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

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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 Sunday School 9:00 AM Worship 10:00 AM Wednesday 4:15 PM - Confirmation 5:30 PM - Snak Shak 6:15 PM - Pioneer Clubs & Jr. High Bible Study 6:30 PM - Adult Bible Study 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 April 2017 During the spring semester of my freshman in college, I needed a quad class to fill a gap in my semester schedule. I signed up for an elective called The History of Early Christian Art. I don t know that I would have chosen it otherwise except that it completed my schedule for the year. It sounded interesting and would only last for a few weeks. After the first class session, I was hooked. It was fascinating to see some of the earliest depictions of the Christian faith. My mind was engaged, listening to my professor explain the importance of each pose and posture. She explained how each work fit into its respective time period but also how it stood apart from the typical work of the day. My faith was also engaged as I learned more about the work of some of our earliest spiritual fathers and mothers. Part of our course included a class trip to the Art Institute of Chicago. Our professor walked us through the exhibits, pointing out the work we had been discussing in class. It was so cool to see what we were studying up close and personal. A few days later, I returned to the Art Institute to take a closer work so that I could complete an assignment. I revisited some of the displays we had rushed through as a class. Appreciating art but not being too artistically inclined myself, I enjoyed being able to look at this work and understand more of its meaning. We spent a decent amount of time there as a class but the Art Institute is HUGE there is so much to cover. And we were only looking at art that fell within the study of our course! I decided since I had taken the forty-minute train ride down to the Art Institute, I might as well look around at some of the other worldclass art displayed. I wandered from one gallery to the next, enjoying the time to reflect. Then, I found it. I turned the corner and lost my breath for a moment. There in a large open gallery was Jesus. The painting was life-sized and realistic. The background was jet black. It even included the sign, Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews in its original three languages. The Crucifixion, 1627 by Francisco de Zubarán I had spent all afternoon looking at different depictions of Christ s birth and crucifixion, yet it was this work that knocked me off my feet. This work was not included in the class it was created in the 17 th century and we were studying only the first few centuries after Christ. Yet it Continued on next page

2 2 Giving Report Year to date Giving: $30, Percent of Budget: 20.4% March Giving: $8, March Expenses: $12, Average Attendance (March) Morning Worship: 89 gripped me so tightly. But why? Perhaps it was because of the class. Perhaps it was because it was the reflective Lenten season. But I think, the reason why this piece of art captured my attention so completely, was because of my relationship with Christ. I did not turn the corner to see a historical figure but my Jesus on the cross. In the decade that has passed since I had this encounter, I will often use this work of art as the background on my computer during Lent. It serves as a reminder of the moment when this depiction of Christ took my breath away. It reminds me to reflect on Christ s work on the cross in the weeks leading up to Easter. It reminds me of spring and new life. It reminds me that God is not far off but personal. It reminds me that my Jesus died for me. Pledge Payments Midwest Conference: $1000 Covenant Cedars: $ Directories available at church Palm Sunday Service - April 9th, 10:00 AM (children are invited to come early to be part of the palm procession in service) Maundy Thursday Service - April 13th, 7:00 PM Community Good Friday Service - April 14th, 7:00 PM At Salem Lutheran Church Community Easter Sunrise Service - April 16th, 6:30 AM At Evangelical Covenant Church Easter Service - April 16th, 10:00 AM 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 Easter Lily Easter Breakfast at Salem Lutheran Church Serving at 7:00 AM April 16th Free Will Offering for the Wakefield Food Pantry and Ministerium You can order a lily plant for $10 in memory loved ones. Order envelopes now available on table by sanctuary. Lilies may be taken home the Sunday after Easter

3 3 COVENANT COMMUNITY BIBLE EXPERIENCE We are just over halfway through. If you have been reading along but haven t had a chance to join a small group you are still welcome to join one. SMALL GROUPS - For more information about joining a small group please talk with Pastor Linnea Thursdays at 7:00pm Wakefield Group Facilitator: Pastor Linnea Lenten Breakfast April 2 at 8:30 AM Bring your friends and family for a yummy breakfast. Then the kids will go to Sunday School while the teens and adults hear from our speakers. Free will offering for the breakfast will go to our Congo Clinic Initiative pledge Serving Biscuits & Gravy Speaker Mary Ann Christensen Quarterly Congregational Meeting Highlights March 26th, 2017 a quarterly Congregational Meeting was held after service with 27 members present. Here are some of the highlights from the various board reports. Tuesdays at 7:00pm Country Group Facilitator: TBD KEEP IT UP! YOU RE DOING GREAT! Community VBS will be at Covenant this year. C.E. board is looking for volunteers. Talk with Annette Chase or Elizabeth Carlson for more information or see page 5 of this courier. Pioneer Club celebrating 25 years during closing ceremonies on Wednesday April 19th Trustees have installed new smoke detectors and reviewing bids for mowing church properties this summer. They have also set up Spring Clean on Saturday, April 8th. There are 5 nominations for Centennial Scholarship Confirmation Sunday May 14th Saturdays at 2:00pm Wayne Group Facilitator: TBD Building Committee presented ideas for building improvements and asked members present to give input on priority for each. Improvements include updating lighting in fellowship hall, new marquee, update prayer room, bathroom renovation, build Covenant Lounge in south part of fellowship hall, create new entry way and renovate offices. Pictures are on bulletin board. For questions please talk with Building Improvement Committee: Merlin Felt, Jason & Michelle Simpson, Debbie Borg, Joel McAfee, Rachel Borg, Maddie Mogus. Our Mission: Inviting all to grow in Christ and serve together in God's love. 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

