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

Joel Wilkes, Youth Ministry Assistant 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

DECEMBER 2016

Promoting a life-changing faith within a loving fellowship

C O N N E C T I O N

2 19

New Covenant Church “Need To Knows” 4

End of the Year Financial Considerations 5

O.W.L.S. & Upcoming Sermons 6

Children’s Christmas Choir 7

New Year’s News 8

We’re Open for Christmas! 9

DECEMBER Calendar of Events 10

New Cov Church Basketball 12

RYM - Sr. High Summer Retreat 13

New Covenant School Senior Spotlight 14

New Covenant School 15

Jr. High Youth Group 16

Sr. High Youth Group 17

Winter Children & Youth Discipleship Hour Classes 18

Winter College & Adult Discipleship Hour Classes 19

NCC Officers, Staff & Contact Information 20

C NNECTION CONTENTS College & Adult Discipleship Hour Classes 

November through January 2017 • 11:10a - 12:00p •

College Discipleship Class Steve Andreasen & 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 excit-

ing 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 anxi-

ety. 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 through the book of John.

Election - Chosen By God Mark Burchette, Dale Hardy & Joe Noblitt • A101

Have you ever wondered what went on behind the scenes when you became a Christ-ian? Do you think that God had foreknowledge of your decision to choose Him and thus he chose you? Do you think that before you were a Christian that you had the

freedom to choose God or reject Him? In this class we will study the Scriptures to get an understanding of the biblical view of God’s election of sinners without destroying

the freewill of man. We will also look at the sovereignty of God and how a proper view of this destroys any thinking concerning bad luck or chance.

The Book of Revelation David Rountree • A211/213

There is a better, more consistent and accurate way to interpret prophetic scripture than using current events as stimulants. The Book of Revelation Discipleship Class

will include a study on the six main principles we should know and follow to interpret scripture accurately, with an obvious emphasis on interpreting prophecy in the Bible accurately. The four dominate views of the book of Revelation will be introduced to eliminate deception. And then we will seek to unpack the consistent message of the Book of Revelation paragraph by paragraph. The study of this book comes with the promise of blessing, “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the

prophecy, and heeds the things which are written in it; for the time is near” (Revela-tion 1:3). The goal of this class will be to make the book of Revelation much less fore-

boding and much easier to love, cherish and apply. Come join us.

WINTER

NEW!

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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. Nursery/Toddlers • Hope Burch & Jodie Hawthorne • C105 Preschool • Bailey Rountree & Britney Thames • C104/106

Children & Youth Discipleship Hour Classes 

November through January 2017 • 11:10a - 12:00p •

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

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

cial emphasis on group discussion and panel forums. 

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

Children meet for group lesson and worship music. Children are then divided by grade for 2016/17 school year for lesson rein-

forcement, crafts and prayer. K4/K5 • Annette Hardy, Lindsay Holley & Ashley Wilson • C116

1ST/2ND • Wesley & Stacy White • C113 3RD-5TH • Donna Rogers • C108

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

Jesus My Savior - a study in the Gospel of Luke

WINTER Christmas Giving for Christ— We are almost there!

In 2011 our Session challenged the congregation to give an extra month’s tithe each year toward the Christmas Gift for Christ. That challenge would represent approximately $60,000 each year and would go toward paying off the church mortgage. As a result, the church, by God’s grace and your faithfulness, would then be able to free more resources for ministry. So, how are we doing?? We have been averaging $40,222 in CGFC gifts each year, with ap-proximately 42% of our membership participating. We are a little behind, but we can see the finish line!! Our current loan balance is $285,234. At the present level of participation of the Christmas Gift for Christ, we will have a balloon payment of approximately $83,000 remaining on the loan balance when the loan matures (March 2018).

Giving to the Christmas Gift for Christ/Debt Elimination Offering can be done at any time by simply designating the offer-ing as “Christmas Gift for Christ” on your check, or through giving online, and through Engage (mobile giving). We will also have the opportunity to present our Christmas Gift offerings under our church Christmas tree during the month of December.

