NCF CONNEX ION! AT A GLANCE BACK TO SCHOOL. Rev. James H. Lee, Pastor. Being Real, Relevant, and Racially Diverse!

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1 NCF CONNEX ION! Being Real, Relevant, and Racially Diverse! INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Sermon Announcement 3 Praise & Petitions 4 At the End of the Day 5 Youth Connections 6 NCF Calendar 7 Announcements 8-1 Celebration Time 12 NCFA Sunday Schedule Morning Worship 10:15am Children s Church 10:45 am 10:00am Fellowship Sunday School All Ages Sunday 9:00am 10:00am Rev. James H. Lee, Pastor AT A GLANCE Of AUSTIN (P.C.U.S.A.) 1507 WILSHIRE BLVD, STE. 6 Austin, Texas (512) Volume 7, Issue 31 August 17, 2012 BACK TO SCHOOL Session Members *Rev. James Lee Pastor/Moderator *Elder Kathy Smith Clerk of Session/Children & Youth *Rev. Bill Harris Administration & Personnel *Elder Tim Lenz Buildings & Grounds *Elder Danita Nelson Congregational Life *Elder Cathy Angell Discipleship *Elder Caly Fernandez Evangelism *Elder Tracey Lenz Finance & Stewardship *Elder Nikkie Lee Lay Ministry *Elder George Washington IV Men s Ministry *Elder Vernon Bailey Missions *Elder Jane Mack Women s Ministry *Elder Charles Robinson Worship & Membership Deacons Bonnie Lew, Chair Ulysses Cox Patricia Caroom Destiny Edwards Mike Herrington Sam Mancillas Mary Mojica Ricky Palacios Carol Saddington Jimmy Bohn Connie Jones Lucy Oglesby HELP US GET READY, DONATE SCHOOL SUPPLIES! Pens Highlighters # 2 Pencils/Pencil Sharpeners Erasers Scissors Paper Construction Paper Index Cards Glue Markers Crayons Calculators Back packs Folders Rulers Spirals A donation box is set in the fellowship hall to accept your donations or drop it off at the office. If you have any questions please see Elder Danita Nelson

2 THE PRESBYTERIAN PLAYERS present The Story of Modern Day Job Drama in Church One of the most dramatic stories in the Bible is that of Job, a good man, a man of integrity who was severely tested in his faith. According to the story, the Lord allowed Satan to test Job in loathsome ways. Yet through it all, Job did not curse God. The story of a modern day Job is told with humor by The Presbyterian Players when they present The Wager this coming Sunday. They will perform it at the NCFA Chapel during the 8 a.m. service. Then they will perform it again during the 10:15 service in the fellowship hall. This past Sunday they performed the show at Genesis Presbyterian during their church service and received many compliments. Come see this show for yourself on August 19th at either the chapel service or the later service, or see it both times! The actors are Bob Vitray portraying God and Mary Ann Ramirez playing the devil. The tape recorded voices of Tim Lenz and Bill Harris will be heard in this play. Under the direction of Connie Jones, the 2012 summer play for our church has tuned out well. You're invited to attend!

3 THE MESSAGE Rev. Dr. Monya Stubbs A Worthy Life On Sunday, August 12, 2012, New Covenant Fellowship of Austin was blessed to have Rev. Dr. Monya Stubbs of the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary preach for us. What a blessing and an inspiring sermon! THE SCRIPTURE READING Philippians 1:27-30: 27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have. If you missed Rev. Stubbs s sermon you can visit our website at to hear it, or if you would like a copy please contact the NCFA office at , or gkleinpeter@ncfaustin.org and we will be happy to mail you a copy of the CD.

