January 2011 Connection - Clover Sitesstorage.cloversites.com/newcovenantchurch/documents/1 January 2011_2.pdfMDG w/ David Keese— 8:00 pm Mary Lou Seel .net D.O.Z—3:00 pm Cornerstone—6:00

January 2011

Connection new covenant church

301 Simpson Road • Anderson, SC 29621 864-224-8724 • www.ncchurch.net

promoting a life-changing faith within a loving fellowship

sanctification

Small Groups 4

Women’s Ministry 6

Good News Club/Covenant Kids Info 7

Shadow Ministry 8

Basketball 9

January Calendar of Events 10

His Kids Preschool 12

New Members...The Winters 13

Announcements 14

Article by Lori Ramey 16

NCS Drama 2011 Season 17

NCS Job Opening & Open House 18

Discipleship Classes (Feb 2011 to April 2011) 19

Discipleship Classes (Nov 2010 to Jan 2011) 20

C o n n e c t i o n

contents

Christmas Gift for Christ & Deacon’s Mercy Offering

Thank you for your generous response to the Christmas Gift for Christ. As of December 26th, we have received almost $27,000 in gifts which is over three times the Christmas Gift for Christ received last year. In addition to the Christmas Gift for Christ, you gave generously to the Deacon’s Mercy Offering on December 19th which received over $3500 and was distributed to those among us who have been most affected by difficult economic times. Your love for our Savior and His bride has been demonstrated through these offerings above the tithe as we work toward the goal of becoming a debt-free church and loving one another well. May the Lord continue to work in us a whole-hearted love for him and his people in 2011.

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Every year we make New Year’s

resolutions hoping to instill good

habits in our lives. We start a diet to

lose weight. We join the YMCA to

get our bodies in shape. We buy an

elliptical to strengthen our hearts. All

of this is well and good but it misses

the point of I Timothy 4:8 which

says, “For bodily discipline is only of

little profit, but godliness is profitable

for all things, since it holds promise

for the present life and also for the

life to come.”

This verse is telling us that we should

put as a priority our spiritual lives

instead of our physical lives. How can

we do that? One way is by making a

New Year’s resolution to join a small

group. How does that help us to

grow spiritually? It does so by making

fellowship with other believers a pri-

ority in our lives. When we spend

time with other believers it allows us

to use our gifts to minister to them.

We do the “one anothers” with them

------love one another; encourage one

another; counsel one another, etc.

When we practice this kind of fellow-

ship it stimulates spiritual growth not

only in others but in ourselves. So

make your spiritual life a priority this

year by making a resolution to join a

small group. Check out the list on the

next page and find a group that fits

you and your family. You will be glad

that you did! If you have any ques-

tions, you can contact Mark

B u r c h e t t e a t 2 2 4 - 8 7 2 4 o r

[email protected].

New Year’s Resolutions

4

Leaders—Jim Abbott (964-9112) and Herb Burchette (261-9648); Empty Nesters. Lunch after church on 2nd & 4th Sundays. Leaders—Tim Bruynell (314-8088) & Joe Noblitt (934-4222) Singles, couples and children. Meets at 5:00p

Leader—Mark Burchette (225-8191) Singles, couples, children. Lunch after church on 1st & 3rd Sundays.

Leader—Michael Cousar (332-0737) Young families, children. Leader—Phillip Dance (231-9488) Singles, couples, children. Meets at 5:00p

Leader—Jeff Lopez (226-5126) Sin-gles, couples and children. Meets at 5:00p

Leader—David Rountree (933-3025) Families with children of all ages. Meets at 12:30p

Leaders—Greg Skipper (226-7423) and Steve Andreasen (261-3715). Families with children. Meets at 5:00p

Leader—Brett Whitfield (375-0355) Empty Nesters. Meets at 5:00p

Leader—David Keese (261-3313) Singles, couples, children. Meets at 5:00p

Groups listed below meet on the

1st & 3rd Sundays of each month unless

otherwise noted.

