Left to right: Jonathan Allen, Tom Cuson
Sunday, October 25th, Jonathan Allen and Tom Cuson of St. Andrew’s Church in Covington provided a dramatic presentation just prior to the Sunday sermon. The skit entitle Upgrade focused on the need for the infilling of the Holy Spirit to empower God’s people to live and serve the Lord more effectively. In the skit, Jonathan Allen played the part of Jesse a Christian stuck in a cycle of broken spiritual promises to God. Tom Cuson played the part of Jesse’s guardian angel who guides Jesse to receive the “upgrade” of the Holy Spirit that radically changes his life.
The congregation greatly enjoyed the presentation as it set the stage for Archdeacon Randall Allen’s message that Sunday on the subject of being filled with the Holy Spirit. This is the second time that St. Andrew’s Youth have assisted Archdeacon Randall with a sermon. “They pour their hearts into it which is a delight to see,” observes Archdeacon Randall. Plans are underway to develop more such dramatic presentations for ministry.
Article by Luanne Allen
There’s been a recurring theme over the last year or so that I’m learning a lot about. Redemption. And maybe, it’s been going on for much longer than that, and I just didn’t catch it. I mean, for goodness’ sake, I go to Christ the Redeemer Church, and have for over 9 1/2 years. Duh!
To redeem something, in my simplest terms, is to return something back to what it was intended to be, back to what God intended it to be. For example, I believe God blesses each and every one of his children with a number of gifts, and one of mine is tenacity. And those of you who know me know how difficult it is for me to use this term, but “bulldoggedness” is what I’m thinking of here. (As a Georgia Tech fan, it’s just hard to use that term, you know?) That ability to stick with something, to see it through, to continue to push forward because you know it’s what you’re supposed to be going after, a desire that God has placed within you, even when most people would give up. Tenacity is the gift, but stubbornness is how it gets bent by us and the world. Stubbornness is my refusal to give up and admit I was wrong, simply because I refuse to admit I could have made a mistake. Stubbornness is my inability to give up and go another direction, as the direction I’m going in could destroy me. Tenacity is the gift, but stubbornness is what many of us cling to because it lets me be right all the time. That’s just wrong – I believe God gifts us with tenacity for specific purposes, because what he’s called us to do is going to take the ability to push forward when it looks ridiculous. As long as we do that for his purpose, we’re headed in the right direction.
Christian Youth Performers
St. Andrew’s Church in Covington has opened her doors to provide a home for the Christian Youth Performers. Christian Youth Performers or CYP is a Christ-centered drama production company under the direction of founder Angelia Bacon. CYP seeks to instill a love for drama in the youth of the Covington area especially those in the home school community. Over the last three years CYP has performed productions of The Chronicles of Narnia, Peter Pan the Musical, and Shakespeare! With a Twist.
Article by Luanne Allen
Christ the Redeemer is partnering with over 20 churches in our area through Praise Ministries International to help create a Christmas for the people of Booneville, Kentucky. This county is the third poorest in the United States, where the unemployment rate is 47 percent. People do not have shoes or warm clothes to wear in the winter, very little food and no toys for the kids. It is amazing to think that in this day and age in America that this level of poverty exists.
Praise Ministries works with the local Police department, schools and local churches to coordinate the Appalachian Christmas Mission. Working in conjunction with the local sheriff, Praise Ministries plans a Christmas giveaway for the people of this community December 12th. The church volunteers will set up in an old skating rink, with a heated tent outside to get as many people out of the sub-freezing weather while they wait for their turn. Last year, this organization provided a Christmas for over 700 families, providing a food box, warm clothing, toys for the children and other items. Between 4200 and 4500 people were blessed by the generosity of others. Christ the Redeemer is providing a team of volunteers to go to Booneville and is working alongside other churches in Cherokee County to provide manpower to prepare for the trip.
The Bishop’s Council of the Diocese of the Mid-South recently went on retreat at the FFA/FCCLA Camp near Covington, GA. Arriving on a rainy Friday evening, October 30, the members of the Council and their wives shared dinner together and then gathered for a time of worship and ministry. Bishop David Epps led worship on the guitar and Father Robert Roethel brought the evening message. The clergy wives then formed a small group while their husbands formed another. For a period of time, the members of the groups shared concerns and then prayed for each other. The evening was officially concluded with Holy Eucharist as Archdeacon Randall Allen served as celebrant. Unofficially, several of those on retreat shared fellowship until 2:00 a.m.
