E-Courier Header
News and Updates | Life at Christ Covenant Church
NEW and UPDATED ITEMS are highlighted in blue.
 

THIS WEEK  

December 23-29


Christmas Choral Worship Service
December 23 | 10:45 AM
"Celebrating the Joy and Beauty of Advent."  Join us in the sanctuary for this special worship event as we celebrate the Advent season! This service was postponed due to inclement weather. Please make note of the new date and time.  Childcare will be available for ages four months to two years.

*Note: There be no Sunday Bible School on December 23 or 30 for any age level.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Monday, December 24 | 6 PM
We will celebrate Christmas Eve and the birth of our Savior with a service of lessons and carols. The service will include candlelight.  Childcare will be available for ages four months to two years.
 

HIGHLIGHTS

 
Elder and Deacon Nominations
January 6-31
The Session has approved the nomination, training, and election of officers for 2019. Nominations for the ordained offices of elder and deacon will be received beginning January 6. To be officially nominated, the nominee must be male, a member of our church for at least two years by his election (June 2019), and nominated by two congregation members who are from different families.
     Nomination forms will be available next Sunday, December 30, at our Information Desk and at the entrances to the sanctuary. Completed forms may be given to a current officer, put in the offering bags, or sent to Pastor Bernie Lawrence at Christ Covenant by January 31.

Sermon Bookmark
Bookmarks with the sermons, scriptures, and speakers will be available this Sunday at the entrances to the sanctuary. Be sure to pick yours up!
 

 Upcoming Events

 
Ministry to Men (MtM) Fellowship Breakfast
Saturday, January 5 | 7:00 AM
Our monthly Ministry to Men (MtM) fellowship breakfast will be at Stacks Kitchen on Saturday, January 5, at 7am. The topic will be Isaiah 58:6-11: God's view of the less fortunate and how we can take action to help.
    Kris Decker, Executive Director of Camp Lurecrest Ministries will be our guest speaker. Kris has been married to Carolyn for 24 years, and they have three children: Will, Janie, and Anna. Kris was ordained as a pastor in the Presbyterian Church in America in 2000 by Central Carolina Presbytery.
    Camp Lurecrest hosts two special camps for children, Camp CARE (for children with cancer and their siblings) and New Venture Camp (which provides a fun yet totally safe environment for abused children under protective DSS custody). During our breakfast we will learn more about Kris's ministry and opportunities to change a child's life.
    All men are invited to attend, and you are welcome to bring a friend or your son (18 and older) if you would like to. Register by January 4 with Jennifer Dean at jdean@christcovenant.org or 704-708-6104. Sign up is limited so please register today! The only cost is for your breakfast - you pay for your own meal. Come out and break bread with your brothers in Christ!

HisAbilities Speaker Series:"Caring for Siblings"
Saturday, January 5 | 9:30-11:15 AM
HisAbilities is hosting the second meeting in our three part speaker series, "Navigating Life with Disabilities." in the Community Life Center chapel. Becky Bernier of Joni and Friends Charlotte will be speaking about caring for siblings in families affected by special needs. There will also be a panel discussion involving members of our own congregation who are siblings to someone with special needs and an opportunity for Q & A. A light breakfast and childcare will be provided. Breakfast begins at 9:30 AM. The seminar will begin at 10 AM and conclude by 11:15. Please join us or pass along the invitation to a friend or loved one who would benefit! RSVP by December 20 to hisabilitiesrsvp@gmail.com.
 

 Information


Women's Winter Bible Study Registrations
Registration is open online for new and ongoing Bible studies! If you aren't already involved in a study, check out these great options!

NEW for January:
Our Small Group Bible Studies will start  From Garden to Glory: A Bible Study on the Bible's Story written by Courtney Doctor. We are excited to jump into this study of the meta-narrative (overarching story) of Scripture. Weekly groups meet various days and times. Childcare available on Tuesday mornings. Deadline to register for childcare is December 21. 

ONGOING Studies (you're welcome to join in!):
  • Romans: Tuesdays 11:50 AM - 1 PM
  • Ephesians: Thursdays 9:30-11:30 AM (childcare available)
  • Psalms: Thursdays 9:30-11:30 AM (childcare available)
  • Ruth & Esther - 2nd Wednesday 7-8:30 PM
  • The Fear of the Lord...Women Who Worship - 2nd Saturday - 9:30-11:30 AM

For compete details about all of these wonderful study options, check out our Women's Bible Study webpage.


New Covenant Group
We have a new covenant group forming this new year for folks who would be interested in getting together immediately following morning worship for a "Lunch Club" with Christian fellowship and devotion. Folks interested in gathering together to discuss the sermon after the morning worship service over lunch, engaging in lively conversation and a desire to grow together in the Christian life - please contact Jennifer Dean at 704-708-6104 or at jdean@christcovenant.org now. We are hoping to have a group of multigenerational adults to meet weekly in either one home or various to walk through Christian life together. To learn more or to become part of this lively group please contact Jennifer Dean.

Employment Opportunities
Christ Covenant Church regularly seeks to employ individuals who want to engage their gifts to help make disciples who worship God, grow in community, love others, and serve the world. Please check our webpage for current positions and to apply. Current employment opportunities include: Director of Women's Ministry, Director of Communications, Campus Security and Safety Manager, and Ministry Associate for Church Administration.
 

GET INVOLVED: OUTREACH 

 
Missionary Hosts Needed
Do you have space to host a missionary or missionary family?  We are putting together a list of those who have extra room and would welcome our missionaries into their homes for a few days when they are visiting throughout the year or coming to our missions conferences. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Karen Chambers to discuss further.

