November 9, 2014 Psalm 138:2

November 9, 2014
“You have exalted above all things Your name and Your word.”
Psalm 138:2
MEMBERS SERVING THIS WEEK (SECOND SUNDAY), NOVEMBER 9
1st Service
Sunday School
2nd Service
Infant
Nursery
Rhoda Folmar
Zoe Fowler
Esther Hulvey
Amy Chico
Larry Chico
Jane Marsh
Siclalia Bernardo
Walker
Nursery
Diane Fraits
Steve Fraits
Anna Goehner
Rachel Goehner
Alyssa Brady
Karen Miller
Naomi Shank
Joelle Valentine
Les Valentine
Linda Valentine
Toddler
Nursery
Chris Goehner
Christy Goehner
Emma Goehner
Dawn Frederick
Jenn Frederick
Mindy Miller
Nancy Frutuozo
Kathie Long
Ellie Long
Johnny Allen
Shanna Allen
Cale Allen
Children’s
Tabitha Lookabill
Church
Beth Matthew
Todd Matthew
Deb Sweigart
Worship
Team
Marc Sweigart
Cat Sweigart
Luke Sweigart
Karie Wilburn
Michael Wilburn
Bennett Wilburn
Lauren Wilburn
Jaye Brumfield
Jonathan Brumfield
Jessie Brumfield
Josie Brumfield
Lisa Oates
Maddie Oates
Josh Lookabill
David Peters
Christina Peters
Donna Richardson
Kelly Richardson
Rachel Richardson
Kendal Butler, Bill Sale, Erik Jellum, Seth Marsh, Abi Schlabach, Val Stapel, Mike Tipton, Joanna Valentine,
Nathan Whittaker, Ron Stimers (sound), Angela Leffel (A/V)
MEMBERS SERVING NEXT WEEK (THIRD SUNDAY), NOVEMBER 16
1st Service
Sunday School
2nd Service
Infant
Nursery
TK Keesling
Elizabeth Martens
Colleen Ernst
Phil Ernst
Susan Miller
Jessica Miller
Walker
Nursery
Lori Blosser
Faith Blosser
Kellie Grathwol
Megan Harris
Debby Walsh
Greg Montgomery Hannah Peters
Karen Montgomery Anna Updike
Toddler
Nursery
Beth Clatterbuck
Jared Clatterbuck
Maria Shickel
Mark Shickel
Seth Stapel
Joanna Valentine
Nicole West
Tim Frost
Karen Standford
Children’s
Church
Heather Dowdy
Matthew Dowdy
Gabriel Dowdy
Janelle Garman
Tyler Garman
Peyton Miller
Anthony Tongen
Micah Tongen
Paul Tongen
Craig West
Tracy West
Ruth Oates
Worship
Team
Susan Adamson, Marshall Butler, Maretta Heatwole, Mike Marsh, Beth Matthew, Mike Tipton
James DeBoer (sound), Jeff Tyson (A/V)
Patty Borden
Lydia Borden
Larry Chico
Aaron Lorson
Lorna Nichols
Becky Scheel
Rachel Shumway
Jeannine Misantone
Ken Rogers
Meneika Rogers
Michael Rogers
Grace Rogers
Chris Rogers
Jennifer Schanely
Jane Shumway
*This is the schedule as posted on the website. Substitutions arranged among volunteers are not reflected.
DEACONS OF THE MONTH: NOVEMBER
Chris Goehner and Michael Wilburn
WELCOME TO COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH!
We are so glad you’re here this morning! Please be sure to fill out the Attendance Register when it is
passed so we can get to know you. Also, please stop by the Welcome Table in the lobby to pick up
some information about our church and our many ministries.
Covenant Presbyterian is a large church, and it might seem overwhelming at first, but it is a church
filled with wonderful people who are anxious to meet you, minister to you, and help you get
connected. If you have any questions about anything at all, feel free to contact the church office at
433-3051 or office@cov-pres.org.
A NOTE ABOUT TODAY’S SERVICE
The words of Jesus at the beginning of Acts (1:8) promise that His people will take the gospel from Jerusalem to
Samaria and then to the ends of the earth. By the time we reach the end of Acts chapter 8, that promise has been
accomplished in seed form. After taking the gospel to Samaria, Philip is led by the Spirit of God to an Ethiopian
who happened to be reading the prophecies of Isaiah concerning a suffering Savior. Since the days of Homer,
Ethiopia had been considered “the end of the earth.” Philip’s boundary-breaking act of evangelism led to the
creation of one of the most ancient Christian communities on the planet. In our own day we are privileged to see
Jesus’ promise of His church’s witness to the ends of the earth being fulfilled.
