People
Community Groups
We believe that humanity was created to live in relationships. In other words, it is not good to live in isolation. Scripture not only commands this, but illustrates it by comparing Believers to the human body with all its complexities when it says,
12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. 14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.
The human body is an incredible organism that has an uncanny ability to survive and heal itself. However, like the passage above notes, the human body needs all of its parts to be healthy and operate properly. With that in mind, we are committed to living out the teachings of Scripture in an authentic community marked by sacrifice, honest, and forgiveness. We want to be a place where it is safe to talk about our struggles and know that we will be loved rather than shamed, we will be prayed for rather than talked about, and cared for rather than shunned. A place where we laugh a lot, and celebrate what God is doing in each other’s lives.
This level of community only works when it originates in small groups of diverse and imperfect people who are committed to connecting with each other on a consistent basis for mutual care and fellowship. It is in this context that we are invited to live as a body experiencing and living out what it means to “Love your neighbor as yourself.”(Luke 10:27) Here at Covenant, we call these Community Groups. They are relationally driven and an important way we care for the health, welfare, and protection of the body of Christ.
Because building and maintaining Biblical relationships is central to our community groups, we encourage sharing meals together, sharing our stories with each other, sharing His story to each other, and sharing our prayers with the Father.
Consistency provides more opportunity for connection and care, and that’s why the full group will meet twice a month. In addition, there will be gender specific groups that meet on off weeks. Example: Week 1 – Group Meeting, Week 2 – Men’s Meeting, Week 3 – Group Meeting, Week 4 – Women’s Meeting. In the case of a 5th week, groups will gather for a dinner or other lighthearted fellowship.
In most cases they will meet in a host home. This builds familiarity and continuity for members as well as making it easier to invite guests without having to guess where the next meeting will be.
The sizes will vary, but we encourage that new groups are formed when existing groups reach 16 members.
Leaders will be approved by the Elders of Covenant, and then equipped as well as coached to effectively lead their group. It is our desire to have an apprentice or assistant to each leader that will prepare to lead in the future.
Childcare is a significant challenge for many young parents. There no easy solution, but we believe that meeting twice a month eases that concern. We have found that alternating child-care methods can also be helpful. These include: everyone gets their own childcare, children attend and 2 adults (rotate each month) to provide childcare, children attend and everyone donates a few dollars for babysitters.
Children
Nursery
Sundays, 8:45AM-11:15AM
As a service to families, we offer a fully staffed nursery for children infant-3 years old. The nursery is open during both Sunday School and the worship service. We staff our nursery with trusted volunteers, all of which have undergone a background check.
sunday school
Sundays, 8:45AM
This time is designed to engage students with strong biblical teaching and discussion. We focus on faithful teaching from God’s Word and Scripture memorization. Our classes are age-appropriate and led by experienced and trusted teachers.
children's church
Sundays, 10:00AM
Our Children’s Church program uses the Teach Me to Worship curriculum which uses a mix of songs, lessons, games, and crafts. Children are dismissed prior to the sermon and can be picked up immediately following the worship service.
children's choir
Wednesdays, 6:00-6:45PM
Our children’s choir (starting with first grade) allows children to learn the importance of worship and to develop musical skills for a lifetime of worship. They participate in selected Sunday morning services and other special events. Children’s Choir is led by Helen Sneller.
American heritage girls and trail life
American Heritage Girls (AHG) is a Christ-centered scouting organization and is the premier national character development organization for girls. The mission of AHG is to build women of integrity through service to God, family, community, and country. AHG offers an extensive badge program which cultivates life skills and fosters spiritual growth. Our troop participates in numerous service projects and fun activities throughout the year so the girls can mature in leadership while having fun! If you would like to learn more about our troop, click here.
Trail Life (TL) is a Christian outdoor adventure program for boys and young men that emphasizes and teaches biblical morals. The TL motto is “Walk Worthy” (from Colossians 1:10) and the program aims to guide generations of courageous young men to honor God, lead with integrity, serve others, and experience outdoor adventure. This is done through troop meetings, service projects, and outdoor trips. If you would like to learn more about our troop, click here.
Youth
Conviction
lives with inward roots in the truth of the gospel.
character
lives with outward fruits displaying God’s transforming power.
commitment
a life-long commitment to God’s church, to transforming their community with the gospel, and to pursuing God’s calling on their lives.
This time is designed to engage students with strong biblical teaching and discussion. We meet in the youth rooms on the lower level.
We desire and encourage all students to attend the weekly worship service because it is where the people of God gather to worship God and to receive God’s grace and instruction through the Word and Sacrament.
Our weekly gathering for 6th-12th grade includes a biblical lesson and discussion, fun group games, crazy activities, and some tasty snacks. This is a valuable time as we gather as a group to be encouraged by God and His Word and to encourage others as we seek to live out the gospel in our places of influence. You will find us in the gym or the youth rooms. If you are visiting for the first time, please email Drew (dgrigg@cpcnj.org) to make sure we are meeting that week.
Throughout the year, we have special events such as a winter retreat, summer mission trip, movie nights, scavenger hunts and other fun. Please email Drew (dgrigg@cpcnj.org) for any questions or to ask about upcoming events. And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @covpresnjyouth do keep up do date on all we do.
Counseling
Chris’ own life experiences have helped her form a compassionate, caring and respectful style of counseling that is unique for each individual’s needs. Although there are no easy or quick-fix remedies for all of life’s struggles, she is convinced there is always hope! Chris strongly believes that every individual has been created with dignity and for relationships. We all long for healthy relationships and it is in relationships that the sin-damaged soul can find healing. If you are experiencing problems in your relationships or marriage, are struggling with an addiction, or need help healing from the wounds of abuse, Chris is willing to talk through and walk through these difficulties with individuals, couples or families by providing counseling, support and guidance.
Music
The music in our worship services rely on a volunteer team of musicians who desire to use their skills for the glory of God. Because we believe that God centered worship transcends styles and trends we don’t define our music as contemporary, traditional, or blended. We simply try to incorporate the musical gifts of those who God brings to our church with un-distracting excellence. Our worship team rehearses on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 8:30 under the leadership of Daniel Thornton. To learn more about our music please read our Philosophy of Worship