COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
NON-PROFIT
U.S. Postage
PAID
Chattanooga, TN
Permit No. 491
8451 East Brainerd Road
Chattanooga, TN 37421
(423) 899-5377
www.covenantchattanooga.org
THE NEWSLETTER
Vol. 23, No. 2
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
C ov en an t
Pr es byt er i an C h ur ch
January 13, 2010
From the Senior Pastor. . .
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I love statistics. After all, I love baseball.
The two go hand-in-hand.
of present fiscal realities. Praise God from
whom all blessings flow.
But when it comes to measuring the
“success” of a church, I’ve never found statistics
to always be the proper measuring stick.
During 2009 our numbers increased by 73.
We added 42 new communicate members, plus
their twenty non-communicate children. And
those who were already members of CPC, adding another eleven non-communicate members
to our congregation.
Having served in a farming/coal mining
community, I know several small congregations,
whose geographical setting limits the possibility
of numerical growth, and it is a constant struggle just to keep open the doors of the church.
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words of Jesus in Luke 12.48, “From everyone
who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”
May we prayerfully and diligently seek to
hear His voice and follow His lead in both this
coming year and decade, until the Lord returns.
Men . . . I encourage you to mark January
29-30 on your calendar. These are the dates for
the men’s annual retreat. Dan Steere will be the
speaker. Anyone who attended last year’s retreat, will testify to what a great time of encouragement and just plain old fun was had by one
and all. The retreat this year will be held at Vesper Point. You’ll find more information and details in the bulletin or Newsletter, as well as
online.
Pastor Caines
NURSERY SCHEDULE
January 17
9:30 Infants: E McEachern, R Getz
Creepers/Toddlers: M & C Stevenson
Toddlers: P & L Jones
SS
Infants: D & R Kemp
Creepers: Alayne & B Griffin
Toddlers: Alyssa Griffin, B Fingerle
6 PM Combined: Fowler Family
January 24
9:30 Infants: S & T Helton
Creepers/Toddlers: L Swan, T Bacon
Toddlers: P & L Spotts, C Gaither
SS
Infants: S Nicely, Amy Wooten
Creepers: R Bingham, D Gardner
Toddlers: J Mauroner, L Choquette
6 PM Combined: Eddie & Mary Rahm
Please note: If you are unable to find a replacement for
your nursery duty, call Mandi Johnson at 423.2082323 .
But if you were to visit one of these churches you’d find wonderfully warm people, genuinely in love with Jesus, eagerly entering into the
worship of their Lord, joyfully embracing opportunities to minister to one another as well as
people living in their community.
The reason I’ve taken all this time to warn
you about statistics, is because I have some statistics I want to share with you. Many of you
have heard these numbers. But perhaps even
more of you have not.
These statistics demonstrate God’s gracious
decision to bless CPC.
During 2009, giving to the general fund of
CPC exceeded budget expectations by nearly
$48,000. This would be a matter for rejoicing
in a good financial climate. This is a matter that
for me, is just overwhelming humbling, in light
(When a family joins the church, everyone
becomes a member. Those who have made a
public profession of faith before the elders, are
received as communicate members, that is, as
members who partake of Holy Communion.
Their children, who have not yet made a public
profession of faith, are received as noncommunicate members of the church, which
means that they do not yet partake of the Elements.)
So in 2009 our numbers grew by 73, and
our average Morning Worship attendance increased by 8.5%, to right at 500.
As Pastor of CPC, I believe these numbers
reflect God’s blessing, for I know many of you
love Jesus sincerely, worship the Lord joyfully,
and seek to serve Him eagerly, as you minister
to others in His Name.
Reflecting upon such statistics, always
brings to my mind, almost immediately, the
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MUSIC MINISTRY
Sunday Worship
This Sunday our worship will focus on our
GRACIOUS God. We will sing Come, Thou
Fount of Every Blessing (p. 457 TH).
YOUTH & FAMILY
•
•
•
Points to Ponder
The Youth Group will meet Sunday from 67:30 PM.
January 22-24, our youth along with the youth
from East Ridge Presbyterian Church will travel
to Banner Elk, NC for a Winter Retreat. Cost:
$120 per student & $60 per leader. Student
Scholarships available for half the cost.
All male youth are encouraged and welcome to
go on the men’s retreat Jan. 29-30 at Camp
Vesper Point. Cost for youth is $25. Registration
forms are available at the welcome desk.