Sacrificial  Offering #  Of  Families  Giving

%  Of    Total  Families

2011 $30,019 57 43%

2012 $46,282 61 46%

2013 $41,260 52 38%

2014 $34,667 51 41%

2015 $48,467 54 42%

CHRISTMAS GIFT for CHRIST GIVING HISTORY

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“Need to Knows” of New Covenant Church

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY Some of the pictures in our Membership Directory are very out of date…children have gotten taller, families have added to their brood, and many folks haven’t changed a bit, but we want proof! Maybe your photo is up to date but you’ve changed to only cell phones, moved, changed e-mails, etc. Please keep us current so we can keep you informed and everyone in the loop.PRAYER CHAIN Our prayer chain is e-mailed every weekday, Monday to Friday, if there are requests. If you have a request you would like to put on the Prayer Chain you can 1.) Put the request in the offering plate on Sundays (form is in chair pocket) OR 2.)E-mail mortenson@ncchurch.net. If you do not receive the Prayer Chain and would like to, please e-mail Krisy Mortenson to be added to the chain. Requests made after 2pm will be sent the next day.

INFORMATION WALL Outside the sanctuary near the Men’s Restroom is our Information Wall full of FREE resources for you. Please help yourself to what’s there and you can share! You’ll find everything from a monthly devotional, Bible reading plans and Membership directo-ries to CD’s of recent sermons.

SERMONS We love to come to worship and hear God’s word! Sometimes we just can’t make it to church due to illness or travels. Other times the Lord prompts us to take another listen or to share with others. Well, you have options! We post the audio sermon each week onto our website and we also make CD copies and place them on the in-formation wall both by the time you leave church!WEBSITE & FACEBOOK Please browse our website at http://www.ncchurch.net for all sorts of information, registrations, current events, staff contacts, etc. You can also find us on Facebook at “New Covenant Church”

GIVING OPTIONS Your tithes and offerings to New Covenant Church can be given through our web-site, sent in the mail, put in the offering plate or through your mobile device at https://engage.suran.com/ncchurch

BIBLE APP For all you “techies” out there who use the YouVersion Bible App, which is free by the way, you can now see the Order of Worship under the “EVENTS” tab and have the sermon scripture reference at your fingertips. We are now “Live” each week in this app.

Youth Ministry Assistant: Joel Wilkes 803.603.9590 OR youthguy@ncchurch.net

Capstone Wednesday YG December 7 ~ 7:30-9:00p

Come join us as we explore the wonderful story of God's redemp-tion for his people.

Christmas Choir Perform December 4, 11, 18, 25

See page 7 for details

Senior Sunday December 11 ~ 12:00-1:00p

All High School Seniors are welcome!

Christmas Party December 14 ~ 7:00-9:00p

Join us for a White Elephant Christmas Party! Grab a $5 nice gift and enjoy snacks and drinks.

Bonfire December 17 ~ 7:00-9:00p

Finishing up school is always tiring.  Come join us on Saturday the 17th for a time of relaxation and good o'l fashion S’mores..

Summer Retreat (RYM) July 3-7, 2017

Details at rymonline.org

9TH-12TH GRADERS Follow us on Facebook at “Capstone” & on Instagram @thencccapstone

Sr. High

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Elf Movie Party December 2 ~ 7:00-9:00p

Bruynell’s (606 Hopewell Ridge) Bring your favorite candy, candy canes, candy corn, and

syrup.

Cheap Ski Day (if there’s snow) December 3 ~ 5:00a-

Cost ~ $35 for skiers, $45 for snowboarders: includes trans-portation, lift tickets, rentals & lockers. Leave NCC 5:00a Saturday morn. 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 (637-

9132) early if you want to ride up in the van!

