Young @ Heart Corned Beef & Bingo

Saturday, March 17th

5:00–8:00pm

COVENANT GOODNEWSLETTERM A R C H 2 0 1 2

C E L E B R A T E * C O N N E C T * C H A N G E

Please join us for a yummy corned beef dinner on Saturday, March 26th. Cost is $5.00 per person to cover the cost of food. After dinner, stay for BINGO!

Young at Heart is for people 50 & older.  If you are over 50, but your spouse is not, you are both welcome to join us! Please RSVP to alison@cccvv.org

Pastor’s Corner 2

Student Ministry 3

Children’s Ministry 4

Deacon Ministry 7

Prayer Ministry 8

Healing Hands Clinic: March 31st 8:30am – 2:00pmCCC is   having a one day free clinic for uninsured  patients.   Medical appointments with licensed   medical professionals are available now. Patients will be seen by appointment only.  Please call 707–448–5234 for an appointment.  Sorry, narcotic pain medications will not be dispensed. 

Tell your neighbors, friends, and relatives!  The clinic is in need of several items in all price ranges.  Please stop by the Welcome Center to make a donation.

Covenant Sewing Group2nd and 4th Wednesdays

9:00am to 1:00pmDo you like to sew, or do you want to learn? Join us for the new Covenant Sewing Group! We will meet in the Ministry Center on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month, from 9:00am to 1:00pm. It is a time to connect with one another, sharing skills and ideas, while making wonderful items for our homes. It is a time to help change the world by making items that can be donated to a variety of places, such as Opportunity House, convalescent hospitals, or the nursery. The possibilities are endless!

If you have a sewing machine or sewing supplies, please bring them. If you have any questions or would like more information, please call Jill Medlin at 707–446–1883 or Brenda DeMartini at 707–330–1551.

March Sewing GroupWednesdaysMarch 14 and

March 28

THE SEASON OF LENT

During this time of year you may have heard the word “Lent,” mentioned at church or in another setting. When I was growing up I did not understand the word, “Lent,” and wondered why people were talking so much about something they found in their belly button or their dryer. But when I attended seminary, which is graduate school for pastors, I found out much more about the meaning and purpose of Lent. There are some frequently asked questions (FAQ) regarding Lent and so I thought I would write this article asking and then answering some of those questions.

What is Lent?Lent is a forty-day period before Easter. Lent begins on a Wednesday, known as Ash Wednesday, and lasts until Easter morning (in the Roman Catholic church Lent actually ends on the Thursday before Easter) . Lent is supposed to be a season of soul-searching and repentance. It is a time when Christians remember the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and reflect on our sinfulness which Jesus died for on the cross.

I just counted and there are actually forty-six days between Ash Wednesday and Easter; so why is Lent forty days?During the Season of Lent the Sundays between Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent, and Easter are not counted. The reason the Sundays are not counted is because each Sunday is seen as a “mini-Easter,” a day of resurrection and joy, and thus they are not counted during Lent which is a time of reflection.

Isn’t Lent a Catholic thing?In the 16th century during the Protestant Reformation many reformers did away with any special “Holy Days,” because they mistaken believed that these “Holy Days,” were established by Rome. However, in the late 19th century documents were uncovered that showed that the Season of Lent was celebrated in the ancient church. Thus, Lent is not a Catholic thing, it is a Christian thing.

I know some people “give up,” things for Lent; why do they do that, isn’t that just a Catholic thing?While it is true that the Roman Catholic church emphasizes giving things up for Lent, the practice of self-denial during Lent is not just a Catholic thing but a Christian thing. The idea behind “giving things,” up for Lent is that in giving something up, we would sacrifice or suffer during Lent. This sacrifice or suffering on our part is to help us understand, at least a little, the sacrifice of Jesus and show solidarity with Jesus’ suffering on the cross.

Do I have to give something up for Lent?No. Giving something up for Lent is not required. It is a choice that individuals make during Lent. Giving up something for Lent is a personal decision and should not be forced, coerced or made out of guilt.

What should I give up?The choice of what to give up is entirely up to the individual. Some people give up television, technology or the computer during Lent. Others give up drinking anything but water for Lent or eating certain types of food. Others fast one day a week or one meal a week. Others give up going out to eat during Lent. One should seek to give up something that would truly be a sacrifice.

Do I have to give up something every day during Lent or can I take Sundays off?The choice is yours. Some people “give up,” things during all the days between Ash Wednesday and Easter while other people choose to only “give up,” things Monday through Saturday.

