Elders: Deacons: Mark Burchette Steve Andreasen Michael Cousar David Gamble Dale Hardy Reid Harmon Joe Noblitt David Keese David Rountree Hawes Lomas (Emeritus) Rob Wright Jeff Lopez Jack Myer

Staff: David Rountree, Senior Pastor

Mark Burchette, Associate Pastor Joe Canney, Headmaster of New Covenant School

Susie Whitfield, Business Administrator Krisy Mortenson, Communications Coordinator Melissa Canney, Children’s Ministries Director

Timothy Rountree, Audio/Visual Technical Director

New Covenant Church 301 Simpson Road • Anderson, SC 29621 Phone: 864.224.8724 • Fax: 864.224.5985

office@ncchurch.net www.ncchurch.net

CONNECTION

DECEMBER 2015O. W. L. S. Oldest. Wisest. Liveliest. Seniors.

All adult seniors are invited to join us the

3rd Wednesday of each month

at 11:30

for fellowship and food.

Please contact Sam or Jeanine Baker for questions or to RSVP: 314-2785

DECEMBER 16th Christmas Party Luncheon @ 11:30 at Rountree’s (110 Benefield’s Ridge)

The righteous will flourish

like a palm tree…planted

in the house of the LORD… they still bear

fruit in old age.

PSALM 92:12-14

2 Connection Cover Credit: Bing Images 15

CONNECTION CONTENTSWelcome To The Family…….Penny LoPresto 4

CK Club Events 5

Church Basketball Update 6

Men’s Discipleship, Family Promise, Jr. High Cheap Ski Day 7

DECEMBER 2015 Calendar of Events 8

Jr. High Upcoming Events 10

Sr. High Upcoming Events 11

New Covenant School Senior Spotlight 12

New Covenant School 13

Children & Youth Discipleship Hour Classes 14

College & Adult Discipleship Hour Classes 15

O. W. L. S. 16

NEW!

The Bible, Book by Book David Rountree • A211/213

This is a fun and interactive Bible class that has as its intention to survey every book of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, to infinity and beyond! Join us at any point for essential doc-

trines necessary for spiritual growth and discipleship maturity. This class is currently studying the New Testament books. Our senior pastor’s goal in teaching this class is to teach us

the “whole counsel of God” by addressing the main subjects in every book of the Bible. It is a “walk-through” of the entire Bible in approximately three years. Come along for the joy of

growing deeper and richer in Christ every week.

Hebrews Mark Burchette, Dale Hardy & Joe Noblitt • A101

The book of Hebrews is written to Jewish believers who were undergoing great persecution. They were tempted to go back to Judaism because of this abuse. The writer of this book gives these believers compelling arguments why they should not leave the church to go back to Ju-

daism. The main forceful argument of this book is that if one should leave the church they are leaving Christ. And to leave Christ is to leave the One who is the reality of the Old Testament shadows. Christ is greater than angels, Moses, the high priest, and the sacrificial lamb. He is

the fulfillment of all of these things because He is the promised Messiah. We as Americans are starting to feel the birth pangs of persecution. Who would have ever

thought that an American citizen could go to jail for belief in marriage being between a man and a woman? But the shot has been heard around the world that the United States Government is

now persecuting Christians. God’s people need to be ready by studying a book that will prepare them for this. It is the book of Hebrews which teaches us to not trust in men or in governments but to trust in Jesus Christ who will never disappoint. The more we know about the character

of Christ who indwells us the more we are able to stand against persecution.

College & Adult Discipleship Hour Classes 

November 2015 through January 2016 • 11:10a - 12:00p •College Discipleship Class

Steve Andreasen, Seth Gurley & Jay Long • B108 College life can bring great joy for Christian students. This is the time of life when one is making some very important decisions. What is my life’s calling? What major do I take to get me started in that calling? How does God want to use me while I am here? Who are my friends going to be?

When will I meet my future spouse? These are exciting times in your life but they also can be stressful.

Doing things for the first time in college can be very exciting and fulfilling but sometimes can be a temptation for anxiety. How do I react to a professor who is an atheist, evolutionist, sexist or socialist? What do I do when fellow students mock my Christian beliefs? How do I defend my

faith when my professors seem to be so sure of what they teach?

James 1:2 says, “Count it all joy my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” God wants to give you great joy in your Christian

life no matter what you face in life. This class will help you to see how you can have great joy while facing the challenges of college life and growing to maturity in Christ.

6:00 pm

14 3

Nursery (newborn- 4yrs.) Melissa Canney

God’s Son - The birth and stories of Jesus, God’s Son. The children sing, have Bible lesson, color or craft, and eat a snack.

