Responding to Proverbs – How Is God Speaking to You?

Learning To Love Correction

Covenant Life Christmas Eve Services for 2009

Business Transition Network of Covenant Life Church

Parenting Years NEW

Family Life Seminars

Resources for Family Life Care Groups

Studying the Book of Ephesians

Educational Opportunities

RSS Feeds

Learning To Love Correction from Covenant Life Church on Vimeo.

Thank you for your interest in participating in the 2009 Covenant Life Christmas Eve Services. These evenings will include music, drama and congregational singing, similar to last year. This year’s script focuses on telling how Jesus is the fulfillment of all the hopes of the Old Testament.

Interested in being a part of this year’s production? Help us out by completing the following survey:

Rehearsal Schedule:

Rehearsals dates will be drawn from the list below. Your actual schedule will vary based on how you are participating in the production. The complete schedule will be determined after casting is completed. Please look through and let us know when you’re NOT available (use the survey above). We expect that you will have some scheduling conflicts, but don’t let that deter you from auditioning.

CAST: Auditions will be held in late August. More details will be forthcoming. Rehearsals will be approximately weekly throughout the fall, with more in December. The rehearsal dates we have reserved are Monday evenings, Friday evenings, and Saturday afternoons. However, we are able to be flexible with individual schedules.

CHOIR: Two or three choir-only rehearsals (TBA), plus the rehearsals with everyone listed below between December 12 and 24. This year the choir may be involved in some dancing/singing numbers.

ORCHESTRA: Two initial orchestra rehearsals (TBA). Music rehearsal on November 7, plus rehearsals with everyone listed below between December 12 and 24.

REHEARSAL HIGHLIGHTS:

Fall

September 12: Initial Readthrough [Cast only]
Nov 7, afternoon: Music rehearsal [Cast and Orchestra]
November 21: Full run [Cast only]

Final Weeks

Friday, Dec 11 [Cast only]
Saturday, Dec 12 12:30-4:30PM: Full Run [Cast, Choir, Orchestra]
Friday, Dec 18 evening [Cast only]
Saturday Dec 19 12:30-4:30PM: Full Run [Cast, Choir, Orchestra]
Sunday Dec 20 6-8:30 Tech check [Cast, and anyone in Orchestra able to come]
December 21 PM Dress Rehearsal [Everyone]
December 22 PM Dress Rehearsal [Everyone]
December 23 PM Performance [Everyone]
December 24 PM Performance [Everyone]

Please send any comments or questions about the schedule to Erin Jones.

Thank you for telling us your interest! We will be in touch with you no later than the end of August.

What is the Business Transition Network?
The Business Transition Network (or BTN) is a ministry outreach that seeks to harness the collective experience, gifting and network of Covenant Life’s business men and women to identify promising job opportunities for unemployed church members. A number of business men and women from Covenant Life who own their own companies or have senior level executive positions will serve as BTN Advisors. Individuals who want to serve as BTN Advisors can send an e-mail to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) asking for additional information on this ministry team.

Who is it meant to serve?
BTN is meant to serve Covenant Life members in any of the following categories:

• Those who are currently unemployed
• Those who are facing a job cut or are in a declining industry

In addition, the BTN will have special events for recent or upcoming college graduates who are seeking jobs.

How will it work?
The format for the actual meetings will be fairly simple. The first part of the meeting will be devoted to giving individuals five minutes to describe their current situation, work experience, skills, etc. This time will include a moderator (similar to a Care Group meeting) to ensure that the presentations are focused and the meeting stays within the allotted time. After all the individuals have presented, there will be time for informal networking. Much of the follow up from the meetings will be by e-mail, with the goal of BTN Advisors identifying possible job leads from their business contacts.

When do these meetings take place?
BTN will meet on the second Wednesday of every month from 7 to 8 a.m. in the Spurgeon Room at Covenant Life. We are committed to keeping these times strictly to one hour, so timeliness is essential.

How do I prepare and sign up?
Individuals in the above categories may request an opportunity to present at the monthly networking meeting by sending an e-mail to: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). You will then be sent an e-mail questionnaire with a request to attach your resume with your response. Further instructions will then be supplied. If you have any additional questions, e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

What can I expect after the meeting is over?
After the meeting, BTN Advisors will be encouraged to e-mail participants with follow up questions, introductions to potential job leads and ideas on work opportunities. Some BTN Advisors may request a one-on-one meeting to better serve individuals, but this is not a requirement of the ministry team. A member of the BTN will call individuals several weeks after the meeting to receive an update on the job search and to see if any BTN Advisors have provided useful introductions.

