The Last Word Page 11

Service Schedule Page 4

Covenant Happenings Page 2

Kid’s Korner Page 9

CPW Page 3

Inside this issue...

The Family, Events, and Ministry of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Springboro

December CalendarDecember CalendarDecember CalendarDecember Calendar

Page 7 Page 7 Page 7 Page 7

It’s not too late to join the Young at Heart group on December 1 for their annual Christmas Party! We will

dine at Red Lobster at 12:30 p.m. Carpool from Church at noon. We’ll enjoy good food, play great games, and win prizes! Come and have an

awesome time! See Carole Hepp for more info.

Please join us for our annual Christmas Cantata. We will have one service only on 12/9 at 10:00 a.m. Join us for a hearty brunch after the

service. Then stop by the Alternative Gift Market to

find a meaningful gift. More about AGM on page 5.

Calling all kids in Kindergarten through 5th grade to celebrate the birth of Jesus! It will take place on Dec. 9 from 1-3PM. We’ll have crafts, games, and of course lots of cake and ice cream. See Erica Hicks for

any questions you may have.

The last blood drive of 2012 will be on

December 11 here at Covenant from 4-8PM.

Sign up to donate at their new website:

www.givingblood.org

Angel tree gifts are due back by Dec.2. Wrap your gift & place the angel on the outside. Thx!

Amicae Circle’s will not meet during the month of December. Wishing everyone a very Merry

Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Our December meeting will be the 10th at 6:30 p.m. here at Covenant. Our study from the book, “Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World” has been most helpful at this busy time of year. We have SO

much to learn! Come join us! Bring a friend! We’ll all

learn together!

Purchase a poinsettia in memory or honor of a

loved one. The sign up sheet is on the table in

the Worship Center. Please write legibly as the

names will appear in the Dec. 24 bulletin.

Thank you!

to all who filled bags of groceries to

provide Thanksgiving Baskets to needy families in our community. 20 families

were provided with two bags of groceries, plus a turkey, pie, bread, butter and milk, which were purchased using outreach funds from our weekly offerings.

We need your help on 12/8

from 9:30-11:30am

to help set up the

Alternative Gift Market.

If you’d like to volunteer,

show up that Saturday.

Questions? See

Alysia Fuchs or

Susan Stewart.

Merry Christmas

Traditional Service Usher/Greeter (Carole Hepp) 02 Carole & Jim Hepp, Michelle & Steve Teska 09 Carole & Jim Hepp, Michelle & Steve Teska 16 Carole & Jim Hepp, Michelle & Steve Teska 23 Carole & Jim Hepp, Michelle & Steve Teska 30 Carole & Jim Hepp, Michelle & Steve Teska Contemporary Service Usher/Greeter (Debbie Shear) 02 Ken & Debbie Shear 09 Ken & Debbie Shear 16 Ken & Debbie Shear 23 Ken & Debbie Shear 30 One Service Counters (Debbie Shear) 02 Bill Ilg & Tom Sebastian 09 Debbie Shear & Mary White 16 Dave Payne & Flossie Power 23 Debbie Shear & David Siegler 24 Tim Knoth & Debbie Shear 30 Ken Shear & Le’Anne Leahy

Children’s Church Pre/K (Yvonne Craycraft)

Traditional Contemporary 02 Erica Hicks Yvonne Craycraft 09 Erica Hicks Yvonne Craycraft 16 Erica Hicks Yvonne Craycraft 23 Erica Hicks Yvonne Craycraft 30 Erica Hicks (1 svc) Yvonne Craycraft

Children’s Church Traditional (Becky Hegwood)

1-6 02 Loretta Sebastian 09 Loretta Sebastian 16 Loretta Sebastian 23 Loretta Sebastian 30 Loretta Sebastian (1 svc) Children’s Church Contemporary (Becky Hegwood) 02 Alysia Fuchs 09 Alysia Fuchs 16 Alysia Fuchs 23 Alysia Fuchs 30 Alysia Fuchs (1 svc)

Service Schedule for December

Fellowship 02 Ladies of the Choir 09 Brunch 16 TBD 23 Andy & Susan Stewart 30 Barb & George Mourouzis

Thanks snow m

uch

for volunte

ering!