Contact Mark Burchette

224.8724 burchette@ ncchurch.net

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Leader—Mark Burchette (224-8724)2nd & 4th Mondays at 8:00p

Leader—Rob Wright (964-9265) 1st & 3rd Mondays at 8:30p.

Leaders—Joe Noblitt (934-4222) & David Gamble (224-3797) Meets Tuesdays at 6:00p in the church con-ference room.

Leader—David Keese (221-8240) Meets Wednesdays at 8:00p at Up-state Physical Therapy (David’s Office). Leader—Michael Cousar (332-0737) Meets at 6:00a on Fridays at the Cousar’s home. Leaders—Dale Hardy (314-3582) & Philip Dance (231-9488) Time and place TBD—a new group looking for disciples.

(933-3025) Every other Monday at 7:00p in the church library. Study-ing the book of John.

Leader—Liz Abbott(964-9112) Every Tuesday at 10:00 in the church library.

(222-8883) Every other Wednes-day at 8:15a to 9:30a. Studying the book of John.

(353-5534) 1st & 3rd Wednesdays at 7:15p in the church library. Studying the book of John.

(964-9112) 2nd & 4th Thursdays at 2:00p in the church conference room. Studying ―Putting Amazing Back into Grace.‖

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• Love the Ladies • Sunday, February 13th

• Mother/Daughter Tea • Saturday, April 30th

• Night at the Tropics • Tuesday, July 26th

Questions? Mark Burchette 224-8724 or [email protected]

Women’s Women’s Women’s

MinistryMinistryMinistry

7

The Good News Club has gotten off to a great start! We have over 130 children in the club and over 30 children have prayed to receive Christ!! ―The harvest is plenti-ful, but the workers are few‖...we only have 17 people min-istering to over 130 children. Are you in-terested in being apart of this life-changing ministry? The Good News Club resumes on January 11, 2011 at 2:00 pm at Midway. There is a Good News Club workshop on January 4, 2011, which is a great training time for new volunteers. If you are inter-ested, contact Bailey Rountree (224-8724 or [email protected])

(K4 to 5th Grade)Covenant Kids Activities on Wednesdays will begin on February 2 and will end on April 27. Details will be given in the February Connection.

Many thanks to all of the people who regularly serve as Shadow-ers.

Amy Noblitt • Martha Hall • Jennifer Graves • Carolyn Lopez • Maurice Lopez • Judy Ross • Carla Reiter • Rebecca Lamb • Rebecca Graves

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There are many members in our community and members of our church that have special needs. New Covenant has a tremendous opportunity to love and care for these individuals and their families. How can you help? Come pioneer this new ministry of love in action! How can you help? Come serve as a one-to-one assistant for children in

the nursery & Covenant Kids with special needs. How can you help? Come serve as a one-to-one shadow where you would

care for your special needs friend during the Disciple-ship Hour or the Worship Hour.

How can you help? The opportunities abound! Contact Bailey Rountree at 224-8724 or [email protected] for more information.

9

asketball

ouncing

NCC has basketball teams this year!

Coach Michael Cousar

Coach Joshua Williams

Coach Wriston Marshburn

Coach William Milford

Coach Eric Lanford

Coach Steve Andreasen

Coach Carrie Cousar

Come out and support each of these teams!!

For game schedules go to

January Calendar of Events Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

2 3 4 5 6 7 1

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30 31

Communion Sunday

AIM Collection

Worship—9:30 am

Discipleship Classes—

11:10 am

Worship—9:30 am


11:10 am

Membership Mtg w/ Elders—

3:00 pm

LBS w/ E. Evans—8:15 am

D.O.Z—3:00 pm

Cornerstone—6:00 pm

LBS w/ S. Whitfield—7:15 pm

Capstone—7:30 pm

MDG w/ David Keese—

8:00 pm

GDG (w/ Britney Thames)—

3:00 pm

TRUE2 (w/ P. Rountree) &

TRUE (w/ K. Roh)——

3:30 pm

LBS w/ P. Rountree—7:00 pm

MDG w/ Mark Burchette—

8:00 pm

Stacy White

Key: GNC=Good New Club

LBS=Ladies’ Bible Study MDG=Men’s Discipleship Group MOPS=Mothers of Preschoolers