0 - 1.5 yrs • Jodie & Jamie Hawthorne • C102 1.5 - 2.5 yrs • Britney Thames & Mary Beth Wright • C105

2.5 - 4 yrs • Courtney Hardy & Crystal Wham • C104

Covenant Kids (K4-5th) Melissa Canney • C108

Catechism Questions 58-108 (Teaching about Faith, Christ, and the Ten Commandments)

Our goal is that each child would develop a deep, personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ and grow deeper in their walk with the Lord. The Covenant Kids will hear from many gifted teachers, as well

as sing and sign praises to God. After assembly, the children will move to classrooms for lesson reinforcement activities and prayer.

K4 • Annette Hardy & Ashley Wilson • C116 K5-2nd • Matthew & Liz Pearson • C113

3rd • Eric & Meredith Lanford • C114 4th -5th • Michael Cousar • C110

Children & Youth Discipleship Hour Classes 

November 2015 through January 2016 • 11:10a - 12:00p •

Sr. High (9th-12th) David Reiter, Joey Thames & Jay Wright • B105

A combination of topical study and book-of-the-Bible survey, our high school students will hear from a rotation of gifted speakers bringing a message of grace every Sunday with special emphasis on

group discussion and panel forums. 

Jr. High (6th-8th) Dexter Williams & Mike Settle • A214

The King Comes - the Gospel of Matthew.

Do  not  grieve  the  Holy  Spirit  (Eph.  4:30).  

Be  filled  with  the  Spirit  (Eph.  5:18).  

These  are  two  passages  that  scream  our  need  for  the  Holy  Spirit.  Check  out  this  list  of  some  of  the  things  the  Holy  Spirit  does   (Note  that  this   is   just  an  unbe-­‐lievable   parAal   list).   Perhaps   you   can   use   this   list   in   personal   Bible   Study,   in  your  Home  Ministry  Group,  or  some  Bible  class  and  give  some  Ame  to  seeing  your  need  to  be  filled  with  the  Spirit  .  .  .  never  grieving  him.  The  Holy  Spirit  .  .  .  

1)   Keeps  us  on  a  righteous  path  for  our  benefit  by  convicAng  us  of  sin  and  giving  us  the  feelings  of  guilt  (John  16:7-­‐11).  

2)   Illumines  God’s  word   for  our  understanding,   teaching  us   truth   (1  Cor.  2:6-­‐16;  John  16:13).  

3)   Spotlights   Christ   so   that   we   can   see   his   glory   and   be   changed   (John  15:26;  16:13,  14).    

4)   Regenerates,   saves,   washes,   renews,   and   grants   us   everlasAng   life  (John  3:5-­‐8;  Gal.  6:8;  Titus  3:5).  

5)   SancAfies  us  (2  Thess.  2:13;  1  Pet.  1:2;  Rom.  5:16).  6)   Empowers  and  strengthens  us  (Luke  4:14;  24:49;  Rom.  15:19;  Acts  1:8;  

Eph.  3:16).    7)   Enables  our  prayers  to  reach  heaven’s  ear  (Rom.  8:26-­‐27;  Jude  1:20).  8)   Frees  us  from  sin  (Rom.  8:2),  bringing  us  liberty  from  sin  and  bondage  

(2  Cor.  3:17).  9)   Transforms  us  into  the  image  of  Christ  (2  Cor.  3:18).  10)  Comforts  us  (Acts  9:31).  11)  Grants  us  joy  (1  Thess.  1:6).  12)  Grants  us  everlasAng  life  (Gal.  6:8).  13)  Assures  us  we  are  children  of  God  when  we  are  (Rom.  8:16).  14)  Produces  in  us  wonderful  fruit  like  love  for  God,  peace  with  God,  self-­‐

control  by  God,  and  more  as  evidence  that  we  are  constrained  by  him  (Gal.  5:22,  23).  

15)  Gi^s   us   with   spiritual   gi^s   of   significance   and   usefulness   (1   Cor.  12:7-­‐10,  28-­‐30;  Rom.  12:6-­‐8;  Eph.  4:7-­‐11;  1  Pet.  4:10-­‐11).  

16)  UniAes  us  as  believers  of  one  family  (Eph.  4:3;  2:14-­‐18).  17)  Guarantee  our  future  resurrecAon  (2  Cor.  1:22;  2  Cor.  5:5).  18)  Seals  us  in  Christ’s  righteousness  (Eph.  1:13;  4:30).  19)  Speaks  to  and  through  us  (1  Cor.  12:3;  1  Tim.  4:1;  Rev.  2:11;  Heb.  3:7;  

Ma`.  10:20;  Acts  2:4;  8:29;  10:19;  11:12,  28;  13:2;  16:6,  7;  21:4,  11).  20)  Confesses  that  Jesus  came  in  the  flesh  (1  John  4:2).  21)  Casts  out  our  demons  (Ma`.  12:28).  

