Connecting people to Christ through love in action!
Hello! I'm Becca Rivas, Director of Family Ministry here at COTHA. We are excited to share with you our 2022 Fall Discipleship and Formation programs designed to illuminate God’s word for His people and help raise the next generation of believers. Below you'll find offerings for all ages, stages of life, and levels of commitment. I look forward to walking along with you during this season!
Becca
In This Issue:
Sunday Mornings
Wednesday Evenings
Other Opportunities
Sunday Mornings
Adult Formation Groups
Being a disciple is simply being a follower. For a Christian, this means we are a disciple when we follow Jesus Christ. He has a heart for the lost, last, least and lonely. When we follow Jesus, our heart begins to change to have the same concern.
The process of growing into this lifestyle is called discipleship. It is simply a matter of being willing to continue following him through worship, prayer, the reading of God’s Word, fellowship, and other spiritual practices.
Our Adult Formation Groups allow our adults to gather together on Sunday mornings 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. to read God’s Word and explore spiritual practices. Childcare is available for children six weeks old through 5th grade.
Beginning Aug 14 Classes, 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
Men: Book of Luke
Luke was a Gentile, a doctor, and fluent in Koine Greek. Combined with Acts he wrote more New Testament than even Apostle Paul.
While Mark might be the shortest book of the gospels, Luke has proven to be the longest book of the synoptic gospels. Primarily, this book was inscribed to serve as a pillar of faith for the believers and to unmask the lies about Jesus Christ. This is still relevant in today’s society. It is a thorough narrative of the stages of Jesus' life, systematically provided in a sequential fashion. These events take place in some of the areas that the pilgrimage group (COTHA Holy Land) visited recently.
This book was meant to serve as a map of the life of the savior while he was on his mission. Therefore, it aimed to provide a framework through which individuals can learn about Jesus Christ’s life (Luke 1:1-4). He is the author and finisher of our faith. In today’s society, we need to go back to the scriptures as opposed to looking to society in answering the question “Who do you say that I am (Luke 9:20) ?”
Our Men's Formation group is led by Derek Agomate in Room 103.
Co-ed: A Christian Life Lived
Each week's discussion will be of a person who is or was an expression of Christ, or an "image bearer." These are saints and sinners at the same time, and, perhaps, faithful companions to us today. The forums will allow everyone to discuss the Christian life and agree or disagree with examples of the disciples.
Our Co-Ed Formation group is led by Steve Hamburg in Room 102.
Women: 40 Verses to Ignite Your Faith: Surprising Insights from Unexpected Passages
This class will explore 40 lesser-known Bible verses. Sometimes we need a fresh word or promise for the season we find ourselves in something that ignites our faith in the face of fear, doubt, loneliness, insecurity, or overwhelming circumstances.
New this fall, this class will use RightNow Media as a video opener and then have a discussion time afterward. A weekly Study Guide will be provided and while the book is not required for the class, you may purchase one here.
Our Women's Formation group is led by Donna Matthews in Room 101.
Kids
At COTHA, it is our mission that every child knows and loves Jesus as their Lord and Savior. We work to achieve this mission by loving and praying for every child, targeted programs, an engaging curriculum, and special events.
9:15 a.m. - Kids Hangout
Our Game Room (Room 113) is open and supervised for kids from kindergarten to 5G with parents in our Adult Formation Classes.
10:30 a.m. - Kids Formation
During our 10:30 a.m. service, our kindergarteners through 5th-grade kids begin in the Great Room and get to experience God through their grade-specific Kids Formation Groups. This includes games, music, a Bible story, and prayer time. Children return to the main service during the announcements and before communion.
Nursery
Our nursery is open on Sundays from 7:45 a.m. to noon for children 6 weeks old through pre-kindergarten and is professionally staffed by a group of warm and dedicated adults.
Through age-appropriate activities, we are building our preschooler's spiritual foundation with games, crafts, and Bible experiences. Our entire curriculum is constructed to meet your preschooler(s) where they are cognitively, spiritually, physically, emotionally, and socially.
When you arrive at our nursery area, your child will check in to their age-based room (babies, toddlers, preschoolers) for the day’s lectionary-based lesson as well as plenty of time to play and socialize with their friends.
We also have a nursing room off the nursery foyer available during all services.
Wednesday Evenings
Adult Confirmation
We invite all adults who are either interested in being confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church. This class is also for those who feel drawn to explore what it means to be integrated more deeply into the life of Christ's Church.
Childcare is provided and dinner is available for $5 each with pre-registration and served from 6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. in the Great Room.