NCS=New Covenant School O.W.L.S=Oldest, Wisest, Liveliest

Seniors TRUE=DG for 6th-8th grade girls

Anniversaries

Birthdays Capstone=Sr. High

Cornerstone=Jr. High

CHC=Calvary Home for Children

D.O.Z=Daughters of Zion GDG=Girls’ Discipleship Group

Ladies’ Prayer (Library)—

10:00 am

GNC (at Midway)—2:00 pm

MDG w/ Joe Noblitt &

David Gamble—6:00 pm

Mary Anderson,

Nathan Watts

D.O.Z—3:00 pm


Capstone—7:30 pm


8:00 pm

Mary Lou Seel


3:00 pm

TRUE2 (w/ P. Rountree)—

3:00 pm

TRUE (w/ K. Roh)—4:30 pm

LBS w/ P. Rountree—7:00 pm

MDG w/ Mark Burchette—

8:00 pm

Beth Carlson


10:00 am




Allen Neilsen

D.O.Z—3:00 pm


Capstone—7:30 pm


8:00 pm

Joel Dance, Shawn McKay


3:00 pm



3:30 pm

Story Slam—7:00 pm

Margaret Duncan,

Walker Klugh,

Wesley White

Worship—9:30 am


11:10 am

Home Ministry Groups—

Various Times

Mark McKay,

Earl Moore


3:00 pm



3:30 pm

Tim Bruynell, Charlie

Wham, Mary Anne Williams

Worship—9:30 am


11:10 am

Home Ministry Groups—

Various Times


LBS w/ S. Whitfield—

7:15 pm


8:00 pm


10:00 am




John Mark Skipper

Worship—9:30 am


11:10 am

Katherine Curnow

Lisa Jackson Ladies’ Prayer (Library)—

10:00 am



Mike & Sherri Settle

But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. [Romans 6:22]

January Calendar of Events Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

2 3 4 5 6 7 1

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30 31

MDG w/ Michael

Cousar—6:00 am

Matthew Harmon,

Dennis Maeger,

Catharine Marshburn,

Joseph Mortenson


D.O.Z—3:00 pm


LBS w/ S. Whitfield—7:15 pm

Capstone—7:30 pm


8:00 pm

MDG w/ Michael

Cousar—6:00 am

Valerie Johnson,

Vicki Johnson,

Anna Myer

MDG w/ M. Cousar—

6:00 am

O.W.L.S (Ryan’s)—

11:30 am

MOPS—9:00 am

LBS w/ Liz Abbott—

2:00 pm

Glenn & Debbie

Taylor

Phil Roth,

Madeline Smith

GNC=Good New Club

LBS=Ladies’ Bible Study MDG=Men’s Discipleship Group MOPS=Mothers of Preschoolers

NCS=New Covenant School O.W.L.S=Oldest, Wisest, Liveliest

Seniors TRUE=DG for 6th-8th grade girls

D.O.Z—3:00 pm


Capstone—7:30 pm


8:00 pm

Mary Lou Seel

ncchurch.net

D.O.Z—3:00 pm


Capstone—7:30 pm


8:00 pm

Joel Dance, Shawn McKay

New Year’s Day

Emily Burchette,

David Cavender,

Michele Cutlip,

Angie Harmon,

Brett Whitfield

Dirk Graves

Linlee Keese,

Kaitlyn Webb

Mike & Josie

Enloe


LBS w/ S. Whitfield—

7:15 pm


8:00 pm

Paul Hopkins,

Rebecca Reiter,

Ethan Varghese

MDG w/ M. Cousar—

6:00 am

David Skipper

Charlie & Crystal

Wham

LBS w/ Liz Abbott—

2:00 pm

Nikki Merlo

8 Chuck Brenner,

Jillian Burchette

But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. [Romans 6:22]

Officer Retreat Officer Retreat

12

Interested in joining

New Covenant Church?

