11.24.2013
Christ Covenant Community Church
Weekly Newsletter
Sunday Sermon: Gideon: Mixed Heart, Mixed Life   Text:  Judges 8:22-28
Advent Season 2013
The season of advent begins next week.  Starting with the next email newsletter, we will be sending you a weekly Advent devotional to do on your own or with your family.  The devotional will also be available in hard copy on the church welcome table. 
What is Advent?
When Jesus was born, the heavens broke wide open and an army of angels sang: Glory to God in the highest, and earth peace among those with whom he is pleased! In announcing Jesus birth, the angels said they were brining "good news of a great joy that will be for all the people."

Traditionally, the Church has used the season of Advent as a time to celebrate that "good news of great joy." Since the fourth century, the Church has celebrated the season of Advent (which means "coming" or "arrival") starting on the fourth Sunday before Christmas day.  The celebration of Advent helps us focus our attention on Jesus Christ's birth and ministry as well as his promised return. Throughout the season we are constantly reminded that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world.

Week One 'Hope' - The Promise of a King
Week Two 'Love'- The Promise of a Child
Week Three 'Joy'- The Birth of a Child
Week Four 'Peace' - The Birth of a King
And a special reading for Christmas Eve

Traditionally, we light a candle for each week of Advent leading up to Christmas Day.  Each candle brings us closer to the time when we recall His birth as well as His Second Coming. Remembering Jesus' parable in Matthew 25.1-13, the Parable of the Ten Virgins, we also seek to be wise and have our lamps ready for the Bridegroom who is coming again.  Click here to order a simple Advent candle wreath, or you can get creative and make your own!

Additional Resources:
If you do not have it already, you may want to purchase The Jesus Storybook Bible, by Sally Lloyd-Jones.  Included in your weekly devotional will be references to corresponding stories in The Jesus Storybook Bible.
 

(These devotionals are courtesy of Christ the King Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, NC and mikemilton.wordpress.com)
Holiday Hope 2013
Christ Covenant will be helping sponsor children in need this Christmas through the Holiday Hope program with the Department of Social Services. Our Christmas tree will be up this Sunday, decked with wish lists from many children. Each gift request is written on an individual mitten along with gender, age, and sizing information when necessary.  Choose one or multiple mittens and purchase the gifts listed, then drop them off at the church building by December 8th.  If you are able, please wrap them in advance and attach your mittens to each of your gifts so we know which child should receive it.  We can't make this happen without church-wide participation!    Please speak to Allison Webb or Beverley Bouchard if you have any questions!  
Ladies' Tea
All Christ Covenant ladies are invited for tea and fellowship at Wanda Haney's home on Saturday, December 7th at 2:00pm. RSVP 540.842.1128 or wanda_haney@comcast.net.

920 Stonewall Lane
Fredericksburg, VA 22407
Serving Opportunity

Additional volunteers are needed to serve in the Children's Ministry. 
  • Elementary Class Assistants - Grades K-5 
  • Nursery Class Assistants -  Newborn and crawler 
One Sunday per month commitment.  Work with a class leader.  No previous experience necessary.  Background check provided.Great chance to learn and grow with the kids!

Contact Mary Lynn Lindner by email or at 540-656-8180 for more information.
Pray For Weekend Speakers

Three people from Christ Covenant will be speaking Gospel hope and truth this weekend at different retreats and training events.  Let us all pray for each of them and for the people who will hear them.  We pray that the Father would be glorified in the Son as He pours out the Holy Spirit with grace and power!  Amen!!

Jess Molzahn -  Fall Retreat for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship
  • The topic is sexual identity.  It's essentially going to be a conference about the Gospel but through the lens of sexuality. Pray that this will be healing, redemptive and hopeful for students.  A couple students going are not Christians.  Pray that they would meet Jesus.  Pray that the weekend as a whole serves as the beginning of something really exciting on campus!
Cliff Wright - Young Life Weekend at Rockbridge
  • Cliff will be the camp speaker as Virginia Beach, Augusta County, Wytheville Co, Williamsburg, and Rockbridge County Young Life groups at Rockbridge this weekend. Please pray for these kids, that Cliff would be the right speaker with the right words to tell them. Pray for Cliff as he prepares and pray for kids in those areas to be prepared. Pray for this weekend that it would be incredibly special for everyone involved.
Pastor Bill - Christian Brothers/Sisters/ Transition Program Fall Retreat on Saturday
  • Former inmates, volunteer Bible study leaders, spouses and supporters will gather for a day of worship, prayer, fellowship and learning.  I'll be speaking on "Changed Heart, Changed Marriage."  Pray that God use my words as His to encourage these missionaries in our midst for ministry.
Jen Hatmaker Conference - Stafford VA
Join the women of Christ Covenant for this great  event! We will meet at 5044 Plank Rd to carpool an hour before each session.  Click here for more info and to purchase your tickets.  And keep an eye out for messages from Churchbook with more details!

Information:
What: 'Christmas Conversations with Jen Hatmaker'
Where: Mt Ararat Baptist Church in Stafford, VA 
When: Friday, 12/13 at 7pm (meet at 6pm to carpool) and
Saturday, 12/14 at 8am (meet at 7am to carpool)

To get a taste for Jen Hatmaker, check out her blog!
 Contact Allison Webb or Beverley Bouchard with any questions.
Disaster Relief

Philippines After Super Typhoon Haiyan
The EPC does not have workers or churches in the region and recommends that donations go to World Relief, the relief arm of the National Association of Evangelicals: www.worldrelief.org.  Checks received by Christ Covenant with "Philippines" in the memo field will forwarded there.

Anniversary of Super-Storm Sandy in New York
The EPC has received and distributed more than $127,000 to support the Hurricane Sandy relief and recovery work in New York City. At the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Sandy, the national media gave a lot of attention to the fact that there is much work still to be done there. We're grateful that
EPC's Resurrection Brooklyn Presbyterian Church is "on the ground" there and has been engaged from the beginning in the relief work. Indeed, Resurrection-Brooklyn has gained the reputation as being one of the few organizations in the city that can "get things done," according to Brian Steadman. Click Here to read more.  
Supper Groups
It is nearly time for us to reassign supper groups.  You'll be partnered with a new group of 3 or 4 for the months of December - February.  This is, of course, a busy time of year.  Don't be discouraged from participating - turn your group's meeting into a Christmas party! Or, if you can't meet in December, that's okay. Try again for January! If you currently participate in supper groups, you will be automatically reassigned.  If you would like to jump in and join, you can do so at any time! Please contact Allison Webb if you need to drop out, or if you would like to join a group.  
Spotsylvania Presbyterian to join the EPC
Spotsylvania Presbyterian Church will conduct a meeting of their congregation this Sunday, Nov 24 at 3 pm that will include a final congregational vote on a plan for them to transfer affiliation with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. That would require action by their current presbytery that would not conclude until February of 2014. When completed, that would establish 2 EPC congregations in Spotsylvania County for strengthened ministry and kingdom extension! Remember them in your prayers as they complete this process.