Next In the Series

Parenting Ages 19 to 21
May 16 | 8:45 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Events Center
Bob Kauflin will discuss transitioning from authority to counselor, preparing children to leave home, and navigating relationships in a way that honors God.

Previous Messages:

Parenting Ages 15 to 18 | April 18, 2009
Audio and outlines for this seminar will be posted here shortly.

Brian Chesemore leads off with the first in a new round of seminars for parents.

Parenting Ages 0-5 | Saturday, Sept. 26 | 9 a.m. | Auditorium

Upcoming Seminars: Ages 6-10: Nov. 7, 2009 || Ages 11-14: Jan. 23, 2010 || Ages 15-18: March 6, 2010

Designed to equip parents to train and disciple their children from infants to adulthood, this series of free seminars focuses on sound, biblical instruction and includes time for parents to ask questions. Couples who don’t yet have children may want to seize this opportunity to learn about the early years of parenting. No registration is required.

Also, please enjoy the resources from all the 2008-09 seminars featured below.

Audio and Outlines

Parenting Ages 11 to 14
By Greg Somerville | March 14, 2009
Changing Relationships | Audio
Emerging Convictions in a Changing World | Audio
Changing Bodies and Minds | Audio
Overall Outline (PDF, 244kb)

Parenting Ages 6 to 10
By Kenneth Maresco | Jan. 17, 2009
Biblical Principles of Parenting | Audio
Shepherding Toward Conversion | Audio
Shepherding Your Child’s Heart | Audio
Overall Outline (PDF, 168kb)
Additional Resources: “Sowing Plan” (PDF, 56kb) | Plan to Overcome Complaining (PDF, 54kb)

In 2008 and 2009, we as a church family spent 10 months devoted to learning great hymns of the faith. Memorizing hymns is one of the ways we can obey Scripture’s command to “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16).

We did this project because we want to benefit not only from the songs written in our lifetime, but also from hymns that have served the people of God for generations and will endure long after we’re gone. They are time-tested and true. They speak to every circumstance of life and point us to the wisdom, love and power of our gracious God and Savior.

Each month, we highlighted a different hymn in corporate worship and sought to learn it together by memory. We invite you to download the recording, and do the same on your own, with your family, or with your church to drive these truths deep in your heart.

Messages from the 2008 Youth Retreat

In August the 10:31 Youth Ministry took its annual retreat, “Worthy,” at Sandy Cove Christian Conference Center, in North East, Md. Youth and many of their parents “got away” for four days to concentrate on hearing God’s Word preached, worship and fellowship together as families.

Dave Brewer opened Worthy08 with a message from 1 John titled “Are You Sure?” He explored what’s involved in being genuinely assured of salvation—a fundamental question that every teen must ask and answer. C.J. Mahaney followed with a two-part message on “the wise” and “the fool” as described in the book of Proverbs. Finally, Joshua Harris closed out the retreat by looking at the necessity of pursuing biblical convictions regarding guy/girl relationships. Audio of all four messages is available below.

Are You Sure?
Dave Brewer | Aug. 18, 2008
How can you be confident you are a Christian? Learn how to assess what you believe
and how you act in order to answer the question of whether you are truly saved.

The Danger Of Dissing Lady Wisdom
C.J. Mahaney | Aug. 19, 2008
The book of Proverbs is a unique gift to those in their teenage years. Do you value the
wealth of wisdom contained within? In this message C.J. highlights the importance of
listening to wisdom’s cry.

The Danger of Dissing Lady Wisdom, Part 2
C.J. Mahaney | Aug. 19, 2008
C.J. continues his message with a description of the wise.

Romance Revisited: The Necessity of Biblical Conviction
Joshua Harris | Aug. 20, 2008
How do you treat members of the opposite sex? Are your actions in keeping with biblical
convictions? Dating or courting may not be specifically mentioned in the Bible, but God’s
Word does teach us how to relate to one another in a way worthy of the gospel.

Below are resources for Care Group leaders and assistants, both for men's and women's meetings.