Christmas Choir Perform December 4, 11, 18, 25

See page 7 for details

Cornerstone Wednesday YG December 7 ~ 7:30-9:00p

Come join us for Bible Study, Fellowship, & Fun

Christmas Party December 14 ~ 6:00-8:00p

Location TBA

6TH-8TH GRADERS Follow us on Facebook at “NCC Cornerstone”

jh@ncchurch.net

Jr. High End of the Year Financial Considerations

Thank you for your faithful giving in 2016!!!  Have you Engaged Your Giving?? We are seeing more of our congre-gation enjoying this new way of mobile giving. You can set up your Engage account on your Android or iPhone access-ing the following link: https://engage.suran.com/ncchurch (contact Susie Whitfield at whitfield@ncchurch.net if you have any trouble).  We will be phasing out the Square Cash account and transitioning to Engage exclusively as our mo-bile giving option as of December 10. 

In order for your giving to count for 2016, your contribution has to be received in the church office by December 31, which this year falls on Sunday. If mailed, your donation may be counted as a 2016 gift as long as the envelop bears a postmark from 2016. If giving online through the website or through Engage, as long as it is before midnight, it will ap-pear on your 2016 Contribution Statement.

And lastly, Contribution Statements will be e-mailed, and mailed, by January 10.

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Oldest. Wisest. Liveliest. Seniors. (O.W.L.S.)

All adult seniors are invited to join us once

each month at 11:30a

for fellowship and food.

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

December 14th ~ 11:30a Christmas Party Luncheon

at David & Patti Rountree’s (110 Benefield’s Ridge)

December’s Upcoming Sermons: 4th: Focused on Christ at Christmas 11th: Carol of Christ 18th: Mark Burchette, Associate Pastor 25th: The Words of Christ at Christmas

December

2016

New Covenant School

PTO Meeting 12/7

Basketball Christmas

Tournament

12/9-12/10

Candy Cane Shop

12/12-12/14

T-Shirt Tuesday 12/13

All School Christmas

Chapel 12/16

Christmas Break

12/19-1/2

Classes Resume 1/3

Basketball Homecoming 1/5

PTO Meeting 1/11

MLK Day No School 1/16

H

Upcoming Events…

NEW COVENANT SCHOOL IS EXCITED TO BEGIN ANOTHER BASKETBALL SEASON! THIS YEAR WE WILL COMPETE AS A SOUTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS (SCACS) MEMBER. WE WILL HAVE FOUR TEAMS… JV BOYS JV GIRLS VARSITY BOYS VARSITY GIRLS

TO DATE WE HAVE HAD OVER $36,000 DONATED TO OUR CAMPAIGN!

THANK YOU!!!

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING…

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CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS CHOIR

For ALL Children/Youth ages 4-18! Practices

Wednesdays ~ 5:30p-6:30p Performances

Each Sunday during Advent for the prelude and first song of Worship services.

Dec 4th: My Deliver, Sing We Now of Christmas Dec 11th: Come On Ring Those Bells, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Dec 18th: O Come Little Children, O Come All Ye Faithful Dec 25th: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, Born is the King

Children do not have to be available for every week of Advent to participate, but it would be helpful if parents would sign up

the weeks that their children are singing with the choir. **music Cd's will be provided**

Contact/Director Sarah Curnow (356-9880) sarah@curnow.us

December

2016

New Covenant School

New Covenant School has blessed me in so many ways, but I think one of the biggest blessings is community. From kindergarten all the way to my senior year, I’ve grown up learning with the people I love most. There have been many changes while I have attended, but all along New Covenant School has held onto its original purpose. A big part of that is bringing students and their families into a really wonderful community that desires to present each one of its students complete in Christ.

New Covenant School Senior Spotlight,

Rebecca Lamb

I think I took much of my education for granted for a long time. I didn’t quite understand the richness of what I was being taught. My mom is a teacher, so as a teacher’s kid I spent a lot of time at NCS. My sister and I used to laugh and say New Covenant is our real home, because we spend more time at the school than we do at our own house! But in all honesty, New Covenant IS my home, and the people there are my family. They’ve educated me, disciplined me, shared the love and mercy of Christ with me, and poured their lives into me because they love the Lord and His children. To be in the presence of God’s people every single day, and be educated with curriculum that is woven with God’s Word, is a priceless gift.

