Covenant Life Church

August 24 2010 at 4:23 pm

Mexico Mission Trips in October

Team from the Trip in March, 2010

UPDATED INFORMATION (posted August 24):

Week #1 of the Missions Trip to Guadalupe, Mexico, is confirmed. A team will definitely be going the week of October 16-23 to continue work on the Rancho 3M baby home. The trip for the second week, October 23-30, is tentative at this time; whether it goes forward depends upon the number of people who respond and other factors. Covenant Life members who have skills in the drywall, insulation or plumbing trades are encouraged to express their desire to participate by e-mailing .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or calling her at the church office.

Servants from Covenant Life have been working on construction of a baby home at the Rancho 3M Orphanage in Guadalupe since the summer of 2009. The last trip involving construction was in June of this year.

August 18 2010 at 12:55 pm

Serving Our Neighbors Across the Road

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In a continuing effort to bring a gospel witness to the community immediately surrounding Covenant Life Church, a number of church members have begun a weekly ministry to the Laytonia community. Laytonia is the small, largely self-contained community right across Muncaster Mill Road from the church building.

According to one resident, a Laytonia homeowner for over 40 years, the community used to be an upscale neighborhood of single-family homes. However, through the years, with the progression of extensive development throughout the Gaithersburg area, Laytonia slowly declined to become a socially and economically distressed neighborhood.

But there is reason for optimism. A homeowners association is in place and is increasingly active to take measures to improve the neighborhood. In God’s providence Covenant Life member and staffer Joe Moorman was recently appointed as the president of the HOA.

Covenant Life has sought to be a good neighbor to Laytonia in recent years through service projects such as trash pickup days and the renovation of the Laytonia Community Center. In addition, members Peter and Shirley Giglio have been actively serving the children and families of the community through a weekly boys and girls club.

This summer, Todd Keeler and his family organized a local mission week for the 10:31 Youth Ministry, which included the Laytonia neighborhood. Youth from Covenant Life spent time interacting with children in a Vacation Bible School-type setting, bonds were formed, and God was clearly at work in numerous ways.

On the final day of the outreach, about 15 children from Laytonia crossed Muncaster Mill Road and entered Covenant Life’s facility for the first time in their lives. They enjoyed a building tour, played some games, and heard a brief gospel message. At the conclusion we asked, “How many of you would like to learn more about the Savior, Jesus Christ?” To our delight, every one raised their hands!

Since that week, Covenant Life members have continued to pray for and plan ways to serve the Laytonia community. Since mid-July a number of members, young and old(er), have been reaching out on Tuesday afternoons. A typical gathering includes playing games like football, soccer and four square. One Tuesday a water balloon toss turned into a water balloon fight! Youth including Jenna Fourney and Katie and Alexis Ambrose have been organizing crafts, and the kids have come to the community center for Bible teaching more than once. It has been wonderful to see the how attentive they are.

Last week, we played an intense game of kick-ball—Covenant Life vs. Laytonia—and unfortunately, we got trounced 12 - 4! They had some big kickers and swift feet on their team. A rematch is in store for this week.

It has been a delight to connect with this community and to be able to bring the love and light of God’s Word with us. We see God at work through us in this ministry and in us as well.

Looking forward, the plan is to have an ongoing presence in the Laytonia community and to seek to be faithful to the Great Commission in our own back yard. A Good News Club has already begun in the local elementary school. And plans are being made to offer a reading, writing and math enrichment program for the younger children, a homework club, a mentoring ministry, and to serve the youth in a setting similar to Introducing God.

To find learn more about this ministry or to participate, please contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). We would love to have you join in this venture. For sure, we would appreciate the prayers of God’s people as we look to the Lord to lead and bless this ministry.

—Ben Wikner

August 11 2010 at 2:45 pm

Greeting Team: All Hands On Deck for Week #1

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Greeting and expressing the Savior’s love to our guests is a gospel priority and a wonderful part of our church life. Isn’t it a pleasure to see our guests properly welcomed and cared for each Sunday?

Right now, the Greeting Team is short-handed for the second service in general, particularly for week #1. Church members, please take a moment to prayerfully consider when you can serve, and .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) today. Thank you!

August 10 2010 at 2:19 pm

A Story of Living Hope: John Spiro

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The video above is a testimony by John Spiro, given at Covenant Life Church on Sunday, August 8. John is a longtime member of Covenant Life who is suffering with ALS (often referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease”). Following John’s testimony, Joshua Harris and other members of the pastoral team gathered around to pray for John, his wife Kathy (who accompanies John in the video), and their family.

For more on the theme of suffering and the call for all Christians to persevere and rejoice in the midst of difficulty, see Joshua Harris’ message, “Fiery Trials.”

August 7 2010 at 12:47 am

Last Church Picnic of the Summer