Covenant Connection. January OF WHITEHALL Serving Christ for over 130 years. Our Vision:

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org Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45am Our Vision: Vision: Reaching, Encouraging, Equipping One life at a

1 January 2017 Covenant Connection Newsletter of the EVANGELICAL COVENANT CHURCH OF WHITEHALL Serving Christ for over 130 years 900 South Warner, Whitehall, MI (231) Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45am Our Vision: Vision: Reaching, Encouraging, Equipping One life at a time. To become devoted followers of Jesus Christ. Reach Others Encourage Spiritual Growth Equip To Minister

Children s Ministries Happy New Year! We ve had a wonderful Christmas season in Power Up! Our program, For the Glory of the King was a great success. Thank you so much, Cheryl Smith for directing us.

And thank you to the parents and students for making time for this production. God was glorified!

2 Children s Ministries Happy New Year! We ve had a wonderful Christmas season in Power Up! Our program, For the Glory of the King was a great success. Thank you so much, Cheryl Smith for directing us. Thank you, Linda Wood and The Covenant Quilters II for the awesome costumes. Thank you Sarah Hill and Bob Fulljames for your hard work in the sound booth. And thank you to the parents and students for making time for this production. God was glorified! Power Up is closed January 1, then we are back to our regular schedule with our live story tellers and hosts for Large Group time. If you have a gift for being fun and crazy with kids, we have openings for you to be a host during Large Group time. If being fun and crazy isn t your style but you would love to be able to share the Word with children in a fresh and contemporary way, we have openings for you to be a story teller during Large Group time. Maybe you are gifted in music. We have openings for Worship Leaders during Large Group time. All of these positions are on rotating one month schedules. Call me and let s have you give it a try! We are doing very well with teachers in Power Up. We only have two critical spots that we want to have filled right away. We have openings for a second team teacher in second service K-1 and first service preschool. Team teaching means you would only teach the class every other month or sub for your team teacher when necessary. All of our ministry opportunities are very rewarding. Please, pray about how God would have you be involved in Children s Ministries. We re so excited to watch God work in Children s Ministries in 2017! Come and join us to get a front row view! Terri Means, Director of Children s Ministries Children s Ministries Team Stephanie Ash Darci Christensen Autumn Johnson Terri Means Kristy Roberge NURSERY Infants-age 2 We offer a safe, loving environment! Pagers are available. Please be mindful that we are not equipped to have children over 2 years of age in the nursery. Thank you for your cooperation! 2

Youth Events Junior High League Grades 6-8 Wednesdays 6:30-8pm @ ECC! No Youth Group on December 21 & 28. Watch Jr.

Contact Chuck Connell at 894-4271 or 215-5814.

Food, fun, good news from God s Word and more.. NO BREAKFAST CLUB ON JAN. 1! Join us and invite a friend, too! Questions?

Watch for updates/changes on Facebook: World s Best Youth Group Questions? Contact Craig Smith at 894-4271 or 215-7075.

3 Youth Events Junior High League Grades 6-8 Wednesdays ECC! No Youth Group on December 21 & 28. Watch Jr. High League on Facebook for any updates or changes and details to come.. Questions? Contact Chuck Connell at or JUNIOR HIGH BREAKFAST CLUB SUNDAYS, 9-10:15AM Grades 6-8 Breakfast of Champions! Food, fun, good news from God s Word and more.. NO BREAKFAST CLUB ON JAN. 1! Join us and invite a friend, too! Questions? Contact Chuck Connell at or Grades 9-12 Wednesdays, 7:30-9pm No Youth Group on December 21 & 28. Watch for updates/changes on Facebook: World s Best Youth Group Questions? Contact Craig Smith at or SENIOR HIGH WHITEOUT RETREAT FEBRUARY 10-12, PLCBC. NEW THIS YEAR: You must register with Craig in advance in order to attend. Speaker: Hector Saucedo Band: Mass Anthem Cool Beans, Polar Plunge, crate stacking, broomball tourney, snow forts and MORE! Visit for more information. 3

Missions Task Force Love In The Name of Christ of Muskegon County is a local ministry that helps churches help people by mobilizing churches to transform lives and communies in the Name of Christ.

