j u s t   d o   i t

simple, important start  A good way to start is by helping us to help you by letting us know you're here by filling out the friendship folders with complete information during the worship service, or contact the church office at (540) 433-3051 or office@cov-pres.org.

study fellowships  These groups meet every week during the Sunday School hour from 10:00 - 11:00 am. Study Fellowships provide a time of engaging God's Word and connecting with His people on Sunday mornings.  Our goal is to grow our faith in the context of community. 

small groups  These are smaller groups of people meeting in various places, usually homes, throughout the week, providing an opportunity to get to know others on a deeper level in the context of study, prayer, and worship.  Contact Greg Becker, greg@cov-pres.org, with questions. 

welcome to Covenant class  This is an opportunity to learn about our church in a structured, systematic process.  You'll learn about our history, the essentials fo the Reforemd faith, and our ministries  Contact the church office, office@cov-pres.org, with questions.

serve  The single best ways to get connected is to find a place to serve.  You're encouraged to talk with the contact people of the ministries that interest you.  They welcome your contact and your interest.  It blesses them to help you become an active participant in the ministries to which our Lord calls you and yourheart leads you.  If God has gifted you in an area of service not already happening at Covenant, perhaps He has brought you to this church to begin that ministry here.

s t u d y    f e l l o w s h i p s    a n d    d i s c i p l e s h i p

Study fellowships  are part of Covenant's adult discipleship, providing interactive instruction that includes large and small group discussion.  Part of the purpose for these fellowships is to assist Covenant in its mission of 'glorifying God in worship, mission, and discipleship.'  We do this by offering opportunities to connect (fellowship) with members of Covenant and at the same time offer opportunities to learn Biblical truths (study).  This is also a good place to begin to get to know others in the congregation.

Study fellowships meet during the Sunday school hour, 10:00-11:00 am.  Contact the study leader(s) or call Greg Becker, Director of Small Groups and Adult Discipleship, at 433-3051 or greg@cov-pres.org with questions.

STUDY FELLOWSHIPS JANUARY 8-FEBRUARY 26:

Flowers, Dead People, and Tending Sheep or What it means to live out Reformed Theology in the 21st Century by being a Presbyterian, PCA – meets in Annex 3:  The focus of this class looks at the historical and theological underpinnings of what it means to be PCA in the 21st century.  We will go back and look at Calvinist and Puritan theology, many times represented as flowers, as a means of explaining our core doctrine.  We will explore the writings of "dead men", Calvinist, Reformed, Presbyterian theologians whose wisdom of the past brings us life in the 21st century.  Finally we will look at what it means to be a Reformed Church as it relates to Biblical church government and being shepherds.   The framework of the class will come from the following four booklets of the series Basics of the Reformed Faith:  (1) What is a true Calvinist? (Ryken), (2) What is Grace? (Lucas); (3) What is Providence (Derek), (4) What is a Reformed Church (Smallman).  Further background from the Presbyterian Primer, Historical Roots of the PCA and Biblical Church Government (Clements) will be used.  Led by Elders Larry Chico and Mark Hogan.  CLICK HERE for Session 1, Session 2, Session 3, Session 4, Session 5, Session 6, Session 7, Session 8, Session 9, Session 10, Session 11, Session 12.

 

Women’s Study Fellowship, meets in Annex 4:  Joy?  In the midst of the mess?  Ladies:  Come learn the qualities of Biblical joy and contentment as we study Paul's letter to the Philippians.  Paul has solved the mystery of living with these traits and wants us to experience the freeing power of these attitudes first hand.  Is that possible in our own messy "real life" issues?  How we view the work of Christ, how we relate to others, and how we respond to our circumstances will determine our attitudes as we walk out the Christian life.  Please join us as we explore these concepts for the next eight weeks.  Led by member Karen Stanford, this class is open to women of all ages.

 

God’s Final Curtain Call, A Study Fellowship Class on Christ’s Second Advent, meets in Annex 5:  Christian, are you listening for the final trumpet call?  Is it even now faint, off in the distance?  Is there excitement in your faith, awaiting His return?  Are you ready?  “Behold He comes, riding on the clouds, shining like the sun, at the trumpet call!”   Eschatology is the church doctrine, or study, of last things.  The Scriptures proclaim Christ is coming again!  Christ’s Second Advent is the Christian’s blessed hope.  What God has already achieved in the past through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son is the foundation for what scripture says he will do in the future, at the consummation.  We now live in the inter-advent period of history, the age between Christ’s two comings.  Do you know what you believe about His return?  Come join us as we open the scriptures together and see the glorious consummation of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in His “soon coming” again.  The study will be led by Ruling Elder Ken Van Sickle.

Purpose in Retirement, meets in Annex 6:  What does it mean to finish life well as a Christian in America today? Millions of us are finishing our formal careers in our fifties and sixties, and for most of us there will be a good twenty years before our physical and mental powers fail. What does it mean to live out those final years with purpose? How does the Biblical view of retirement differ from what the world offers us?  This course will encourage an open dialogue about aging and end-of-life issues such as: dealing with failing physical and mental health, using our spiritual gifts as life situations change, care-giving for parents, planning for our death and funeral, facing the financial challenges of retirement, maintaining a healthy sense of self worth as we age, and how to continue serving within the Church.  Each class during this eight-week course will be taught by a different member of our congregation. So if you're about to retire, already retired, or just interested in learning more about retirement issues, please join the class and participate in the discussions. Maybe we can learn to say as Paul did in 2 Timothy 4:7–8, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” This class will be led by member Mike Darrell.

