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

November 17 - November 23


  Ministry Highlight

Shepherding

Implementation of our new shepherding model will begin in January 2020. Our shepherding model has been designed so that each member will be known. We are excited for the opportunity that you and your family will have to connect with your elder. In December, you will receive information that will let you know who the elder is for your family. While many details are still being worked out, we hope the questions and answers below will help provide some information you might be looking for:

How does the new shepherding model relate to our mission and values? Our mission and values are all about making disciples who stand on truth and walk in grace together. We believe that every member should know and be known by an elder who comes alongside them in this process.

What does the new shepherding model have to do with my children and family? While parents are the primary disciple- makers of their children, we believe presence of a shepherd in the life of families will greatly support their growth in the faith.

What should I expect from my elder? You should expect your elder to contact you, to get to know you and to be a trusted guide and resource in your walk with Christ.
When will my elder contact me? You will receive information in early December that will specify your pastoral community and your elder. You should expect contact from him in the following weeks.

If you missed the joint Sunday school in October where we talked in detail about the new shepherding model, please visit ChristCovenant.org/Shepherding to learn more and to watch the full Sunday school.

Items for Prayer this Week:

Strategic Initiative |
Shepherding Project Group

The Shepherding Project Group has been tasked with creating a new shepherding model for Christ Covenant that will serve to spiritually care for our congregation.

Please join us in praying for the Shepherding Project Group
  •  For our communication with the leadership and the congregation;
  •  For wisdom in managing the launch of the shepherding model.

Supported Workers of the Week| 
Andy & Brooke Cheely

Andy is the Director of Operations for Campus Outreach International Networks.  
  • Pray that their family's walk with God would go deeper in intimacy and trust.
  • Pray that the eleven overseas regions of Campus Outreach would not only see disciples raised up but begin to send out from their nations to even more countries.
  • Pray that more university students would hear the gospel and be discipled into the local church.
 

Persecuted Church | Laos

 Pray for Christians in Laos, one of the world's poorest nations, where the Communist government has refused permission for public worship and the traditional Buddhist majority has been allowed to abuse believers. Pray that house churches will be used by God to build up believers and draw many Laotians to faith

Unreached People Group | 
Turkmen in Turkmenistan

There are 0.05% known Christians among a population of 4.8 million Turkmen. There is little awareness of Christianity among the Turkmen. Christian churches have been closed, and members told they cannot meet. Turkmen pastors face great hardship and persecution. Some have been fined, beaten and put in jail. Ask the Lord to call people who are willing to share with them the love of Christ.

Presbytery Church of the Week |
West Charlotte Church
 
West Charlotte Church, Charlotte, NC - Church Planter Sr. Pastor Charles McKnight.

THIS WEEK  

Women's Weekly Prayer Gathering
Sunday, November 17| 4:45pm

All ladies are invited to pray with women of Christ Covenant on Sunday afternoons in the Worship Center Prayer Room from 4:45-5:45pm. 

Congregational Meeting
November 17, After evening worship

Our session has called a congregational meeting for Sunday, November 17, immediately following evening worship. During evening worship on November 17, the Executive Pastor candidate, Tom Groelsema, will preach. Immediately following, the congregation will vote on his candidacy. We hope you will make every effort to be present! 

Monthly Day of Prayer
November 19

 The Monthly Day of Prayer is on Tuesday, November 19. The day is divided into 30-minute segments for individuals to sign-up and pray for missionaries and needs of the congregation in worship center room 105. However, please feel free to come anytime during the day. You can sign up at ChristCovenant.org/members/prayer to help us cover the day fully in prayer.  

UPCOMING EVENTS

Men's Fellowship Breakfast
December 7

All men 16 years and older are invited to a fellowship breakfast on Saturday, December 7, 7-8:30a. We will meet at Stacks Kitchen to learn about "Forming a Spiritual Friendship with Your Wife from Pastor Derek Wells. RSVP at here. Only cost is your breakfast.

Christmas at Christ Covenant
Various Dates in December

We hope you, your family, and your friends will be able to join us as we celebration Christmas throughout the month of December. Below are various events throughout the month. To learn more, click here.  
 
Christmas Choral Concert
Sunday, December 8 at 6:00pm
Childcare for ages 4 months to 2 years is available.
Cookie reception to follow in the main lobby.
 