4 13

Welcome

to the

family…

Penny LoPrestoWhere are you originally from? I was born in Hillsdale, Mi and lived there most of my life.

What made you decide to join New Covenant Church? When moving to Anderson I was praying that God would put me in a church where He wanted me. We drove by NCC on the way to our new home. So I checked it out on the internet and felt it was a good bible believing and teaching Church. After attending, felt this was where God wanted me.

How did you come to know the Lord? When I was 27 we were invited to a Baptist Church by some friends for Easter. I heard the gospel and kept returning as I wanted to learn more. Realized I needed a savior and my sins forgiven. By faith I be-lieved that Jesus died for my sins, was buried and rose from the dead 3 days later. Every since then my life has been changed.

What are some of your hobbies? I enjoy walking and enjoying the fresh air and all God's beauty around me. Love to take pictures of flowers, trees, clouds, sunsets, animals, all and any of God's creation.

Where do you work/what do you do? I retired from Hillsdale Co ISD where I worked for 15 years. Loved working with those children.

December

2015

New Covenant School

Basketball at Oakwood 12/3

Basketball at Lighthouse 12/4

Basketball at BJA 12/5

FIRST HOME BBALL GAME! 12/8

Basketball at Hampton

Park 12/14

Middle School Basketball Tourney @

Erskine

12/18- 12/19

All School Chapel 12/18

Christmas Break

12/21-1/1/16

Classes Resume 1/4

Winter Ball 1/15

H

Upcoming Events…

NEW COVENANT SCHOOL IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE HAVE OFFICIALLY STARTED A BASKETBALL PROGRAM! THIS YEAR WE HAVE FOUR TEAMS… MIDDLE SCHOOL BOYS JV BOYS VARSITY BOYS VARSITY GIRLS

TO DATE WE HAVE HAD OVER $46,000 DONATED FOR OUR CAMPAIGN!

THANK YOU!!!

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING…

12 5

CK Club Wednesdays 3 yr olds to current 5th graders

Choir Time: 5:15-5:45pm

Chow Time: 5:45-6:10pm ($2 per person)

Club Time: 6:15-7:15pm

Large group assembly then age appropriate groups with activities

Bible/Crafts/Games/Music FUN!!

CK Choir Traditional Christmas Play

December 16

CovEnaNt

Contact Melissa Canney: mcanney@ncchurch.net

December

2015

New Covenant School

At New Covenant, I have loved the teaching as well as the tight-knit environment. In elementary school, on top of a regular curriculum, we learned about the Bible while memorizing catechisms and Scripture. It may not have been important to me then, but knowing the importance of God's word now, it is great to already know these things. In upper school, especially sophomore and junior year, I have loved really grasping big concepts with my classmates in history and literature. It has also been incredible to grow up with my classmates from Kindergarten all the way to Senior year. Next year, I hope to study psychology at Covenant College in Georgia. Their focus in learning is as spot-on as the education I've grown up with. I see education with a Christian worldview as the best way for God to grow my understanding of Him in a secular world rather than a way to protect me from ever facing the secular world. My advice to the classes behind me would be to enjoy New Covenant with all of its strengths and weaknesses and to also stay involved. You will never regret investing yourself in a great place like this.

New Covenant School Senior Spotlight,

Michelann Settle

6 11

CHURCH

BASKETBALL

UPDATE IMPORTANT DATES

Uniform/Registration Fee Payment Deadline December 1

Coaches Meeting - Dec. 1, 7:00pm @ Boulevard Baptist

Season Begins Junior/Senior Girls, Boys 13 + - Dec. 7

Coed 5 Clinic-Boys 11 & U - Jan.9

Team Schedules and Rules www.andersonchurchsports.org

UPCOMING EVENTSALL 9TH-12TH GRADERS

Regular Sr. High Youth Group - Wednesday Nights SALT(Student Action Leadership Team) 7-7:30

Gym 7:30-8 ~ Bible Study 8-8:30 ~ Games 8:30-9

December 16 Christmas Party - 7:30pm

@ Dutterer’s (102 Sorrel Oaks, Belton 29627) Will have a tacky sweater contest, white elephant game and

special snacks.

Save the Date!Sr. High Summer Retreat in FLORIDA!

July 4-9

10 7

Jr. High Cheap Ski Day December 5

• Cost ~ $35 for skiers, $45 for snowboarders: in-cludes transportation, lift tickets, rentals & lockers.

• Leave NCC at 5:00am Saturday Morning.

• Ski at Appalachian Ski Mountain., Blowing Rock, NC from 9-4pm.

• Bring: Bag Lunch, Money for Dinner, warm clothes and a change of clothes.

• RSVP to Dexter (844-2416) early if you want to ride up in the van!

NCC will host week of December 13

Please contact David Keese or Meredith Lanford if you would like

to serve in this ministry.