4 Praise and Petitions August 17, 2012 Praise for Rev. Stubbs inspiring sermon! Praise for a "scopio" (Greek for scope out, look at intensely) moment for Patricia this week. Lift up God's provisions for the needs of two Sudanese families in Austin. Contact Patricia if you can meet any of the needs. Praise from Kathy for being able to be at church in spite of some minor health problems. Lift up her husband and his estranged children for reconciliation. Lift up Mary Ann as she prepares to return to college. Lift up her friend who is dealing with cancer in his family. Lift up Vernita's father as he travels to Europe to be with his wife who has been hospitalized. Lift up wisdom for the physicians treating her, traveling mercies for Vernita s father, and comfort for Vernita. Praise from Abraham for being in worship with us again. Lift up the needs of Abraham, his children, and Shannon. Lift up the Mojica family as school and football coaching season begin. Lift up good family communication, expanded time, and tolerant love to cover everyone's stresses. Praise that Javin's injuries were not more severe! Lift up Randy as he "lives out his citizenship as a representative of the Gospel" to his friend at work. Lift up a receptive heart and mind to his witness. Lift up three families with whom Mary works that have lost loved ones this past week. Praise for Destiny and J'halia being in worship with us again. Lift up provision of all their needs as Destiny returns to school and continues her job. Lift up Clara Jo and her husband Jim while he is hospitalized for a severe illness. Lift up Nancy's father Don who "is aging rapidly" and her sister Barbara who is taking care of him. Praise for Caly's daughter Chica's 20th birthday and her new Chihuahua puppy! Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! "Don t grow weary in doing good!" Lift up all families, all churches that preach the Gospel, all preachers, all doctors, all nurses, all those in caring professions, and cures for all sicknesses. Lift up all military and service personnel, their families, and support systems. Lift up returning warriors as they reintegrate into American society.

5 At the End of the Day with Pastor James Lee This is one of Pastor James Lee s favorite sayings. He usually uses it to tie up a discussion that is real and relevant for whomever he s talking to. One of the toughest task I face as Pastor is encouraging people to care for themselves while requesting them to give their time, talent, and treasures for the sake of our ministry. Realistically, if our membership burn out or check out, we lose their gifts; however, without the investment of our membership, 20% continue doing 100% of the work. While reading, you guessed it, 360 Degree Leader by John Maxwell, my thoughts were tweaked a little. He wrote, The key to leading yourself well is to learn self-management. I have observed that most people put too much emphasis on decision making and too little on decision managing. As a result, they lack focus, discipline, intentionality, and purpose (Maxwell, pg. 85). I wondered how many conflicts within our communities, churches and homes stem from this lack of decision managing. It seems like many of us are constantly on the edge, which means that great people and well meaning people are making irrational or inappropriate decisions. At the end of the day, I value you. I want God s best for you. Please consider managing the following areas of your lives, with the help of the Holy Spirit: a) manage your emotions; b) manage your time; c) manage your priorities; d) manage your energy; e) manage your thinking; f) manage your words; g) and manage your personal life (Maxwell, p ).

6 Step 1: Tear out or Print out Youth Page Step 2: Place refrigerator magnet here. This is the Youth Page of the New Covenant Youth Connection News! Please use this page as a reference for our youth, their parents, and stakeholders in the development of healthy, wholesome, spiritual, fun-filled youth here at New Covenant Fellowship!! WELCOME!!! AUGUST CALENDAR OF EVENTS Sun August 19, 2012 Wed August 22, 2012 Sun August 26, 2012 Wed August 29, th Sunday after Pentecost 8-9 am Worship at Perry Chapel The Presbyterian Players Present The Wager 10:15am Worship-1507 Wilshire Boulevard The Presbyterian Players Present The Wager Sunday School-K-5th-during worship 12:15 pm Middle/High Sunday School Churchwide Potluck and Fellowship starting at 6:30pm Youth Connections will meet. 13 th Sunday after Pentecost 8-9 am Worship at Perry Chapel Caly Fernandez is proclaiming the word. 10:15am Worship-1507 Wilshire Boulevard Sunday School-K-5th-during worship 12:15 pm Middle/High Sunday School Prayer and Praise Service with dinner at 6:30 and service at 7:00pm. Youth Connections will participate in service. Youth Director-Nikkie Lee, you may contact her at nlee@ncfaustin.org, or via (512)

