Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015
OPEN TABLE @ COVENANT HOLIDAY PARTY
Wednesday, Dec. 9, 5:30 p.m., Fellowship Hall

For the final Wednesday evening dinner and program of the year,
we'll celebrate the season with dinner, games, singing and a visit
from St. Nick. Don't stand in line at the mall -- take pictures with
Santa at Covenant
. Cost: $5 for children, $7 for adults with a family maximum of $25.
Please contact Debbie Tyson to let us know you'll be coming.   

Tonight's Menu: Roasted Chicken, Mac & Cheese, Stuffing, Green Beans, Rolls, Desserts  

KIDS AND YOUTH:

  • 6:30-7:30 p.m. - Creative Catechism (elementary students), EW
  • 6:30-7:30 p.m. - Middle School Guys' Group or Girls' Group
  • 6:30-7:30 p.m. - High School Film and Theology or Girls' Group
CANDLELIGHT ADVENT TAIZE SERVICE
Wednesday, Dec. 9, 6:30-7:15 p.m., Chapel
 
Enter the warm and inviting mood of Advent with the music of cello, flute, piano in Covenant's beautiful Morrison Chapel bathed in soothing candlelight. There we will hear again the words of scripture that beckon us to the One who was born for us and our salvation; there we sing the lovely hymns that all invite us to look to God who comes in ways and times we least expect it. Leading worship: Gracie Matthews (vocalist), Suzanne Harmon (cello), Emily Shauer (flute), Mark Tysinger (piano), Evan Amo and Joan Watson, liturgists.  
YOUTH CHRISTMAS PARTIES
Middle School and High School Youth  
Wednesday, Dec. 9, 6:30 p.m.    
 
HIGH SCHOOL: All PEAK youth are invited to celebrate the Christmas season together at the Borrelli home. We will have Christmas desserts and a white elephant gift exchange! All are encouraged to bring a gift valued $15 or less! RSVP to Perry Dixon for questions and the address!

MIDDLE SCHOOL: Celebrate Christmas with BASE and QUEST students in EW301. If you plan on attending or would like more information, please contact Chaz Snider.

 

View the Youth Weekly Update for this week's complete schedule.

ADVENT MORNING OF SILENCE
Saturday, Dec. 12, 9:30 a.m. -12 p.m., Chapel
 
The morning will include two 30-minute periods of Centering Prayer, Taize and a Silent Contemplative Walk. The doors will open at 9:30 a.m. Please arrive early, settle into your seat and prepare for the first period of Centering Prayer which will begin promptly at 10 a.m. Please contact Martha Isaacs for more information.
   
PROJECT GIVING TREE
For Highland Renaissance Students 
Turn in Gifts by Sunday, Dec. 13

We are honored to partner with Highland Renaissance Academy to share holiday joy with students, many of whom live in poverty. You can donate a board game and book to be given to kindergarten students at Highland. Look in Fellowship Hall and the Recreation Wing for Christmas trees with ornaments showing children's names and gfit requests.
Please contact Evan Amo or Sally Harriss with any questions 
DAILY ADVENT DEVOTIONAL
Sign Up Now to Receive via Email
Through December  
  
This week Covenant launched a daily Advent devotional at covenantadvent.blogspot.com. You may visit the blog each day or you can  sign up to receive the daily devotional via email (please note that when you sign up you will receive a verification email that requires a response).

Printed copies will also be available in the narthex on Sunday.
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES AND OFFERING
Blessing Children in Charlotte, Avery County and Kenya 
Thursday, Dec. 24, 11 a.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., Sanctuary 
 
Our distinct services feature a preschool Nativity in the morning (11 a.m.), contemporary music in the afternoon (3 p.m.), and traditional music and candlelight in the evening (5 p.m.). Communion will be served at the afternoon and evening services.

Offerings collected during the three will go entirely to three of our mission partners working with vulnerable children: Highland Renaissance Academy (Charlotte, N.C.), Crossnore Elementary School
(Avery County, N.C.) and Renguti School PCEA (Kenya). For more information, please visit our website.
   
Christmas Eve Offering 
Christmas Eve Offering
WALK WITH US
Your Commitment Counts


We want to extend a huge thank you to the many who made pledges of time, talent and resources since Commitment Sunday. Your pledges allow us to properly budget our expenses for 2016 to provide ministry, programming and campus care that is so important to life here at Covenant. 
 
If you have not done so, please consider completing your pledge for 2016 online. You may also use the pledge card you received in the mail. Cards are also located in the Sanctuary/Chapel pews, narthex and in the church office.

If you need any assistance in making a pledge for 2016 please contact Virginia Rumbley or Bill Keith.
 