Birthday Party for Jesus
Saturday, December 14 from 10:00am to 11:30am
For 5th grade and younger in the upper CLC.
 
Andrew Peterson in Concert: Behold the Lamb of God
Wednesday, December 18 at 7:00pm
No childcare provided
Tickets must be purchased prior to concert
 
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Tuesday, December 24 at 6:00pm
Childcare for ages 4 months to 2 years available.  
 
To learn more, visit ChristCovenant.org. 

Save the Dates: No Sunday School 
December 8,15, 22, & 29

There will be no Sunday school or childcare for December 8, 15, 22, and 29; however, there are some exceptions.

* Pastor Bruce Creswell's senior community will continue to meet during this time.
* New member interviews will be December 8 during Suday school as scheduled.
* Lastly, the Young Families community will have a fellowship breakfast December 15.

Discovery Class in Winter/Spring 2020
Begins January 5, 2020

The Discovery Class is the membership class for adults and students 9th grade and above who wish to join Christ Covenant Church. Our Pastors teach this class, which reviews Christ Covenant's philosphy of ministry, the reformed faith, the Presbyterian form of government, the vows of church membership, and other topics pertinent to church membership. This class is required for those seeking to join Christ Covenant Church and will begin January 5. For questions or to register, contact Mary Jo Culver at mculver@christcovenant.org or 704-814-1039.

Hinged
January 31 - February 1, 2020

Christ Covenant Church is hosting Hinged, the 2020 PCA Women's Conference - January 31 - February 1st. Spots are filing up fast, so register now!

There are Friday and/or Saturday attendance options and reduced registration for High School and College Students! For details and registration visit https://pcacdm.org/hinged-conferences/
.

If you would be interested in being a table hostess on Friday night, please contact Staci Poston at sposton@christcovenant.org.


 Opportunities to Serve

Packing Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes
Thursday, November 21 at 1pm

Thank you to everyone who participated in Christ Covenant's Operation Christmas Child shoebox collection! We will be packing all the shoeboxes on Thursday, November 21 at 1pm in the main lobby of the worship center to send them to Samaritan's Purse for global distribution. We are looking for volunteers to help with the packing. Please contact Karen Chambers at kchambers@christcovenant.org with any questions.

Housing Need for Supported Worker Family

We have a supported worker family with three children who are in need of a 2-3 bedroom and living space, ideally furnished, on month-to-month terms in the Charlotte area. This family will be here from the end of November until sometime early next year. If you are able to assist this family, please contact Jeremy Wanamaker at jeremy.wanamaker@gmail.com.

Help a Family with the Human Coalition
This Christmas

Christ Covenant has the opportunity to come alongside The Human Coalition (formerly Pregnancy Resource Center) and bless a family who has chosen life this Christmas. Our church has been assigned a family, a mother and her 4 children, to purchase both needs and wants for Christmas. Details and to sign up to provide items to bless this family can be found at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d4faa6-project. Let's be generous to this family and show them that they are cared for by our church this Christmas! Contact Karen Chambers at kchambers@christcovenant.org with any questions.

Cookies for Christmas Choral Concert

We are hosting a Christmas Cookie Reception after the Christmas Choral Concert the evening of Sunday, December 8th.
 
We'd love to have an assortment of delicious Christmas cookies! Please visit  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0444aaaf2ea2fc1-cookies to sign-up to bring 3 dozen of your favorite Christmas cookies in a disposable container to the Information Desk in the Worship Center the morning of the concert.
 
If you have any questions, please contact Staci Poston (sposton@christcovenant.org).


Help Wanted in the King's Community Sunday School Class

The King's Community, a Sunday School class that serves those affected by disabilities, is seeking volunteers and helpers to serve during the Sunday School hour. No experience necessary. Expect to receive more then you give. Contact Tiphany Speck, tiphanyspeck@gmail.com, if interested.

Serving in Children's Ministry

The Children's Ministry is staffing for the new year and would love to have you serving alongside us! Join us as we sow seeds of discipleship in to the youngest members of our church. Contact Lindey Duncklee at lduncklee@christcovenant.org or Mindy Thornton at mthornton@christcovenant.org if interested.

