Dear Faith Covenant

Easter is almost upon us!  Easter is based around that history-splitting event we Christians call the Resurrection.  In the busyness of holiday preparation, think about what this event is really about for a moment: A man said he was God in human form.  Religious people killed him.  Three days after he was buried, over 500 people saw him alive and even ate meals with him!

Think just a bit further… this declaration of history is either true or it is false, right?   It is natural to have some serious doubts about how such a thing could be true. 

Yet even the brother of Jesus claims that this really did take place! Luke, a doctor, even leaves his practice to plant a church because he was so convinced that this actually took place!  Even Thomas who had real doubts eventually declared that this was reality! 

The claim that death does not have the final word should change our lives in multiple ways.  It is not unlike the increasing warmth that reminds us that the snow here in Minnesota will not have the last word!  It is the true news that can melt the ice in our own hearts if we allow it to.  So do join us this Easter for that collective celebration as we say together Jesus is Alive!  Our services again are at 9:15am, 10:15am and 11:15am this Sunday.

Lastly,  I’m excited to invite you to our next 4 week sermon series called “The Gathering”. Essentially we are asking the question,

“Why should people come to church?”

Maybe you have wondered the same thing?  So for the four weeks following Easter, Pastors John Foley and Mike Lotzer will be diving in to answer that question in practical ways.  We will be basing our teachings on Acts 2:42…

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the

Breaking of bread and to prayer.”

So do join us in our coming series at Faith Covenant at 9:30 or 11am.

Happy Easter from my family to yours!

Pastor Mike Lotzer

Anyone seen the Buffalo Wild Wings commercial where they hit the TV remote to slow mo?  They do that because they love hanging out at their favorite restaurant and watching sports.  I prayed this prayer over our beloved FCC staff this morning.  In the busyness and all that needs to get done for Holy Week, I'm asking Jesus to hit the slow mo enough for us all to experience and worship him.  I'm asking Jesus to meet us, fill us, and use us so anyone coming through the doors of FCC would want to make this a favorite hangout!

There's a lot of excitement and energy on Wednesday nights here at FCC.  One personal piece I'm excited to add to Wednesdays is a class I will be facilitating called "Solid Roots".  This will be a basic Spiritual Formation class focused on sharing some best practices to truly grow in our faith.  We will use a creative approach to discipleship aimed at discovering how God has uniquely wired us and calls us to be rooted and grow in faith.

May we all hit the slow mo and experience great things from God: Easter, and beyond!

Pastor John Foley

Here's what's coming up....

Easter - It Changes Everything!
We want you to invite your friends to Easter because we believe the news (resurrection) is that important! Please pick up invite cards in the lobby and give to a friend or neighbor. The card is also good for a free cup of coffee for your friend at The Buzz Coffee Shop on Burnsville Parkway. Easter Services are at 9:15, 10:15 & 11:15am on March 31.

Seder Dinner
Join us on Good Friday at 5pm as we worship through the sampling of the traditional Passover meal. The meal will help us see the history and symbolism of how Christ revealed himself to his disciples as the great Passover Lamb, our Savior of the world. Sign up in the lobby today, or RSVP to [email protected] by Monday, March 25

Faith Connect
Whether this is your first Sunday at Faith or you have been kicking the tires around here for a while, we want to invite you to our Faith Connect lunch on April 7 at 12:15pm. This is intended to give you information about our church, answer questions, and point you in the right direction to get involved with a small group or volunteering. Childcare will be provided. Please RSVP to [email protected] so we know how much food to order.

Congregational Meeting
If you consider Faith Covenant your church home, mark your calendar and plan to attend the next congregational business meeting on Sunday April 14 at 12:15pm. We will hear updates of ministry happenings and discuss any pending business.


“What Does the Lord Require of  You?” Equip Class
This 4 week class, based on the verse Micah 6:8, will be held at 11am beginning April 4. The series will focus on three areas that fall under the Covenant’s commitment to compassion, mercy and justice: Prison Ministry, Human Trafficking and AVA (Advocacy for Victims of Abuse). For questions, contact Koren at [email protected]. 

Women’s Spring Bible Study
Calling women of all ages! Join us as we journey together through the book of Nehemiah starting April 9. This study challenges women to let God break their hearts for a hurting, lost world and move them in compassion to lead people to Jesus. Tuesdays at 10am or 6:30 pm, with childcare at the morning session. Book by Kelly Minter; $13 at Faith. RSVP to [email protected]

By Brian Martin - Director of Student Ministry

Good day, Faith Family.

In Student Ministry, our world runs on school years, so you’ll forgive me if it feels like we are quickly approaching an end.

The end of a season is always interesting.  We look back at what has been, while simultaneously looking to the future of “what if” and what could be.  Our students feel the weight of this – especially those who are moving to a new school or a new part of their life. 

However, seeing our life in terms of the start and end of different seasons is probably a healthy approach.  If we see life as a constant moving forward with few mile markers along the way, we miss the chance to reflect, and we miss the urgency of the end.

One phrase our student leadership team considered at our last gathering was this: “Start with the end in mind.”  How are we going to end our life here on this Earth?  What legacy will we leave?  The answer to that begins with how we will end each season we are in.  What season are you in?  And how are you reaching the goals that God has for you in this season?

Below you’ll see some information about upcoming stuff.  At the bottom of that list, I’m going to give you a little more detailed information about all things Student Ministry.  Thanks!

