May 2018 :: Sunday Worship Services :: Sunday Worship 8:00 Services a.m. Traditional 9:30 a.m. Contemporary 8:00 a.m. Traditional 11:00 a.m. Contemporary 9:30 a.m. Contemporary 11:00 a.m. Contemporary :: Mailing Address :: 1601 Mailing Highway Address 25 North 1601 Buffalo, Highway MN 55313 25 N Buffalo, MN 55313 :: Phone :: 763.682.1470 Phone 763.682.1470 :: Email :: office@buffalocov.org Email office@buffalocov.org :: Website :: buffalocov.org Website buffalocov.org UPCOMING MESSAGES May 6 Confirmation Sunday Confirmation students have finished class work from Class 101 - Old Testament Survey and Class 201 - New Testament Survey & Doctrinal Studies. Confirmation is not just a course of study our students have completed. Confirmation is one more step in the lifelong process of strengthening their faith so that they may increasingly live as effective disciples of Jesus Christ. Confirmation Sunday also serves as an encouragement to our church family to continue their own faith journey. May 13 The Thread of Redemption Series: Jeremiah - The Weeping Prophet - Jeremiah 1:1-19 & 29:4-14 Jeremiah is a difficult book to read for a variety of reasons. It is a book where the judgment of God begins to descend upon a rebellious people. Jeremiah was chosen by God and given a difficult assignment of proclaiming God s truth in an age when that truth was not desired or wanted. There are several lessons to be learned from God s call upon Jeremiah: 1) that each one of us has received God s calling to serve Him with our lives; 2) that we have God s promise that He would never leave us or forsake us; and 3) sometimes the message that God has for us to deliver is not always the easiest to give. We will also focus upon that often quoted verse Jeremiah 29:11 and see what that verse truly says to us today. You just might be surprised. May 20 - Senior Sunday Our 2018 Graduating Seniors will be sharing their gifts in leading us in worship that morning. All three worship services will be the same. May 27 Soldiers of the Cross - Ephesians 6:10-18 By Pastor Mary Blosser As we honor our brave men and women who have served in the military defending our freedoms, we are challenged to accept the call into active duty for our King, Jesus Christ. Are you and your family ready and prepared to stand courageously against the enemy of our faith? Will you be a soldier of the Cross?
PAGE 2 MAY/JUNE FAMILY WORSHIP GUIDES The focus of our family worship guides is on worship itself, with the desire to teach adults, youth and children what the Bible teaches about worship. Take it home and worship with your family! May/June Family Worship Guides are available in a bin under the designated frame in the Commons. MAY/JUNE FAMILY MEMORY VERSE: Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. - Psalm 85:1 FUNERAL COORDINATOR NEEDED Pastor Reid Gilbert, our Congregational Care Pastor, is in need of someone to help him with preparing for funerals. The Funeral Coordinator would be available to meet with the family with Reid, assist in communicating with the family regarding the funeral, and helping with logistical tasks the day of the funeral. Compensation will be in the form of an honorarium. If you are interested please email Reid Gilbert (reid@buffalocov.org) for a complete job description. Good people skills and computer knowledge needed. THANK YOU MEALS-ON-WHEELS VOLUNTEERS Thank you to all our volunteers who served the community through Meals-On-Wheels in April!
PAGE 3 WINTERMANTEL FAMILY COMMISSIONING & FAREWELL Sunday, May 20 4:00 p.m. Worship Center On Sunday afternoon, May 20, the Buffalo Covenant Church Family will have the opportunity of commissioning our Adult Discipleship Pastor and his family for full-time ministry in South Sudan. Pastor Steve has faithfully served BCC since coming on staff in 2012. We have been blessed by his love to serve Jesus and his emphasis that strong relationships are an essential tool for discipleship making. His desire to be a Godly man, husband, and father have been a great witness to us all. Steve provided tremendous leadership, characterized by integrity, sincerity and being incredibly genuine to those he came in contact with. Please join us at 4:00 p.m. as we sing together, pray together, hear testimonials honoring Pastor Steve, Gina, Hazel, Abe, Josiah, and Cyrus, and hear from Pastor Steve s heart. There will be an opportunity to share in a special love-offering for the Wintermantels before they leave our way of helping to meet some of those over-and-above needs they might have. Following the service, dinner and dessert (free of charge) will be served in the Youth Room and on the patio. A special Memory Book will be available for you to write a brief note in, that the Wintermantels can take to South Sudan with them. This is a time when we set aside the Wintermantels to be our hands and feet and voice to the people living in Torit, South Sudan. What a time of celebration and praise! Mark this on your calendars because you will not want to miss this important moment in the life of Buffalo Covenant Church.
