I only have one comment about the weather (in the form of an emoticon). :(

Now that that obligatory comment is out of the way, let’s get on with it. 

Here is a question I’ve been pondering: how is God renewing my life?

I want to encourage you to read 2 Corinthians 5:11-21.  What we see in this passage is a renewal taking place.  God works in us and through us to make us new, and then asks us to help make other things new, too.  It’s about fixing what is broken.  It’s about finding the lost.  It’s about raising up the least.  It’s about renewal – and not just for renewal’s sake, but for Christ’s sake.  And renewal feels good.

We’ve been talking a lot about renewal amongst our staff recently, seeking God in how he is making us new and how we can bring that renewal into His world. The question this passage begs is not only one about “how am I becoming new?” but also about “how am I helping other things become new for Him?” 

It’s a humbling and exhilarating idea that we might be a part of something God is doing to make other things new.  Where is he calling you to be a tool of renewal?

Here are some things we think you might want to know:

Thank You for Your Support at the Big Bus BBQ!

Church family, thank you for coming out in force to support our Senior High students and their efforts to get to Colorado this summer.  We were blessed by over 200 people attending, as well as generous financial contributions of over $2000!  We are so grateful and thankful for that support.  We are continuing to pursue our goal of $5500 for the bus transportation, and this was a great start!  If you weren’t able to attend, but would still like to give to the effort, please let us know.  Thank you!

Covenant Pines Work & Worship Retreat 

Memorial Day Weekend, May 24-27, is a great time to come to camp and enjoy the beautiful outdoors while helping prepare camp for the busy upcoming summer. Register online at covenantpines.org. Kids 0-3 are free, 4-12 only $15, and anyone over 12 ONLY $30. Space is limited, so register soon! For more info contact Terri at [email protected].

Children's Summer Preview

Stop in the lobby this Sunday, April 28, and check out the events we have for children this summer. Whether you want to be a participant or a volunteer, we have the registrations and sign ups for both. Look for details on VBS, Covenant Pines Day Camp and Secret Service Day Camp.

Kids' Praise Team

Join us as we teach kids to worship God through movement and music. Children ages preschool through 5th grade are welcome. Class will be each Sunday in May from 10:30-11am (in between services) in room 250.

Worship & Welcome Teams

Faith is looking for people who like to help out with hospitality. We are revamping our welcome program at faith and want to let people know we need some more help. We need more people to help greet, be at the welcome desk, and be a presence that helps new people find their way around Faith. If that sounds interesting to you, there will be a sign up in the lobby May 5th. Come check it out.

By Jon Dack Director of Children's Ministry

Let's hope that April snow showers carry the same promise of flowers as its rain showers do. Once again we are making our way through the rain, sleet, and snow during this the third week of April. While I can't promise that you that spring will arrive next week. I can promise that you are going to want to check out what's happening at Faith Covenant below.

All Church Garage Sale: Save the date, and your stuff, for our annual All-Church Garage Sale! This year's sale dates are July 25 & 26 with donation dates of July 21 - 23. The proceeds of our sale go to help widows and poor families in Kosovo. Many volunteers will also be needed, so mark your calendar and email [email protected] to sign up!

Restoration Celebration: Everyone is invited to a special worship service on on Friday, April 26 at 7:30pm at Minnehaha Academy! The service is part of the Northwest Conference Annual Meeting and will celebrate our daughter church, Restoration Covenant, as they are received into the Conference. Because Faith will be recognized for our support in helping plant Restoration, it is hoped that many of us will attend the service. No RSVP is required.

Kids Praise Team: Calling all elementary kids who like to worship moving to music. Join us in using  banners, music and movement in praising God. We will teach some simple movements and use colorful banners to express JOY, AWE and DELIGHT in the LORD.  It is fun and easy to learn.  Come check it out in  room 250 between services beginning May 5. Call Sharon Auldrich at 953.890.6749 with questions.

Faith Library: Looking for a good book? The library at Faith has recently added new books, both fiction and non-fiction. Stop in and check out some great reading materials. For more info, or to suggest a title, contact Shirley Howard at 952.894.6131

Team World Vision: Become a member of Team World Vision - a group of people who train together, raise support, and race to provide clean drinking water to areas in Africa. This year's local races include the Twin Cities Marathon and the Monster Half Marathon, both in October. It is important to note that you do NOT have to be a runner, or even an athlete, to train and complete a half or full marathon - there are training plans for all kinds of people, even if you have never run before. Faith's team captains are Anne and Aaron Eicher and they'd love to have you join our team, training for a great cause. Contact them at [email protected].

Greetings from the frozen MN tundra! This week certainly offers us a timely, visual reminder that we are not in control. The weather outside may be frightful indeed – but we know for sure that Spring will come (in its own timing, certainly not ours)! Which reminds me…as dark as some days may look, as discouraging as the news may seem, as uncertain as life can appear – we know for sure that Christ will come again (in His perfect timing, certainly not ours)!

I don’t know about you, but as I longingly await the appearance of the Sun, I’m basking in the glow of the Son, whose resurrection and life we celebrated a couple of weeks ago. For me, that glow comes from knowing that “Neither life nor death, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39.