Throughout Philip’s encounter with the Ethiopian, one thing becomes clear: God is the ultimate seeker. It is the
Spirit of God who directs Philip’s steps to meet a man whose ethnicity and physical condition made him an
outsider. It is the Spirit-inspired Word which acts as the means by which God opens the blind eyes of this
“unclean” Gentile.
And isn’t this just exactly what the Lord has done for us? He sought us out when we were unable and unwilling
to seek Him. He broke down the walls separating us from His promises and His people. God reconciled us to
Himself by the blood of his murdered Son. He spared no expense to make us His own.
~Todd Pruitt
WORSHIP SERVICE
November 9, 2014
GATHERING SONG
Come, Behold the Wondrous Mystery
CALL TO WORSHIP
All People that on Earth Do Dwell
SONGS OF PRAISE FOR GOD’S WORK IN AND THROUGH US
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah (Hymn #51)
Mighty Lord, Extend Your Kingdom
FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD AND HIS PEOPLE
ADOPTION TESTIMONY
SONG OF THE PROPHESIED WORK OF CHRIST
Man of Sorrows*
CONFESSION OF SIN
1 Have mercy on me, O God,
according to Your steadfast love;
according to Your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!
3 For
I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against You, You only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in Your sight,
so that You may be justified in Your words
and blameless in Your judgment.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, You delight in truth in the inward being,
and You teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
7 Purge
me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that You have broken rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
Brian and Angela Hunt
10 Create
in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from Your presence,
and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
PRAYER OF INTERCESSION
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
SONG OF BIDDING
Come, Behold the Wondrous Mystery
SERMON
Todd Pruitt
Acts
Part 23: “The Seeker”
Acts 8:26-40
(Pew Bible Page #917)
GOD’S TITHES AND OUR OFFERINGS
SONG OF RESPONSE
Standing on the Promises (Hymn #271)
BENEDICTION
*Children are dismissed for Children’s Church.

A Soundproof Room is available within the kitchen if you or someone you love needs a place
to be free to make some noise while still being able to participate in the worship service.

Lyric Sheets are available at the sound booth for those who cannot see the overhead.

Headsets are available at the sound booth for the hearing impaired.
CHILDREN AND YOUTH INFORMATION
Children’s Church—8:30 and 11:15 a.m.
Sunday School—10:00 a.m.
NURSERIES
Infants
Room W-7 (newborns to 12 mos.)
Walkers
Room W-8 (10-20 mos.)
Toddlers
Room W-4 (18-36 mos.)
Nursing Mothers
Room W-5
EARLY CHILDHOOD CHILDREN’S CHURCH & SUNDAY SCHOOL
Preschool
C-106 (born 10/1/10 – 9/30/11)
Pre-kindergarten
C-104 (born 10/1/09 – 9/30/10)
Kindergarten
C-109 (born 10/1/08 – 9/30/09)
ELEMENTARY SUNDAY SCHOOL
YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL
First Grade
Room C-200
6th - 8th grade boys
Mobile 3
Second Grade-A
Room C-202
6th - 8th grade girls
Mobile 4
Second Grade-B
Room C-204
9th - 10th grades
Mobile 1
Third Grade
Room C-206
11th - 12th grades
Mobile 2
Fourth Grade
Room C-205
Fifth Grade
Room C-207
CHILDREN’S WING
MOBILE UNITS
SANCTUARY
ANNEX
SOUNDPROOF ROOM
KITCHEN
ACTIVITY
ROOM
LIBRARY
NURSERY
LOBBY
MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM
STUDY FELLOWSHIP HOUR
10:00 a.m.
