Debt Retired! Come, Celebrate With us The Burning Of Our Mortgage

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1 August / September 2013 Some years ago there was a shipwreck off the coast of Pacific Northwest. A crowd of fishermen in a nearby village gathered to watch the ship as it was smashed on the rocks. A lifeboat was sent to the rescue; and after a terrific struggle, the rescuers came back with all of the shipwrecked sailors but one. There was no room in the lifeboat for him, so we told him to stay by the ship. Someone would come back for him, shouted a young man. Who will come with me? Just then a little old lady cried out, Don t go, Jim, my boy. Don t go. You are all I have left. Your father was drowned in the sea; your brother William sailed away, and we ve never heard from him; and now if your are lost, I ll be left alone. Oh, Jim, please don t go. Jim listened patiently to his mother s pleading, then said, Mother, I must go! It is my duty. I must go! The onlookers watched as the men in the lifeboat fought their way toward the wreck. Anxiously Jim s mother wept and prayed. They saw the boat start back, a frail little shell tossed about by angry waves. At last it came close enough to hear, and the men on shore shouted, Did you get him? And Jim shouted back, Yes, and tell mother it s William! Isn t it amazing how God rewards those who diligently seek to please Him? Actually, it should not amaze us. He tells us in His Word, And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). You ask, How do I seek Him? Notice that the text tells us the means - believe. What does it mean to believe or have faith? Throughout the Bible faith involves obedience and commitment. In fact, James tells us, What use is it my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him? He goes on to say that if we do not SHOW LOVE to those in need then WE do not have faith. Let me ask you a question. How is your love life? Who are loving today? Who have you helped today? Who are you reaching for Christ today? How are you befriending the unchurched? How are you clothing yourself with humility today? What is the summation of the whole law? What is your duty? Read Matthew 22: Debt Retired! Goal: $230,000 Received as of 7/19/13: $230,000 And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 Come, Celebrate With us The Burning Of Our Mortgage At a Celebration Luncheon on Sunday, September 15 immediately following the morning worship service. Let us praise and honor God for His faithfulness!

2 Page 2 Ladies, You are invited to an Ice Cream Social At the home of Aldrene Mautz Tuesday, Sept. 12 At 6:30 pm Ladies Monthly Book Club August The Book Club will meet on Thursday, August 22, at 2:30 pm in the home of Allyn Barrett at 3003 Oakhill Drive. They will be discussing the book, Christy by Catherine Marshall. Please see Connie White for more details. Ladies Evening and Morning Bible Studies Please sign up for the studies in the Narthex so we will know how many books to order for each class! If you have any questions about either study, please call the Church Office, Beki Lievestro (Monday Evening Study) or Brook Breed (Wednesday Morning Study). Ladies Morning Bible Study Begins September 4 at 9:00 am in the Conference Room Facilitated by Brook Breed Do your circumstances seem hopeless? Are you overwhelmed by life s circumstances-illness, financial needs, work problems, death of a loved one? It is easy to slip into bitterness and isolation during hard times, but don t lose hope! The book of Ruth has encouragement for Christians who wonder if they can live successfully when their lives fall apart. Ruth and Naomi had no idea how God would use them - grieving, lonely widows - in accomplishing His plan of redemption. Renew your hope as we focus on ~Breaking out of bitterness ~ Coping with death and grief ~ Living in love and loyalty ~ Overcoming loneliness ~ Trusting God s sovereignty ~ Monday Evening ladies Bible Study When: 9/ 9 10/21 Time: 6:00-8:00 pm Where: CLC Facilitated by Beki Lievestro What do we do when God interrupts our lives? Many times, like Jonah, we run! Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted by Priscilla Shirer is a 7-session Bible study that redefines interruption and shows how it can be God's invitation to do something beyond our wildest dreams. Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted by Priscilla Shirer Interruptions. They're aggravating. Sometimes infuriating. They make us want to tell people what we think of them. But how we handle interruptions actually tell us more about ourselves. The prophet Jonah's existence was interrupted by a call of God that would require a complete change of life. When Jonah was willing to allow God to interrupt his life, the result was revival in an entire city.

