N E W S L E T T E R W W W. L I F E C C H E L E N A. O R G

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1 J U N E V O L U M E 1 9 7, N O. 6 J U N E N E W S L E T T E R W W W. L I F E C C H E L E N A. O R G by Keith Johnson In the book of Numbers (the focus of our current series) God s people had a chronic issue they complained. The complaints created distance between them and God, between them and Moses, and between Moses and God. Complaining can drive a wedge between us and people in our lives and it can drive a wedge between us and God. In our series we re finding solutions about how to deal with it including inviting people into our lives to gain greater perspective, remembering how God has worked in the past, and learning to trust God in all circumstances. In his book, Confessions of a Pastor, Craig Groeschel offers S O M E T H O U G H T S O N C O M P L A I N I N G some additional advice on how to handle critics: It's a fact that "hurt people hurt people." They usually dislike themselves and criticize others in a misguided effort to validate themselves. If one of these injured souls lobs a criticism grenade in your direction, defuse it with understanding. Part of considering the source is seeking awareness of what that person may be going through. One time I was praying during worship, a few moments before preaching. Eyes closed, focusing on God, I felt someone slip a note into my hand. I never saw who it was, but the note was marked "Personal." I thought to myself, Someone probably wrote a nice note to encourage me before I preach. A warm, loving feeling settled over me as I unfolded the paper. A moment later, I lost that loving feeling. Evidently, the note was from a woman who had tried to see me on Friday, my day off. She took offense at my absence and blasted me with hateful accusations. This happened literally seconds before I was to stand up to preach. In that moment, I had a choice. I could internalize the offense and become demoralized and discouraged. Or I could ask myself, I wonder what she's experiencing that caused her to lash out? Continued on pg. 2 June 18 & 19 June 25 & 26 Series: When Life Seems Like a Desert June 4 & 5 Grumble Free June 11 & 12 Look for Help Series: James: A Faith That Perseveres What Do I Do with My Problems & Temptations? A Cliché That s Actually True: Actions Do Speak Louder Than Words

2 N E W S L E T T E R Page 2 U P D A T E Total Committed $216,933 Total Given $69,912 We received our Conditional Use Permit on May 9. We are currently in the design process with Slate Architecture and the approval process with the City of Helena. We anticipate breaking ground mid-june. A Note of Thanks: I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the prayers, cards, and visits during my hospitalization. In Christ love, Martha Crawford Life Covenant s Summer Events Make plans to join us at our summer camps! Spend time getting to know others in the church and relaxing with your family! Family Camp at C-N July 8-10 Join us at C-N camp near Augusta, MT, for swimming, tubing, hiking, campfires, sports, and much more! Meals and cabins are provided, so just relax and enjoy the weekend with your family! Brochures and a sign-up sheet are available in the church foyer (we also have a few spaces for campers, if you d like to bring yours). If you have any questions, please contact Tom Bowen: Holland Lake Camping Trip August Sign up early for our annual camping trip to Holland Lake. We reserve the camp site, and you do the rest. Pack up your crew and come enjoy the best of the great outdoors with LCC! More details to come; sign-ups will begin in the church foyer later this summer. If you have any questions, contact Matt Swider: Complaining, continued from pg. 1 I chose compassion over depression. My heart hurt for her. I knew that such a disproportionate reaction must indicate deep pain, so I didn't take her note personally. Consider the source. And, consider the possibility that the jab may have come from an injured heart. Dismiss it and move on. If you don't, you may become the very thing you despise. Finally, I want to offer my congratulations to our many 2016 graduates. Well done! CONGRATULATIONS Our congratulations go out to Ricky & Kayla Brown on the birth of their son, Levi Robert Brown, on May 7.

