CFC Singles For Christ - Covenant Orientation Weekend 2018

CAMP WATTLE GROVE 59 KELVIN ROAD, WATTLE GROVE, WESTERN AUSTRALIA 6107

COVENANT ORIENTATION WEEKEND 2018

10TH AUGUST - 12TH AUGUST 2018

18 cow CFC SINGLES FOR CHRIST - WESTERN AUSTRALIA

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The Covenant Orientation Weekend (COW) is the first weekend retreat that SFCs will undergo after graduating from the Christian Life Program.

This weekend has the following goals:

1. Familiarize SFCs with their covenant as

Singles for Christ and lead them to commit to fulfilling this in their day-to-day lives

2. Lead SFCs to desire a deeper relationship

with God through a committed prayer life, Scripture reading, and receiving of the Sacraments

3. Inspire participants to live out their calling

as SFCs in their family, workplace, and in community despite challenges and difficulties

4. Introduce participants to the culture of

Singles for Christ and inspire them to make this a way of life

5. Empower SFCs to begin to live out the SFC vision and mission.

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OUR COVENANT AND THE VISION & MISSION OF SFC

Reflection Questions

1. Am I ready to commit to having a loving relationship with the Lord through SFC?

2. What specific action steps will I take to deepen my relationship with the Lord?

3. What does the SFC vision mean to me?

4. What is the SFC vision requiring of me?

5. How can I begin to live out the SFC vision in my own life?

Trusting in the Lord’s help and guidance, I shall live as a follower of Christ.

• Pray daily for at least 15 minutes.

• Study scriptures daily for at least 15 minutes.

• Live a righteous life and avoid situations which are occasions for sin.

• Put good order into my private life and support my parents in building a Christian family.

• Participate regularly in the worship life of my church.

I will work towards the evangelization and transformation of my work place, my family and my community.

• Put good order in my work situation.

• Be a witness of the love and power of the Lord Jesus in my work and in my family.

• Be a good steward of all resources entrusted to me.

• Be a good citizen of my country, obeying its laws and protecting its environment.

I will be a committed and active member of the CFC Singles for Christ.

• Attend my small group meetings regularly and support the good order of the meetings.

• Faithfully participate in all the activities of the group.

• Relate in love, loyalty to and respect for all my brothers and sisters in the Lord.

• Interceded daily for the group and its mission.

I will make myself available to the Lord for service.

• Bring other single men and women to Christ.

• Give generously of my time and resources to the Lord’s service, whenever I am called and follow directions of those who responsibility for any service .

• Support the work of Couples for Christ and its Ministries.

I will study and seek to grow as a Christian person.

• Attend all teachings, retreats, seminars and conferences of the CFC SINGLES FOR CHRIST. • Diligently study all materials given to me.

MAY THE LORD JESUS CHRIST HELP ME TO BE FAITHFUL IN LIVING OUT THIS COMMITMENT EVERY DAY FOR HIS GREATER HONOR AND GLORY AND FOR THE GOOD OF MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS. SIGNED,

THE COVENANT OF THE SINGLES FOR CHRIST

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PRAYER, SCRIPTURE AND SACRAMENTS

Reflection Questions

1. What makes it difficult for me to have a

consistent prayer and Scripture reading time?

2. What inhibits me from participating in the

sacraments (Holy Eucharist and Confession) regularly?

3. What will I commit to do to develop a

relationship with God?

Activity: Family Dynamics

STRENGTHENING FAMILY LIFE cow

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OUR CHRISTIAN CULTURE IN CFC SINGLES FOR CHRIST

Group Activity: Cultural Fashion Show

Activity: Small Group Sharing

1. What specific aspects of my work life are

least Christian or most conflicting with being Christian? What can I do to reverse this?

2. Share two things you will commit to do when you return to work to help bring Christ to people in your workplace.

3. Pray over each other at the end of the sharing.

Ask for God’s help to conquer the challenges of living out Christianity in the workplace. (Each one takes turns praying for the person on his/ her left or right.)

