demars.**

The Worship Service on Sunday, August 17, featured music composed by the late Ron Swor.
Ron and his wife, Linda, joined Covenant Presbyterian Church in November 1998. He regularly volunteered for church activities, including Vacation Bible School and office support. After retiring early due to health issues, Ron devoted more time to composing music. Sunday's selections featured some of his original works, one cowritten with his daughter, Beth Demars.

**Linda Streeter on flute, Joyce Carr, Chancel Choir Director on organ.**.

THANK YOU! Many thanks to Won Yun - soprano, Ken White - tenor, Linda Streeter - flute, Larry Creswell - baritone, Dan Page - baritone and guitar player for helping make the music in July special while the choir was "officially" on vacation!

WELCOME BACK! This Sunday, we welcome the Chancel Choir's return to the choir loft after their month of vacation in July. Each of these faithful singers practices on Wednesday evenings for an hour and a half as well as on Sunday mornings at 10:00 until just before worship, all year long, with only one month off! Your gifts of your talents and your dedication to rehearsal and consistent attendance are so important to the quality and energy of our worship services. Thank you, each one, for your continued commitment to sing for God in this place! Your participation in the memorial service for Becky Evatt is also greatly appreciated!

**Mike Brown** takes care of everything needed at Covenant, from our grounds to all building maintenance.

On Sunday, September 7, Covenant Presbyterian Church will honor Mike Brown with a luncheon celebrating his FORTIETH work anniversary. Mike started to work as the church sexton at Covenant in July, 1985. At this luncheon, we plan to present Mike with a monetary gift. If you would like to contribute, please make your check payable to the church indicating that it is for Mike Brown. Please plan to attend and help us celebrate and show our appreciation to Mike. Mike is truly a blessing to our church. Thank you, Pat Burgess, Clerk of Session

Our sanctuary flowers for Sunday, August 17, were given by George and Lou Taylor to the glory of God in celebration of their 49th wedding anniversary.

Our sanctuary flowers for Sunday, August 10, were given by Louis and Myrall Wiggins to the glory of God in celebration of their 62nd wedding anniversary.

Thanks to the Boy Scouts, who with the leadership of the Handy Helpers, installed new plantings at Covenant. Covenant has two Boy Scout units, Pack 057 and Troop 750 (Troop 750, organized in 1970, has been active at Covenant for 55 years. Pack 057 was organized in 2012. We are thankful for all those who have kept this important youth ministry a vital part of our ministry.

School supplies and monetary contributions for J. J. Daniell Middle School were delivered this week. Thank you to everyone who donated! All Cobb County students are wished a safe and successful school year. It was a fun time, Tuesday July 29, as Covenant members served breakfast to J.J. Daniell staff.

Thank you Pastor Don Esa for leading us through a nine-week sermon series on the Fruit of the Spirit, God at Work in Us. We learned of nine special graces that should mark every Christian’s life. “For it is God who is at work within you, giving you the will and the power to achieve his purpose” (Philippians 2:13).

BEGINNING JULY 20… A NEW SERMON SERIES BY PASTOR DON ESA
Of the 66 books in the Bible, Ecclesiastes is unique in its perspective and tone. The Bible is primarily a book in which God speaks to us, providing answers to life’s problems and mysteries. Ecclesiastes is unique in that it poses questions—questions frequently asked by mortals.

Where is God in all of this? What’s fair about life? Why plan for my future when nothing is guaranteed? Why do I feel so empty even after I achieve my goals? Why do good people suffer?
Plan on joining us and invite a friend.

MUST LUNCH PREPARATION -THURSDAY, JUNE 26 10:00 AM

We prepared 100 lunch bags which each contained 25 items-- breakfast, lunch, snacks, and drinks. These will be distributed to school age children who might not have breakfast or lunch while school is out. Many hands make the work go much faster. Thanks to the many volunteers who joined us. If you'd like to donate toward supplies for MUST lunches, please mark your gift accordingly and it will be reflected on your tithing statement.

Volunteers preparing lunches in the kitchen.

FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEON, JUNE 1

Our luncheon, a “day at the beach”, was a blessing and so much fun! Thank you to the Covenant volunteers, Brenda Krueger, Ida Dixon, Gail Parks, Pam Kapperman, Cathy Walker, and Paula Roberts, who were so creative, worked so hard and fed us so well.

PENTECOST SUNDAY was JUNE 8.

We wore something RED that day.

PARKING LOT PAVING

Paving of our parking lot is now complete! Work began on Monday, June 30. Thank you to those who are were every day overseeing the work, to the pavers who worked in this summer heat, and especially to our congregation for your assistance with these improvements.

Covenant Friends:

The Administrative Committee thanks you for your generosity toward our parking lot project,

EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT
At the encouragement of one of our parishioners, Pastor Don Esa has published last summer’s sermon series on the book of Philippians in a softback book. Live Joyfully! is now available for purchase on Amazon.com.

