About this author:

Erica Stephenson

Erica Stephenson

Erica is the Youth & Young Adult Minister at New Covenant. She is passionate about seeing students and their families love Christ and each other. Erica is married to her husband, Mike, and enjoys traveling, reading, almost any outdoor activity, and time with family.

Living Life to the Fullest This Lent

April 7th, 2022 by Erica Stephenson

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 10:28 

It was the summer of 2020 when these words from Jesus penetrated my heart differently than they had before. Was it really true that Jesus was saying that I just needed to be weary and to be carrying heavy burdens to receive this rest? 

I was about to put this new question to the test.

Praying for the Youth Retreat

March 18th, 2022 by Erica Stephenson

This weekend a part of our church family heads out on a retreat weekend - our middle and high school students! We will be exploring the depths of Scripture together - from how the Bible was put together and the lenses that we bring to how we read the Bible, to looking at the big story of God that Scripture tells and where we find ourselves in it.

We need your specific prayers!

Stories as Celebration

January 12th, 2022 by Erica Stephenson

This Sunday, January 16 we will be celebrating three decades of ministry on staff by our Missions Pastor, Sheryl Curbow-Shaw, and commissioning her as a missionary sent from New Covenant!

Love Your Neighbor. Change the World.

June 22nd, 2021 by Erica Stephenson

Rhythms. Our recent Sunday morning messages have been centered in how the good news of Jesus is meant to be shared rhythms of friendship and blessing. In “routine exchanges between friends and neighbors.” 

Who Is the Best?

Jesus was the best at doing this. He started with prayer. He intentionally listened and people were heard, known, and loved. He was always up for a good dinner party with friends and neighbors. He laid down his crown and put on an apron day in and day out while he walked this planet. And he was the best at sharing good news – whether tangibly or in word.  

The Final Week

March 31st, 2021 by Erica Stephenson

The final week. 

If you’re a follower of Jesus you know it as Holy Week. It was a petri dish of experiences that Jesus lived his final week here on earth. 

Super Bowl Commercials, Darts, and World Changers

February 9th, 2021 by Erica Stephenson

To the naked eye last night may have appeared to be teenagers using the Super Bowl as an excuse to hang out together – most prioritizing the commercials over the game itself.

As one high school student put it, “It’s just looks like a middle school fight out there…”. Let me share with you what I saw instead last night… 

Hope in Ugly Places

January 26th, 2021 by Erica Stephenson

Anger. Hopeless. Trust.

Despair. Hope. Confusion. Trust.  

For most lament is rarely a straight path. It is a wandering towards God in the midst of pain.

Youth Fall Retreat Recap 2020

November 18th, 2020 by Erica Stephenson

The youth fall retreat was a twist on the familiar this year. A twist on how we did almost everything, as we all have discovered to be true of 2020. From eating and singing, to playing and making it a day only retreat - we found ourselves awkwardly maneuvering the realities of a changed world. And yet, we awkwardly moved together. Our theme was about living generously, and it couldn’t have been more timely. A generous God who shows us how to live generously through Jesus. Below are three stories from the weekend. Thank you for praying for this part of our church family as they continue to walk with Jesus. 

Coffee Conversations with Parents

September 8th, 2020 by Erica Stephenson

 

Parents with Teenagers - Let's Get Together!

No expectations, no presentations, no agendas - just parents getting to know one another, and connecting over parenting teenagers! Including after dinner (dinner is provided every first Sunday night of the month for youth group) dessert and coffee/tea.

Easter Looked Different This Year

April 19th, 2020 by Erica Stephenson

Alleluia chalk drawing

Easter looked different this year, but we celebrated anyway! Thank you to everyone who participated in Stations of the Cross, whether as a reader or a participant.

We were blown away hearing stories of you delivering eggs to your neighbors, egg hunts, chalk art, and other wonderful family events.

Check out the beautiful chalk art above that was created by our members!

Read below to hear some of the stories that we received from families who delivered Easter Eggs to their neighbor's so the kids could have an at-home Easter egg hunt.

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