BEING A CHRISTIAN IN THE WORKPLACE cow

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THY WORLD (IS A LAMP UNTO MY FEET)

Amy Grant

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet And a light unto my path Thy word is a lamp unto my feet And a light unto my path

Your love for me and yet My heart forever is wandering Jesus by my guide And hold me to your side And I will love you to the end Nothing will I fear As long as you are near Please be near me to the end

When I feel afraid, Thy word is a lamp unto my feet And think I've lost my way Still, you're there right beside me And a light unto my path Thy word is a lamp unto my feet And a light unto my path Nothing will I fear And a light unto my path As long as you are near You're the light unto my path Please be near me to the end Thy word is a lamp unto my feet And a light unto my path Thy word is a lamp unto my feet And a light unto my path I will not forget

THE LIGHT OF CHRIST (HAS COME INTO THE WORLD) Donald Fishel

The light of Christ has come into the world, The light of Christ has come into the world All men must be born again to see the kingdom of God The water and the Spirit bring new life in God’s Love The light of Christ has come into the world, The light of Christ has come into the world

God gave up His only Son out of love for the world So that all men who believe in Him will live forever The light of Christ has come into the world, The light of Christ has come into the world The light of God has come to us, so that we might have salvation From the darkness of our sins we walk into glory with Christ Jesus The light of Christ has come into the world, The light of Christ has come into the world

WHOM SHALL I FEAR (I WILL SEEK YOU LORD) CFC Youth For Christ

I will seek you Lord, while I am in my youth I will serve you Lord, and I'll proclaim your truth.

For you searched and found me, while I was far away.

And in my troubled times, you always keep me safe.

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Woah-ohh (x2) The Lord is my light and my salvation Whom shall I fear, whome shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life, Whome Shall I fear, whome shall I fear?

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THE LORD'S DAY Lighting of the Candle Song: Thy Word (Is a Lamp Unto My Feet) - Amy Grant Reading from John 1: 1-5 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

L: LET US PRAY Lord of the Universe, in honour of your Son, Light of the World and Author of Life, I am about to perform the duty of kindling the light for the Lord's Day, even as it is written: "You shall call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of the Lord honourable", and may effect our fulfilling this commandment be, that the stream of abundant life and heavenly blessing flow upon us, that you may be gracious unto us and cause your Holy Spirit to dwell more richly among us. Father of mercy, continue your loving kindness towards us. Make us worthy to walk in the way of your Son, loyal to your teaching and unwavering in love and service. Keep far from us all anxiety, darkness and gloom; and grant that peace, light and joy ever abide in our home; for in You is the fountain of life; in Your light do we see light. R : AMEN Responsorial Prayer (Leader extends his hands over unlit candle.)

LEADER : Let us all welcome the Lord's Day. RESPONSE : May its radiance illuminate our hearts as

we enkindle this candle.

L : Light is the symbol of the Lord Jesus.

R : The Lord is my light and my salvation.

L : Light is the symbol of the Lord's presence with us.

R : He is the true light that enlightens every man.

L : Light is the symbol of the Lord's purpose and ways.

R : His word is a lamp unto my feet and a light for my path.

L : Light is the symbol of the mission to which the Lord has called us.

R : You are the Light of the world; let your light so shine before us

that they may see Your good works and give glory to

your Father in Heaven.

Blessing of the Lord's Day Light LEADER: Therefore, remembering the Lord Jesus who is source of all light and life, and united with all our brothers and sisters, with all the angels and saints, we enkindle this light.

(Assistant lights the candle.)

Blessed are You, o Lord of our God, King of the Universe, who has hallowed us by your loving word and taught us to kindle the light for the Lord's Day. Song: Light of Christ (Has Come Into The World) - Donald Fishel Father, you have glorified the world by the light of Your Risen Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him You sent Your Spirit into the world to enkindle in us the fire of your love. Grant that we who are gathered in His Name may so live together in the light of His truth that our love for one another may continue to grow each day.

Blessing of the Wine LEADER: Come let us welcome the day of the Lord in joy and peace. Like a bride, radiant and joyous, comes the day of the Lord. It brings blessings to our hearts, workday thoughts and cares are put aside. The brightness of the Lord's Day light shines forth to tell that the Divine Spirit of Love abides within our home. In that light, our griefs and trials are softened.

At this hour, God's messenger of peace comes and turns our hearts towards one another, strengthening the bond of devotion to that pure and lofty ideal of brotherhood and sisterhood that is found in the Holy Spirit.

