Sunday’s special offering will be used by our deacons in support of the mercy ministry within our own church.

Working closely with our pastors and elders, our deacons are committed to reaching into our lives when we are struggling with life’s big challenges. With kindness, the deacons stand beside individuals and families who face a sudden or long-term challenge that is beyond their own resources. The deacons’ care is holistic, encouraging, and honest.

Their prayerful and practical stewardship of God’s resources is coupled with wisdom gained over many years of quiet ministry among us. Addressing the immediate needs of a family in distress may include providing meals or taking care of a utility bill. It might mean helping with the mortgage or replacing an appliance that is beyond repair. It may be assisting with an unexpected medical expense. The assistance options are as varied as the needs, but each one is provided as an expression of God’s love for his children and our love for each other in the Christ Covenant family. When appropriate, the deacons may coordinate their efforts with other ministries in our church, or in the community, to help with on-going concerns.

Our financial gifts today will be spent carefully as needs arise throughout the year within Christ Covenant families. You can be sure that God will bless his children at Christ Covenant through your support and your prayers.

To bring a member need to our deacons’ attention, or to learn more about how you might assist, please contact your deacon, your community pastor, or the church office at 704-847-3505.

As of February 2nd, our Pastor on Call line is no longer in service. As you have needs, we encourage you to contact your elder or pastor directly. Do not hesitate to reach out to them. You may also contact the Receptionist’s Office which will direct your need to your elder or pastor.

Would you like to join our Greeting Ministry? We need more smiling faces to hold the door open for people to enter our church. If this is an area where you would like to serve please contact Michelle Gustavson at MGustavson@christcovenant.org.

In partnership with the RTS Paideia Center for Theological Discipleship, Christ Covenant is hosting a theological reading group this winter/spring. Do you desire a rich theological diet so you can develop maturity in Christ? Do you want to read Christian classics but don’t know where to start? Would you like to grow with people who share your love for theology and learn from those who have gone before you? If this is you, join the Paideia Center book discussion! This semester we will read and discuss A Little Book on the Christian Life by John Calvin. We hope to meet three times: February 24, March 24, and April 28. Register & find more details at http://paideiacenter.com/.

We are pleased to announce our new CARE Administrator, Becky Creswell, who is returning to our staff in a new role. Becky is already very knowledgeable about our CARE Program and is passionate about keeping minors safe and all volunteers trained in their ministry roles to be able to provide the best care possible for minors. Her prior experience in youth ministry will provide valuable insight to help us continue to improve the CARE program here at Christ Covenant Church.

Greg and Becky have been at Christ Covenant 6 years. They have been married for 2 years and have one son, Gideon (8 mo).

Barry will be fulfilling the duties as Executive Assistant to the Senior Pastor as well as some additional special projects. Barry has worked in information technology and information security for the past nine years in East Lansing, Michigan. Barry and his wife, Sarah, have been members at University Reformed Church (PCA) in East Lansing, Michigan, for the past nine years, where Barry served as a deacon and a ruling elder. Together they have served as volunteers in high school ministry, in children’s ministry, and as small group leaders.

Barry and Sarah have been married for 10 years and have four children, Grace (9), Kenneth (7), Amy (4), and Andrew (8 mo).

Elizabeth will provide administrative support to enable the effectiveness of the Sr. Director of Church Administration in the areas for which he is responsible: Operations, Human Resources, IT, Communications, Risk Management, and Finance. Elizabeth was previously employed with Davidson College for 9 years in several roles including International Applicant Specialist, Merit Program Assistant, and Administrative Assistant for five departments.

Elizabeth and her husband, Michael, were previously small group leaders in their former church. Elizabeth has led and facilitated large women’s group studies, worked on welcome teams, worship teams (singing and playing guitar), kitchen teams, and taught Sunday School.

Michael and Elizabeth have been married for 40 years and have lived in Charlotte for 25 years. They are blessed to have 3 grown children and 4 young grandchildren.

Tina Fillmer served as the Ministry Administrator for Church Administration for two years. Tina did an excellent job helping our various departments update and improve our policies and procedures. Tina also assisted our human resources and finance staff members with excellence and a cheerful attitude. While our staff will miss Tina, we are excited for her new endeavor at Safe Families where she will be working with homeless parents and foster families.

Lydia Schoeck served as our CARE Administrator for over 3 years and faithfully served all the church and ministry volunteers who work with children, youth, and vulnerable adults to ensure their safety and protection. We are so thankful for her dedication in streamlining this program, creating effective procedures, and working diligently to keep all volunteers compliant with Ministry Safe guidelines. Lydia will be devoting much of her attention to the care of her father who is battling cancer.

Kim Westbrook served as executive assistant to the Senior Pastor for eleven years. Kim was a tremendous blessing to our staff and our church. Kim’s many job responsibilities stretched across the campus of Christ Covenant Church. Kim oversaw and assisted with coordinating our Faithful Conferences, the interior design of our worship center, and using her administrative gifts to assist our Senior Pastor. We are so thankful for how she used her gifts for our staff and our church. We are excited to see how the Lord will use her many gifts at Ligoner Ministries in Orlando, Florida, where she started her new job in January.