Lent has already started, have I missed out or can I still give something up?It is not too late, you may still choose to give something up for Lent if you would like. But once again the choice is yours and should be made as a way to feel solidarity with Jesus and not under compulsion from the church or another individual.

Congregational MeetingSunday, March 11th, 11:45amJoin us on Sunday, March 11th after the second service for a Congregational Meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to vote to transfer to Stockton Presbytery.

“Town Hall Meeting”Sunday, March 4th, 11:45amYou are invited to a town hall meeting after the second service on March 4th regarding our transfer from the Sacramento Presbytery into the Stockton Presbytery. This meeting will be the same as the first town hall meeting with the exception that the Executive Presbyter from the Stockton Presbytery will be here.

COVENANT STAFF INFORMATION

Jillian Coffelt, Nursery Director: jillianrenee7@aol.com Alison Fenimore, Admin Assistant: alison@cccvv.orgSheri Marcus, Ministry Director: sheri@cccvv.orgHeidy Parkhurst, Bookkeeper: nhparkhurst@yahoo.comDerek Richman, Pastor: derek@cccvv.org Melissa Santamaria, Nursery Caregiver: melissa@santamaria.wsBecky Santini, Children’s Director: becky@cccvv.orgDavid Tatum, Director of Worship and Student Ministries: david@cccvv.org

OTHER CCC CONTACT INFORMATION

MOPS—Mothers of Pre-Schoolers: mops@cccvv.orgMOMSnext: momsnext@cccvv.orgAlpha Team: alpha@cccvv.org Office: 707-448-5234 / 3870 Alamo DriveOffice Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00AM—4:30PM

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STUDENT MINISTRY (6th - 12th Grades)The Revolution: Sundays, 5:00-7:30pm, Youth Trailer

Want to learn more about God, and go deeper in your relationship with Him? Want toknow what a relationship with God even looks like? Come join The Revolution, and surround yourself with other people your age learning about God, and sharing lives together. Invite your friends and come join us for worship, games, and small group study.

What’s happening in March:Sunday, March 4th: The Revolution (5:00-7:30pm)Sunday, March 11th: The Revolution (5:00-7:30pm)Saturday, March 10th: Rock and Worship Road Show @ Power Balance Pavilion in Sacramento, $10 at the doorSunday, March 18th: Soup Kitchen Friday - Saturday, March 23rd-24th: 30 Hour FamineSunday, March 25th: The Revolution (5:00-7:30pm)

Please contact David Tatum for more information at 707-448-5234 or david @cccvv.org.

Connect with othersFellowship at Covenant

CCC Pictorial DirectoryWe are excited to announce that a new pictorial directory of our church family is in the works! The directory will help us connect names with faces. Please participate! All we ask is that you have your picture taken by the professional Photographer and meet with a Portrait Consultant at the church. We will be scheduling appointments in the lobby on Sundays, March 11th - April 1st. Contact Diane Santamaria at 446-3580 for more information.

Check your calendars - Dates and times for Photography and Portrait Viewing Are: Thursday, 4/19, Friday 4/20, Saturday, 4/21, Tuesday, 5/1 and Wednesday 5/2 (Weekdays 2:00pm-9:20pm and Saturday 9:30am-5:20pm).

Contact Information - You should have received a Contact Information Form in the mail. Completing this form will enable us to have updated information for our new

directory as well as for our general records. Please fill it out and mail it or drop it off to the office. You can also complete it online at www.cccvv.org/#/connect/contact.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Childrenʼs Ministry is GROWING. We are so blessed as a church to have so many young families and young children. Our space is small, so we have found creative ways to accommodate all the children.

Your Childrenʼs Committee, staff, and I have been watching our numbers every Sunday. We keep track of how many children come to each class. There is definitely a trend in numbers which we would like to encourage to grow. After watching our numbers slowly creep up in the nursery, 2ʼs/3ʼs room, and preschool age group, we have decided to add another class! Praise God for this amazing growth!

Easter brings new beginnings, so we have decided to have these class changes occur after Easter, on Sunday, April 15th. What can you look for?

The 2ʼs/3ʼs room will be renamed the “Toddler Room”. It will be for non-potty-trained children who are 2 and 3 years old. This will be a structured free-play room. Children will be cared for by loving staff and volunteers. This class will be open for drop off before service starts.

The PreK-K class which is currently in the Ministry Center, will become a “Preschool Class”. It will be for potty-trained 3, and 4 year olds.* Children will have structured free-play, and also be taught a Bible Lesson by loving staff and volunteers. This class will be open for drop off before service starts.