FAMILY PROMISE AT COVENANT

FAMILY PROMISE WEEK at Covenant was August 4-11.

Thank you, Family Promise Volunteers, for another successful hosting week.

Provided meals: Janice Brown, Casa Conexion/Elda Galvan, Pam Kapperman, Steve & Brenda Krueger, Gail Parks, Doug & Paula Roberts, Debra Truitt, and the men from St. Peter & St. Paul Episcopal Church.

Overnight hosts: Bob Foster, Karen Humphreys, Steve & Brenda Krueger, Doug & Paula Roberts, Dave & Toni Rosenberg, Lou Taylor, & Cathy Walker.

Covenant hosts Family Promise with newly remodeled Family Promise rooms. A special heartfelt thanks goes to our Handy Helpers and Brenda Krueger for her tireless, loving commitment to this mission. Yay, Brenda!

Thank you to volunteers unloading and making beds, **Joan Delzangle, Carole Brown, Brenda and Steve Krueger** **and Velma Laughlin.**

Thank you to **Ken Dixon, Art Guilfoil, Stewart Holt, Bruce Kapperman, Thomas Kapperman, Steve & Brenda Krueger, Dave & Toni Rosenberg, and Cathy Walker.**

Our sanctuary flowers for Sunday November 3, were given for all Saints Sunday and for those who had died this past year.
-Charlise Mallory Black (Charlise was the wife of Jerry Black who had been our organist)
-Rebecca Lynn Branton
-Paula Traylor Grady
-Janna Rose Simon
-Fred Neil Schaefer
-Ronald Alexander Swor

We continue to *welcome our Pastor, Dr. Don Esa and his wife, Mary as they join us at Covenant. We are delighted and grateful that you are with us at Covenant Presbyterian Church!*

Covenant's Annual Meeting of the Congregation was held on April 14, 2024 at the end of the worship service. In case you weren't able to join us on that day, we wanted to make you aware of very exciting news.
The Session has executed a contract with Don Esa as our pastor effective May 1, 2024. This contract will be renewed annually and it is our hope that Don will be with us for many years.

**Sunday, April 13**, the **Adult Bible study** participated in the **Passover Story** with a **Seder meal** lead by Debra Truitt and Carole Brown, who told of the history and explained the symbolism of the special foods served. Thanks to Loretta, Debra and Carole for their hard work and a beautiful presentation. All are truly welcome as we gather to glorify God through fellowship with one another and to study God's Word.

ADULT SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY

Loretta Inglis leads the ADULT SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY each week at 9:45 in Room 1. We began a new Bible Study on June 22 on the book of Joshua.

We welcomed **Aleksandra Tevdoska** who accompanied the chancel choir with her beautiful flute playing.

ENJOY OUR SPECIAL MUSIC!

Invite friends and neighbors to join us for these special worship services

with The Chancel Choir under Director,

Joyce Carr.

**Joy Circle making Scripture bracelets.**

**We enjoy wonderful fellowship as we study “Women of the Bible”.**

LADIES BIBLE STUDY

“Ladies Bible Study will meet on Wednesday August 20th at 10:30-12:00 in Room 1 and continue Series II on “Women of the Bible”, studying “Esther: Beautiful and Courageous (2)” Ester 5-8. Please bring your Bibles and join us for a time of Bible study, prayer, and fellowship.”

Ladies Bible Study is led by Judy Davis and has a 42 year history at Covenant as a study, prayer, and fellowship group. Our regular meeting time is the third Wednesday of each month. All women are welcome, both members and visitors. Please bring your Bible and join us for a time of sharing our blessings, prayer concerns, and Bible study as we grow in Christ.

HANDY HELPERS ARE HERE TO HELP!
Be thinking about cleanups, other household chores and repairs. Covenant’s Handy Helpers can tackle most any job around your home and if you have a big job, we can help you find a Contractor and make sure it gets done. Call Robyn at the Church Office, or Steve Krueger 770-591-3852.

Thank you Handy Helpers for helping Becky Evatt and for moving Alice Schaefer into her beautiful new home!

THANK YOU HANDY HELPERS!
A note of thanks to Steve Krueger and the Handy Helpers for all the care, kindness, advice and help they have given me over the past few years. No job has been too big or too small for their consideration! Not only do they offer great peace of mind to a rather “unskilled” homeowner, but the money they have saved me has been a true Godsend! We are so blessed to have such a team in our church! (They should be considered for sainthood).

Kathy Miller

Aloha to Aging:

August 2025: Family Caregiver Support Group

Are you a caregiver for family, partner or a friend? We offer a healthy, safe space to process and discuss the myriad mix of emotions and decisions we experience as either a local or long distance caregiver.

Care provided while we meet, must RSVP in advance for care www.alohatoaging.org

PICTORIAL DIRECTORY

THE SHEPHERDING COMMITTEE has made available an informal pictorial directory of our congregation. Thank you to Pat Burgess and The Shepherding Committee for undertaking this project. We are excited to get our new directories!