Here are a few things to note and put on your calendar(s):

Faith Covenant’s quarterly meeting (This Sunday, April 14, 12:15pm)

You don’t have to be a church member to attend! There’s important stuff to hear and learn at these meetings, as well as new faces to connect with. If you consider Faith Covenant your home, please consider attending Sunday’s special business meeting. In addition to hearing updates from staff and council, we’ll be discussing and voting on adjusting our fiscal year calendar.

Big Bus BBQ (Sunday, April 21, right after our 11am service)

Support Faith’s senior high students going to Colorado this summer (Service Leadership Trip) by attending the Big Bus BBQ on April 21 right after second service. There will be a lunch, student musicians, and details of the trip and how you can help. Lunch is $5. Please rsvp to [email protected]. Consider bringing a financial gift to help pay for the bus to Colorado. Invest in our young people!

Restoration Covenant Church Celebration (Friday, April 26, 7:30pm)

Everyone is invited to a special worship service on Friday, April 26 at Minnehaha Academy! This service is part of the Northwest Conference Annual Meeting and will celebrate our daughter church, Restoration Covenant, as they are received into the Conference. Because Faith will be recognized for our support in helping plant Restoration, it is hoped that many will attend the service. No RSVP is required.

World Vision Partnership

We are excited to announce a partnership with World Vision! There are a couple of ways we are involved with World Vision, both as a denomination and as a local church. The first, a child sponsorship program titled Covenant Kids Congo, you'll hear more about in the fall. My family has been sponsoring children for 14 years (through a similar ministry), and it has been a huge blessing to us. Another very different way you can be involved with World Vision is by becoming a member of Team World Vision. Team World Vision is a group of people who train together, raising support along the way, to run a race. This year's local Team World Vision races include the Twin Cities Marathon and the Monster Half Marathon, both in October. All money raised goes to provide clean drinking water to areas in Africa where clean water isn't to be found. And it's important to note that you do NOT have to be a runner, or even an athlete, to train and complete a half or full marathon. Really, truly! I am living testimony of this - and this fall will be my 4th half marathon with Team World Vision. There are training plans for all kinds of people, even if you have never run before. Faith's team captains, Anne and Aaron Eicher, will be in the lobby this Sunday.

See you on Sunday as Pastor John talks with us about Prayer…Bless you this week!    

Pastor Char

Hello Faith family! Hope you had a great Easter. We did! We had 13 people say their first “yes” to Jesus on Sunday.  That is something worth celebrating! Praise God for what he is doing at Faith. I wanted to take the time to write and say thanks to you the congregation for how great you’ve responded to helping get the word out about Jesus. We cannot as a staff do ministry without all of you.

As I look back on the 6 months I have been here at Faith, I am amazed at the generosity of congregation. People have participated in ways I have not expected and I am blown away by how God is moving. I’ve heard things from the younger generation about how welcoming they feel by the older generation. I don’t think you realize how odd this is. Most churches develop a gap between the older and younger generation. But we are bridging that gap. We are experiencing intergenerational worship of the one true God.

I have heard the older generation excited to see some of the younger generation getting into church, raising their hands in worship to music that might be a little out of their own comfort zone. Grandparents seeing their grandchildren get into church, which is an exciting thing.

So thank you all for using your gifts and how you are helping further the kingdom.

-Jon Oney

HERE IS WHAT IS COMING UP AT FAITH
Faith Connect
Have you been kicking the tires around faith for a while? Do you want to know more about the church and how you can get plugged in? Well we have a lunch coming up this Sunday where we will be explaining all about the church and ways you can get plugged in. It is immediately following the second service in room 200. RSVP [email protected]. Hope to see you there!

Big Bus BBQ
Support the Fusion senior high students going on the Colorado Service Leadership Trip by attending the Big Bus BBQ, April 21 right after second service. There will be a lunch, student musicians and details of the trip and how you can help. Lunch is $5. Please rsvp to [email protected]. Consider bringing a financial gift to help pay for the bus to Colorado. Help us invest in our young people!

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. A copy of the agenda and the proposed constitutional amendment is available in the lobby for your review prior to the meeting next week.  Please contact a council member or Pastors Mike or John with any questions.

Solid Roots
Join us for a new adult discipleship class called Solid Roots. It will meet on Wednesday nights for 7 weeks, beginning April 10 at 6:30pm. Because we are meant to have solid roots of faith that nourish a growing and thriving relationship with God, this class will teach some of the best practices of growing closer to God and to the person you were designed to be. Sign up by emailing [email protected].

“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  7. 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].

Prime Time Luncheon 
You are invited to a tasty lunch and the opportunity to have fellowship with friends new and old! We will hear from speaker Chuck Tindell, who believes that seniors are role models and will challenge you to have “The Courage to Be.” Invite a friend and come let us serve you! Lunch will be chicken a la king. Please RSVP so that the kitchen has an accurate meal count. Call Elaine at 952-890-2086 by noon on Monday, April 8. For more info, contact [email protected]

Faith Food Outreach - Monday April 8
There are many ways to volunteer at Food Outreach, and an hour or two of your time can make a huge impact in the lives of the 300-500 families we serve each time from our community. Sign up today in the lobby. Donations of children’s books and stuffed animals are also needed and can be dropped off at the Connection Desk. Contact Sue: 952.432.5745 or [email protected]