4 Children s Sunday School April 2nd & 23rd Be sure to join us for the last two children s Sunday Schools before we take our summer break. 4 Membership Class Pastor Linnea is looking at offering a membership class in May or June. Please talk with her if you are interested in learning more about becoming a member of Wakefield Evangelical Covenant Church. Spring Clean Saturday April 8th Help us brighten up the church and clean up the yuck from winter before Easter. Everyone is welcome to help. We will be starting in the morning on April 8th. More information and list of tasks coming. Located downtown on Main, Wakefield s Nearly New store is a non-profit organization that provides low cost items to families in need. The profits made also go back to the community via grants for families and individuals in need. Profits also help local groups meet financial goals such as our CHIC group. You can support this local organization by shopping, Nearly donating New items, or by volunteering. To volunteer or learn more about the Nearly New please call or go to wakfieldsnearlynew.com Show Your Support! Pizza/Movie Night Friday April 21st Starting at 6:00 PM SPRRINGFEST Thursday, April 20th, 5-7pm Watch your mail this month for a letter on how you can help with Springfest. This is a great fund raiser but needs many hands to make it happen so we are asking everyone for their help in selling tickets and providing food. Monies raised from this event go to support Pioneer Club which provides spiritual training and fun for Pre-K to 6th grade youth in our community every Wednesday evening. If you would like to donate meat please talk with Barb Stout or Elizabeth Carlson. THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! Please report all your ticket sales and turn in your unsold tickets to Barb Stout or to the church office ( ) by Sunday April 16th. Come make your own pizza and enjoy a movie together at our last M.O.B. gathering this school year. We hope to see everyone even if you haven t been here for a while. Bring a topping for your pizza. (dough and sauce provided) (Movers - of the - Bible) Milwaukee Mission Trip Fundraiser: Our next opportunity to raise money to send 11 youth on a mission Trip will be selling concessions at the Majestic Theater in Wayne April 27-30th. NO M.O.B on April 23rd.

5 5 Register For Camp When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8:12 Community VBS June 4th 7th At Covenant It s a great time to register for camp. Covenant Cedars Bible Camp offers great programs for all ages. To find out more information or to register go to If you would like to Volunteer please talk with Annette Chase or Elizabeth Carlson Wakefield Covenant has a Camp Committee and fund to help you send your kids to camp. Please talk with Bree Brown, Anita Muller, or Sue VanderVeen for more information. Pathfinders (1st & 2nd) June June Explorer (5th & 6th) June Jr. High (7th & 8th) July 2-7 Sr. High (9th - 12th) July 9-14 Donations Wanted! We are starting to plan some awesome decorations. We are in need of the following donations: CAMP DATES Trailblazer (3rd & 4th) More Information to Come! Last Chance (3rd-12th) August 2-4 nd rd Silent Auction Camp Fundraiser - April 2-23 Camp Committee is hosting a silent auction again this year to help defray cost to campers. It will run from April 2nd-23rd with the last bids being taken through church on April 23rd. Highest bidder will then be notified after church that day. To donate items for the auction please contact a Camp Committee member or leave in church Camper Sponsorship The camp fund provides $100 for each camper we send. However, we have a few kids that could use extra sponsorship to help them go to camp. If anyone would like to sponsor a child to camp let a committee member know. Thank you for all your support in sending kids to camp! brown craft paper (by the roll preferably) cans of spray foam (the kind that you use as crack sealer). large pieces of styrofoam board, any sizes of plastic pop/water bottles to be saved for us!! Money donations to help buy supplies. There will be tubs at the churches for any donations, or please get a hold of Sherri Wittler-Lundahl, or Michelle SchockBoeckenhauer. Thanks for your help in making this a great experience for our area kids!!