(Leader pours the wine into the cup. Holding the cup, he recites:) Lord, through your goodness we have this wine, symbol of joy. As we enter into this Lord's Day celebration, we thank you for the blessing of this past few week; for life, health and strength; for home, love and friendship; for the discipline of our trials and temptations through which we are strengthen; for the fruit that has come of our labours. You have ennoble us O Lord, by the blessing of work, and in your love and kindness you have made us holy by the blessing of rest according to your commandments: "Six days shall you labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is Sabbath to the Lord your God." R : AMEN

THE LORD'S DAY (cont.)

(Leader raises the wine cup and prays the traditional blessing.)

L : Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has created the fruit of the vine.

(The cup is passed around.)

Blessing of the Bread LEADER: (Holding the bread in his hands, says:) Lord, through Your Goodness we have this bread. It is a symbol of our unity, since this one bread comes from many grains of wheat. It is a sign of Your daily provident care and love. As we have this one bread may we also share completely our lives together through your Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life. R : AMEN (Leader raises the bread, says the traditional blessing) L : Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who causes the earth to yield food for all.

(The bread is passed around.)

Thanksgiving (As a portion of the bread is taken, each person may give thanks for a particular blessing they have received during the week.)

EXAMPLE: Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the universe,who has given us...

(After thanksgiving prayers are said, all eat the bread together while the leader says the Lord's Day greeting:) L : This is the Lord's Day - let us be glad and rejoice in it.

R : AMEN. Song: Whom Shall I Fear (I Will Seek You Lord) - CFC-YFC

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FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP

Activity: Pie Chart

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LOVING AND SERVING THE POOR

Quiz: What Type of Giver Are You?

A C B D B A C A D B C D

"I'll wait until my next pay before I can donate."

"I have to give because everyone has given."

"I'll only give if I feel like they will help themselves/know that it will be put to good use" "I felt the need to give after listening to him/her/them."

"I prefer to help those I know who needs it more/those closer to me."

"I have a budget/plans tonight/been saving. This is what I've set aside."

"They are so wealthy. Why are they only giving that much?"

"I have to give because it's expected of me."

"I can't give money right now, but I am willing to give time to help."

"I already donated to him/her/them."

"I'll give only when I have enough to give."

"I give even though I don't know what my gift will do."

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19:00-20:00 Dinner 20:00-20:30 Worship 20:30-21:00 Orientation Session 1: Our Covenant and the 21:00-21:45 Mission and Vision of SFC 21:45-22:15 Personal Reflection

DAY 3, SUNDAY (W/ MASS)

22:15 Lights Out!

06:00-07:00

06:00-07:00

Wake Up Call & Personal Prayer Time

07:00-08:00 Breakfast 08:00-08:30 Song Teaching 08:30-09:00 Worship Session 2: 09:00-09:45 Prayer, Scripture & Sacraments 09:45-10:15 Personal Reflection 10:15-10:45 Break

Wake Up Call & Personal Prayer Time

Session 3: 10:45-11:30 Strengthening Family Life 11:30-12:00

07:00-07:30 Breakfast 07:30-08:00 Preparation for Mass 08:00-09:00 Mass Gathering / Teaching of 09:00-09:15 Songs 09:15-09:30 Worship 09:30-10:15

DAY 2, SATURDAY

DAY 1, FRIDAY

18:00-19:00 Arrival & Registration

Session 7: Loving and Serving the Poor

10:15-10:45 Praisefest

Group Activity: Family Dynamics

12:00-13:30 Lunch & Rest 13:30-14:00

Song Teaching & Afternoon Prayer

Session 4: 14:00-14:45 Our Christian Culture in Singles for Christ 14:45-15:30

Group Activity: Cultural Fashion Show

15:30-16:00 Break

10:45-11:15 Sharing

NOTES:

11:15 Lunch & Pack Up

Session 5: 16:00-16:45 Being a Christian in the Workplace 16:45-17:15

Activity: Small Group Sharing

17:15-18:00 Lord’s Day preparations 18:00-19:30 Lord’s Day and Dinner 19:30-20:00

Gathering & Teaching of Songs

20:00-20:45

Session 6: Financial Stewardship

20:45-21:15 Activity: Pie Chart 21:15-22:15 Fellowship 22:15 Lights Out!

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