Next year I plan to study elementary education at Anderson, Clemson, Auburn, or Winthrop University. Becoming an elementary school teacher has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember, and I’m hoping to use teaching in the mission field as well. I’ve always loved learning, and I look forward to ministering to elementary students in the same way my teachers took care to minister to me. I can’t imagine any place that would prepare me better for college and after, and I am extremely grateful that I have had the opportunity to learn at NCS.

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Rev. John Boyte has just agreed to preach and teach on January 1st—New Year’s Day! Let’s start the new year right and invite others to hear this special person and his special messages.

John Boyte is a graduate of Clemson University where he earned a B.S. in Industrial Engineering.

John has worked with youth as a lay minister directing and teaching the Junior High Youth at Peoples Bible Church in Greenville, SC and the Senior High at the Evangelical Church of Bangkok in Bangkok, Thailand. He was involved with teaching Sunday School and assisting with the youth at New Covenant before joining the staff in 1996. He finished the MDiv at Erskine Seminary and is ordained as a Teaching Elder in the PCA Church. He married his wife, Cheryl in 1987. They have three children, J.J., Casey, and Caleb. John served as Associate Pastor of New Covenant Church for twelve years while also serving as the campus minister at Anderson University. He has served as campus minister at Anderson University for over 18 years. He has also served the church as an interim pastor at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Easley, SC.

Who can go? Current and Rising Senior High Youth. (Completed grades 8 to 12 for school year 2016/2017.

Who are the chaperones? Adult members of NCC, One chaperone per 6 stu-dents of same gender.

What is RYM? A week-long, senior high, summer camp. RYM exists to reach youth for Christ and equip them to serve. RYM is a word-driven, God-centered, and gospel focused conference. Go to rymonline.org for conference details.

Where is RYM? Laguna Beach Christian Retreat, Panama City Beach, FL. Go to rymonline.org for accommodation details.

When is RYM? July 3, 2016 - July 8, 2017.

How do we get there? NCC rents vans according to number going and all drive there and back together with the chaperones.

How Much is RYM? Approx. $400-450 (plus ~ $50 spending money)

• NCC’s Scholarship Policy: The church will provide a 50% scholarship for all church member participants to church approved church camps and confer-ences if requested. Each participant must pay the first half of the camp/confer-ence fees and the church will pay the remaining half. What this means for RYM registration fee is you pay the $100 deposit by January 31 and you pay the re-maining cost (total cost divided in half and less the $100 deposit) by April 23. Then NCC will pay its 50%, and your complete RYM registration fees are cov-ered. You are on your own for spending money.

• $100 non-refundable deposit due on/before January 31, 2017.

• Remainder cost is due on/before Sunday, April 23, 2017.

• $50 spending money, you’ll need this at time of the trip.

How do I pay for RYM? Please visit the RYM page on our website for links to pay at: http://www.ncchurch.net/#/youth-children/rym

Sr. High Summer Retreat in FLORIDA!

JULY 3-8, 2017

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MONDAY TUESDAY THURSDAY28 6:30 - 13 & U Boys @ 1st Baptist 7:30 - Sr. Girls @ Central Pres

29 7:30 - Jr. Girls @ 1st Pres 8:30 - 17 & U Boys @ 1st Baptist

1 7:30 - Jr. Girls @ 1st Pres 8:30 - 17 & U Boys @Central Pres

5 6:30 - Jr. Girls @ Boulevard 7:30 - 13 & U Boys @ Central Pres 8:30 - Sr. Girls @ Boulevard

6 6:30 - 13 & U Boys @ 1st Pres 7:30 - Sr. Girls @ 1st Pres

8 7:30 - Jr. Girls @ Central Pres 8:30 - 17 & U Boys @ Central Pres

12 6:30 - Jr. Girls @ 1st Baptist

13 6:30 - 13 & U Boys @ 1st Pres 7:30 - Sr. Girls @ 1st Pres

15 8:30 - 17 & U Boys @ 1st Baptist

Make a FAST BREAK for NCC Basketball this month!

