Bulletin Supplement

Covenant Church Member for Prayer This Week:
Art Rivero

Welcome.  Welcome to Covenant OPC.  We are glad to have you worship with us today.  In light of the present guidelines for slowing the spread of the COVID-19 virus, today’s corporate gathering will be limited to 60 people in the sanctuary and 50 people in the overflow room in the fellowship hall downstairs.  If you are not able to join us in person, we invite you to tune in to the live stream of today’s 10:55 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. service by going to the church website at covenantopcgc.org and following the links to the live stream.

COVID-19 Session Update.  In an effort to safeguard the corporate gatherings for worship, to protect the most vulnerable among us, and to bear good witness of Christ to our neighbors in time of pandemic, the session has deemed it prudent to implement various measures to mitigate the spread of infection: each service is limited to 60 participants upstairs and 50 downstairs to allow for social distancing, face coverings (over the mouth and nose) are expected for all over two years of age who do not suffer from a respiratory condition. In addition, those who have traveled to other states are helping to guard against spread by waiting 10 days or receiving a negative COVID-19 test result (see the PA travel guidelines for more info) before returning to the corporate worship services (note: this 10 day waiting period does not apply if you have received a medical diagnosis of COVID-19 positive in the last three months and are no longer contagious). We know these measures are not without cost, and require a measure of personal sacrifice. And we do thank you for your willingness to bear patiently with us and one another as we all seek to respond with faith and love to the good and wise providence of God, who has ordered even these challenging circumstances for our good and his glory.

Additional Morning Service.  We have resumed the 9:00 a.m. early morning service in addition to the 10:55 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. services.  We are glad to welcome back the college students for the spring semester.

College and Career.  Welcome back to our college students.  Once the weather warms up, we will resume our outdoor bible study around the campfire.

YOUTH GROUP and their families are invited to go ice skating at Hess Ice Rink in New Castle on Saturday, February 20, departing the church parking lot at 2:15 p.m. Each person is asked to bring $5 cash for skates and skating. Dress warmly. Contact Michelle Ritenour at 724.450.1122/[email protected] by Monday, Feb. 15 if you plan to attend. Please let me know if you can be a driver. Plan to bring snacks, if you like, a water bottle, and a mask. There is a concession stand, if you prefer to buy items.  Stay tuned for more information regarding our next youth group study.

“House to House.” In an effort to stay in touch with our membership and learn how we might better minister to the unique needs each household is facing during these unusual days of pandemic, the elders and pastors will be reaching out to schedule a time to make a house/porch/virtual visit. This will provide congregants an opportunity to raise any questions or concerns that they may have for the session and help the session to pray and minister more effectively in light of the various needs in our congregation.

Prayer Meeting.  Join us for corporate prayer this Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. via zoom.

Outreach in Sharon, PA.  Our outreach Bible Study in Sharon is beginning again, this time at Covenant EPC, 263 E. State Street, Sharon, PA 16126.  It will be on Fridays at 6pm (enter through the door on Pine Street).  If you are in the Sharon area, we would love to have you participate.  Even if you can’t come, please lift up this effort in your prayers.  For everyone’s safety, the same health policies regarding masking and social distancing will be expected at the study.

Spring Women’s Forum: What does it mean to orient your mind, desires, and will towards Christ?  You are invited to attend a Women’s Spring Forum with Dr. Craig Troxel on his new book, With All Your Heart, on Saturday April 24th, 2021, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm EST (8-10:00 am Pacific Standard Time). A presentation will take place followed by smaller group discussions. Please register for this free event through this link (https://forms.gle/ekFxcs5Fq5ZUirfMA) and you will be sent the Zoom meeting information. Questions can be addressed to [email protected]. Let Krista Burger ([email protected]) know if you plan to register.

Tithes and Offerings. For the time being we are not passing around the offering plate but have instead located the offering plate by the main entrance. Additionally, we have added a feature to our church’s website (covenantopcgc.org) that allows individuals to continue their financial support of the ministries of the church online. If you prefer, you can also mail in tithes and offerings to the church address, P.O. Box 1016, Covenant OPC 140 E. Poplar Street, Grove City, PA 16127.

January Budget:    $25,454.71
January Offering:  $17,328.92 (68% of budget)

Ladies’ Bible Study. Several of the ladies are meeting online to work on Bible memorization. If you are interested in learning more, contact Melodee Chapman.

Home Missions: DAYTON, OHIO — Tyler and Natalie Detrick
Pastor Tyler Detrick writes, “First Street continues to bear witness to the gospel in downtown Dayton as we look forward to exciting opportunities in the year ahead. We have much to be thankful for: Visitors continue to come from downtown. Our Quran/Bible discussion continues to generate friendships and gospel-focused discussions with our Muslim neighbors. We were also recently encouraged to see God bear fruit in our work as a woman started visiting First Street with her family, found peace with Christ, and leaned into discipleship opportunities. Praise God for these developments! Please also pray for several upcoming opportunities and needs: Pray that God would use our ESL ministry in the upcoming months as a further means of reaching the lost in our community. Pray also for the Lord to guide us to a new downtown meeting location. Our current space has a steep staircase which has proved inaccessible to some, so we’re searching in earnest for a new place to worship!”
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Please send bulletin announcements by noon on Thursday to Pastor Jeremy Jones’ cell (724-372-3296), or email them to [email protected].