Covenant Courier. Inviting all to grow in Christ and serve together in God s love. Sunday Worship 10:00 AM

Transcription

1 Covenant Courier 1 Inviting all to grow in Christ and serve together in God s love. Covenant Church 802 Winter Wakefield, NE Linnea Ek Interim Pastor Dawn Reimers Office Manager Phone church@wakecov.org pastorlinnea@wakecov.org prayer@wakecov.org Website Facebook facebook.com/wakecov Office hours: Mon., Wed., Thur. 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Sunday Worship 10:00 AM 7:00 PM - Adult Bible Study Wednesday 4:15 PM - Confirmation 5:30 PM - Snak Shak 6:15 PM - Pioneer Clubs and Youth Bible Studies IGLESIA EVANGELICA CASA DE ORACION Led by Pastor Ruben Vega Spanish Services Sundays at 3:00 PM Tuesdays at 7:00 PM Saturdays at 7:00 PM From the Desk of Pastor Linnea Ek December 2016/January 2017 What is Advent and Christmas without tradition? Decorating the tree, buying gifts for loved ones, Christmas caroling, special concerts, making cookies, Christmas cards, and so much more. There are traditions common to many and there are many unique traditions to each individual, family, and community. Some traditions are just getting started and some outlive the people who start them. I d like to share with you an Advent tradition from my childhood: Sankta Lucia. Legend describes Lucia as a young Italian girl, who, as she was about to be married, gave her dowry to the poor and confessed to having become a Christian. She carried food and drink to the Christians hiding in the catacombs, wearing a wreath candles in her hair to help light her way in the dark. Finally, she was captured, accused of witchcraft, brought to trial as a Christian, and burned at the stake under the reign of Diocletian in 304 A.D. The festival of Saint Lucia is celebrated on December 13 th each year, a date which once coincided with the winter solstice before the calendar was reformed. Over the years the legend of Saint Lucia resonated with Christians in Scandinavia. Its annual observance has worked its way into the Advent season. Likewise the celebration of Sankta Lucia has continued in the United States in congregations and communities with Scandinavian roots. As a child, I remember participating in and attending many St. Lucia Christmas Programs. They were often mid-morning and included an array of breakfast treats: fruit soup, Christmas cookies, cardamom bread, Swedish hardtack, summer sausage, and cheese. Each age group had a part to play. Taking place in a darkened room of the church, throughout the program more and more light was introduced. As the light grew brighter and brighter we were reminded that the Lucia celebration was to remind us of the light of Christ entering the world. Another common Sankta Lucia tradition is to have the oldest daughter in the house deliver treats to her family members early in the morning. I took part in this tradition for a few years, when I was just big enough to carry the tray but still young enough to follow my mom s directions without much complaint. She would wake me up in what seemed to be the middle of the night. I would put on the white Lucia robe she borrowed from church and the world s heaviest, battery operated crown of candles and synthetic evergreens. With my scrawny elementary school arms, I carried a large tray with Dunkin Donuts (we were too lazy to bake the traditional Lucia buns), orange juice, milk, and coffee. Singing as we entered, I would deliver breakfast in bed to my sleepy brothers and father. In seminary I learned more about early Christian martyrs, particularly martyrs similar to Lucia like Martha daughter of Posi, Perpeutua, and Felicity. I have come to a deeper appreciation for their witness of faith. Like Lucia, Martha refused to marry a non-christian, having already pledged to live her life fully devoted to God. Perpetua refused to denounce her faith in Christ even though her family begged her to. Her relationship with Christ was so central to her identity that she would rather die than live a life apart from Christ. These women chose a life of service and witness to God over the social, political, familial, continued on next page