We’re Open for

Christmas!

Christmas Day Schedule December 25, 2016

Have you been wondering if our Sunday morning Sabbath schedule on December 25th will be any dif-ferent? The answer is YES! The plan is to start 30 minutes later than normal, to sing a few extra Christ-mas songs and then to NOT hold Discipleship classes. This way we hopefully satisfy everyone, those who want to sleep later and those who want to get home earlier.

Christmas Morning NCC Worship - 10:00AMFellowship & NO Discipleship Classes - 11:30 AM

Nursery Rooms will be open but not staffed

No Christmas Eve service will be provided this year to minimize the temptation to sin by avoiding obedience to God on the Sabbath day (Fourth Com-mandment) through thinking God would be sufficiently satisfied with our traditions the night before and not desirous of being worshiped on his established first day of the week.

Whitfield LBS - 7:00p ✣ Ellody Canney,

Larry Wallace

Jr. High Elf Movie Party - 6-8p

✣ Susie Whitfield

Jr. High/Sr. High CHEAP SKI DAY

Officers Christmas Party @ Rountree’s ✣ Turner Browne❖ David & Casey

Keese

Worship-9:30a Discipleship Class

-11:10a ❖ James &

Margaret Duncan

TRUE3 - 4:00p ✣ Emily Leach

❖ Wesley & Stacy White

WPG - 10:30a TRUE 1 - 3:45p

Gamble/Noblitt MDG - 6:00p

Hardy LBS-12:30p Rountree LBS-12:00p

TRUE2 - 3:00p Choir - 5:30p

Williams LBS-6:00p Jr. High - 6:00p Sr. High -7:30p

Greer LBS-2:00p ✣ Suzanne Fortune

Women’s Wreath Workshop - 5:45p

❖ Rob & Abbi Cord

Worship-9:30a Discipleship Class-

11:10a Senior Sunday-12:00

Session Meeting ❖ Greg & Whitney

Skipper

TRUE3 - 4:00p ❖ Eric & Hope Burch

WPG - 10:30a TRUE 1 - 3:45p

Gamble/Noblitt MDG - 6:00p

✣ Tim Williamson

OWLS - 11:30a Hardy LBS-12:30p

TRUE2 - 3:00p Choir - 5:30p

Jr. High - 6:00p Sr. High -7:00p

✣ Paula Maeger

✣ Caroline Bass, Crystal Wham

❖ Andrew & Ashley Wilson

Sr. High Bonfire - 7:00p ✣ Dale Hardy, Jenny Martin, Sharon Myer

Worship-9:30a Discipleship Class-

11:10a ✣ Olivia Milford

❖ John & Cheryl Boyte

NCS - Break NCS - Break WPG - 10:30a

Gamble/Noblitt MDG - 6:00p

✣ Lindsay Holley

NCS - Break Choir - 5:30p

Williams LBS-6:00p ✣ Peggy Webb,

Mary Beth Wright

NCS - Break Greer LBS-2:00p ✣ Haley Carver,

Gracie Cutliff

NCS - Break

Worship-10:00a NCS - Break NCS - Break WPG - 10:30a

Gamble/Noblitt MDG - 6:00p

✣ Zeb Earley, Caroline Lamb,

Susan Payne, Coart Ramey❖ Maurice &

Carolyn Lopez

NCS - Break ❖ Reid & Angie

Harmon

NCS - Break ✣ Ben Andreasen

NCS - Break ✣ Alisa Lamb,

Angel Leach

✣ Emma Wilson, Marie Wright

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

❖ Anniversaries ✣ Birthdays

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

TRUE=Jr. High Girls Discipleship Group

OWLS=Seniors Discipleship

Sr. High (9th-12th) LBS=Ladies Bible

Study WPG=Women’s

Prayer Group

DECEMBER 2016 Calendar of Events