Insights from the Middle East into Life and Faith in the OT, meets in the Activity Room:  The Old Testament (OT) was written to a people from a very different language and culture than ours.  So we in modern and western America likely have a harder time understanding some biblical stories the same way the initial audience would likely have understood God’s prophets.  In this class I hope to share some of my insights into the OT from our nearly 20 years in the Middle East.  We'll look at some of the background culture and history to help us appreciate some OT stories and characters that we as Westerners may overlook.  For 8 weeks we’ll look at a different topic (e.g., tribes, family, marriage, honor, foreigners, cleanliness, etc.) and OT characters (Abraham, David, Moses, Solomon, Saul, Elijah, the High Priest, etc.), and discuss some applications to our lives now.  This class will be led by member Rod Barbo.

COLLEGE AND CAREER FELLOWSHIP (CCF) – meets in the multi-purpose room.  This Study Fellowship is for college students and college-aged adults.  Join us for fun, fellowship, and serious study of Scripture as we seek to serve the Lord in the church and in the world. 

 

Fundamentos Para La Familia, lugar - MZ-1:  Estas enseñanzas pueden ayudar a cualquier pareja a entender las bases del matrimonio bíblico y encaminarla por el camino de poner en práctica el diseño de Dios para la familia. Son los fundamentos de la familia cristiana. Curso diseñado por Samuel y Cari Clark de Los Navegantes.  Líder:  Jacinto Hernandez

 

Arabic/English Bible Class, meets in MZ-3:  For Arabic speakers and those who wish to minister or relate to Arabic speakers.  We are doing a Bible survey through selected Bible stories.  Led by member Jack Tapping.

UPCOMING STUDY FELLOWSHIPS BEGINNING MARCH 4:

You've Got to Know What Broke to See What's Needed to Fix It!, Genesis 1-11, meeting in the Activity Room, taught by Pastor David O'Dowd.

Making Disciples:  the Product, the Process, the Potential, meeting in Annex 4, taught by member Doug Fisher.

Building a Lasting Promise, using the book A Lasting Promise:  A Christian Guide to Fighting for Your Marriage, meeting in Annex 5, taught by Pastor John Kuebler and member Karen Montgomery. 

Welcome to Covenant Class, meeting in Annex 6.

College and Career Fellowship - see above.

Fundamento Para La Familia - see above.

Arabic/English Bible class - see above.

Discipling and being discipled are vital ministries in our body.  Discipleship opportunities are available through small groups,  study fellowships, College & Career Fellowship (CCF), Brothers in Christ (BIC), Women in the Church (WIC), and counseling ministries.  In addition, the following small groups are offered periodically.  These groups require registration; watch for details in the bulletin as these classes become available.

• Seed Class provides in-depth study of justification by faith alone, the doctrines of grace (i.e., predestination) and grace-driven holiness.  Using Scripture, outside reading assignments, and handouts, the goal of this class is to know God in a deeper way and have a deeper relationship with other believers.
• Sword Class  Do you ever wish you had a better grasp of the Bible?  Perhaps you've gone to church for years but still don't know your Bible that well.  Are you confused about the Old Testament, the Prophets, the Exile, the Temple, etc.?  This class examines the content, authority, and application of the Bible.  The goal is to learn how to use your Sword--the Word of God.
• Gospel Life Class  How do you define the gospel?  How does the gospel apply to your relationships and work?  Gospel Life seeks to deepen our understanding and application of the gospel.  Meetings include a meal and time of study and discussion.  Participation requires outside preparation and reading.
• Men's small groups provides opportunities for accountability, discipleship and Bible study.   Contact Greg Becker, greg@cov-pres.org, with questions.
• Men's Discipleship:  Men’s Fraternity is a series of three one-year-long studies, beginning with The Quest for Authentic Manhood, followed by Winning at Work and Home, and ends with The Great Adventure. Men's Fraternity provides men with an encouraging process that teaches them how to live lives of authentic manhood as modeled by Jesus Christ and directed by the Word of God.  Men’s Fraternity is currently meeting every Tuesday morning, 6:00-7:30 a.m. in the Activity Room at the church.  Contact: Greg Becker, greg@cov-pres.org, for more information.

 

This is one of our primary avenues for accomplishing our mission.  They meet in various places, usually homes, throughout the week, providing an unparalleled opportunity to get to know others on a deeper level in the context of study, prayer, mission, and worship.  Topics vary, but what is common to all is the spirit of love, service, and encouragement to one another.  Whether you've been at Covenant for ten years or ten minutes, we invite and encourage you to take part in this ministry.

If you'd like to participate with a small group, contact Greg Becker, Director of Small Groups and Adult Discipleship, at 433-3051 or greg@cov-pres.org.

