"The Promise Of Patience"

You need to keep on patiently doing God's will if you want Him to do for you all that He has promised. Hebrews 10:36 NIV

How many of you would agree that waiting is a hard thing to do? Whether you're wanting on lunch, a phone call, and airline flight, or prayer to be answered, do you find yourself becoming a little impatient? Have you ever noticed that the more you want something, the harder it seems the wait is?

I can remember shortly after we got married, I had my life all planned out. Down to when we were going to have our first child, then our second child. And when that did not work can I just say I got a little impatient and just didn't understand what God was waiting on. But God made it very clear that He had a plan for me, I just needed to trust Him. And now I am blessed with two, awesome boys. All in His amazing timing not mine.

This week in Cove Kids we will be finishing up our Plane Truth Series. The kids will learn that they need to be patient in waiting for God's promises.

This week our Bible story comes from Joshua 3-4.

After 40 years of wandering in the desert, the Israelites finally arrived at the banks of the Jordan River. Joshua gave instructions to the Israelites about crossing the Jordan River. "When you see the priests carrying the Ark of God; follow them. You have never been where we are going now, so they will guide you." The Lord told Joshua, "I will give you great honor, so that all Israel will know that I am with you, just as I was with Moses." As they began crossing the Jordan, the water stopped flowing and the entire nation crossed on dry ground into the Promised Land. Joshua had twelve men go into the middle of the Jordan and build a monument of twelve stones. Joshua explained the purpose of the stones, "In the future, when your children ask why these stones are here and what they mean, you are to tell them that these stones are a reminder of this amazing miracle—that the nation of Israel crossed the Jordan River on dry ground! Tell them how the Lord our God kept it dry until we were all across! It is the same thing the Lord did forty years ago at the Red Sea! He did this so that all the nations of the earth will realize that Jehovah is the mighty God, and so that all of you will worship him."

The Israelites were pretty patient. Could you imagine wandering around the desert for a week? How about 40 years? Sometimes when we are in the mists of our problems or wants, it can feel like years. But the cool thing is God promised if we keep patient and do his will, great things will come our way.

Jeremiah 29:11 -" For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

My challenge for you this week is to remember that God has specific plans for our future, try to be patient and not jump into our timeline and wait for His perfect timeline.

Frances Jordan
Nursery Coordinator
fjordan@covechurch.org

Journey to Salvation

Journey to Salvation

Even to this day I can vividly remember the pain of separation when I was sent to my room (for what seemed like an eternity for a small child), for disobeying my parents. I knew what I had done was wrong. I said I was sorry! So why did I have to be sent away from their presence, their love and comfort? It was during this time I learned an important lesson. Disobedience has a serious price- the lost of fellowship with the ones who love you.

As a child I could understand that I never wanted to be separated from the love of my parents, and more importantly I didn’t want to be separated from God’s love and fellowship. But when I disobeyed my parents, I also disobeyed God. God gave me my parents to tell me about God and His rules/commands. They helped me understand that God loves me unconditionally, but when I disobey Him I experience separation from Him (much like being sent to my room). Because God is love (1John 4:8) and He wants me to have eternal fellowship with Him, He gave His only Son to take my punishment for my sins. All I had to do is accept God’s free gift of salvation by believing in Jesus as my Savior.

In this week’s lesson the Journey to Salvation, your child will discover that we need to obey the laws of God in order to have a life that pleases Him and keeps us safe. Your child will learn that “All who trust in Jesus will have eternal life.” John 3:36.

In our Bible story, Moses trusted and obeyed God. He knew God loved Him and protected Him. He didn’t want to be separated from God, so he built a tent where God’s presence would come in the form of a pillar of clouds and where he could fellowship with God.
Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we do not need a tent to fellowship with God, all we have to do is believe in Jesus and ask Him to come into our heart! In this lesson, your child will discover that with "God in my heart, I know He will stay, so now I will always try to obey"!


Carolyn Hillegeist
Early Childhood Coordinator
The Cove Church

"Journey to Truth"

Ever played a game of charades? I love that game! The thrill of acting it out in hopes that someone could get the answer correct! Or better yet, the thrill of watching trying to guess the answer!

Life can feel like that sometimes. When we don’t have the answers but we play the guessing game of trying to get it right.

We feel so overwhelmed and we get so wrapped up in “getting on with it” or “moving to the next thing” that in those moments we seem to be “guessing” at what the answer is…..kind of like the game of charades! In our real life charades, the emotions are high – sometimes fearful yet sometimes it’s exciting – BUT are we acting on the “TRUTH”!? Are we thinking it through OR are we getting wrapped up in the busyness of the world that we overlook it?

This week in Cove Kids the kids will get to dive into that very thing! We are going to try to remove the guess work for our kids through the truth=The Bible.

We will pick back up with Moses and the Israelites as the next adventure unfolds. Moses is still on top of Mt. Sinai and the Israelites are restless. They decide that Moses isn’t returning and instruct Aaron to build them another “god”. The kids will see how Moses handles the situation and how there is only ONE TRUE GOD.

Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth.” John 14:6 NIV



Christy Edwards
Director of Children's Ministry
Statesville Campus
704-655-3000
CEdwards@covechurch.org
"To the whole world you might be just one person, but to one person you might be their whole world."

Cove Kids - A Partnership with Families

Our ministry exists to REACH our friends for Jesus, to CONNECT with other believers, to HONOR his presence in our lives, to GROW in our relationship with Him, and to challenge the growing to DISCOVER their ministry.”