7 August 18 th Prayer Warriors-Youth Room 7-8pm. Everybody welcomed to join! 19 th 12 th Sunday after Pentecost 8-9 am Worship at the NCFA Chapel on the Waller Creek Campus The Presbyterian Players Present The Wager duing service am Adult Sunday School 10:15am Worship-1507 Wilshire Boulevard The Presbyterian Players Present The Wager duing service. Sunday School-K-5th-during worship 12:15 pm Middle/High Sunday School 21 st Men Study the Word; dinner at 6:30pm, service at 7:00pm in the kitchen. 22 nd Churchwide Potluck and Fellowship at 6:30pm. Youth Connection will meet. 23 rd Thursday Noon Bible Study at Connie Jones s home. All are welcome! 25 th Prayer Warriors-Youth Room 7-8pm. Everybody welcomed to join! 26 th 13 th Sunday after Pentecost 8-9 am Worship at the NCFA Chapel on the Waller Creek Campus Caly Fernandez is proclaiming the word am Adult Sunday School 10:15am Worship-1507 Wilshire Boulevard Sunday School-K-5th-during worship 12:15 pm Middle/High Sunday School Session will meet immediately after worship. 28 th Men Study the Word; dinner at 6:30pm, service at 7:00pm in the kitchen. 29 th Prayer and Praise Worship Service; with dinner at 6:30pm and worship service at 7:00pm Youth Connection will participate in the service. 30 th Thursday Noon Bible Study at Connie Jones s home. All are welcome!

8 This Sunday, August 26, 2012 The Presbyterian Players Present A Modern Day Job! at Our 8am Early Morning Worship Service on the Waller Creek Campus & at our 10:15am Worship Service 1507 Wilshire Blvd.

9 invites you to join us for our new worship service! Every Sunday 8am - 9am NCFA Chapel at the Waller Creek School 4100 Red River St. Enter through the 41 st Street Gate NCFA Chapel 41 st St Hancock Center Red River The Rev. James H. Lee, Pastor, New Covenant Fellowship of Austin (PCUSA) 1507 Wilshire Blvd., Ste.6, Austin, TX , ,

10 NCFA Saturday eve- nings 7:00-8:00 p.m. Led by Dorrette Ayensu Come pray for God's vision, guidance, wisdom, provision for the work of NCFA, needs of the people and whatever else the Holy Spirit lays on your heart! PRAY WITHOUT CEASING 1 THESSALONIANS 5:17 PRAY WITHOUT CEASING 1 THESSALONIANS 5:17

11 The Presbyterian Women's Fall Kick-off Brunch will be at Covenant Presbyterian beginning at 10:00 on September 6. This brunch will take place in the Fellowship and Education Building, Room 200. The Fall Kick-off will be a time to meet new friends and re-connect with old acquaintances. The program will highlight opportunities for study, service and fellowship, and Covenant's Honorary Life Membership in Presbyterian Women will be announced. Please make plans to join in this time of fun, food and fellowship. For more in formation please contact Jan Obar at

12 NCF ConneXion! Vision Statement New Covenant Fellowship is a racially-diverse community informed by the Bible, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and motivated to share God s love with all. In response to God s love we are called to equip disciples to faithfully serve, to encourage seekers to joyfully commit, and to implore all to worship our Lord as we love our neighbors, grow in grace, and live by faith. AUGUST CELEBRATION TIME! I F WE MISSED YOUR SPECIAL DAY, PLEASE SEND US THE DATE SO WE CAN INCLUDE IT IN THE NEXT ISSUE! AUGUST BIRTHDAYS 3 rd Michael Palacios 17 th Eddie Daniels, III 4 th Alexandria Washington 17 th Charles Nemir 4 th Carver Washington 17 th Mary Mojica 4 th T ahna Daniels 24 th Zachary Ryan Castilleja 5 th Safia Essien 27 th Abraham Weaver 7 th Aaron Lee 29 th Tyler Weaver 8 th Roxann Vallejo 30 th Jeff Saddington 9 th Ben Hooks 31 st Henny Trifiro 9 th Chica Cortez 11 th Katasha Williams AUGUST ANNIVERSARYS 5 th Jimmy Bohn & Kimberly Hall 25 th Rev. Bill & Nancy Harris 20 th Larry & Jane Mack 28 th Rev. Bill & Edna Parrish 25 th Vernon & Doris Bailey NCF ConneXion! Is a weekly publication of New Covenant Fellowship, PCUSA, Austin, Texas. If you would like to submit an article for consideration of printing, please send article via in MS Word format to gkleinpeter@ncfaustin.org Thanks for reading and God Bless You!