4 Missions Task Force Love In The Name of Christ of Muskegon County is a local ministry that helps churches help people by mobilizing churches to transform lives and communies in the Name of Christ. Love INC has been partnering with churches in Muskegon County since 1982 and recently has been working with churches in the White Lake area to help those in need in our area. Love INC offers many services including pantries serving food, personal care products, household goods, clothing, and baby products. They operate a furniture and appliance ministry, build handicap ramps for the disabled and offer a hand up by offering opportunies in the following areas: Classes, programs and mentoring including New Image, Manage Your Money, Powerful Parenng, Emoonal Wellness, Bible Study, Cooking Ma"ers (Healthy Eang), Sewing, DIY Do It Yourself home improvement, Jobs For Life, and others to be added in Love INC partners with many churches and community agencies to collaborate and not duplicate services. The comprehensive, holisc approach taken by Love INC helps to bring about transformaon and lasng changes to our neighbors in need. This is all accomplished through the Body of Christ, the church, and volunteers from the local churches. Love INC will be partnering with St. James Catholic Church in Montague and Evangelical Covenant Church of Whitehall to provide space for our neighbors in need to meet with Love INC staff and volunteers to facilitate the Intake process and meet with neighbors to begin the process of helping them become the person God created them to be. If you would like more informaon about Love INC of Muskegon County check out their website at Facebook or call the Execuve Director Ma1 Kaley at x 229.

MTF Supported Ministries These are the missionaries and ministries selected by the MTF to support financially and in prayer for 2016. Watch for Mission Moments from some of these folks in 2016!

5 MTF Supported Ministries These are the missionaries and ministries selected by the MTF to support financially and in prayer for Watch for Mission Moments from some of these folks in 2016! Jared & Hannah Baker France* Randy Bevis Thailand* Nick & Chelsea Dombrowski Intervarsity Jochy & Tammi Hernandez Dominican Rep.* Pratim & Vanita Masih India Jeff & Abbie Nelson Guatemala* Bob & Suzanne Scott South Africa Dave & Daphne Smith India Alex & Amanda Velasco Merge* Bridge to Life Congo Jesus Film Project Covenant Merge Ministries* LoveINC Muskegon M.A.D. House Ministries/Muskegon Patzicia Church in Guatemala Muskegon Pregnancy Services Muskegon Rescue Mission Western Michigan Teen Challenge *Covenant Missionaries 4 Covenant Quilters II COVENANT QUILTERS For you who like to sew at home, there is a new addition to the QUILT- TOP KITS found in the Atrium. Precut flannel receiving blankets just need hemming. Turn a narrow hem and sew either by machine or by hand. Please help our outreach by taking one and finishing it at your own pace. Contact person is Lee Dickinson, / jerlee68@gmail.com. COVENANT QUILTERS ll: January classes are the 10th and 24th. Please join us for our QUILT-AS-YOU-GO classes. Quilt-as-you-go is a sewing technique that sews and quilts at the same time - then all you have to do is bind the edges. You do not need to bring anything, but PLEASE ADD YOUR NAME TO THE SIGN-UP SHEET AT GUEST SERVICES so enough supplies are prepared. Where: Linda's Lab, 7020 Durham, 5-9PM. Please enter through the garage door. Questions? Contact Linda Wood, or linbobwood@aol.com. COVENANT QUILTERS I: Our January meetings are on January 16 & 30! We meet at the Lifehouse every other Monday from 1-4pm. Questions? Contact Lee Dickinson or jerlee68@gmail.com.

6 ECC Calendar of Events January 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat ECC OFFICE CLOSED! ECC 6:30 8PM Junior High@ ECC 6:30-80m Hi-League@ ECC 7:30-9pm 8 9:00 & 10:45am Worship 9 10 CQ Linda Wood s 7020 Durham, Whitehall 5-9pm 11 Junior High@ ECC 6:30-80m ECC 6:30 8PM Hi-League@ ECC 7:30-9pm 15 9:00 & 10:45am Worship 16 Covenant Quilters I Lifehouse Congregational Meeting 7pm 17 ECC 6:30 8PM 18 SCRIP SEMINAR 6:30PM Junior High@ ECC 6:30-80m Hi-League@ ECC 7:30-9pm :00 & 10:45am Worship CQ Linda Wood s 7020 Durham, Whitehall 5-9pm 25 Junior High@ ECC 6:30-80m ECC 6:30 8PM Hi-League@ ECC 7:30-9pm 29 9:00 & 10:45am Worship Commit To ECC Membership Class 12:30-3:00pm 30 Covenant Quilters I Lifehouse 31 ECC 6:30 8PM 6