 

Good Friday Service - Seder Dinner

Join us on Good Friday (March 29) at 5:00pm as we worship through the sampling of the traditional Passover meal. The meal will help us see the history and symbolism of how Christ revealed himself to his disciples as the great Passover Lamb, our Savior of the world. Sign up by emailing Jen Sorensen by Monday, March 25 ([email protected]).

Easter Services – Sunday March 31

Service times are 9:15, 10:15, and 11:15.

Hymn Sing this Sunday, March 17 at 4:00pm

Here’s your reminder for this great event coming up this Sunday.  We’ll see you there!

Faith Connect – April 7

Whether this is your first Sunday at Faith or you have been kicking the tires around here for a while, we want to invite you to our Faith Connect lunch on Sunday, April 7 at 12:15pm. This is intended to give you information about our church, answer questions, and point you in the right direction to get involved with a small group or volunteering. Childcare will be provided. Please RSVP to [email protected] so we know how much food to order.

“What Does the Lord Require of You?” Sunday Morning Equip Class

This 4 week class, based on the verse Micah 6:8, will be held at 11am beginning April 4. The series will focus on three areas that fall under the Covenant’s commitment to compassion, mercy and justice: Prison Ministry, Human Trafficking and AVA (Advocacy for Victims of Abuse). For questions, contact Koren at [email protected]. 

Women’s Spring Bible Study

Calling women of all ages! Plan to join us as we journey together through the book of Nehemiah, starting April 2. This study challenges women to let God break their hearts for a hurting, lost world and move them in compassion to lead people to Jesus. Tuesdays at 10am or 6:30pm, with childcare at the morning session. Book by Kelly Minter; $13.00 at Faith. RSVP to Jen at [email protected]

MOMS concert tickets 

You are invited to the M.O.M.S. 11th Annual Benefit Concert at Faith Covenant on Saturday, April 6. The event begins at 5:30pm with a Silent Auction and Concert Cafe' where you can enjoy a light dinner or snack, and your favorite gourmet coffee. Live music begins at 7pm. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. They are available by calling 952.890.5072 or emailing [email protected].

Student Ministry Updates:

Current Series:

We are in our annual series on love, dating, and sex called Owned.  There is a lot of rich discussion going on since it is a topic so many young people are interested in and all are affected by.  If you have any questions about approach or content, please don’t hesitate to contact me!

Summer Trips:

Milwaukee Trip for Jr. High

Well…we’ve had very little interest in this trip, so we’re trying to learn why.  Please take 2 minutes to fill out this online survey, and if you care to, please email me directly if you have comments you’d like me to understand.  Thank you for your consideration.  And, if you still want to sign up, please let me know ASAP as we have to make a decision about whether or not we will even be attending.

http://kwiksurveys.com/s.asp?sid=b4tc9gmpx909agw111368

Colorado Trip for Senior High

We are gathering the team and gearing up.  This is definitively our last call for registrations for this trip.  Please know that in April we will have a fundraiser for this trip on a Sunday after church.  Can’t wait!

Calendar Stuff:

Check out your calendar for May (or check it out on the Student page of the website if you don’t have one).  You’ll see several events including our End of the Year Party (offsite), Senior Banquet, and new 5th Grader Sneak Peek event.  It’s going to be awesome!

Transition Support Team
Information will be coming soon about our Transition Support Team - a group of people who will do what they can to support our young men and women making the transition from high school to college/career.  Please be thinking and praying about supporting our young people in this important time of transition and change!

by Jon Dack Children's Ministry Director

Hi Faith Family,

You wouldn't know it by looking out the window but Spring is right around the corner. In fact the official start of Spring is March 20 and next Sunday it is already time to set our clocks forward an hour. I have to confess that Spring has never been my favorite season. It starts out cold, rains a lot, and most of the season is muddy and dirty. Still even I can't deny that there is something special about this time of year.
The rain of Spring washes away the dirt of a long Winter season and the softening of dirt into mud allows seeds to take root. Yes, Spring is a celebration of new life.

Like seasons in the natural world our spiritual lives go though similar cycles. So my prayer this week is that you might enter into a new season in your spiritual life. Allow God to wash away the dirt of a long winter season and create in you new growth that will bear fruit for his Kingdom.

God Bless!



WHATS COMING UP

Women’s Brunch
Join us for brunch, fellowship, and coffee on Saturday, March 16 at 10:30am. We will enjoy one another's company, make new friends, and open our hearts to God's call to serve as agents of compassion, mercy and justice in our world. Bring a friend (or seven)! Contact [email protected] to save your spot!

Seder Dinner
Join us on Good Friday as we worship through the sampling of the traditional passover meal. The meal will help us see the history and symbolism of how Christ revealed himself to his disciples as the great Passover Lamb, our Savior of the world. Sign up by marking your bulletin insert and placing it in the offering basket today. You also may RSVP by Monday, March 25 to [email protected].

Easter - It Changes Everything!
We want you to invite your friends to Easter because we believe the news (resurrection) is that important! There is a easy way to do this: pick up invite cards in the lobby and give to a friend or neighbor. The card is also good for a free cup of coffee for your friend at The Buzz Coffee Shop on Burnsville Parkway. Services: 9:15, 10:15 & 11:15am, March 31.

Hymn Sing
Mark your calendar for Faith’s second Hymn Sing on Sunday, March 17 at 4pm in the Worship Center. You will be blessed by these great old songs whether you sing along or just listen. Invite a friend!