NURSERY & CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
•
•
Nursery News & Help needed
If you would like to be added to the nursery
volunteer schedule or taken off of it, please
contact Heather Harris. Thank you for your
help with this important ministry of our church.
Additional help is needed in the nursery on
January 31 during SS in the Toddler room and
February 7 during SS in the Creeper
room. Contact Heather Harris at [email protected] or call 706.891.8754.
MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY!
A teacher is needed for the 2 year old Sunday
School class. Contact Mark Wilson if interested.
Dear CPC Family,
We would like to express our thanks to the
members and friends of CPC for your
generous gift this Christmas to the staff
love offering. We appreciate your generosity.
Thank you very much!
READ-THRU-THE-BIBLE
The new year is always a good time to begin a
planned read-thru-the-Bible program. A very
popular and time-proven aid is available at the
welcome desk in the lobby. Free.
OLD GEEZERS HOOP LEAGUE
Are you over 30 and on the out-of-shape side of
things? You are just what we are looking for!!
Join our basketball league at East Ridge Presbyterian from 7 until 9 PM each Thursday through
March. If you have any questions, contact Pastor
Mullinax.
CPR/AED TRAINING
OPPORTUNITY
We will offer hands-on training in CPR and the use
of our church’s AED on Saturday, February 6, between 8:30 and noon. This training is for recertification or for those wanting to be certified.
This training will prepare you to respond to emergencies at CPC or wherever you may be, if the
need arises. Registration forms are available at the
welcome desk. For questions, contact Polly Henry.
THE MOST EXCELLENT WAY
Pastor Caines has written a book entitled The
Most Excellent Way based on the sermons he
preached on I Corinthians 13. The book is
available at the welcome desk in the lobby for
a suggested donation of $15.
PRAY FOR OUR COLLEGE STUDENTS:
Jacob Rogers — Chattanooga State
Ruth Stevenson — ETSU
Erin Sisemore — Bryan College
For Your Information...
COMMUNICANTS CLASS
This “class” for young people in preparation
for making a public profession of faith by
meeting with the Session, joining the church,
and being admitted to the Lord’s Table begins
on Saturday, January 23, at 10 AM (Visitor’s
classroom). The “class” course work will thereafter be at home under parental supervision.
Please see Pastor Mullinax for materials and
more information.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT C LEAN-UP
The following Shepherding groups have cleanup duty for the month of January: Wilson,
Duble, King, E. Brown and Mullinax. Please
contact your Shepherding Elder to let him
know you can help.
CONVERSATIONAL DINNERS
Conversational dinners are an opportunity for
fellowship open to every adult of CPC (no
children, please). The dinners meet once every
two months, and each person or couple takes
a turn hosting a group of eight adults. The
groups are scrambled after each meeting.
If you are interested in being involved or if you
wish to be taken off the rotation, contact Boo
Mullinax as soon as possible at 855-8851.
The duties of the host or hostess involve contacting each member of your assigned group
with date, location and dish assignment.
If any guests in your group are unable to attend, feel free to invite someone else—maybe
a new member or visitor at CPC.
As a guest always notify your hostess if you are
unable to attend or happen to be running
late.
Conversational dinners are a great way to
connect with those who are outside your circle
of friends.
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
The session will meet with anyone desiring membership this Sunday afternoon, January 17. Call
the church office (899.5377) to schedule a time.
FCA BANQUET
The 2010 Fellowship of Christian Athletes
“Road-to-Victory” Banquet will be featuring
R.V. Brown, local coaches and students. Mr.
Brown, a very popular speaker, is Executive
Director of Outreach to America’s Youth. He
is the former chaplain of the Tampa Bay Bucs
and Florida Gators.
The banquet will be held at the Chattanooga
Trade Center on Tuesday, February 16 at
6:30 PM. FCA (Jay Fowler) is a CPCsupported ministry to student athletes and
coaches throughout Chattanooga and Southeast Tennessee. Contact Pastor Mullinax if you
would like to be a part of the evening. This is
a fundraising event, and you will be asked to
consider monetarily supporting the ministry.
LOOKING AHEAD AT CPC
Jan. 16
Jan. 22-24
Jan. 29-30
Jan. 31
Feb. 6
Feb. 16
Feb. 20
Feb. 28
March 6
March 13
March 28
April 1
WM Council Kick-off
Youth Winter Retreat
Men’s Retreat
Shepherding
AED/CPR Training
FCA Banquet
Choir Workshop
Shepherding
WM Spring Seminar
Men’s Breakfast
Shepherding
Seder Dinner at The Colonnade