ALL 6TH-8TH GRADERS

Regular Jr. High Youth Group Wednesday Nights

(this is when we play games, have snack, learn God’s truth and pray) 6:00p-7:30p

UPCOMING EVENTS

December 5 Cheap Ski Day w/Dexter

(see details page 7)

December 11 Movie Night at the Wright's

6:30 - 8:30 pm - 214 Savannah Dr. We'll watch “Elf” and have noodles and syrup. Bring candy,

candy canes, and candy corns

December 16 Christmas Party at the Hardy’s

7:00-9:00 pm - 206 Dandelion Trail Bring a $5 gift.

For Men Only (& their children)D.A.W.N. (Discipleship and Weekly Nurture)

Wednesday Mornings at 6:30 a.m. Beginning February 3, 2016

At New Covenant Church in C-108

What You Can Count On Every Week:• Punctuality! Don't be late, we will not wait• 6:30 - 6:35 Pick up light breakfast and find a seat• 6:35 - 7:00 Bible Teaching• 7:00 - 7:30 Application of Bible message & small group prayer

Contact Rob Wright: rob@alumni.clemson.edu

Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31

WPG - 11:00a TRUE1 - 4:00p TRUE2 - 4:00p

Noblitt MDG - 6:00p Lamb WDG-7:30p ✣ Ellody Canney,

Larry Wallace

Hardy WDG - 1:00p CK Club - 5:15p

Williams WDG - 6:00p Jr. High 6:00-7:30p

SALT - 7:00p Sr. High 7:30-9:00p ✣ Susie Whitfield

Milford MDG-6:00a ✣ Turner Browne ❖ David & Casey

Keese

❖ James & Margaret Duncan

Jr. High Cheap Ski Day

❖ Stacy & Wesley White

Worship-9:30a Discipleship Classes-

11:10a

TRUE3 - 2:30p WPG - 11:00a Rountree WDG-12:15p

TRUE1 - 4:00p TRUE2 - 4:00p

Noblitt MDG - 6:00p Lamb WDG -7:30p

✣ Suzanne Fortune

CK Club - 5:15p Williams WDG - 6:00p

Jr. High 6:00-7:30p SALT - 7:00p

Sr. High 7:30-9:00p ❖ Rob & Abbi Cord

Milford MDG-6:00a Jackson WDG - 2:00p Jr. High Movie-6:30p

❖ Greg & Whitney Skipper

❖ Eric & Hope Burch

FAMILY PROMISE Worship-9:30a

Discipleship Classes- 11:10a

Session Meeting ✣ Tim Williamson

FAMILY PROMISE TRUE3 - 2:30p

✣ Paula Maeger

FAMILY PROMISE WPG - 11:00a

TRUE1 - 4:00p TRUE2 - 4:00p

Gamble/Noblitt MDG - 6:00p

Lamb WDG-7:30p

FAMILY PROMISE Hardy WDG - 1:00p

OWLS -11:30a CK Club - 5:15p

Jr. High Party-7:00p Sr. High Party- 7:30p

✣ Caroline Bass, Crystal Wham

❖ Andrew & Ashley Wilson

FAMILY PROMISE Milford MDG-6:00a

✣ Dale Hardy, Jenny Martin, Sharon Myer

FAMILY PROMISE ✣ Olivia Milford

❖ John & Cheryl Boyte

FAMILY PROMISE

Worship-9:30a Discipleship Classes-

11:10a ✣ Lindsay Holley

NCS BREAK TRUE3 - 2:30p ✣ Peggy Webb,

Mary Beth Wright

NCS BREAK WPG - 11:00a

TRUE1 - 4:00p TRUE2 - 4:00p

Gamble/Noblitt MDG - 6:00p

Lamb WDG-7:30p ✣ Haley Carver,

Gracie Cutliff

NCS BREAK NCS BREAK Christmas Eve Service

- 6:00p

OFFICE CLOSED

NCS BREAK OFFICE CLOSED

Worship-9:30a Discipleship -11:10a

✣ Caroline Lamb, Susan Payne, Coart Ramey

❖ Maurice & Carolyn Lopez

TRUE3 - 2:30p ❖ Reid & Angie

Harmon

✣ Ben Andreasen ✣ Alisa Lamb, Chloe Payne

✣ Emma Wilson, Marie Wright

❖ Anniversaries ✣ Birthdays

CK Club=Covenant Kids Jr. High (6th-8th)

MDG=Men’s Discipleship Group

SDG=Seniors Discipleship Group

SALT=Student Action Leadership Team

Sr. High (9th-12th) TRUE=Girls 6-8th Grade

Discipleship Group WDG=Women’s Disciple-

ship Group WPG=Women’s Prayer

Group

December 2015 Calendar of Events

ncchurch.net