What is the Alternative Gift Market? It is the market to find gifts that support humanitarian

causes. These gifts can be given in honor of a friend, loved one or for that special someone

who has everything. These gifts support causes such as curing blindness in Cambodia,

providing “hugging grannies” for Orphans in China or providing goats in Haiti. And there

are many more projects that are supported by the Alternative Gift Market.

Where can you find this market?? Right here at Covenant in December! The market will be

open on December 9th and December 16th right after the service. On these Sundays, you will

have an opportunity to check out the various projects supported by the Alternative Gift

Market and choose gifts that match your passions. The AGM is an opportunity to get an

early start on your Christmas shopping and support various life-giving projects from around

the world, including our own neighborhoods. You will be able to purchase truly meaningful

alternatives to the usual holiday gifts – in honor of your family, friends, neighbors,

colleagues or teachers. Stop in and see for yourself!

CPC Christmas Mailbox November 25th – December 25th

The CPC Christmas Mailbox is a simple way to share your Christmas spirit with your CPC friends. Simply address your Christmas cards in the same manner as you do for the USPS but without the stamp. Any donations dropped in the mailbox will go to-wards CPC Youth Ministries. The mailbox will be made available November 25th and will accept cards until December 25th. CPC youth will hand deliver your cards during

Fellowship. The cards will also be sorted for easy self-pick-up.

Help a child grow with God!

On Sunday, December 30, we will have one service

only at 10:00 a.m. Don’t forget!

Sun Mon Tue

Please email any updates and articles to the secretary at: cpcsecretary@sbcglobal.net or call me at 937 748-0272.

2 9:30 AM Traditional Worship

& Children’s Church

11:00 AM Contemporary Worship

& Children’s Church

3 5-7:30 PM Weight Watchers

4 7:00 AM Men at McDonalds

7:00 PM GS Troop #40900

7:30 PM Outreach

9 10:00 AM Christmas Cantata

11:00 AM Alternative Gift Market

11:00 AM Brunch

10 5-7:30 PM Weight Watchers

6:30 PM Growing in Grace

11 7:00 AM Men at McDonalds

6-8 PM Troop #31400

6:15 PM Brownies #40913

6:30 PM Administration

16 9:30 AM Traditional Worship

& Children’s Church

10:30 AM Alternative Gift Market

11:00 AM Contemporary Worship

& Children’s Church

12:00 PM Alternative Gift Market

17

5-7:30 PM Weight Watchers

18 7:00 AM Men at McDonalds

6:30 PM Session

7:00 PM GS Troop #40900

23/30 9:30 AM Traditional Worship

& Children’s Church

11:00 AM Contemporary Worship

& Children’s Church One Service at 10:00AM on 12/30

24/31 7 PM Christmas Eve Service

25

Birthdays and Anniversaries are published with your

permission only. In an effort to update our list, please notify

the office of your families’ special dates, especially if you are new to our fellowship. We

want to include you!

2 Mallory Ann Behm 4 Lauren Tibbits 5 Jennifer Knoth 7 Andy Stewart 8 Kristy Catrine 12 Stephen Henderson 13 Sara Denney 14 Patti Petz Wade Goins 17 Tom Sebastian 21 Emma Montague 30 Rich Robison

4 Wade and Pam Goins 18 James & Leatha Stewart 26 Paul & Amy Cimprich

Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 7-9:30 AM Weight Watchers 12:30 PM Young at Heart Lunch

7:00 AM Men at McDonalds

7:00 PM GS Troop #40900

7:30 PM Outreach

5 10:00 AM Adult Bible Study

6:45 PM Choir Practice

8:00 PM Praise Band

6

9:30-11:30 AM Weight Watchers

7

8

7-9:30 AM Weight Watchers 9:30-11:30 AM AGM Set Up 2 PM CPW Tea at Patterson Homestead