YEAR-END GIVING
Through Dec. 31, 2015    
 
Giving in December typically accounts for 15 percent of annual gifts. As you consider your year-end giving, please consider a tax-deductible contribution to your church. Please visit our website or contact Bill Keith for more information. 
CHURCHWIDE CONVOCATION
Human Rights Speaker Ruby Sales  
Sunday, Jan. 10, 9:30 a.m., Fellowship Hall

Ruby Sales, Human-rights Activist and Founder and Director of the SpiritHouse Project, will
speak. For more information, visit: www.spirithouseproject.org 
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN'S RETREAT
Jan. 22-24, 2016, Pinehurst, N.C. 
Register by Dec. 18  
 
Enjoy two nights with meals and other amenities and listen to guest speaker Sharol Haynor who will explore what it means to be "Living Faithfully in Today's World." Cost is $250 for double occupancy or $400 for single. Please contact Martha Isaacs if you would like more information. You may register online here. 
4TH ANNUAL MEN'S GETAWAY
March 11-13, 2016, Etowah Valley 
Register by Jan. 11  
 
The men of Covenant will enjoy a weekend of golfing, hiking and other activities at Etowah Valley Golf Club and Lodge. For more information, contact Paul Steffens at 704-650-8521 or John Ramsey at 704-365-5882 or visit our website to register.
CHURCHWIDE RETREAT
Feb. 12-14, 2016, Ridgrecrest Conference Center 
Register by Jan. 15
 
Join us for a churchwide retreat at Ridgecrest Conference Center in Black Mountain, N.C. It is a winter getaway planned around the theme of "Being Your Authentic Self (or discovering new dimensions of yourself) in Christ." and what that means to live fully and well in body, soul, mind, vocation and relationships. Cost is $99 per room, per night. Rooms include two queen-sized beds. Meal plans are available as well. For more information or to register, please visit our website or contact Joan Watson.  
TEXAS HASH CASSEROLES AND DESSERTS NEEDED
For The Men's Shelter  
Tuesday, Dec. 29

We're asking Covenant families to gather in the kitchen again this year to make Texas Hash casseroles and/or desserts as Christmas gifts to those in need. Last year we fed over 300 gentleman with help from Covenant's loving and generous "chefs." Make your culinary gifts when it's convenient, freeze and bring to Covenant when you come to church. 
CARDS AND CALENDARS
For Hope Haven, Crisis Assistance Ministry 
Donate through January 2016

Join us once again in collecting new calendars (2016) and greeting cards to distribute to Hope Haven residents and Crisis Assistance Ministry clients. Last year Covenant collected and delivered nearly 400 calendars and hundreds of cards. Please bring these items to the Recreation Wing.
 
ROOM IN THE INN HOSTS NEEDED
Tuesday Nights Through March 
 
Looking for an easy' yet meaningful way to serve others with family or friends? Every Tuesday night through March, we will open our doors to welcome 14 neighbors who are experiencing homelessness where they can enjoy a meal and find a restful and renewing space in a night of warmth and shelter on our campus. We need a host group for every week, including: driving a van to pick up our group from Urban Ministry Center Tuesday evening and drop them off early  Wednesday morning, welcoming our neighbors into our space and helping them settle in for the evening, and preparing or bringing dinner to serve and share. We will also need volunteers (two each week) to spend the night and assist with getting our neighbors up and ready to go early on Wednesday morning. Please contact EvanAmo if you are interested in serving in any way with this vital ministry to our neighbors who too often go without shelter, warmth, and food.  
COVENANT PRESCHOOL TEACHER OPENING
For Classes Beginning Jan. 4

Covenant Preschool is in need of a teacher in a four and five year old class to begin on Jan. 4, 2016. Education degree and experience in an early childhood classroom preferred.
The class meets daily  and hours are 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Please contact Kathie Grabert for more information.
 

CUB SCOUTS COMING TO COVENANT
In Need of a Cubmaster  
Join Pack No. 777

Cub Scouts Pack No. 777 is coming to Covenant and is in need of a Cubmaster. If you are interested, please contact James Huffman.

Qualifications from Boy Scouts of America: Is at least 21 years old and is registered as an adult leader of the BSA. Should be a leader who is able to communicate well with adults as well as boys. Should be able to delegate responsibilities and set a good example through behavior, attitude, and uniform. 
SUNDAY WORSHIP TIMES
Contemporary: 9:30 a.m. Sanctuary & 11 a.m. Fellowship Hall
Traditional: 9:30 a.m. Chapel & 11 a.m. Sanctuary 
weekly podcasts
mind, spirit, body
memorials, celebrations
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