ARABIC/ENGLISH BIBLE CLASS
Meets in Annex 3, led by member Jack Tapping
COLLEGE AND CAREER FELLOWSHIP (CCF)
Meets in Mezzanine 2, taught by Todd Pruitt on “God’s Alternative to Sin and Legalism”
SALÓN DE ESCUELA DOMINICAL DE ALIANZA
Sala de Cunas, Salón W10, líder: Pastor Jacinto Hernández
THE GLORY OF CHRIST IN HEBREWS
Meets in Multi-purpose Room West, led by members Jeff Borden and Jeff Jordan
WELCOME TO COVENANT CLASS
Meets in Annex 6, led by Pastor Burress McCombe
CHURCH MISSION, SOCIAL JUSTICE, AND REGULAR LIFE—WHAT’S A GIRL TO DO? (For Women)
Meets in Annex 5, led by members Rita Dunaway and Teri Jacobsen
YOUR WALK WITH GOD IS A COMMUNITY PROJECT--CLASS WILL NOT MEET THIS WEEK
MTW JAPAN UPDATE FROM MATT AND CARLY CHASE AND LYDIA SMITH
Today members Matt and Carly Chase and Lydia Smith will be speaking of their plans to return
to Chiba, Japan, with Mission to the World. Come listen to what God is doing in their lives and
through their work with the church in Japan. This class will meet in Multi-purpose Room East.
SUPPORTING ADOPTION SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS
Do you feel called to support adoption but not to adopt? Do you know a family that has adopted
and you want to help or just wonder what to say? This class is open to all and will focus on how
to support adoptive families in our church. We will discuss how we can all fulfill God's call to
care for orphans even if we are not called to adopt. Come hear about the unique challenges and
blessings of adoption and how you can help care for adoptive families at every age and
stage. This class meets today in Annex 2.
RECOMMENDED READING
Burning pyres, nuns on the run, stirring courage, and comic relief: the
Protestant Reformation is a gripping tale, packed with drama. But what
motivated the Reformers? And what were they really like?
The Unquenchable Flame, a lively, accessible, and fully informative introduction
to the Reformation, by Michael Reeves, brings to life the movement’s most
colorful characters (Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, John Calvin, The Puritans,
etc.), examines their ideas, and shows the profound and personal relevance of
Reformation thinking for today.
COVENANT FAMILY NEWS
We grieve with Jennifer and Dana Harris, Cassie, Megan, Joshua, and Ethan, Tina and Rodney Landes, Chet,
Julie, and Jackson Landes, Ashley and Caleb Davis, and Beth Todd the death of Jennifer, Tina, and Beth’s
grandmother, Mary Grandle, on Tuesday, October 28.
COVENANT FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS
NURSERY AND EARLY CHILDHOOD CHECK-IN SYSTEM CHANGING
On November 16, we will be changing the way you check-in your children for nursery, children’s
church, and early childhood (through Kindergarten) Sunday School classes. The church has
purchased iPad check-in stations that will allow you to check your children in and then print off
labels for both you and your children.
Today, from 9:45 -11:15 a.m., people will be available at each of the kiosks to help acquaint you
with the new system. These kiosks will be located in the children’s wing and outside the nursery.
Please stop by during this time to try out the system. This will hopefully help lead to a smooth
transition on the 16th.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES
Early Childhood Lesson Plan: God made a covenant with His people at Mount Sinai: God
promised to love and lead His people and called them to obey Him. (Exodus 19-20, 24)
Covenant Playgroup is a time for mothers and their children to engage with each other and other
families through play. All children are welcome, although activities will be geared toward toddler
and preschool-aged children. Join us Tuesdays from 9:00-10:45 (unless otherwise noted).
 November 11--decorate thank you cards for our veterans.
YOUTH EVENTS
Today, November 9, 6:00-8:00 p.m.: Operation Christmas Child! Both Youth Groups meet in the
Activity Room at the church. We'll be filling shoeboxes for kids around the world! Handouts for
what to bring are available in all youth Sunday school classrooms, at the Welcome Desk in the lobby,
or on the church's website (www.cov-pres.org/ministries/youth-Forms & Downloads).
Friday-Sunday, November 14-16: High School Fall Retreat at Brethren Woods
Friday-Sunday, November 14-16: Middle School Small Group Weekend - contact your small group
leader for weekend activity.
Sunday, November 16 and 23: No Youth Group
Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving Day), 9:00-11:00 a.m.: Church-wide/youth sponsored
Turkey Bowl at Monger Field in Mt. Crawford! Sign up online at www.cov-pres.org/ministries/
youth or at the Welcome Desk in the church lobby by Monday, November 24.
SENIORS’ PRE-THANKSGIVING MEAL
Seniors are invited to join us at a pre-Thanksgiving meal at the Berry Farm, on Friday, November 21,
at 6:00 p.m. The cost is $20.00 per person. Please RSVP to Jeanie Diehl by November 14.