3 V O L U M E 1 9 7, N O. 6 K I D A N D Y O U T H A C T I V I T I E S Kid Ministries Contact Lisa Bowen: lisa@lifecchelena.org or Middle School Ministries Contact Jolanda Songer: jolanda@lifecchelena.org or High School Ministries Contact Matt Swider: mattswider@lifecchelena.org or M I D D L E S C H O O L Page 3 JUNE 20-23, 9:00am-12:00pm Preschool 5 th Grade Join us as the entire church is transformed into a Norway Expedition, where we will experience the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of Norway, while helping kids discover God s eternal love for the world! REGISTERING: Registration for VBS is continuing online! Just visit our Norway Expedition website by clicking on the VBS link at You can also register through our children s ministry or by calling the church office: SERVING: There are still opportunities to serve! Visit our Expedition Norway website for volunteer opportunities or contact Lisa at or lisa@lifecchelena.org. HIGH SCHOOL All students who will be in high school this fall are invited to our summer events. June Hike Tuesday, June 28, 6:00pm Join us as we hike Entertainment Trail to the Summit! Check out our events calendar, videos, and more at: (6 th -8 th Grade) Cardboard Boat Regatta Events Sunday, June 5, 12:00-6:00pm & Wednesday, June 8, 5:00-9:00pm Work on our boats at the Songer s (4050 Lone Prairie Rd, East Helena). You can meet us there or ride the church bus from the LCC parking lot. Sunday, June 12, 1:00-5:00pm at Spring Meadow Lake Working on boats at Songer s in May. Join us for the Regatta! We are currently looking for a lifeguard who can be present at the race and parents who can help with our BBQ at the event and/or bring food. For more details, please contact Jolanda Songer. THANK YOU!! Without volunteers we would not be able to have EnFuego and Sunday School, so we would like to thank our many volunteers for their amazing service to our middle school ministry! The EnFuego Team: George Metzger, Tony Martorana, Emily Forsman, Michele Smith, Sarah Sadowski, and Debbie Trumper. Sunday School Team: R.J. McNeil, Bo Turnbow, and Nina Johnson. We would also like to thank the volunteers and parents who help with everything from our First Love small group to special events, room setup, cooking delicious meals, and meal cleanup. We couldn t do it without you. Thank you!

4 N E W S L E T T E R E V E N T S & C L A S S E S Page 4 Reducing the Risk Training/Re-Training At Life Covenant Church we have implemented a child and youth protection program utilizing Reducing the Risk training. This program requires that each person working with any youth under 18 years of age go through a training and screening process every three years. If you would like to be trained to serve in our kid/youth ministries, or need to renew your training, please sign up in the church foyer for either the June 2 or June 14 RTR sessions (both are at 6:30pm in Room 201). Please contact the church office for more details or if you have any questions: and Better Luncheon Join us in the Fellowship Hall on Friday, June 10, at 12:00pm for this month s 55 and Better Luncheon, with a special program by Janet Colgrove a registered dietician from St. Peter s Community Hospital. Janet will be sharing information about healthy eating and diabetes. She ll also be available to answer any questions you may have. Please call the church office to let them know you ll be attending: See you there! Something New on the Horizon Coming this summer, a chance to enjoy a day-trip or two with your LCC friends! Our 55 and Better group is looking to plan a couple day-trips this summer, utilizing the LCC bus. If you have questions or suggestions, please give Karen Lewis a call at She wants your input! LCC Night Out at Brewers Baseball Game Join us for a fun night of Brewers baseball on Monday, June 27, at Kindrick Field (1300 N. Ewing). We have reserved the picnic area on the first base side; tickets include game admission and dinner (hot dogs & burgers plus sides, desserts, & drinks). Gates open at 6:00pm, dinner is at 6:30pm, and the game starts at 7:00pm. Adults are $15 and children (high school and under) are free. Sign up today in the church foyer! You are invited to join 305,000 leaders from around the world at The Global Leadership Summit on August at the Gateway Center. The Summit is designed for Christians who are committed to leading a life of impact. In fact, independent research shows that 87% of leaders who attended the Summit in consecutive years feel a greater sense of significance and satisfaction. For LCC attendees we are offering a discounted price of $35 per person. To register, please fill out a Global Leadership Summit envelope (available in the church foyer) and return it to one of our GLS volunteers, put it in the offering, or drop it off in the church office. We hope you ll join us for this valuable conference! AUGUST 11-12, 2016 Learn more at willowcreek.com/summit.

5 V O L U M E 1 9 7, N O H I G H S C H O O L G R A D U A T E S Page 5 Grace Anders Terry D. Anthony Gabe Bellaflores Dominic Bair Dustin Bishop Nathaniel Bowen Robert Cornelison Matt Ellsworth Justin Fleury Christian Hayes Braxton Kent Ian Kozak Tre McMillan Adam Snell Ali Taylor Matt Turnbow Donovan Venner Clover Walsh Danica Williams Amanda Yancy Helena College Access to Success In addition to those who submitted photos, we send our CONGRATULATIONS to all of our 2016 Graduates! Well done!

6 Life Covenant Church 800 North Hoback Helena, MT Address Service Requested Periodicals US Postage Pd Helena, MT POSTMASTER Send address change to Life Covenant Church 800 N. Hoback, Helena, MT LIFE 101 Discovering God s Family at Life Covenant Church Sunday, June 12, 4:00-7:00pm Room 202/204 Learn what our church is all about, including our history, what we believe, how we attempt to live out our beliefs in our community, and how we operate. This is a great introduction to who we are, and there s always time for questions. A pizza dinner is provided, and childcare can be available if needed. Please sign up in the church foyer or by calling the office ( ). MEMBERSHIP AT LIFE COVENANT STARTS WITH LIFE 101. if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13