7:00 AM Men at McDonalds

8 PM Troop #31400

6:15 PM Brownies #40913

6:30 PM Administration

12 10:00 AM Adult Bible Study

6:00 PM Adult Ministries

6:45 PM Choir Practice

8:00 PM Praise Band

13 9:30-11:30 AM Weight Watchers

1PM CPW Team

6:30 PM GS Leaders

14 15

7-9:30 AM Weight Watchers

7:00 AM Men at McDonalds

6:30 PM Session

7:00 PM GS Troop #40900

19 10:00 AM Adult Bible Study

6:45 PM Choir Practice

8:00 PM Praise Band

20

9:30-11:30 AM Weight Watchers

21

22 7-9:30 AM Weight Watchers

26

27 9:30-11:30 AM Weight Watchers

28 29 7-9:30 AM Weight Watchers

Financial Info

Operating

October Year-to-date Receipts 2012 $10,608 $140,359 Expenditures 2012 - $13,699 -$139,759 Balance in Reg. Operating Fund -$3,091 $600

Thank you for your gifts and continued support!

Mortgage Reduction

October Year-to-date Receipts 2012 $2,897 $19,576 Expenditures 2012 - $2,100 -$20,999 Difference $797 -$1,423 October Year-to-date Other Receipts: Per Capita paid by members $128.10 $1,764.89

During recent weeks, mission funds have been sent to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to help people suffering damage from Hurricane Sandy, those still recovering from Hurricane Isaac last year, and families who have

been displaced by violence in Syria. Funds have also been sent to help families in our communities through Hope House Rescue Mission in Middletown, the Abuse and Rape Crisis Center of Warren County,

Springboro Community Assistance Center, and Franklin Area Community Services Food Pantry. We have also supported the spiritual growth of children, youth and adults through Kirkmont Center - our Presbyterian camp and conference center, and Young Life of Harrisonburg, Virginia,

where Julie Ilg works with teenage girls who need extra love and guidance at a difficult time in their lives. These distributions are from the percentage of weekly offerings that is designated for mission.

December ServicesDecember ServicesDecember ServicesDecember Services

Office Hours

The Pastor’s day off is Monday and the office is closed. Pastor Ken is here most mornings Tuesdays through Fridays. Frequently in the afternoons, he makes visits.

Our secretary is generally in the office Tuesday through Friday from 9:00a.m. to 12:00p.m. Phone: (937) 748-0272 & (937) 748-4734 Fax: (937) 748-4734

If you would like to have your concern lifted to the Lord through the Prayer Chain, contact Ken Howard (748-0272), or Debbie Shear (Kshear@woh.rr.com/748-2809). Please pray for: Margy Dunn Bill Madison Wanda Huntley as she recuperates from an infection in her back. Ken Shear as he recuperates from bypass surgery. Karen Ritzinger as she battles cancer. All of our military men and women and their families.

Church Staff Rev. Ken Howard Pastor Alysia Fuchs Youth Director Janet Wayne Church Secretary Kim Denney Music/Choir Director Susan Pfeiffer Pianist/Organist Mary White Treasurer Debbie Shear Financial Secretary Cam’s Cleaning Svc. Custodian

Covenant’s Email Addresses kencpc@sbcglobal.net cpcsecretary@sbcglobal.net www.covenantspringboro.com

December 2 – “Comfort My People”

(Isaiah 40:1-5 and Luke 3:1-6)

We will celebrate Holy Communion during

worship on this First Sunday of Advent December 9 – “Behold the Star!”

Join us for the Cantata and brunch to follow.

There will be only one service at 10:00 a.m. December 16 – “God Is With Us”

(Isaiah 7:10-16 and Matthew 1:18-25) December 23 – “The Church’s Calling”

(Luke 2:8-20 and I Peter 2:4-10) December 24 – Christmas Eve

Join us at 7:00 p.m. as we hear the Christmas

Story and enjoy carols, candlelight, and

communion. December 30 - One Service at 10:00 a.m.