RUF UPDATE
Reformed University Fellowship at JMU launched this fall. God has been doing some great things
and has raised up a committed and fabulous core team of 13 helping us lead the ministry. We
started with two Bible studies on Galatians with about 30-40 attending. We also had a wonderful
and spiritually rich time at the state-wide RUF fall conference. We have had multiple fellowship
and outreach events, and we have had many opportunities to share the love of Jesus with others.
God is at work in this ministry and in many hearts. Please keep praying for us, specifically, we ask
for prayer for November 19 as we hope to do our first large group meeting.
COVENANT CHOIR
The Covenant Choir is resuming rehearsals for Christmas. We will meet at 1:15 p.m. on November
30, December 7 and 14 in the sanctuary, and will sing for the services on December 21. Please join
us! If you have questions please contact Raymond Hebert or the church office.
NATIONAL ADOPTION AWARENESS MONTH
November is National Adoption Awareness Month. More than ten families at Covenant have chosen
adoption, and they appreciate the support of our church family. Visit the Covenant Adoption
Group table, which will be set up in the lobby the whole month of November to promote adoption,
and join us in supporting adoption! There is also an Adoption Sunday School class today in Annex 2
open to all the congregation. Please contact Beth Matthew or Angela Hunt with questions.
BLESSING OUR MISSIONARY FAMILIES
We want to bless some of our missionary families who are not able to be in the states for Christmas.
We will be sending packages to the Mirabellas, Nolls and Caroline Clymer. We will also have the
opportunity to provide more injera ovens and flour for ministry leaders’ wives in the underground
church in a tribal group located in northern Ethiopia. Look for the table in the lobby beginning
today! Call or email Dawn with any questions (433-3051, dawn@cov-pres.org).
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child is a global project to share the love of Christ with
needy children. Fill a shoebox with toys, school supplies, and non-liquid hygiene items. Samaritan’s
Purse will add a gospel booklet in the local language so please don’t seal the box. Pick up brochures
in the lobby. Bring boxes to Covenant by Sunday, November 23. On top of the toys please include a
$7 check for shipping, payable to Samaritan's Purse, with Operation Christmas Child on the memo
line. Contact Vanessa Manson for details or check http://www.occsva.org/.
CARD SHOWER
There will be a card shower for long time member Polly Alder for her 90th birthday on November
15. Please send her your birthday wishes (contact the church office for her address.)
OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE
MEALS NEEDED
We have several families in our church body need our support. Please consider providing them a
meal and showing them Christ’s love in this way.
Visit www.takethemameal.com to sign-up (contact church office for passwords).
 Chris and Becky Eller
 John and Kristin Grogg
 Junior Nava (last name:
 Raymond and Hope Hebert
SERVE OUR BABIES AND THEIR PARENTS IN THE NURSERY
Wow! We have lots of babies! That means we need more help in our nurseries. Please consider
how YOU might serve! The times that need to be filled are:
 Infant- 3rd Sunday, 1st service and 5th Sunday; 1st service (Youth over 14 or adult)
 Walker- 5th Sunday, 1st service (two adult volunteers); 5th Sunday, 2nd service (1 adult
volunteer)
 Toddler- 1st Sunday, Sunday School hour (youth helper or adult); 4 th Sunday, Sunday School
hour (Youth helper or adult); 5th Sunday, 1st service (2 adults, or 1 adult and 1 youth over 14);
5th Sunday, Sunday School hour (1 youth over 14, or 1 adult)
Contact Lisa Updike (lisa@cov-pres.org) or Kris Zwanzig (kfzwanzig@gmail.com).