2 2 Giving Report Year to date Giving: $97, Percent of Budget: 75.2% November Giving $7, (not including October online giving) November Expenses: $10, Average Attendance (November) Morning Worship: 100 Harvest Festival Total $17, God is Good! It was a truly special time of worship together with many beautiful blessings shared. Thank you also for your faithful and generous gifts to our Harvest Festival goals. May our Lord bless and multiply your gifts for the glory of His Kingdom. Find us on Visit youtube.com and search wakefield covenant church to find our page. We also try to share our videos on our Facebook page once they are posted (facebook.com/wakecov). Prayer To be added to the prayer list, subscribe at wakecovprayer and religious pressures of their day. These were women who truly counted the cost of discipleship, knew the risks, moved forward in faith, and paid the ultimate price. Their lives and deaths brought the light of Christ to countless others. John 1:5 says, The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. The light shining in the darkness is what we celebrate in Advent and Christmas. It is the light angels sung about as shepherds kept watch over their fields at night. The witness of the early Christian martyrs, like Lucia, points to the light of Christ entering the world. As we celebrate the light shining in darkness we are reminded that the darkness has not overcome it! Christ is victorious and will return again someday in glory! Advent started Sunday November 27th Join us as we celebrate the season of Advent! We will anticipate not only the coming of Jesus as an infant in Bethlehem but also his most certain return to set the world right at the end of the age! Children s Christmas Program Sunday December 18th during morning worship at 10:00 AM. Blue Christmas Tuesday, December 20, 7:00 PM at Salem Lutheran This year the Wakefield ministerium continues our tradition of hosting a Blue Christmas service near December 21, the longest night of the year. We gather on this dark night to remember that for some, the holiday season is hard. It can feel like sadness and heartache don t fit into most of the festivities surrounding Christmas. If you know someone who has lost a loved one, is in a difficult relationship, is struggling with health or finances, or just needs some hope in the midst of the holidays, consider inviting them to this reflective candlelit service. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service December 24th at 8:00 PM Christmas Day Service Sunday December 25th 10:00 AM

3 3 Children s Sunday School December 4th At 9:00am Adult Sunday School every Sunday at 9:00am Christmas Program Practice Just a couple of practices left so make sure to remind your kids to come after school the next couple of! 4:00 to 5:30PM December 7th & 14th Our Mission: Inviting all to grow in Christ and serve together in God's love. Be Someone s Hero AseraCare Hospice needs volunteers to help out in your area to provide support to our terminally ill patients and their families by visiting, reading or just sitting along side them on their journey. On-line and individualized training is provided. To sign up or find out more, please contact: Jean Hughes, Volunteer Coordinator, at the AseraCare Hospice Office at or at jeanette.hughes@aseracare.com MOB Mission Trip M.O.B. Youth Group is looking to go on another mission trip next Summer. We will be working with a company called YouthWorks (youthworks.com) and are looking at going towards the end of July. All Jr./Sr. High youth are welcome to participate. We will be doing fundraisers to help cover the cost of the trip. Parents, if your teenager is interested in joining us please talk with Dawn Reimers or Pastor Linnea. We will be scheduling a parent meeting in January to share more details Possible Mystery Meal fundraiser in January! M.O.B Christmas Party Sunday December 18th 5:30 to 8:30 Let s Celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus together. Bring a friend. Come prepared to go Caroling! Our Vision: In cooperation with God s Spirit, we hope to see: An environment centered on God s redeeming love where people of all ages, races, and walks of life feel they belong and can grow in their faith A culture of continual growth in our dependence on God where we are honest about our imperfections and support one another through life s ups and downs Disciples engaging with God s Word and living it daily A church that encourages people to get involved and equips them to serve with the abilities God has given them Mission-minded servants sent out to make a difference in our community and our world with the compassion and generosity of Jesus Christ All 7th-12th grade Invited!