Confirmation Class is led by Alex in Room 103 from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. beginning Aug 24 through Sep 28.
Students
COTHA Student Ministry (CSM) is our student ministry (6th-12th grade). We offer many programs and opportunities for students to learn about the love of Jesus and how to apply Christian principles in their lives.
Wednesday Nights
Wednesday Nights return Aug 24! High School and Middle School students are invited to join us in the Student Center every Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for dinner, a lesson, small group time, and games. Students are encouraged to invite their friends for an evening of fun and fellowship!
Other Opportunities
New Member Classes
This 2-week class, held after the 10:30 a.m. service in Room 103, provides interested guests with the opportunity to learn more about who we are, what we believe, ministry opportunities, and how they can join our congregation. Lunch and childcare provided.
Register for our Aug 14 & Aug 21 Class
Register for our Oct 9 & Oct 16 Class
Bible Studies
We have Bible studies available for all stages of life! These groups are designed to connect adults and students while studying Scripture and praying together.
Young Moms Bible Study: New this Fall – our Young Moms Bible Study, led by Emily Large, is for moms of young children and meets in the nursery meeting room beginning on Tuesday, Aug 23 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Childcare is available or moms are welcome to keep their babies with them.
Young Dads Bible Study: New this Fall – our Young Dads Bible Study, led by Alex Large, is for dads of young children and meets in Room 102 beginning on Tuesday, Sep 6 from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
Women’s Bible Study: This hybrid Women's Bible Study, led by Donna Bell, meets in Room 102 beginning on Thursday, Sep 22 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This fall is a 20-week study by Dr. David Jeremiah on the book of Revelations.
Men’s Bible Study: This hybrid Men's Bible Study, led by Owen Barker, meets in Room 102 beginning on Saturday, Aug 6 from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. The group is studying Isaiah.
Co-ed Bible Study: This zoom Co-ed Bible Study, led by Owen Barker, meets on weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The group follows Discovering the Bible by Gordon L. Addington, studying two to three passages per day.
Small Groups
We have a variety of small groups, geared toward life stages, that meet throughout the week. These groups include high school students, class of 23 seniors, college age, 20s-30s, families, empty nesters, and everything in between. If you’d like to join a small group or even start a new small group, please contact me at Becca@cotha.org.
Daughters of the King
Members of The Order of the Daughters of the King® are women and girls between the ages of twenty-one and one hundred and seven who desire a closer walk with the Lord. We are Christian women, both lay and ordained, who are strengthened through the discipline of a Rule of Life, and supported through the companionship of our sisters. We are all at different stages of our Christian journey – some have just begun and some have been on this path for a long time. But no matter where we are on our sacred journeys, our primary goal is the same – to know Jesus Christ and to make Him known to others.
We meet on the third Sunday of the month after the 10:30 a.m. service in Room 102. If you are interested in joining our chapter, please contact the president, Donna Bell.
Junior Daughters of the King
Junior Daughters of the King (JDOK) provides girls or young women the opportunity to grow in their love and knowledge of Jesus Christ while serving their church and community. They are an integral part of the Daughters of the King Order and the hope is that they continue the mission of The Order by transitioning to senior Daughters.
JDOK is open to all girls and young women ages 7-21. COTHA's Queen Esther Chapter meets monthly after the 10:30 a.m. service until 1:30 p.m.
COTHA's JDOK chapter will host an Open House on Sun, Aug 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Kids Corner. If you are interested in joining our chapter, please contact Adelle McKinstry.
COTHA Craft Club
New this Fall! Do you have a craft you never seem to have time to do or maybe you’d be interested in learning a new hobby? Our COTHA Craft Club offers both options! On the third Thursday of each month from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., the Great Room is available to open crafting as well as a group craft. Not crafty?? Come anyway! It's a BYOB, super chill, a just come hang out, fun evening.
Sep 15 - September’s crocheted pumpkin craft comes to us from Deborah Graeflin just in time for Halloween. You will need to bring your own yarn, a crochet hook, and a yarn needle. She promises it's beginner friendly.
Oct 20 - October's Halloween water coloring comes to us from Nikki Bridges. You will need to bring your own watercolor paint, a favorite brush or two, and watercolor paper.
Nov 17 - November's wreath-making will be hosted by Morgan White. The cost for this group craft is $25 and registration is due by Nov 1.
Dec 15 - December's "Make Your Own Charcuterie Board" will be led by Becca Rivas. The cost for this group craft is $20 and registration is due by Dec 12.
If you are interested in hosting a month this spring, have questions, or need additional information, please contact Deborah Graeflin.