The Kindergarteners* will have their own small group in classroom 4. They will have a structured class time with a Bible Story. There will be much less free play time in this class.

*If your child is 5 and not in Kindergarten yet, you may choose which class is best for your child - the PreSchool Class or the Kindergarten class.

Children who are attending small groups will begin service with their parents. They will be excused to class after the first 2 songs and prayer. ALL (except 5th/6th) of these children will gather in classroom 4 for together time before separating for small groups. Parents may pick up their children in their small group classrooms: Classroom #1: 1st/2nd graders (at 9:00 service) and 1st-4th graders (at 10:30 service) Classroom #2: 3rd/4th graders (at 9:00 service) Ministry Center Conference Room: 5th/6th graders (at 9:00 service)

Day Light Savings TimeSunday, March 11th, 2:00amJust a friendly reminder that Spring Time Change is next Sunday, March 11th. Don't forget to set your clocks ahead one hour.

Canned Food Drive / Movie NightFriday, March 9 - movie night

On Friday, March 9th, CCC children will be “changing the world” by holding a movie night in conjunction with a canned food drive. Doors open at 6:00pm and the movie will begin at 6:30pm. Admission is 1 nonperishable food item, per person, for Vaca

Fish. For every 5 non-perishable food items you bring, you will receive a raffle ticket.  Prizes will be raffled off during movie "intermission.”

The movie will be Cars 2 (Rated G). “Star racecar Lightning McQueen and the incomparable tow truck Mater take their friendship to exciting new places in Cars 2 when they head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix. But the road to the championship is filled with plenty of potholes, detours and hilarious surprises when Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage.”

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FOOD DRIVE

Westminster Woods - Summer Camps

Westminster Woods, a Christian summer camp located in Sonoma County, just outside of Occidental, invites campers to come and revel in the life-changing gifts of God by being loved unconditionally, playing uninhibitedly, laughing uncontrollably and growing unexpectedly.  Westminster Woods is the perfect environment to run, explore and enjoy being a kid.  

Adventure Camp: (June 27 - 30 $275/237.50) A safe and exciting 3-night program for children entering 2nd-4th grades. This exciting escapade, led by trained jungle guides (staff and counselors), is filled with laughter, singing, swimming, adventure, and discovery.  The young campers benefit from lots of care, guidance, and contact with creation.

The Forest: (June 24 - 30 $550/475) A joyous, activity-filled camp for kids entering 4th-6th grades. Swimming, crafts, creative Bible studies, archery, games, and hiking fill these campers’ days.

Elevation: (June 24 - 30 $550/475) An upbeat week of meaningful fun for young people entering 6th-8th grades. Meaningful friendships grow as campers from different places share their common connection in Christ.

Why are there two prices listed for summer camp? Westminster Woods offers tiered pricing for most of its camp programs.  You may choose to pay the camp rate or the subsidized rate.  (Your child will have the same great experience regardless of the rate you choose.)  Throughout the year, Westminster Woods accepts donations to support its programs.  For families that choose to pay the subsidized rate, the camp uses these donations to make up the difference.

Even with the subsidized rate, camp seems expensive.  Are there other ways to reduce the price? Yes.  Register by April 1 with the promotion code # 2012CP to save $45 off the cost of any camp.   In addition, the Gingerbread House fundraiser in December raised $700, so each camper will receive $25-$70 depending upon the number of kids who attend from our church. This money will be reimbursed back to you AFTER camp. Talk to Becky if you're planning to attend camp.

What if the costs still seem out of reach? Westminster Woods offers camper-ships, and the Deacon's Fund can also help.  Contact Nick Santini at santinis@sbcglobal.net or 707-567-2089 for more information.  We believe camp can be a life-changing experience.  We'd like to help as many children as possible experience it.

Online camp registrations are available at http://www.westminsterwoods.org/summer-camps/. For camp questions, contact Becky Santini at 707-448-5234 or becky@cccvv.org

For questions, to help plan, or to RSVP, please contact Emily Feil at momsnext@cccvv.org or by phone at 448-5234

MOMSnext1st and 3rd Thursdays

MOMSnext is off to a great start.  If you've got a school aged child, join us the first and third Thursdays of the month from 9:30-11:00am. You'll find an encouraging community and practical teaching for this season of mothering.

Childcare is available for home-schoolers and younger siblings.

MOPS (Mothers Of PreSchoolers) 2nd and 4th Mondays

MOPS is for mothers with children from conception through kindergarden. At MOPS meetings, women come together to enjoy practical teaching, supportive discussions, creative projects, service opportunities, and a snack they don't have to share. MOPS meets from 9:30-11:00 on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month. Children are cared for in our MOPPETS program.

