The Church, The Bride of Christ<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nScripture uses many rich metaphors to help us understand what the church is and who we are together. Ephesians 1:23 uses the metaphor of the church as the body reminding us of our need for each other; John 15:1-5 uses the metaphor of the vine and branches reminding us of our dependence on Him; and John 10:1-15 uses the beautiful metaphor of the flock of sheep reminding us we are united under one shepherd.\u00a0 Ephesians 2:19 and 2 Corinthians 6:18 remind us that the church is a family that we have been adopted into by God our Father.\u00a0 We are not just \u201cchurch friends\u201d but we are actually in covenant relationship with one another forever!<\/p>\n
The metaphor we will look at this retreat weekend is that of the Bride of Christ<\/strong> and it is\u00a0 specifically mentioned in Ephesians 5:22-23, 2 Corinthians 11:2 and Revelation 21:2, 9.\u00a0 As we unpack what it means that we, the church, are the Bride of Christ, my prayer is that it will grow us in our love of the Bridegroom and that it will enhance our understanding of the church.<\/p>\nCost<\/strong> is $45 and includes material, snacks, and lunch on Saturday. Online has an added 4% credit card charge.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\nNursery<\/strong> is available on Friday evening with nursery registration. Saturday the Gym will be open for Fathers and children.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Worship Leader,<\/strong> Caroline Royal<\/p>\nMusic has been a part of Caroline’s life from her earliest memories. As a toddler she’d come home from church to pick out the notes of that morning’s hymns before she could climb up onto the bench. Music has been an instrument of God’s sustaining grace in her life, and it is a true joy and deep privilege to lead women in worship.<\/p>\n
Caroline is currently serving at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, AL. Since leaving her roots in Georgia in 2011 after graduating from the University of Georgia, God has led her on an unexpected journey through roles in New York City, Oklahoma, and with Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) in Kentucky. She has had the privilege of serving homeless women, middle and high school students, community group leaders, and women of all ages.<\/p>\n
When she\u2019s not at church, Caroline enjoys spending time in her garden, floral design, and cooking while listening to the music of Melanie Penn or Keith and Kristyn Getty.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\nConference Schedule<\/h1>\n
\n
Friday night, February 6
\n<\/strong>6:30 \u2013 8:30 pm
\n<\/strong>Bridal Expo
\n<\/em><\/strong>Location: Fellowship Hall
\nFun, Dessert, Giveaways
\nIntroduction Session<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Saturday, February 7
\n<\/strong>8:30 \u2013 9:45 am
\n<\/strong>The Rehearsal
\n<\/em><\/strong>Location: Worship Center
\nFun, Giveaways, & Worship Session
\nWorship Leader: Caroline Royal<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
10:00 \u2013 11:00 am
\n<\/strong>*Breakout Sessions
\n<\/em><\/strong>Various Locations
\n*Select one of the following Options when you register:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Fit for the Feast: How the Bride of Christ Should Be Adorned
\n<\/u>Speaker: Elizabeth Bondurant
\n<\/strong>In this session we will focus on the adornment of the bride and consider that perhaps it is not what you have always pictured it to be.<\/p>\nChosen, Pursued, Transformed, The faithful vows of our covenant keeping God.<\/i>
\n<\/u>Speaker: Lisa Looper
\n<\/strong>Jesus has bound Himself to His Church in an unbreakable covenant, purchasing her with His own blood. This session reflects on the vows of Christ to His Bride and how His steadfast commitment shapes our response of faith, obedience, and love.<\/p>\nBeloved and Betrothed
\n<\/u>Speaker: Donna Evans
\n<\/strong>All weddings begin with an engagement. Throughout the Old Testament, God promised to betroth us to him forever. He has chosen, cherished and committed to us with His covenant.<\/p>\nAlways a Bridesmaid… Always a Bride?
\n<\/u>Speaker: Melody Weaver
\n<\/strong>The Church waits in eager anticipation for the great wedding feast where she will be united with her Bridegroom–but she doesn’t wait alone. What is my responsibility to Christ’s Bride as we prepare together for the coming celebration?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
11:15 \u2013 12:15 pm
\n<\/strong>The Ceremony<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nWe Will Feast in the House of Zion<\/u><\/p>\n
The story of Scripture is an unfolding eternal love story of the triune God and His Bride. Before the foundations of the world, a Bride was chosen to dwell with Christ eternally in unblemished glory. Through heartbreaking unfaithfulness of the Bride and patient pursuit and sacrifice of the Bridegroom, this holy marriage ends up concluding all of Scripture, to the praise of His glorious grace. And just as any festive wedding ends with a feast, the Bible, too, speaks of the blessings bestowed upon those invited to the feast of all feasts: the marriage supper of the Lamb.<\/p>\n
What will this be? How can I prepare? What\u2019s on the menu? Who\u2019s invited?\u00a0Come and hear. Come and drink. Come and eat. Come and feast. Come to the marriage supper of the Lamb.<\/p>\n
Location: Worship Center
\nWorship and Large Session
\nSpeaker: Amanda Leon<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
12:30 \u2013 1:45 pm
\n<\/strong>Lunch & Final Challenge
\n<\/em><\/strong>Location: Fellowship Hall<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Register for the In-Town Retreat<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Women\u2019s In Town Retreat February 6\u20137, 2026 Theme: The Church, The Bride of Christ Scripture uses many rich metaphors to help us understand what the church is and who we […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":202,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-13501","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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<\/p>\n