If you are interesting in joining, contact Mark Burchette at 224-8724 or

[email protected].

Be on the Look Out!

Registration coming soon for

His Kids Preschool

In February, His Kids Pre-school will be

opening registration for school year 2011-2012.

We are offering opening in ages 2 through 4 (K2-K4).

Please contact Anita Stewart at 224-8724 ext. 317 or email her at [email protected] for more information.

Preschool

13

Where are you originally from? Jeremiah: Metamora, Michigan Dorothy: Harrisburg, PA

What made you decide to join New Covenant Church? Jeremiah: I believe that as Christians it is necessary to be a member in a church body according to Scripture. Surrounding ourselves with fellow be-lievers is one of the primary means (besides prayer

and reading His word) through which God challenges us and works in our lives. Dorothy: We wanted to stay in the PCA family and we really liked the pastor and church family at New Covenant.

How did you come to know the Lord? Jeremiah: When I was 3 years old my four and a half year old sister told me that if I did-n't know Jesus that I was going to Hell. I was in no position to argue, so I prayed with my sister then, though I do not believe that I had a personal relationship with Christ at that time. As I grew up in a Christian family, I was taught constantly about who God is and what He has done. Both parents led by example, and God used them both tremen-dously in my life. The first time that I truly owned my faith was when I went to college at Cornerstone University, and spent three years living a life that was hypocritical. I acted one way around my friends and another way when with my family or at church. God convicted me of my sin, and showed me that the Christian walk is much more than simply verbally claiming salvation. Since then, I have strived to live for Him in all that I do, recognizing Him as the center of my life, though I still stray at times, but thanks be to God that His grace is sufficient. Dorothy: I grew up in a Christian family that is very active in the church I grew up in, and I learned about Christ when I was young and put my faith in him at a very young age.

What are some of your hobbies? Jeremiah: I enjoy spending time with my wife and our pet Crimson Bellied Conure (bird). I cherish the times when I can be with my family. I enjoy watching numerous types of science fiction and also enjoy playing games. I like photography (though I have not had an opportunity to practice it for quite a while). Dorothy: I got my degree at Covenant College in Art, focusing in pottery and drawing. I also like to take pictures and anything else Art related.

Where do you work/what do you do? Jeremiah: Emmanuel College, Franklin Springs, GA. I am a professor. Dorothy: I am a Barrista at the bookstore and café at Lifesprings on Emmanuel College’s campus in Franklin Springs, GA.

New Members...

Jeremiah & Dorothy Winter

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Save the Date for the

Calvary Home Valentines Dinner

February 14, 2011 • 6:30 p.m.

Grace Episcopal Church

Treat your significant other to a fantastic evening of dining and entertainment – all for a worthy cause!

Monday, January 17 at 7:00 pm at McGee's

If you'd like to tell a story

contact Marie at [email protected]

Seats fill up fast. So

call McGee's to make reserva-tions 864.261.6401

mailto:[email protected]

15

16

As a new year faces us squarely, we all

begin to re-evaluate our lives. Nothing is

immune from scrutiny; we overturn our

closets, think about cleaning out the garage,

and resolve not to repeat 2010’s neglect of

the treadmill. And parents whose kids are

approaching an educational ―milestone‖

contemplate their options. Whether facing

kindergarten, middle school, high school, or

just a change of classroom scenery, few

decisions seem as complex as figuring out

―where my kid fits.‖

It doesn’t help that the air is full of

opinions by pontiffs from every educational

sphere. Some Christians eschew public

education altogether while others embrace

it as an avenue of community outreach and

service. Homeschooling has been on the

rise for the past several decades, but the

new online schools have begun connecting

non-traditional students to a virtual class-

room staffed by teachers who never meet

their students face-to-face. Schools com-

pete for education dollars with promises of

better SAT scores, better education, better

career courses, better sports teams. Chris-

tian schools offer various flavors of religious

instruction intertwined with a dizzying

variety of curriculum approaches. What’s a

parent to do?