MNA Donations for Disaster Relief
in Paradise, California
As we learned from Pastor Brian Peterson on Sunday, November 25, one of our sister churches - Ridge Presbyterian Church in Paradise, California - suffered devastating losses from the wild fire in the area. Most of the town was destroyed, including their church and the homes of 100% of their congregation, including both pastors - Josh Lee and Bryan Laws. Our denomination's Mission To North America Disaster Relief will be collecting donations to help this congregation. You can donate directly by going to their website at pcamna.org/disaster-response. Please be in prayer for this church and for the community.

Worship Notes
Sunday, December 23
Fourth Sunday of Advent

Morning Worship - 10:45 AM
"A Christmas Confession "
(1 Timothy 3:16)
Rev. Kevin DeYoung


Evening Worship - 6:00 PM
"The Messiah and the Manuscripts"
(John 7:52-8:11)
Rev. Kevin DeYoung

Large Print
Worship Folders
For your convenience, large print worship folders are available at the Information Desk on Sundays.

Quick Links 

 

 Calendar

THIS WEEK
December 23-29

Sunday, December 23 
*Fourth Sunday of Advent*
9 AM  | NO Sunday Bible School
10:45 AM | Christmas Choral Worship Service
6 PM  | Evening worship
6:15 PM | Children's choirs
 
Monday, December 24
Church offices closed
6 PM | Christmas Eve worship: Lessons & Carols, Candlelight
 
Tuesday, December 25
Church offices closed

Thursday, December 27
6:45 PM | American Heritage Girls
7 PM | Trail Life

Friday, December 28
Campus Outreach New Year's Conference begins (Raleigh)
 


Upcoming Events


Dec 30 | No SBS (Sunday school)
Jan 5 | Ministry to Men fellowship breakfast (7 AM)
Jan 5 | HisAbilities speaker series (9:30 AM)
Jan 15 | Women's small group Bible studies resume
Jan 20 | Mission trip interest meeting for Student Families and youth 
Feb 1-2 | TGC Women's Training Network
Feb 17-24 | Global Missions Conference week

Like us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter  View our videos on YouTube  View on Instagram

Note: We limit E-Courier and Courier announcements to a maximum of four weeks (except in special circumstances). We want you - our congregation - to get the news but not be overwhelmed! All information found in the E-Courier can be found on our website. See the Quick Links above.

Missionaries of the Week: December 23
Michael & Lindie Wadhams
Lynden, WA
Michael & Lindie are planting a church among the Salish tribes of Pacific Northwest. Pray for the extension of sports ministry opportunities. Pray for their plans for their Christmas ministries. Pray for the youth study at the Lummi Academy titled "Shame Interrupted." Pray for the momentum to build for planting the church in Nooksack.

Kevin DeYoung's Out-of-Town Speaking Engagements
Please pray for our senior pastor as he travels to these conferences and speaking engagements to spread the gospel.

January 2-5 | Louisville, KY - Cross Conference
January 8-11 | Pastor DeYoung will be in the UK at the University of Leicester defending his dissertation for his PhD
February 1-3 | UK - London Gospel Partnership
March 1-3 | Albuquerque, New Mexico - Clarius 2019
April 1-3 | Indianapolis - TGC National Conference
April 22-25 | Jackson, MS - Twin Lakes Fellowship
April 26-28 | Philadelphia -Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology
May 23-24 |Pennsylvania -Sovereign Grace Northeast Conference
June 17-20 | UK - Catalyst Conference
June 21-23 | UK - Co-Mission Revive Conference 
 

 Youth


Youth "Lumberjack" Games
Wed, January 9 | 7-9 PM
Middle school and high school youth! Save the date for our second annual Lumberjack Games in the CLC Youth Area lawn. This is an outdoor event including music, games, competitions, hamburgers, s'mores, and hot chocolate. Invite your friends! The cost is $8 per person, with a maximum of $15 per family. Our first Lumberjack Games were a great time of fellowship and fun! So don't miss out. This will be the first Wednesday night event of the year...and a great way to welcome you all back to Wednesday nights!

FINANCE 

 
Making a Year-End Gift to Christ Covenant Church - Updated 12/21
We praise God for the ministries He has allowed us to pursue with the support of our members and friends throughout 2018. Thank you for your loyalty to the ministries of Christ Covenant Church this year. Your gifts have helped to share the good news about Jesus throughout the world again in 2018.
     Historically, donations in December help support more than 50 ministries, including outreach, and are a significant part of our annual income for the new year. Typically, gifts to the church in the form of checks or cash that are mailed (and postmarked) by December 31 or delivered in person to the church office by 4:30 PM on Monday, December 31, should be deductible in 2018 for tax purposes as are donations made through our  secure online giving (click the Giving link at the top of our website).
     God uses your involvement to accomplish His goals through our congregation, you are blessing many through your generosity. Please call Sandy Spitz at 704-814-1010 with any questions or for more information, including details on handling annuities, stock/fund transfers, or real property.

Our Tithes and Gifts
Thank you for your tithes and gifts to all of the ministries of Christ Covenant. Don't forget to take advantage of our secure online giving.

1/1/18 - 12/16/18
Actual
Budget
Difference
%
(-) or +
Operating Budget - Inflow  
$5,017,751 
 
$5,017,000
 
$751
 
0.0%
Faith Promise Budget - Inflow
$319,800
$268,000
$51,800
19.3%

*The operating budget figures above reflect a budget amendment approved by the ELT on 11/13/18.
This email is our E-Courier weekly newsletter, along with the printed copy, called the Courier.
After it goes out by email, it is made available on the News page of our website.
On that page, you can also read past versions of the newsletter as well as specific news items about our bigger events with more details available.

Christ Covenant Church |  Matthews, NC |  www.christcovenant.org |  704-847-3505