Special DatesSpecial DatesSpecial DatesSpecial Dates

December 02, 2012 - First Sunday of Advent

December 09, 2012 - Second Sunday of Advent

December 16, 2012 - Third Sunday of Advent

December 23, 2012 - Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 24, 2012 - Christmas Eve

December 25, 2012 - Christmas Day

December 31, 2012 - New Year’s Eve

I remember growing up in West Chester (about 20 miles south of Springboro) and attending the

West Chester Presbyterian Church. That’s where I went through a communicants’ class as a

junior high student and celebrated my first communion on Maundy Thursday (I was probably

12 years old). That’s where my dad served as the custodian. Of course, that meant we all (I

was one of 5 sons) chipped in to clean the church, mow the grass, wax the floors, shovel the

sidewalks, etc. It was truly a family operation. My grandmother (my mom’s mom) was the

church organist and choir director. Every Monday night we gathered for choir practice – the

junior choir from 7 – 7:30 and the senior choir (high school and up) from 7:30 – 8:30. I

remember singing in both choirs through the years. Why do I remember such things? Pretty

significant times, I would guess! One other “thing” I remember was singing the “Hallelujah Chorus” on Easter Day. How we

were on the edge of our seats as we came to the end of the chorus and anxiously waited to see

who would forget to count properly. Who would sing one extra “hallelujah” at the end when

there was supposed to be a 2 beat time of silence! Seems like we always pulled it off! Pretty

cool! Pretty thrilling! As you probably know, the “Hallelujah Chorus” is only a small part of the “Messiah” by

George Frideric Handel (1685-1759). The “Messiah” is actually a three-part composition in

which every word sung comes from scripture – the Old and New Testaments from the King

James Bible:

Part One - the birth of Jesus

Part Two – the life and death of Jesus

Part Three – the resurrection of Jesus I have toyed with an idea for several years of my ministry and have decided to take a leap and

allow that idea to become a reality. I am going to base my sermons during the upcoming

Advent Season on Part One of the “Messiah.” I will use the scriptures Handel chose for the

passages each Sunday and we will listen to a very small portion of the “Messiah” as part of the

sermon. I will not use all of the passages nor will we hear the “Messiah” in its entirety! But

enough will be shared to help us all see the magnificent message Handel presents in his

incredible work. Then, when Lent begins on February 27 of next year, we’ll pick up with parts two and three.

I’m not sure how it will work, but I’m going to give it a try beginning December 2. Check out

the sermon schedule in this edition of the courier to see what December holds for us.

Ken

Worship Guide Deadline By 9:00 a.m. on the Tuesday before the Sunday you would like it to appear in the worship guide.

Courier Newsletter Deadline Dec. 19, 9:00 a.m. for the January edition. You may leave articles on the office desk or e-mail them to cpcsecretary@sbcglobal.net.

Men’s Fellowship Men meet weekly at McDonalds every Tuesday morning from 7:00 - 7:30 a.m. Contact John Ritzinger (748-1437) if you have any questions. If you’ve never joined us, we would greatly welcome you!

Administration Ministry Administration will meet on Dec. 11, at 6:30 p.m. Contact David Payne for questions. (513-836-3464) Personnel Ministry The next meeting will be on an “as needed” basis. Contact George Mourouzis, (748-3049) for questions.

Adult Ministries meets the second Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. If you have any questions, please contact Steve Hegwood at (937) 885-1031. Session Session will meet on Dec. 18, at 6:30 p.m.

Prayer Partners We have a vital prayer ministry here at Covenant. We have an electronic prayer chain for those who would prefer to be notified of needs as they arise via email. To get connected in prayer through the internet, email Debbie Shear (Kshear@woh.rr.com). Outreach Ministry meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. Contact Susan Stewart for questions. (937-746-3343) Youth Ministry meets the second Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Contact Erica Hicks for questions. (937-748-6352)

Covenant Presbyterian Church 415 N. Main St.

Springboro, OH 45066

address correction requested

Ken Howard Pastor

Worship Services: 9:30 a.m. Traditional Worship Service 11:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship Service Children’s Church - Toddlers and children through 6th grade have age appropriate learning opportunities. Nursery - provided for ages 2 and under.

www.covenantspringboro.com

Covenant Presbyterian Church is called by God

to construct and cultivate a community of God's people

who celebrate and communicate the Good News of Jesus Christ.