Because better moms make a better world.

MOPS offers: * authentic community * personal growth *

* practical help * spiritual hope *

For questions, please contact Jamie Riggs at mops@cccvv.org or by phone at 448-5234

Please join us as we connect and encourage one another to be the best mothers possible to our school aged children.  

March 1:  Derek Richman "Communication"   

March 15: Michael Cline "Talking to your Kids about Sex"  

Change the worldOpportunities at Covenant

Monetary donations may be mailed to: VacaFish Food Bank1102 Alamo Drive,

Vacaville, CA 95687

VACA FISH FOOD BANK Vaca Fish is one of Vacaville’s food banks.  With so many people struggling to make ends meet, VacaFish is in need of more and more donations. The last Sunday of every month, CCC has a pickup truck at the front of the church to collect any donations.  When you do the grocery shopping for your family, why not add a few extra items for those in need?  

Call  (707) 447-5482 for more information or visit their website at www.vacafish.org. 6

Support MOMSnext and Opportunity House

On Tuesday March 6 from 6-8 pm, MOMSnext moms will be volunteering in the Opportunity House Thrift Shop on Peabody Road.  A portion of the sales from the evening will be donated to MOMSnext.   By shopping for a bargain, you'll be helping two great organizations at once.  If you'd like to volunteer with us, please contact Emily at momsnext@cccvv.org.

Covenant Community Deacon NewsVacaville, California March 2012

From the beautiful weather we’ve been having, we’re thinking spring has already sprung! We really are praying for more rain before the rain clouds are closed for the season.

As most of you know, we have special Deacon Fund Offerings quarterly, and the latest one was on February 5. Your response was outstanding .. you contributed $750.00 toward the caregiving work of your church! We so appreciate your generosity. This will go far in helping those in our congregation who need help in these difficult economic times.

Also, on that same Sunday, we had signup sheets available for those of you who wished to join a caregiving team. Thirteen of you signed up for one or more teams. We know that your time is just as valuable as money, and we wouldn’t be able to do our work as disciples of Christ if it wasn’t for your willingness to help your Covenant Community Church family.

God blessings to all of you, and please, if you or someone in our congregation needs help, please let us, or the church office, know of the need. We are here to help.

In His name,

Donna Begley, Deanie Benton, Bob Cantrell, Louise Collagan, Jean Downey, Judy Erwin, Leah Hall, Terri Jimenez, Johnson, Pat Kellis, Lela Lowry, Ellen Neves, and Nick Santini

Small GroupsSmall groups offer a place to connect with other believers in fellowship; to grow in our understanding of the Bible; to meet the needs of others within your group; and to grow in your faith. If you are interested in joining a small group, please fill out the response card for more information, or sign up at the Information Center. Childcare is available at the church on Wednesday evenings, from 6:30-8:30pm for a small fee.

If you have questions, please contact our Ministry Director, Sheri Marcus at jmmarcus@pacbell.net or by calling 707-448-5234.

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Intercessory  PrayerBy  Cindy  Jackson

For   those   of   you   who   are   not   familiar   with   the   term  intercessory  prayer,   it  means,  simply,  praying  for  someone  else.    Some  people  may  feel  this  kind  of  prayer  is  the  only  legitimate   prayer;   that   we   should   not   be   praying   for  ourselves,  except  in  an  emergency.    Of  course,  that   is  not  true.    King  David  prayed  very   personal  prayers  all  through  the  Psalms.    We  need  to  pray  for  ourselves  first,   to  make  sure  that  we  are  squared  away  with  the  Almighty.    Proverbs  15:29  informs  us  that  “The  Lord  is  far  from  the  wicked  but  he  hears  the  prayer  of  the  righteous.”    On  the  other  hand,  James  5:16  states  that   “The  prayer  of   a   righteous  man   is  powerful  and  effective.”

Powerful  and  effective.     Those  are  the  adjectives  we  need  when  performing   intercessory   prayer.     It   is  not   as  easy  praying   for   someone  else’s  situation  as  it   is  for  our   own.    We  have  to   love  that   person   in   a  very   real  way   for   our  prayer   to  be  truly   sincere.     In  the  sermon   I  heard   from  Derek  this  last  week,  he  told  us  about  the  four  friends  who  were   so  passionate   about   getting   their   friend   in   to   see  Jesus  that  they  dug  a  hole  in  the  roof  to  be  able  to  get  him  in  front  of  Jesus.    (Mark  2:1-­‐12)    Intercessory  prayer  must  be   passionate   to   dig   through   all   the   distractions   and  crowded  days  to  actually  take  the  needs  of  others  to  Jesus.