The truth is, no single method of edu-

cation is more ―godly‖ than the rest. Educa-

tion is discipleship, and as such it hinges

greatly on the hearts of the disciples and

the teacher. Mere transfer of content can

be accomplished by any means, including a

computer; true discipleship puts your child

in a relationship with her classmates, her

teachers, and the entire school community.

Understanding the heart of education

helps us avoid the mistake of evaluating

educational options based solely on aca-

demic outcomes. Sure, your kid needs a

good education in order to get into a good

college to land a good job someday. But

what does that ―good education‖ look like?

If your child is naturally brilliant at under-

standing how an engine works, should her

schooling be different from that of a child

who excels at ballet? Experts of all kinds tell

us that the 21st century job market will

demand creative, divergent thinkers who

can solve problems resourcefully. That

doesn’t really sound like something we can

achieve through standardized testing or

federal education grants.

As Christians, we have God’s revela-

tion about the nature of human beings. We

are sinful, yet we are image-bearers. Both

the student and the teacher stand in a

unique position among Creation – we bear

the marks of a Creator who is logical, crea-

tive, communicative, social. In a biblical view

of education, the teacher and learner exist

as partners in a classroom community to

explore the wonders of God’s creation,

with the hope that we understand better

who our Creator is and our relationship to

Him.

This beautiful task of unpacking crea-

tion for ourselves and our children de-

mands more than an 8 to 3 school day.

Parents, you are the key to your child’s

education, regardless of the educational

method you choose. Revel in the divine

design of the created world in 2011 and

lead your children to taste and see that the

Lord is good (Ps 34:8).

“I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.” ~Mark Twain

Lori Ramey (BA, MA, MEd) holds degrees in theology and integrated curriculum design.

She currently teaches English, drama, and Latin at New Covenant School. www.ncs.sc

coming MARCH coming MARCH

10, 12, 17 & 1810, 12, 17 & 18

by William

Shakespeare

NCS DRAMA 2011 SEASON

January 27-29, 2011 *Dinner theater Friday night

The NCS Advanced Drama

students present a classic mystery!

AN

DA

ND

AN

D

TH

EN

TH

EN

TH

EN

T

HE

RE

TH

ER

ET

HE

RE

W

ER

EW

ER

EW

ER

E

Tickets on sale January 4th. $5 Thurs/Sat or $20 Fri dinner theater All proceeds from this play benefit the NCS scholarship fund and student trips

18

New!

Discipleship Classes (Feb 2011-Apr 2011) 11:10 a.m.—12:00 p.m.

New!

New!

Matthew to Philippians (A101) Instructor: David Rountree Possessing an overview of Bible content and its essential doctrine is necessary for spiritual growth and discipleship maturity. This class will give us a good grasp of the content of Matthew through Philippians along with foun-dational truths like why we need synoptic gos-pels; the doctrine of the one nature and two persons of Christ; justification by faith and the place of the law and the Holy Spirit in Chris-tian living. Participants will be given Bible reading assignments in preparation for class participation in advance of each class. This class will be followed next quarter by “Colossians to Revelation.”

The Book (A211) Instructors: James Duncan, Dale Hardy Where did the Bible come from? How can we trust that it’s really God’s inspired and infalli-ble word to us? Why did God choose a library of books as his primary means of communicat-ing to us? In this class, we’ll look at what the Bible has to say about itself, examine argu-ments for its authority, track its development through time, and learn how to properly read and interpret it.

Predestination and The Freewill of Man (A212) Instructors: Mark Burchette & Joe Noblitt A practical study of the “Ordo Salutis” (order of salvation in the decrees of God). Provided in this class will be a helpful understanding of the biblical view of God’s election of sinners without destroying the freewill of man.