3 Page 3 Come and be a part of our Monthly Mercy Ministry Team! September 14 - Saturday, 8:00 am - 12 :00 pm A light breakfast will be provided! The men meet on the first and third Monday of each month in the Conference Room at 6:00 pm for Bible Study. The dates for the Fall class will be announced later. Ken Mautz will lead the Fall Sunday School Class. The discussion will be based on the Old Testament books of Judges and Ruth. The Fall Sunday School begins at 9:15 am on September 1 in the Covenant Life Center. On Tuesday, August 27, from 6:30-8:00 pm, Salt Shaker Dinners will be taking place. This is a night for connecting with each other in fellowship around the dinner table. If you are interested in taking part, attending or hosting, please sign up in the Narthex or call the Church Office at Tampa Bay Rays Second Senior Prom Game is on Thursday, August 29, at 1:10 pm. The Rays are playing the Los Angeles Angels. Please sign up in the Narthex or see Carol Bacon if you are interested in attending the Rays Baseball Game. When was the last time you thanked God for a man named Edward Kimball? Never heard of him? Neither have most people alive today or even during Kimball s day. But God used this average Sunday School teacher to change millions of lives, perhaps even yours. You see, Edward Kimball was the first link in a long line of Christians who led others to Christ including a dairy farmer s son named Billy Graham. If God could use this Sunday School teacher and this farm boy, what will He do as you share your faith with people in your community through My Hope with Billy Graham? All it takes is for you to be available, and God will show His power through you as He makes an eternal, transforming impact in your community. Pray about your involvement. We are looking for 20 hosts who will open their home on November 7th for a gathering to hear Billy Graham live on Television. Call the church office at if you are interested.

4 Page 4 Covenant Kids Corner! Wednesday, September 4 Water Mania! 5:00 7:00 pm During our monthly covered dish, we want to reach out to the community (especially families with children) and have an evening of fun activities that all can enjoy! Invite your friends and neighbors! Beginning Wednesday, September 11 (4 weeks) 6:00 pm 7:00 pm Build a Rocket Pastor Tom will share the Gospel through Magic with our youth and will teach them how to build model rockets.

5 Page 5 August 6 Officers Meeting 4:30 pm CLC 7 Covered Dish Fellowship 6:00 pm CLC Pastor s Vacation 22 Ladies Book Club 2:30 pm Allyn Barrettt 25 Matthew Sunday Communion / Benevolence Offering 27 Salt Shaker Dinners 6:30 pm Homes September 4 WM Wed. Morning Bible Study begins 9:00 am Conf. Room Water Mania and Covered Dish 5-7 pm CLC 9 WM Monday Night Bible Study begins 6-8 pm CLC 10 Officers Meeting 4:30 pm Conf. Room 11 Gospel Magic and Rockets 6:00 pm CLC 12 WM Ice Cream Social 6:30 pm Mautz Home 14 SWFL Presbytery 8:30 am 15 Burn the Mortgage Luncheon 12:00 pm CLC 18 Gospel Magic and Rockets 6:00 pm CLC 25 Gospel Magic and Rockets 6:00 pm CLC 28 Officers Retreat 9am-1pm 29 Communion/Benevolence Offering FYI Our Weekly Programs are listed below: Choir The Choir meets on Wednesday, at 7:15 pm in the Choir Room. Ladies Bible Studies Monday Night The Monday Night Bible Study will begin September 9 at 6:00 pm in the Conference Room. Wednesday Morning The Wednesday Morning Bible Study will begin September 4 at 9:00 am in the CLC. Men s Bible Study Monday Night The men meet on the first and third Monday of each Month at 6:00 pm in the Conference Room. August Sam & Reba Joseph Sam ministers with Operation Mobilization in India in Bangalore, the state capital of Karnatka in South India. He works at the Good Shepherd Community Church Regional Office there. September Marshall and Becca Kitron Marshall and Becca are serving in church planting and health related ministries in Pucallpa, Peru with South America Mission. Their son, Simon was born in March, Our Mission Covenant Presbyterian exists to Glorify God and enjoy Him forever. (Psalm 57:11) by: SHARING CHRIST STRENGTHENING BELIEVERS SERVING PEOPLE Our vision is to be a gospel driven, Christ centered community, active in God s work.

6 Page 6 Covenant Presbyterian Church 4500 Sun 'n Lake Boulevard Sebring, Florida (863) Let s Burn the Mortgage! A special Luncheon Celebration for everyone on September 15! CHURCH OFFICE HOURS : Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 12:30 pm PHONE: (863) FAX: (863) Church: covpres@strato.net Pastor: tomschneider@strato.net WEBSITE: I N F O B O A R D Follow CPC on Facebook: CPCSebring Worship Services 10:30 am Morning 6:00 pm Evening Sunday School 9:15 am for all ages Covenant Presbyterian Church Staff Choir Director Hal White Organist LaRue Gilbert Pianists Dorothy Chapman Marie Faber Wilma Henry Edna Robfogel Connie White Rhoda Wolfe Secretary Brook Breed Building Supervisor Harold Smith CPC OFFICERS Pastor Tom Schneider Ruling Elders Mark Breed Bill Mulcay Tom Nunnallee Joel Urban Hal White Deacons Bill Boyd Jack Brunner Stan Fritz Bill Lees Elders Emeritus Ernie Breed Earl Conrad Don Distin Isadore Roberson Harold Smith