Recent Care Group Assistants Meeting

Audio of Brian Chesemore's talk | Sept. 19, 2009

For Men and Women

Relationship with God

The Discipline of Grace | Jerry Bridges | Chapters 1-3
»» Purchase at Amazon.

Relationship with Others

From the Together series:
• Grow | Kenneth Maresco
• Care | Chris Silard
• Encourage | C.J. Mahaney
• Guard | C.J. Mahaney

Men's Meetings

Walking in Purity | MP3, 12.2mb | Craig Cabaniss | Covenant Life Men's Retreat | Sept. 28, 2002

Maintaining the Unity of the Spirit | MP3, 13.1mb | C.J. Mahaney | Nov. 5, 2000

Men's Meeting Questions (PDF, 56kb) | Questions you can ask the men in your group over the course of several months together

Creating a Plan for Growth (PDF, 84kb) | A tool to help men think intentionally about growing in godliness in the year to come

Care Group Leader's Apprentice Guide (PDF, 52kb) | Qualifications and responsibilities for your right hand man

1 Peter – A Survey (PDF, 56kb) | A two-page outline of the epistle's purpose and emphases

Studying and Interpreting the Bible (PDF, 60kb) | Principles and pitfalls of biblical interpretation

Women's Meetings

Relationship with God

Messages from Moms 2 Moms:
• Justification by Joshua Harris | Download application questions (PDF, 72kb)
• What A Mother Can’t Do Without by C.J. Mahaney
• The Lord Is In Your Boat by Carolyn Mahaney | Download discussion questions (PDF, 95kb)

Heart for the Home/Hospitality

Feminine Appeal: Seven Virtues of a Godly Wife and Mother | by Carolyn Mahaney | Chapters 2, 3, 6, 7

»» Purchase online. »» Read online.
Practicing Hospitality: The Joy of Serving Others | by Pat Ennis and Lisa Tatlock

»» Purchase online. »» Read online.
»» Download application questions for chapter three: Hospitality and Family. (PDF, 44kb)
Hospitality Demands | Hospitality Equation | blog posts from GirlTalk
In these two posts, Nicole Whitacre defines biblical hospitality and the common temptation we have to avoid it. Use a meeting to discuss these two brief posts, and ask your ladies how they use hospitality to honor God within the church or community.

Hospitality Questions | a blog post from GirlTalk (list of questions by Nancy Rogers)
An excellent list of questions you can use to get to know your care group ladies over the year, or use with those to whom you are showing hospitality.

Womanly Dominion: More Than A Gentle and Quiet Spirit | by Mark Chanski
In Womanly Dominion, pastor and author Mark Chanski explores the call from Genesis for women to exercise dominion over their God-given sphere of influence. Take two meetings to explore how women of the Old and New Testaments put their hope in God and fulfilled his call on their lives.
»» Study Questions (on the GirlTalk blog): Chapter 4 | Chapter 5
Watch Your Man | a message by Carolyn Mahaney
At the Sovereign Grace Ministries 2007 Leadership Conference, Carolyn provided wives with biblical categories that can strengthen how they serve their husbands and share their concerns for them.
»» Discussion Questions (PDF, 28kb) by Erik and Jerusha Sheffer
Did I Kiss Marriage Goodbye? Trusting God with a Hope Deferred | by Carolyn McCulley | Chapter 7
»» Purchase online. »» Read online.

The Pursuit of Biblical Womanhood

The High Calling of Wife and Mother, Chapter 22 (PDF, 89kb) | by Dorothy Patterson
Are your ladies in need of scriptural convictions about their primary orientation towards God and family? Or are they lacking vision for giving their all to the roles of wife and mother? Take a meeting or two to discuss this chapter by Patterson.
»» Discussion Questions (PDF, 53kb) | by Brian Chesemore

Biblical Womanhood in the Home | by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Chapter 4

»» Purchase online. »» Read online.
True Beauty | A message by Carolyn Mahaney | Ladies' Meeting, Oct. 17, 2008

»» Discussion Questions (PDF, 72kb)
The Soul of Modesty | A message by C.J. Mahaney

Worldliness: Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World | Edited by C.J. Mahaney | Chapter 5

»» Purchase online.
The Fearless Faith of Biblical Submission | A message by John Piper

This past September we began an extended study of one of the Bible’s great treasures, the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church in the ancient city of Ephesus. Join us Sundays through mid-May, as we “go deep” in our exploration of a book that John Stott calls a “magnificent combination of Christian doctrine and Christian duty.”