 Information

Advent Books are in the Book Nook

Are you looking for a great resource for the upcoming advent season? Stop by the book nook and check out the
following titles:

*Love Came Down at Christmas: Daily Readings for Advent by Sinclair Ferguson,
  *Come, Let us Adore Him: A Daily Advent Devotional
by Paul Tripp, 
*The Dawning of Indestructible Joy: Daily Readings for Advent by John 

Christmas is Coming

Over the next few weeks, the worship department will be moving things around on the platform to prepare for the various church and school holiday events. We hope these changes will not be too disruptive.

Did you miss one of the joint Sunday schools?

Both joint Sunday schools were recorded! If you missed one or would like to go back to review the information given, please see the links below:

Shepherding Sunday School | October 13

New Sunday School Model | October 20

Strategy and Vision: We Want Your Feedback! 

The Recommendation Steering Committee would like your feedback about the strategic vision for the future of our church. Many of you have already responded and have provided great insight for the project teams. Please CLICK HERE to submit your feedback/ questions. As always, keep praying for our church and its leadership as we continue on this journey together.

Covenant Day School

Covenant Day School is now accepting applications for new students in grades TK-12 for the 2020-2021 school year. The deadline for application for new-to-CDS students is January 15, 2020, in order to be considered in the first round of decisions. If you would like additional information, please call the Admissions Office at 704-847-2385 to book a private tour or to chat with someone from the admissions team.

Visit 
covenantday.org/apply to complete the online application.

Congregational Accommodations

Our slideshow on Sunday mornings displays infographics with details on the amenities we have available for our congregation are as follows:
  • a fragrance-free area (in the balcony, adjacent to the elevator); 
  • nursing mothers room (WC-111); 
  • hands-free outer door (on ground level near handicapped parking); 
  • elevator to ground floor, main floor, and lobby; 
  • hearing loop seating in the sanctuary; 
  • large print worship folders at the information desk.

Please visit the information desk if you have questions about these amenities.


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. Check christcovenant.org/aboutus/employment for current positions and to apply. Current opportunities include:
  • Executive Pastor,
  • Assistant Director of Women's Ministry (PT),
  • Hospitality & Kitchen Coordinator (PT).

Worship Notes
Sunday, November 17
Morning Worship - 10:45 AM
"The Pillars of Pastoral Ministry "
Acts 20:1-16
Kevin DeYoung
Evening Worship - 6:00 PM
"Seeing the King "
Isaiah 33:17-24 
Tom Groelsema  
Large print worship folders are available at the Information Desk.
 

Quick Links

to church webpages 

 

 Calendar

THIS WEEK
November 17 - 
November 23

Sunday, November 17   
9 AM | Sunday school 
10:45 AM | Morning worship
4:45 PM | Women's weekly prayer gathering 
5 PM | Timothy Project 
6 PM
| Evening worship with congregational meeting after 

Monday, November 18   
6 PM | Support Groups 
7 PM | Men's open seminar
 
Tuesday, November 19
Monthly day of prayer 
 
Wednesday, November 20   
6:30 PM | Various choirs
7 PM | LINK & EPIC
 
Thursday, November 21   
6:45 PM | American Heritage Girls & Trail Life 
 
 


Upcoming Events

Nov 24 | Annual report in evening worship
Nov 25 | CCYM Monday prayer
Nov 28 & 29 | Offices closed
Dec 2 | Men's open seminar
Dec 8 |
No Sunday school
Dec 8 |
Christmas Choral Concert with Cookie reception after
Dec 9 |
CCYM Monday prayer
Dec 9 |
Women's open seminar
Dec 14 |
Birthday Party for Jesus
Dec 15 | No Sunday school
Dec 16 |
Men's open seminar
Dec 18
| Andrew Peterson concert
Dec 22 | No Sunday school
Dec 24 & 25 | Offices closed
Dec 24
| Christmas Eve Service
Dec 25 | Merry Christmas!
Dec 29 | No Sunday school
Jan 5 | New Discovery class begins
Jan 8 | Lumberjack games


Pastor's Blogs


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FINANCE 

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.

1/1/19 - 10/20/19 
Actual
Budget
Difference
%
(-) or +
Operating Budget - Inflow  
$4,248,670
 
$4,232,500
$16,170
 
0.4%
Faith Promise Budget - Inflow
$298,985
$254,866
$44,119
17.3%
This email is our E-Courier weekly newsletter, which complements with the printed copy, the Courier, which can be picked up on Sundays at the doors outside the sanctuary.
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