This is our purpose, our vision for Cove Kids. Helping children grow in their relationship with God is a biblical partnership that involves the family and the church. The church was never intended to be a substitute for the home. So how can the church come along side our families, families, like Sarah and I, families like many of you? Right now Cove Kids is taking children and students on a path of discovery thru our weekend services, special events, and activities. We want to come along side you…our parents…on this path of discovery as well.

What I mean by this is we want to equip you with the tools to have those intentional faith talks with your kids. We can encourage our parents to take advantage of those God moments that happen day to day. So that our kids are not just hearing it at church but they are hearing it at home too. Could you imagine all of our parents using teachable moments around the dinner table, on the playground, at the soccer field, in the car…you name it!!! Talk about making an impact on a generation…

As a church, our goal is to encourage and equip parents to become the primary spiritual influence to their children. We want to be the coach and the cheerleader to families, with the mindset, that we are allowing opportunities for life change with parents AND their kids.

Let us be the coach by providing training, tips, and practical resources for families ( Parent Classes, Family Events, Books, Take-Home Handouts, Email Blasts, Blogs, etc…). Stay tuned to The Cove’s website www.covechurch.org/events for class opportunities and for family events coming up. Also stay tuned to our Cove Kids Blog to keep informed with all the awesome things happening in Cove Kids every week.

Let us be the cheerleader by supporting you and being there for you along the way. We love praying!!! If there is something you would like us to pray for check out our website http://www.covechurch.org/prayerrequests or if you ever have any questions email us at covekids@covechurch.org

My son Trevor is going to spend an eternity with our savior because of the partnership my family has with CoveKids, hundreds of other children and students have come to know Jesus, and hundreds of parents have come to know Christ at The Cove Church. If it stopped right there this would be considered a success story!!! But I believe it in my heart this is just the beginning!!! I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing us to play a small part in the spiritual formation of your children.

I am excited about the opportunity to see life change…so what do you say we make it happen? Together…

Serving the greatest families ever,

Brett Gray
Pastor of Family Ministries
The Cove Church

When we worship God, we show our love for Him!

When I say the word worship what first comes to mind? For me, I first think singing. Back in Cove Kids we always ask the kids why do we sing? Why do we do praise and worship? When we worship God, we show our love for Him. God loves to see us dancing and praising Him. We not only worship God through singing and praying, but we worship Him through our actions. Romans 12:1 says to be a living sacrifice. That means that we put aside our own desires and plans and put energy into what God wants us to do. He wants us to follow and obey Him. We show our love for God in everything we have and everything we do. We need to have an attitude of worship by putting God first in our lives being that living sacrifice. Our bible story is from Exodus 35-40

One day the Israelites were camped at the bottom of Mount Sinai. God told Moses to build a tabernacle, which means, “tent”. It was to be a central place for the Israelites to pray and worship God. God gave Moses specific instructions for building the tabernacle. The tabernacle was surrounded by a curtain-like fence. When the Israelites walked through the door of the curtain fence, there was a large courtyard. Inside the court there was an altar, a basin and a tent containing two compartments. The two compartments of the tent were called the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. The Holy Place included three items: a gold lamp stand that burned oil, a wood table with 12 loaves of bread, and a wood and gold altar. The Most Holy Place contained only the Ark of the Covenant. The tabernacle took an entire year to build. This was a place where people learned about God, and it was a place to worship Him. (Source: Exodus 35-40)

The Israelites needed a place to worship God and focus on Him. Today we have churches where we gather together to hear God’s word. Church is a great place to worship God but remember we can worship Him anywhere. Don't be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to Him. Romans 12:2 CEV
We can worship God through our actions. We need to follow and obey Him. As you go about your day this week have an attitude of worship by putting God first.

Have a great week and see you in CKC!

Tera Buskirk
K-2 Grade Coordinator
Cove Church

To Obey is to Love

"So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left." –Deuteronomy 5:32

There's an old hymn that I just love called "Trust & Obey." The first verse says, "When we walk with the Lord, in the light of His word, what a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey. Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."

Obeying? Commands? Nobody likes to be bossed around. Fortunately, God isn't a God who looks down from heaven pointing His finger, barking orders, and making us feel trapped. No way! God is all-loving and His commands aren't meant to be burdensome. In fact they're meant to lift our burdens! The second verse of that hymn states "We never can prove the delights of His love until all on the altar we lay; for the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows are for them who will trust and obey." Until we surrender, we're unable to see God for who He truly is—The Delighter! God delights in giving us the desires of our hearts (Psalm 37:4). His love isn't self-seeking but self-less. Remember, He's the One who created us so He knows what we long for.

After hundreds of years, the Israelites were finally free from slavery in Egypt and were headed for the Promised Land; but they needed to know God's direction for their daily life. Moses led the Israelites to Mount Sinai where God gave them direction in the form of the Ten Commandments. The first four commands talk about how we should love God. The next six talk about how we should love others. When we take a look at God's direction for our lives it is summed up in two areas:love God and love others.

This weekend the children will see that obedience to God displays our love for Him (John 14:15), sows blessings (Galatians 6:9), and brings our life dreams to fruition (Jeremiah 29:11). His commands are not difficult but it's only through a relationship with Jesus Christ that they are reachable, and understandable (Matthew 11:29-30). With Jesus living in us, we're able to truly love God and love others.

What is your attitude towards God? Are you willing to obey? Do you truly believe that He has your best interests in mind? The last verse of that old hymn says, "Then, in fellowship sweet, we will sit at His feet or we'll walk by His side in the way; What He says, we will do; where He sends, we will go; Never fear, only trust and obey. Trust and obey for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."