PAGE 24 BCC There are multiple weekly and monthly opportunities to connect with others, to grow spiritually and to be supported through participating in a Class, Bible Study, Prayer Group, Support Group or Social Gathering. GROUPS PRAYER TEAM Mondays 12:00 p.m. Room 200 WOMEN S BIBLE STUDY Mondays 1:00 p.m. Room 201 HOPEKEEPERS LIFE SUPPORT GROUP Tuesday, May 29 6:30 p.m. Room 200 GRIEFSHARE Tuesdays, through May 15 1:30-3:30 p.m. or 6:00-8:00 p.m. Room 108 PRODIGAL MINISTRY Wednesday, May 9 & 10 1:30 p.m. or Thursday, May 23, 24 6:30 p.m. Room 108 NOW (NURTURING OUR WIDOWS) Tuesday, May 22 1:30 p.m. Youth Room Nurturing Our Widows (NOW) Ministry is designed for those who have lost their husbands, whether it be 40 years or 2 months ago. Please join them as they gather for fellowship and treats. S.A.L.T. (SENIOR ADULTS LIVING TRIUMPHANTLY) Tuesday, May 15 1:30 p.m. Youth Room On Tuesday afternoon, May 15, our SALT Family will be meeting at 1:30 p.m. in the Youth Room. Our special guest is Pastor Kevin Doely who is an accomplished ventriloquist. Pastor Doely was with us a year ago and shared many of his special friends with us. Following the program, we will enjoy our Annual Salad Luncheon a collection of culinary delights. You are encouraged to invite a friend or two to come and share in this uplifting afternoon. **To learn more about these groups, please visit buffalocov.org PROPEL WOMEN Thursday, May 10 6:30 p.m. Youth Room WOMEN S MISSION CONNECTION Monday, May 31 9:00 a.m. Ann Devitt s Home
PAGE 5 ADULT SUNDAY CLASSES 9:30 A.M. CLASSES PROPHECY UPDATE Sunday, May 27 9:30 a.m. Room 201 Instructor: Dennis Lingo Jesus told us clearly that we are supposed to Watch! (Mark 13:36). Please bring your newspaper headlines and your Bibles as we examine the news of the day and compare it to the events and conditions the Bible says we are to watch for. Be encouraged that God is in control and that all things will happen in His perfect timing. 11:00 A.M. CLASSES DIGGING DEEPER Sundays, through May 13 11:00 a.m. Gym This class digs a little deeper into questions and topics pertaining to the text of the morning sermon. THE CROSS AND THE FLAG: AMERICANISM VERSUS CHRISTIAN CITIZENSHIP Sundays 9:30 a.m. Room 106 Instructor: Bill Everett GENERATIONS INTERGENERATIONAL CLASS Sundays, through May 13 9:30 a.m. Gym
PAGE 6 BCC MONTANA SUMMER CAMP July 21-July 28 C Bar N Ministries Augusta, Montana Students will ride bus to/from. Open to those in Grades 9-12, in the 2018-19 school year. Please either talk to Guy Bergstrom, email guy@buffalocov.org, or check out the website for information and forms. TRACK CLASS STUDENT RECOGNITION Sunday, May 13 For all students that have completed classes 301, 401, and 501 this year. Please plan to attend all 3 services. Information will be provided by your class teacher. BACCALAUREATE SERVICE FOR SENIORS Wednesday, May 16 7:00 p.m. Buffalo Covenant Church Please contact Val Pederson (val@buffalocov.org) for more information. SENIOR SUNDAY Sunday, May 20 Seniors, please plan to attend all 3 services. Please let Pastor Val know if you are a senior and you did not receive a letter with Senior Sunday information. val@buffalocov.org DATES TO REMEMBER LAST DAY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL May 13 TRACK CLASS STUDENT RECOGNITION May 13 BACCALAUREATE SERVICE May 16 SENIOR SUNDAY May 20 PATTIES ON THE PATIO June 3
PAGE 7 AWANA BOOK COMPLETERS CAMP OUT June 28-29 There will be an overnight camp out at the Lingo family ranch for all T&T kids who have completed a handbook this year. Only T&T clubbers who have completed a book during this club year are eligible. Registration forms for this event will be handed out on Awana Awards night, along with the book completion awards. Please return the forms promptly so we can plan for this fun reward event! VBS 2018 - Shipwrecked - Rescued by Jesus June 11-15 Bible lessons, games, crafts, snacks, music, and lots of fun! This year the theme is Shipwrecked Rescued by Jesus. Kids will discover how Jesus rescues us through life s storms. Shipwrecked is filled with incredible Bible-learning experiences kids see, hear, touch, and even taste! Sciency-Fun Gizmos, team-building games, cool Bible songs, and tasty treats are just a few of the standout activities that help faith flow into real life. Plus, we ll help kids discover how to see evidence of God in everyday life. VBS is for kids 4 years old through 4th grade completed. Kids must be 4 years old by June 1st. VBS registration packets are now available for you to pick-up in the Commons! Online registration will also be available soon. VBS 2018 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED There are MANY places to serve at Vacation Bible School. If you would like to be part of the MOST FUN WEEK OF THE YEAR, contact Janine Kruger or Stephanie Anderson (janine-kruger@hotmail.com; sraeanderson@yahoo.com; 763-682-1470). DATES TO REMEMBER LAST DAY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL May 13 VBS June 11-15 SPORTS CAMP July 23-26 MUSIC CAMP August 13-17 Registration forms are now available for VBS & Music Camp in the Commons, or online soon : buffalocov.org/children/special-events