6 Tristin Jackson Mission: Pursuing Christ s Priorities in the World 6 Guest Speaker April 23 rd Covenant Youth of Alaska (CYAK) serves Alaska youth and young adults through Christ-centered ministry, partnership, and discipleship, to raise mature believers who will lead the Church for generations to come. CYAK operates out of their vision to see vibrant and healthy communities reflecting the gospel of Christ and be led by people God has transformed. For more information about CYAK, see next page and visit Tristin Jackson is on her way to joining the Covenant Youth of Alaska staff where she will be serving college students in Fairbanks, AK through a ministry called Aarigaa. Tristin is from Grayslake, Illinois but for the past several years she has been living in the city of Chicago. Tristin graduated with a Master of Divinity from North Park Theological Seminary in May Previous to attending seminary, she studied Sociology and Biblical and Theological Studies at North Park University. The first few times that Tristin felt a pull towards doing ministry was through serving on mission trips during high school and serving on summer staff during college years at Covenant Harbor Bible Camp. Tristin never planned to have a degree in Biblical Studies, or go to seminary. However, God s plan for these things to happen came to fruition as a result of her desire to keep learning, paired with the ways in which God spoke to her through others. It was after her junior year of college, while working at summer camp, when God made the call to do full time ministry very clear to Tristin. Although she is from a family of generations of Covenanters, while growing up Tristin attended churches belonging to several different denominations. It was during her time as a student at North Park that she gradually realized how at home she felt in the Evangelical Covenant Church. Because of this call that she had received from God and the sense of belonging that she felt within the ECC, Tristin decided that this was the church she wanted to serve in. During her seminary years, she served as a youth ministry intern at Village Church of Gurnee as well as a pastoral intern at Sojourner Covenant Church and Ravenswood Evangelical Covenant Church. Tristin has always loved learning about and interacting with different cultures. She is excited about the opportunity and call to work with and learn from the native people of Alaska. A quote from Tristin: The people and communities who I have interacted with over the years have played such a big part in my faith journey. I am grateful for the ways that each event, place and person in my life has impacted who I am today and where I am going. So many big and small pieces of my life have helped prepare me for this ministry in Alaska. (by Tristin Jackson)

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8 8 Executive Board: C.E. Board: Trustee Board: April Ushers Rex Hansen Jean Hansen Noah Lamprecht Daniel Muller April Meetings April 2 at 5:45 PM April 2 at 7:00 PM April 2 at 7:00 PM Search Committee: April 9 at 6:00 PM Deacons: April 23 at 5:00 PM March Treasurers Mike Mogus Shannon Johnson EVERY SUNDAY Worship 10:00 AM 2 Tracey Anderson Adult Sunday School Every Sunday 9:00 AM M.O.B. Pizza/Movie Night Friday April 21st 6:00 PM 2 Jesse Johnson 4 Terry Borg 6 Lauren Barge 8 Karen Borg 8 Joshua Dolph 8 Walker Lundahl 10 Jean Minola 11 Ryker Jensen 13 Sherri Lundahl Confirmation Wednesdays 4:15 PM Snak Shak Wednesdays 5:30 PM (except April 26th) Pioneer Clubs Wednesdays 6:15 PM (except April 26th) 18 Vivian Olson 22 Jim Bierbower 25 Lee Foote 26 Daveigh McAfee 26 Katie Weinrich GREETERS 29 Eliana Hernandez April 2 - Justin Erb April 9 - Judy Loofe & Maddie Mogus April 16, 23, & 30 - Need Volunteers FELLOWSHIP April 2 - Barb Stout & Becky Gothier April 9 - Need Volunteer April 16 - Easter April 23 - Felt Family April 30 - Elizabeth Carlson Sign-up on Bulletin Board Palm Sunday Service April 9th, 10:00 AM Maundy Thursday Service April 13th, 7:00 PM Community Good Friday Service April 14th, 7:00 PM At Salem Lutheran Church Community Easter Sunrise Service April 16th, 6:30 AM At Evangelical Covenant Church Easter Service April 16th, 10:00 AM Anniversaries 4 Mark & Anita Muller 5 Denny & Ellen Carlson 14 Jerome & Christy Roberts Children s Sunday School April 2nd & 23rd at 9:00 AM

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10 10 Do you know what is 25 years old?!? PIONEER CLUB at the Covenant Church! That s right we have been serving Christ through our youth program for 25 years and we think it s time to celebrate! On April 12, following our closing ceremonies, we will be having a carnival. We d love to have you join us on that fun night! March was a fun month for us. We had a pajama and movie night, as well as many nice nights to play outside before club. On March 19 we celebrated Pioneer Club Sunday. Students helped lead the worship service, helping out with singing, ushering, and even telling a little about Pioneer Club. On April 5 we will be having community service night and will be spending the evening taking part in activities that serve others. We love our Wednesday nights singing and learning about God and all his many gifts! We are so grateful for the opportunity to share Jesus love for another year. Tammie & Tiffany April 19th Last Night of Snak Shak & Pioneer Club Snak Shak Youth - $1 Adults - $3 April 5th Spaghetti Serving at 5:30 PM April 12th April 19th Pizza Burgers 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