Spirituality in the Midst of Brokenness Part 2 (A213) Instructors: Philip Pidgeon This course will continue to build upon the theme that shattered dreams are “God’s unex-pected pathway to joy.” Dr. Larry Crabb states that, “We can’t always make life work. But we can always draw near to God.” In this study we will examine the Scriptures as well Crabb’s book, The Pressure's Off: There's a New Way to Live, to explore, and hopefully reach for, a mature and honest spirituality in the midst of brokenness.

Capstone (9th-12th) (A214) Instructors: Matt Clegg, Rob Cord & Joey Thames Topical Lessons for Teens.

Cornerstone (6th-8th) (B204) Instructors: Dexter Williams, Mike Settle & Owen Hall “Letters from God” New Testament epistles for guidelines on kingdom living.

Covenant Kids (K4-5th) (Assembly in C108) Instructors: Many gifted, talented teachers This quarter the Covenant Kids Discipleship Hour Classes will be using Great Commission Publications Curriculum materials. The topic this quarter will be “Serving God.” The children will learn about Bible men and women who served God faithfully.

New Covenant Mission: Wholehearted love for God and man through

exaltation, evangelism and edification (Matthew 28:17-20).

Discipleship Classes (Nov 2010-Jan 2011) 11:10 a.m.—12:00 p.m.

New!

New!

A Study of Galatians (A101) Instructors: Joe Noblitt, John Boyte, Dale Hardy, & Greg Skipper Are you free in Christ...Really Free?? Do you know what it means to be free in Christ? Jesus said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Free from man’s rules and regulations; empowered by the grace of God to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever. This plus many other things you will learn in this study of Galatians.

The Book (A211) Instructors: James Duncan, Dale Hardy Where did the Bible come from? How can we trust that it’s really God’s inspired and infalli-ble word to us? Why did God choose a library of books as his primary means of communicat-ing to us? In this class, we’ll look at what the Bible has to say about itself, examine argu-ments for its authority, track its development through time, and learn how to properly read and interpret it.

The Excellent Marriage (A212) Instructors: Mark Burchette & Joe Noblitt You have heard of the excellent wife and the complete husband—How about the excellent marriage? The keys to an excellent marriage are found in knowing and practicing the marital principles found in God’s Word. The Bible teaches that a husband should unconditionally love his wife. It also teaches that a wife should unconditionally respect her husband. When these two foundational principles are put into practice a marriage will blossom. Come and learn how to make these and other biblical truths practical in your married life.

Spirituality in the Midst of Brokenness (A213) Instructors: Johnny Ross & Philip Pidgeon Larry Crabb describes shattered dreams as “God’s unexpected pathway to joy.” He states that, “The Holy Spirit uses the pain of shat-tered dreams to help us discover our desire for God, to help us begin dreaming the highest dream.” What if we began to dream greater dreams than having a pleasant life? This study will use both biblical texts as well Crabb’s book, Shattered Dreams, to explore, and hope-fully reach for, a mature and honest spirituality in the midst of brokenness.

Capstone (9th-12th) (A214) Instructors: Matt Clegg, Rob Cord & Joey Thames Topical Lessons for Teens.

Cornerstone (6th-8th) (B204) Instructors: Dexter Williams, Mike Settle & Owen Hall “Jesus My Savior”

Why everyone needs a Savior and how Jesus fulfills that role based on the Gospel of Luke.

Covenant Kids (K4-5th) (Assembly in C108) Instructors: Many gifted, talented teachers This quarter the Covenant Kids Discipleship Hour Classes will be using Great Commission Publications Curriculum materials. The topic this quarter will be “Knowing Jesus.” The children will learn stories from the Gospels.

New!

New Covenant Mission: Wholehearted love for God and man through

exaltation, evangelism and edification (Matthew 28:17-20).

Documents

January 2011 Connection - Clover Sitesstorage.cloversites.com/newcovenantchurch/documents/1 January 2011_2.pdfMDG w/ David Keese— 8:00 pm Mary Lou Seel .net D.O.Z—3:00 pm Cornerstone—6:00