PAGE 8 PATTIES ON THE PATIO Sunday, June 3 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. BCC Patio Come join us for a time of fellowship and opportunity to support our Israel trip students as they serve burgers on the church patio. There is a suggested donation of $5/meal. DATES & REGISTRATION 2018 It s time to register for summer camps at Lake Beauty Bible Camp (LBBC)! You can register online at lbbc.com. LBBC Camp brochures are also available in the Commons. FRONTIER KIDS: July 3-5 (For campers who have completed 1st, 2nd or 3rd grade) TRAILBLAZER: July 15-19 (For campers who have completed 3rd, 4th or 5th grade) JUNIOR HIGH: July 8-13 (For campers who have completed 6th, 7th or 8th grade) SENIOR HIGH: July 29- August 3 (For campers who have completed 9th-12th grades) TRANSPORTATION Transportation will be provided for the Frontier Kids & Trailblazers. If we have enough campers going to the Jr. High and Sr. High camps, we will send the van. If not enough campers are going, we will connect the names with other parents so you can carpool together. Space is limited. To sign up your kid(s) to get a ride in the church van TO and/or FROM Lake Beauty, contact the church office (office@buffalocov.org; 763-682-1470). The deadline is June 15th.
PAGE 9 CHOSEN stands for Community Helping Orphans and Supporting Each other s Needs. THE LEGACY OF TWO MOTHERS Once there were two women who never knew each other. One, my darling, is your birth mom and the other is your mother. Two different lives, shaped to make yours one. One became your guiding star; the other became your sun The first gave you life, and the second taught you to live it. The first gave you a need for love, and the second was there to give it. One gave you a nationality; the other gave you a name. One gave you the seed of talent, the other gave you aim. One gave you emotions; the other calmed your fears. One saw your first sweet smile; the other dried your tears. One chose adoption. It was all that she could do. The other prayed for a child, and God led her straight to you. And now you ask me through your tears, The age-old question through the years; Heredity or environment, which are you the product of? Neither, my darling, neither. Just two different kinds of love. ~ Author Unknown ~ Happy Mother s Day to ALL Mothers!
PAGE 12 In the Community MOPS ANNUAL GARAGE SALE DONATE: Monday, May 7 6:00-8:00 pm Tuesday, May 8 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. SHOP: Wednesday, May 9 & Thursday, May 10 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Our local Buffalo MOPS (Mothers of PreSchoolers) is hosting their annual garage sale and will be accepting donations. Please bring in any used or new items that you would like to donate from our Items We Love list below. Then come and shop to support this local group of moms! Items We Love: Clothing, Clothing Accessories, Personal Accessories, Media, Housewares, Books Items We Can t Accept: Weapons & Explosives, Hazardous Waste, Construction Materials, Flammable Products, Large Appliances, Automobile Parts, Food, Mattresses and Box Springs, Sofa LOVE INC - BIG WOODS UPDATE Love INC-Big Woods is announcing a new ministry starting this spring! If you are getting tired of your old furniture, or are combining households or downsizing, Love INC can help. We have volunteers that will pick up your furniture at no cost to you. If you live in the Buffalo city limits, email thriftstore@ loveincbigwoods.org a picture and description of your item, and you will be contacted. Especially needed are wooden dressers, night stands, end tables and kitchen tables & chairs. (Sorry mattresses, box springs, cribs, TV s or sleeper sofas cannot be accepted.) The first monthly pick-up date is Sat. May 26, from 9:00-1:00pm. SEEKING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT OPTIONS FOR WOMEN CORNERSTONE Options for Women Cornerstone is a life-affirming pregnancy resource and medical center located in St. Michael, MN. We are seeking candidates for the Executive Director position, a part-time, paid position. Full job description and application details can be obtained by emailing cellis@cornerstoneoptions.org. WRIGHT COUNTY FOSTER FAMILIES NEEDED Wright County has an urgent need for foster families. The overall goal of foster care is to provide children with a temporary, stable, and caring family setting until they are reunited with their family or until a permanency plan is established for them. Wright County is seeking families who are willing to welcome children into their home. If you would like more information about becoming a foster parent please contact Marisa Fergson at 763-682-7484 or marisa.ferguson@co.wright.mn.us.