4 4 Deacons: December Meetings December Ushers Mike Muller Vicki Foote Cody McAfee Lee Brudigam December 4 at 11:30 AM Executive Board: December 4 at 5:45 PM C.E. Board: Trustee Board: Search Committee: TBD Children s Christmas Program Dec. 18th at 10:00 AM December 4 at 7:00 PM December 4 at 7:00 PM December Treasurers Mike Mogus Mark Borg EVERY SUNDAY Worship 10:00 AM 10 Merlin Felt Sunday School Pre-k to 6th grade December 4th 9:00 AM Adult Sunday School Every Sunday 9:00 AM Christmas Program Practice after school December 7th & 14th 10 Kraig Dolph 11 Rex Hansen 13 Hannah Borg 14 Ross Anderson 15 Betty Johanson 16 Jamie Dolph 17 Logan Carlson 19 Dave Rusk 20 Mike Mogus 23 Glee Gustafson 28 Cori Hansen 30 Katelyn Anderson 31 Mary Ann Hansen GREETERS Dec. 4 - Volunteers Needed Dec Katie VanderVeen Dec Volunteers Needed Dec Volunteers Needed FELLOWSHIP Dec. 4 - Donners & Lubberstedt Dec Felts Dec Iglesia Evangelica Casa de Oracion Dec No Fellowship Confirmation 4:15 PM (except Dec. 28) M.O.B. Sunday December 18 5:30 PM Snak Shak 5:30 PM Dec. 7 & 14 Pioneer Clubs 6:15 PM Dec. 7 & 14 Adult Bible Study Sundays at 7:00 PM Anniversaries 2 Dennis & Nancy Fredrickson 4 Richard & Tiffany Lamprecht 29 Norman & Jean Minola Christmas Caroling December 11th At 5:30 PM Reason for the Season & A Night in Bethlehem Wednesday, December 14th at 6:15 PM Blue Christmas 7:00 PM December 20th at Salem Lutheran Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 8:00 PM Christmas Day Service 10:00 AM

5 5

6 6 Executive Board: C.E. Board: Trustee Board: Deacons: January Meetings Search Committee: TBD January Ushers Rex Hansen Jean Hansen Noah Lamprecht Daniel Muller January 8 at 5:45 PM January 8 at 7:00 PM January 8 at 7:00 PM January 8 at 7:00 PM January Treasurers Mark Borg Joel Mcafee EVERY SUNDAY Worship 10:00 AM 2 Lyle Borg Adult Sunday School Every Sunday 9:00 AM M.O.B. Sunday January 15th 5:30 PM 4 Ryan Anderson 10 Brian Lundahl 10 Mark Reimers 12 Kristin Brudigam 15 Nancy Fredrickson 15 Corrine Carlson 18 Samuel Chase 22 Jeremiah Chase 24 Traci Fendrick Confirmation 4:15 PM (except Jan. 4th) Snak Shak 5:30 PM (except Jan. 4th) Annual Congregational Meeting Sunday January 15th after Worship Pioneer Clubs 6:15 PM (except Jan. 4th) 27 Martin Hernandez 31 James Felt Anniversaries 30 - Bud & Jean Simpson Camp Committee and Campers will be serving a meal before the meeting for a free will donation. Donations will go to the Camp Fund to help send youth to camp next summer. Sunday School for kids ages Pre-K to 6th Grade - January 8th,15th, & 22nd We will be trying a rotation style of Sunday School. This new model will mean that there will be classes for 3 weeks and then one week off. All days of Sunday School will be posted in bulletins GREETERS & FELLOWSHIP Volunteers Needed Sign-up sheet on bulletin board by office CHIC Super Bowl Sub Sandwiches Sales starting in January 6 Sub $8 each ** MADE FRESH** Sunday February 5th Choice of ham, roast beef, turkey or combo Includes chips and a homemade treat Pick up your subs at Covenant Church after 11am on February 5th. Deliveries made by 2pm on Feb. 5th, IN Wakefield only, for a free will donation.

7 7

8 8 November was a great month for Pioneer Club students! We packed 51 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Those gifts have been shipped to children in other countries who may not receive Christmas gifts this year. Thanks for all who donated supplies and shipping money to help our cause! December is exciting as we get to celebrate Christmas and the true Reason for the Season. Come join us on December 14th, as we will be having a Night in Bethlehem. That night, our church will be turned into an exciting Bethlehem village, where shopkeepers, bakers, and even Mary and Joseph will be telling stories and helping kids do projects. This is a family event, so, please make plans to attend and celebrate with us! We will be having Christmas break from December 21st, 28th and January 4th. We will start club back up on January 11th. Hope to see you then! Tammie & Tiffany No Snak Shak or Pioneer Club Dec. 21 or 28 Or Jan. 4th Snak Shak Youth - $1 Adults - $3 December 7 Chili December 14 Serving at 5:30 PM Grilled Cheese January menu TBD Evangelical Covenant Church Non Profit Org. 802 Winter Street U.S. Postage PAID Wakefield, NE Permit No 34 Phone (402) Wakefield, NE church@ wakecov.org Website: CHANGE SEVICE REQUESTED