MINISTRY CONTACTS
After School Program
Sandy Hernandez
American Heritage Girls
Kelli Hertzler
Backyard Bible Club
Sarah Kalichman
Children’s Church: 1st Service
Peyton Miller
Children’s Church: 2nd Service
Kristin McCombe
Clarion
Becky Shickel
CPC Moms
Ashley Hormel
Cub Scouts
Bunnie Poyser
ESL
Sue Hodges
Library
Vanessa Manson
Men’s Ministry
Jim Blair
Mercy Ministry
Terry Pennington
Marshall Butler
Missions Ministry
Bert Richardson
Nurseries
Kris Zwanzig
Prayer Chain
Church Office • 433-3051
Senior Ministry
Jeanie Diehl
Stephen Ministry
Greg Becker, Karen Montgomery
Confidential Care Line
• 433-3051 (Ext. 180)
Sunday School: Early Childhood
Jenn Gay
Sunday School: Elementary
Karie Wilburn
Sunday School: Youth
Brian Hunt • 433-3051
Study Fellowships: Adults
Greg Becker • 433-3051
Visitor Welcome Bread Ministry
Rachel Brunk •
WIC: Women’s Ministry
Church Office • 433-3051
COVENANT CARE CONNECTIONS
COUNSELING
Greg Becker, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), is the first step in receiving individual
or family counseling through Covenant. You may make an appointment with him by calling
him at the church office, 540-433-3051. At your first appointment, Greg will determine if he
can help you or if you should be referred to Journey Counseling Ministry or to another care
group within our body.
STEPHEN MINISTRY
It's okay to be human. We're brought up to be strong, self-sufficient, independent people. We
tend to think that asking for help is a sign of weakness. So we keep our struggles hidden,
stuffed deep inside. Galatians 6:2 says, "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of
Christ." God wants us to care for others—and to allow others to care for us in our time of
need. If you're struggling inside, don't suffer alone. Ask for help. We've got a team of
Stephen Ministers ready to listen, encourage, and pray for and with you during this tough
time. Men are matched with men, and women with women. It's completely confidential, too!
To request a Stephen Minister, call our care-line at 433-3051, ext. 180 or talk with Stephen
Leader Karen Montgomery or Elder Greg Becker.
AFTER HOURS CARE LINE
A pastor is on call when the church office is closed. In the case of a family emergency
(serious illness or death) on the weekend or after office hours, call 540-820-9712. If the phone
is not answered, leave a message. Please note that this phone number is to be used only in the
case of family emergencies that occur outside of business hours. This number is not to be
used for prayer requests, mercy requests or church business that can be taken care of during
normal office hours. If you would like a need placed on the prayer chain, call 433-3051 or
e-mail office@cov-pres.org.
CHURCH CALENDAR
NOVEMBER
10— Adventures in Mothering (AIM), 7:00 p.m.
WIC evening Bible study, 7:00 p.m.
11— Men’s Fraternity, 6:00 a.m.
CPC Playgroup, 9:00 a.m.
Children’s Choir, 4:00 p.m.
12— WIC morning Bible study, 9:30 a.m.
13— American Heritage Girls, 6:30 p.m.
Cub Scouts, 6:30 p.m.
23— Church-wide Thanksgiving Meal and Worship, 5:00 p.m.
27-28— Thanksgiving Holiday: Office Closed
Pastoral Staff • Teaching Elders
Todd Pruitt, Lead Pastor • Tim Frost, Facilitating Pastor
Jacinto Hernandez, Pastor for Hispanic Ministries
Burress McCombe, Pastor for Worship
Ministry Staff
Greg Becker, Director for Congregational Care and Small Groups
Kendal Butler, Director of Administration • Lisa Updike, Director of Children’s Ministries
Sandy Hernandez, Associate Director for Hispanic Ministries • Brian Hunt, Director of Youth
RUF Campus Minister
Joe Slater
Ruling Elders
Hal Baker
Greg Becker
Larry Chico
Steve Draper*
Bruce Gillan
Mike Marsh
Deacons
J.D. Patton
Don Perkuchin**
David Shank*
Gary Shickel
Jim Smith
Ken Van Sickle*
Mark Bentz*
Mike Brady
Marshall Butler
Mike Downey*
Angel Garcia
Chris Goehner
Paul Hamner*
Dennis Houff
Rodney Landes
Reid Linn
Greg Montgomery
Terry Pennington
Mark Shickel
Jeff Stapel
John Wickenheiser*
Michael Wilburn
*Sabbatical **Emeritus
Sunday Morning
First Service (English)
8:30 a.m.
Sunday School (English & Spanish)
10:00 a.m.
Second Service (English)
11:15 a.m.
Alianza Service (Spanish)
11:15 a.m.
Contact Information
Worship Facility Address:
546 W. Mosby Rd., Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Phone: 540-433-3051
Fax: 540-433-6361
Offices and Mailing Address:
32 Southgate Ct., Suite 101, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Web: www.cov-pres.org
Email: office@cov-pres.org
Covenant Presbyterian Church
A member of the Presbyterian Church in America