How  do  we  get   the  passion  we  need  in  order   to   rightly  represent  others  to  Christ,  the  Mediator  who  stands  before  the  throne  of  God?    First,  we  must  allow  “Christ  [to]  dwell  in   [our]  hearts  through   faith;   that   [we]   being   rooted   and  grounded  in  love,  may  have  power  to  comprehend  with  all  the  saints  what   is  the  breadth   and  length  and  height  and  depth,   and   to   know   the   love   of   Christ   which   surpasses  knowledge,  that  [we]  may  be  filled  with   all  the  fulness  of  God.”  (Ephesians  3:17-­‐19  RSV)

To  allow  Christ  to  dwell  in  our  hearts  requires  us  to  spend  time  in  His  Word,   learning  Who  He  is  and  what  He  said.    According   to  John  White  in  Daring  to  Draw  Near,   “…We  must  soak  our  minds  in  Scripture  that   the  Holy  Spirit  may  have  fuel  to  light  within  us.    There  must  be  plenty  of  fuel,  not  just  isolated  texts  chosen  at  random.    The  fuel  has  to  be  thick  and  heavy.    Promises  may  catch  alight  quickly,  but  for  

a  lasting  fire  we  will  need  some  solid  knowledge  about  the  nature  and   the  character  of  God  and  of  his  Christ   and  of  their  intervention  in  human  history.”1

Once  we  know  how  God  feels  about  the  people  He  sent  His  Son   to  die   for,   and  we  know  that   He  has  made  certain  promises,  and  we  know  God  keeps  His  promises,  we  can  approach  the  throne  on  behalf  of  those  who  have  asked  for  prayer.     And   when   there   is  someone  we   love,   we  can  intercede  whether   they  want   us  to  or  not—we  just   can’t  exasperate  them  by   nagging   them  with  that   fact.    When  there  is  someone  we  have  trouble  loving,  we  need  to  first  ask  God  to  help  us  see  that  one  as  He  does.    The  God  who  made  all  of   us  loves  all  of  us.     When  we  have  read  the  Scriptures  in  order  to  allow  Christ  to  dwell  in  us,  He  is  able  to  germinate  love  for  others  in  us,  even  if  we  can’t  bring  it  up  in  ourselves.    When  we  lift  up  those  God  loves  to  Him  for   His   attention,   we   can   be   assured   He   will   give   His  attention.

Satan  hates  it  when  Christians  pray.    He  especially  hates  it  when  we   pray   that   God’s  kingdom   will   be   advanced   in  others.    When  we  pray,  “Thy  will  be  done  on  earth  as  it  is  heaven…”  we  are  praying  that  we  and  the  people  we  pray  for   will  do  God’s  will  just   as  it   is  done  by   the  angels  in  heaven.    And  so,  Satan  fights  back.

If   you   enter   into   intercessory   prayer   you   will   hear   the  Enemy’s  whispers.    He  will  tell  you  that  you  are  not  worthy  to  pray  for  someone  else  when  you  are  altogether  unfit  to  pray.    He  will  tell  you  that  you  can’t  possibly  know  how  to  pray   for   another   person.    He  will  tell  you  that   you  don’t  have  enough   faith,   time,   knowledge,   and  point   out   your  worst  sins  and  fears.    And  everything  he  says  may  be  true  for  you.    But  “…The  Spirit  helps  us  in  our  weakness…    And  he  who  searches  our  hearts  knows  the  mind  of   the  Spirit,  because  the  Spirit   intercedes  for   the  saints   in  accordance  with  God’s  will.”    (Romans  8:26a,  27)

So  go  ahead.    Read  the  Word.    Clear  your  mind  and  heart.    Then  pray  for  others.    Don’t  be  afraid.    “You,  dear  children,  are  from  God  and   have  overcome  them,  because  the  one  who   is   in   you   is   greater   than   the   one   who   is   in   the  world.”    (I  John  4:4)

1Daring to Draw Near by John White; published 1977 by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship of the USA

If you have a special prayer request, please fill out your response tab in your Sunday bulletin, call 707-448-5234, or email alison@cccvv.org.

Prayer

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3870 Alamo Drive, Vacaville, CA 95687

JUST FOR FUN...

Solution to Number 45: (Psalm 4:3) NIVKnow that the Lord has set apart the Godly for Himself

Solution to Number 46: (Psalm 17:5) NIV My steps have held to Your paths my feet have not slipped