Covenant Presbyterian Church in Ligonier
Covenant Presbyterian Church meets on North Market Street in the small borough of Ligonier, in the Laurel Highlands of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. The church's motto - "Know Christ, grow in Christ, and go make disciples of Christ" - sums up the rhythm of its life together: a Sunday gathering for worship and teaching, midweek groups for women and men, and a wide circle of partnerships that extends from the streets of Ligonier to Sierra Leone.
Sunday Gathering at 10 a.m.
Worship takes place every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. at 200 N. Market St. The hour is built around the preaching of the Word, congregational singing drawn from a library of hymns and contemporary songs, and prayer. A playlist of music the congregation uses is available on YouTube, and recordings of recent sermons are posted so members and friends can follow along between Sundays.
Visitors can expect a warm, family-friendly setting. Children's Church for kids in PreK through fifth grade meets during the service in the upstairs of the church's Education Wing, and a nursery is available for children three and under. Children are also welcome to remain in the worship service with their parents if that is preferred. The children's curriculum is The Gospel Project, a chronological study that walks students through the whole Bible.
What Covenant Believes
The church's doctrinal statement opens with the conviction that what the Bible says is true. From there it affirms the historic Christian faith: one God, eternally existing in three Persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; the miraculous conception, virgin birth, atoning death, bodily resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ; and the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, who convicts, regenerates, indwells, gifts and seals believers.
Salvation, the statement teaches, is wholly dependent on the free grace of God and is received by faith in Christ alone, through whom God credits his righteousness to the sinner. The visible church is expressed in local congregations where the Word is preached in purity, the sacraments are administered rightly, discipline is practiced and fellowship is kept. The statement looks for the personal, visible, bodily return of Jesus to judge the living and the dead, and ends with the Great Commission - a call to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples of all nations. The "See More" link on the beliefs page points readers to the doctrinal resources of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC), the denomination with which the congregation is affiliated.
Sunday School for the Head and the Heart
Adults who want to go deeper gather for Sunday School during the school year, with classes running from September through December. Two tracks are offered in the current semester. The Theological Class walks through the basic tenets of Reformed Theology, with an eye to the distinctives of the church's own tradition and how they bring glory to God. The Practical Class focuses on the spiritual disciplines - habits and rhythms that help believers abide in Christ and walk in the Spirit, encouraged by others pursuing the same. A third track, topical in nature, rotates through subject-specific studies so the whole curriculum stays balanced.
Women Walking, Men Breaking Bread
Two of the church's most distinctive weekly rhythms are built around fellowship rather than a classroom. Christian Women Walking In Christ, known as CWWIC, meets every Monday morning at 8:00 a.m. (weather permitting) for a walking and prayer group that winds through Ligonier, with the meeting point changing through the year. Women are invited to bring a friend and a few dollars for a treat along the way. The Men's Breakfast meets every Tuesday at 8:00 a.m. at Ruthie's Diner for conversation, food and friendship among the men of the church.
For mothers of young children, MOM CO. meets on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. Open to any mother of children from newborn through kindergarten, it draws on the global MOPS network to encourage and equip women in their calling as mothers, in relationship with Jesus and the church. Meetings include shared meals, activities, games and mutual support.
Children and Youth
Jo Habecker leads the church's children and family ministry, with Children's Church during worship and the nursery for the youngest children. The congregation also supports Bible 2 School, an after-school program that brings Bible teaching into local public schools, and partners with the Valley Youth Network, a regional effort serving young people in the Ligonier Valley. Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) is another ongoing option for adults and students looking for in-depth, structured Scripture study.
Beyond Ligonier
Covenant Presbyterian frames its outreach around the question, "What is God's plan for you?" Members give of their time and gifts to support ministry partners that span the local community, the region and the world. Locally, that includes the Valley Youth Network, Bible 2 School, MOM CO. and Bible Study Fellowship. Internationally, the church partners with EPC World Outreach in Sierra Leone, supporting gospel work and discipleship on another continent. Giving to support the work of the church is available online.
Pastoral Team
Pastor Jordan Harris leads the congregation. Brian Jinks serves as Music Director, guiding the congregation's sung worship. Jo Habecker directs Children and Family Ministry, and Lisa Shroyer serves as Church Administrator. Guest pastors and ministry interns - including Sam Stanton, Caleb Lunow, David Diaz, Andy Moore and the Rev. Timothy Habecker - regularly participate in preaching and teaching.