WINTER/SPRING 2012 HOME GROUPS

Below are the days and times our small groups meet and their general locations. For small group leaders' phone numbers and the specific meeting place addresses of our groups, pick up a small groups brochure from one of the information tables in the church, or contact Greg Becker (see above) or Nancy Frutuozo, Ministry Support, at 433-3051 or nancy@cov-pres.org. 

h o m e    g r o u p s    f o r    2 0 1 1 - 1 2, beginning week of Sept. 11
day - time	location	leaders	study	childcare
Sun, 5:00-7:00 pm	Harrisonburg (meets at Covenant)	William & Amy Roy	Philippians	Yes
Sun, 6:00-8:00 pm	Harrisonburg (meets at Covenant)	Tyler & Janelle Garman, Anthony & Megan Tongen	Living in a Pluralistic Society:  Judges, Daniel, and Joseph, by Tim Keller	Yes
Sun, 6:00-8:00 pm	Harrisonburg	Dean & Janet Welty	The Toughest Test in College:  Why Students Are Failing to Keep Their Faith on Campus, DVD series by Focus on the Family	If needed
Sun, 6:00-8:00 pm	Bridgewater	John & Karen Barlow, Greg & Vicki Becker	Faith Lessons on the Prophets & Kings of Israel, DVD study with Ray Vander Laan	No
Mon, 7:00-8:30 pm	Bridgewater	Jim & Mary Cunningham	Living in a Pluralistic Society:  Judges, Daniel, and Joseph, by Tim Keller	No
Mon, 6:30-8:30 pm	Weyers Cave	Keith & Jane Fowler, Dennis & Donna Houff	Engaging the Almighty, The Dynamics of Worship, taught by Pastor Burress McCombe	If needed
Wed, 6:30-8:00 pm	Harrisonburg (meets at Covenant)	Paul & Nancy Gorbea, Russell Nesselrodt	Parables of Jesus	No
Wed, 7:00-9:00 pm	Elkton	Jim & Jane Blair	II Timothy	No
Wed, 6:30-8:30 pm	Broadway	Jim & Barb Peters	The Case for Christ, by Lee Strobel	No
Wed., 6:30-9:00 pm	various-Weyers Cave, Harrisonburg, Staunton, Mt. Crawford	Chris & Misty Myers	Hebrews, I Peter	No infant childcare, older child play area
Wed, 6:30-8:30 pm	Weyers Cave	Bill & Barbara Broome	Sermon discussion with application emphasis	No
Wed, 6:30-8:00 pm	Harrisonburg	John & Vicki Wickenheiser	The book of Daniel	Yes
Wed, 7:00-8:30 pm	Harrisonburg	Martin & Beth Anne Hayduk	History & Geography of OT & NT	No
Wed, 7:00-9:00 pm	Bridgewater	Jeff & Becky Jordan	Psalms	No
Thu, 6:00-8:00 pm	Harrisonburg	Jon & Kristi Keller	What Did You Expect?:  Redeeming the Realities of Marriage , DVD series by Paul David Tripp	Yes
Thu, 6:30-8:30 pm	Bridgewater	Joe & Linda Harter, Reid & Susan Linn	Forgotten God:  Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit, by Francis Chan (meets twice a month)	No
Thu, 6:30-8:30 pm	Elkton	John & Melinda Timmons	Ecclesiastes	No
Thu, 6:30-8:30 pm	Dayton	Randy & Faye Poag	Twelve Ordinary Men, by John MacArthur	No
Thu., 7:00-9:00 pm	Penn Laird	Frank & Linda Doherty	Heaven, by Randy Alcorn	No
Fri, 6:00-8:00 pm	Harrisonburg	Jim & Lisa Smith	Various Stephen Ministry training topics	Older children- self-supervised
Fri, 6:00-9:00 pm (dinner provided by host)	various homes in Basye, Edinburgh, New Market, Woodstock	Ken VanSickle	Sermon notes	No
Fri, 7:00-9:00 pm	Harrisonburg	Jacinto & Sandy Hernandez	Minor Prophets (in Spanish)	Yes

 

l e a r n    a b o u t    u s

The Welcome to Covenant Class (WCC) is one of the best ways for you to make Covenant your church home.  The class is designed to 

• introduce you to other people who attend Covenant,
• answer the question, "What does Covenant Presbyterian Church believe?", and
• show you areas of ministry in which you can be involved.

If you're new to Covenant, are thinking about joining, or just want to know more about what our church believes and how to get involved, watch the bulletin and/or this website for details on when the next Welcome to Covenant class is offered.   Taking this class is a very practical way to help you discern whether or not Covenant is the church where the Lord would have you worship Him, grow in discipleship, and use your gifts to reach the world for Christ.

To register for the WCC class or if you have questions, send an email to office@cov-pres.org.

Participating in the class does not commit you to becoming a member, but it is a prerequisite for membership.

We hope you can take advantage of this great opportunity to grow in faith and build friendships with others who attend Covenant.

Learn more about Spiritual Gifts.  Covenant does not fully agree with this view of Spiritual Gifts, but we believe it can be a useful tool in helping you determine what your gifts are.