April and May schedule to be announced.

If you have school-aged children, you understand the factors involved in making educational decisions. What a priceless stewardship God has entrusted to us…and what wonderful resources he has provided here at Covenant Life Church! An outstanding K-12 day school. A thriving homeschool support program. A rapidly expanding set of musical opportunities.

Our schooling needs and preferences may vary, but as parents we share a passion to provide our children with the best education possible. You may have children enrolled in public school, private school, home school, or some combination of the three. Whatever schooling context you have chosen, my wife Shannon and I are deeply grateful that we get to raise and educate our children alongside you in this church. We invite you to consider the programs described below in case they may serve your family as they have ours!

Covenant Life School

Founded in 1979, Covenant Life School offers a rigorous, fully accredited K-12 education for church members. The curriculum is anchored in the authoritative truth of Scripture and saturated with the gospel. At every grade level students are encouraged to put faith and truth into practice.

Parents like Brian and Kristin Chesemore speak highly of the school’s partnership with them in providing a strong Christian education:

“Putting our oldest son, Andrew, into Covenant Life School has been a great choice for our family. He has enjoyed every day…and so have we. In the school we have encountered academic excellence in an environment marked by godly standards. Each day we send our son to school knowing that he experiences outstanding instruction under teachers marked by Christ-like joy. Throughout the year, we have been closely involved in Andrew’s experience in the school. His teacher regularly updates us not only on his academic progress but his character strengths and weaknesses as well. The teacher-parent relationship is strong. Covenant Life School is clearly committed to serving each parent, student and ultimately our Savior.”

The school still has a few open slots at most grade levels for the 2008-09 year. To request an application or additional information, contact Covenant Life School at 301.869.4500 or visit the Day School section of the school’s website.

Family Schools Program

Our church launched the Family Schools Program in 1988 to serve church members who are self-motivated to educate their children at home. Under this umbrella program parents can meet all Maryland state requirements and receive a wealth of practical help, accountability, and encouragement from over 200 like-minded families within our church.

A variety of supplemental activities and educational resources are available to members of the Family Schools Program. For more information about program membership and benefits, visit the Home School section of the school’s website.

Special Note: Thanks to the initiative and hard work of homeschooling families in this program, an extensive set of classes for homeschooled students in Grades 7-12 is being offered next year. For more information about this new opportunity, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Rita Hoover.

Covenant Life Music Academy

The Covenant Life Music Academy is a ministry designed to equip the next generation of musicians to use music for the glory of God. It aims to prepare youth in our church for a lifetime of using their musical gifts, both for enrichment as well as for serving the church. Groups and classes are designed to allow all students to participate, regardless of their current school context. Over 200 students participated during this past year!
These are just some of the ways in which students can benefit from the Covenant Life Music Academy:

1. Ensembles. A variety of groups are offered, including choirs, band, and string ensembles.
2. Private Lessons. Students can sign up to take lessons on a variety of instruments (including voice), with an instructor at the church.
3. Seminars, Concerts and Classes. Many short-term events are available, such as worship band training, early childhood music, and training/support for parents.

For more information about these musical opportunities, visit the Music Academy’s web page.

What is a FEED?

Feeds are a way to distribute content without users having to visit and browse a website. Feeds permit subscription to regular updates that are delivered automatically to the user via a web portal, news reader or even e-mail.

You can subscribe to any of the items listed on this page with Feedreader. Once you are subscribed to one or more of the feeds, the latest content (blog updates or audio podcasts) will be delivered to you, helping you stay up to date and saving you the trouble of checking the site for new updates.

Feedburner.com offers a good introduction to Feeds, Feedreaders and content syndication.

Sunday Sermon Podcast

Covenant Life Church takes a team approach to preaching, so the Sunday sermons are taught by senior pastor Joshua Harris plus other members of the team with an occasional guest speaker. This feed is the simplest and best way to keep up with the Sunday preaching.

Subscribe via iTunes

Subscribe to the Sunday Sermon Podcast by E-mail

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Joshua Harris Blog

To stay current with what’s happening in the life of the church, subscribe to Joshua’s blog, which will have fresh posts Monday through Saturday.

[Subscribe via iTunes]

http://www.covlife.org/feeds/joshblog.xml