Upcoming Events CONGREGATIONAL MEETING Monday, January 16 7:00pm 2017 Visioning from Ministry Teams 2017 Budget approval (members voting) Leadership Team Updates We would love to have our church

7 Upcoming Events CONGREGATIONAL MEETING Monday, January 16 7:00pm 2017 Visioning from Ministry Teams 2017 Budget approval (members voting) Leadership Team Updates We would love to have our church family joining in celebrating 2016 and praying over what God wants from us in 2017! SCRIP SEMINAR Wednesday, January 18 6:30pm (during Jr. High) Please come to church on Wednesday evening, January 18th, for an informational meeting on SCRIP. Whether you want to enroll in the SCRIP program, or if you are ready to take your involvement beyond instant SCRIP, we'll be there to answer any questions you may have. SCRIP is an easy way to help parents pay for camp, and anyone who participates is generating money for our youth and children's programs. Any questions, please contact Melissa Brower at or at cell/text. Community Fundraising Event! Chris Stark Community Worship Benefit Concert Sunday, January 22, Montague HS Auditorium MORTGAGE BUSTER BENEFIT FOR THE STARK FAMILY Join us as we come together as the White Lake Community to bless this family!

8 Life Groups Life groups are underway! Use the contact information provided below, or If you would like more information, please contact Pastor DAY TIME CONTACT PHONE Sermon Study Bible Study Topic Study Sunday (every other) Sunday (every other) 1:00pm Todd & Jennifer Jensen X 1:00pm Craig & Michelle Smith X Sunday 5:00pm Tom & Kristine Beeghly X Sunday 5:00pm Bob & Michelle Murphy X Sunday 5pm Ian & Stacey Kennedy Marriage study X Sunday 6:00pm Nate Baker Scott Breuker X Sunday 6:30pm Paul & Darci Christensen X Monday 9:30-11am Molly Morin Ladies Church X Monday 6pm Justin Porath X Tuesday 1:00pm Carol Rood Ladies Study X Tuesday 6:30-8pm Mike & Bobbi Friend Marriage Lifehouse during AWANA x Tuesday 7pm Steve Green Men s Study X Wednesday 7pm Dick & Cheryl Smith X Wednesday 7pm Matt & Kristy Roberge X X Thursday 3:30pm Barb Pulaski X Thursday 7pm Bruce & Jan Potter X 8

Connections Life Group Serving 1ST SERVICE 2ND SERVICE JANUARY 1 NO SERVICE BAKER/BREUKER JANUARY 8 BEEGHLY POTTER JANUARY 15 JENSEN JANUARY 22 KENNEDY PORATH JANUARY 29 YOUTH YOUTH 10 Highlighted

9 Connections Life Group Serving 1ST SERVICE 2ND SERVICE JANUARY 1 NO SERVICE BAKER/BREUKER JANUARY 8 BEEGHLY POTTER JANUARY 15 JENSEN JANUARY 22 KENNEDY PORATH JANUARY 29 YOUTH YOUTH 10 Highlighted areas above are opportunities to serve! If you are not part of a life group and would like to serve in this ministry, there are definitely opportunities for you! Questions? Contact Jodi Stratton at or jodistratton@yahoo.com. Prayer Requests for these affected by cancer Phillip Sahutske Smitty Smith Richard Dresden Serving Opportunities Looking for a place to serve here at ECC? We have a lot of opportunities available through our 10 ministry teams: Prayer Needs Pam Kring Chris Stark Adult Ministries Building & Grounds Care Children s Ministry Connect Evangelism Finance & Stewardship Missions Student Ministry Worship Ministry Let us know on your communication card or call the office for more information about any of these teams! Are you interested in being a part of our prayer ministry? Contact Sonia Gilbert at langefloors@yahoo.com. 9

Helping Others.. RECYCLE FOR SIGHT! DO YOU HAVE GENTLY USED EYEGLASSES THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO donate? The Lions Club has a program to recycle eyeglasses for the needy!

WHITE LAKE FOOD PANTRY We continue to collect non-perishable food items for the Lebanon Lutheran Food Pantry.

BENEVOLENCE FUND If you would like to contribute to this fund, please place your donation in the envelope marked Benevolence and place it in the offering plate. Envelopes are located in the pew.

Bridge To Life Marriage Class The Heart and Soul of a Real Marriage is a 12-week lesson study that takes a couple on a journey of looking at what is going on below the surface in their marriage.

10 Helping Others.. RECYCLE FOR SIGHT! DO YOU HAVE GENTLY USED EYEGLASSES THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO donate? The Lions Club has a program to recycle eyeglasses for the needy! Volunteers prepare the glasses for their new owner. Please drop off your donated glasses to the bin under the Guest Services cabinet. Thank you for making a difference! WHITE LAKE FOOD PANTRY We continue to collect non-perishable food items for the Lebanon Lutheran Food Pantry. Please drop your donations off at Guest Services, marked food pantry, or you can drop them off right at Lebanon Lutheran Church. Thank you for giving to others! BENEVOLENCE FUND If you would like to contribute to this fund, please place your donation in the envelope marked Benevolence and place it in the offering plate. Envelopes are located in the pew. This fund assists people from our church body and the community who are in need. Thank you for giving to others! Bridge To Life Marriage Class The Heart and Soul of a Real Marriage is a 12-week lesson study that takes a couple on a journey of looking at what is going on below the surface in their marriage. We all carry baggage into our marriages that hinder our ability to meet each other s needs. Couples will learn how to help, rather than hurt each other. The series runs for 12 weeks, and participants can begin at any point of the 12 weeks. The series begins on January 10, 2017 from 7-9pm. Bridge To Life, VanWagoner Road, Spring Lake, MI Instructors: Don & Becky Smith For more information or to pre-register, contact us at: , ext. 0 or bridge2life@hotmail.com.

Please prayerfully consider recommitting your membership! You can let us know by checking the box on the communication card, by sending Amy an e-mail (alove@eccwhitehall.

Commit to ECC is a class, taught by Pastors Tom and Justin, focusing on the basics of membership, church culture, and what it means to invest more deeply in God's mission at ECC.

11 Members & Membership! ECC Information If you would like to receive the newsletter via e mail, please contact Amy Love at alove@eccwhitehall.org. MORE PEOPLE, MORE LIKE JESUS, LOVING GOD AND LOVING OTHERS. Members: You recently received a letter regarding your membership here at ECC and how it relates to the mission statement above. Please prayerfully consider recommitting your membership! You can let us know by checking the box on the communication card, by sending Amy an (alove@eccwhitehall.org), or by contacting either Pastor Justin or Pastor Tom. Interested in membership here at ECC? Commit to ECC is a class, taught by Pastors Tom and Justin, focusing on the basics of membership, church culture, and what it means to invest more deeply in God's mission at ECC. Indicate on your communication card and we would be happy to add you to the winter roster for our upcoming session on Sunday, January 29th. Next class offering: Sunday, January 29th from 12:30-3 PM The ECC Office will be closed on Monday, January 2. Online giving is now available! Just visit our website Under the I m New tab, you will see a link to our giving page. From there you will find a link to our online giving portal. Questions? Contact Pastor Justin jporath@eccwhitehall.org 11

12 Faith In Action Board AMT and Care have teamed up to offer something new, experimental, and yet at the same time incredibly "old school." Inspired by our faith and the incredible grace God has shown us, we want to be a community where it is extremely difficult not to be blessed and cared for. But we need your help. WHAT IS IT? A magnetic board outside the sanctuary, near the library where individual needs may be posted and met by the ECC community. WHO IS IT FOR? Everyone! If you have a need or know of someone in the ECC community that does, simply contact Pastor Justin and we will take care of the rest. Yard work? Small repairs? Labor / project work? Childcare? Transportation? Snow removal? Grocery Shopping? House Cleaning? Moving / heavy lifting? Tool sharing? Tutoring? Ride sharing? Computer troubleshooting & repair? House cleaning? Cooking / meals? Clothing? Resume help? Furniture? New baby supplies? Dog walking? Junk removal? Job Leads? Just to name a few... WHAT KIND OF NEEDS CAN BE POSTED? Pretty much anything you can think of, but here are a few examples. Do you know anyone who needs or needs help with: WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP? Text leads or needs to this designated line: (231) Or contact Pastor Justin directly at jporath@eccwhitehall.org /

VE LETTERS. A bi-monthly publication of Love In the Name of Christ Muskegon County 2735 E. Apple Avenue Suite A

VE LETTERS. A bi-monthly publication of Love In the Name of Christ Muskegon County 2735 E. Apple Avenue Suite A L VE LETTERS A bi-monthly publication of Love In the Name of Christ Muskegon County 2735 E. Apple Avenue Suite A Nov./Dec. 2015 Transforming lives In the Name of Christ through the church As we look back