Hello Faith-ers

We had an amazing Sunday this last week. God moved through the service and we saw many people asking questions about how they can get involved in missions at Faith. We have been so excited to see the response God is stirring in people’s hearts.  We are seeing Jesus’ words in Mathew 28:19-20 really lived out. Jesus says…



19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

I believe many Christians focus on the evangelism part of this passage and they forget about the second part...to teach. We need to teach people about what Jesus has commanded us, not just tell them what he has done for us. We can tell people about our experience all we want (they might even be inspired by our experiences) but we also need to teach people about who God is so that they can have their own experiences with Christ.

That is why I am so happy to see our church be a church that is both deep [developing disciples] and wide [reaching the lost]. I am constantly amazed at how great our volunteers are at reaching out. We have a strong volunteer base and they do a great job! 

But, I’ve got to be honest with you…some of our volunteers have been feeling a little burnt-out because we have been short for a while on volunteers. So, as we are talking about reaching out in our World Tour series, I want to ask that you consider reaching out by volunteering in a ministry (if you are not already doing so). We need greeters, ushers, café staff, and Welcome Desk attendants. It doesn’t take much time: only about 30 minutes to 1 hour on a Sunday morning. 

And, only because it was pointed out to me by a person in an older generation, will I say this: most of the volunteers in this area appear to be in the older generation. We need the younger generations along with the older generations. So please consider volunteering where you can be the hands and feet of Jesus right at home. If you are interested in volunteering, contact [email protected] and let her know the position you would like volunteer for.   

See you Sunday, 
-Jon Oney

HERE IS WHAT IS COMING UP AT FAITH

JULY 14 ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING
If you consider Faith Covenant your church home, please mark your calendar and plan to attend the Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, July 14 at 12:15pm. As a result of the change to a new fiscal year-end of June 30, this is the 2nd annual meeting for 2013. Topics this meeting include: Presentation and vote on the 2013-2014 budget; Ministry Highlights; Council Member term adjustment; and Facilities/Parking Lot Discussion. If you have any other business that you would like to share regarding this meeting, email [email protected]. Minutes for the last congregational meeting will be available in the lobby.

ALL CHURCH GARAGE SALE VOLUNTEERS
Our All-Church Garage Sale needs many volunteers to help sort, price, and arrange items before the sale and also to work the sale on July 25 and 26. All proceeds go to support widows and orphans in Kosovo. We would love your help. Please call Rick Drenk at 952.891.2997.

INFANT BAPTISM/DEDICATION
If you would like to either baptize or dedicate your child, please register to attend our one-hour parent class scheduled for 11am on July 14. Class is followed on July 28 by a service of celebration and welcome for your little one during worship services. Parent application is due before class, on July 8, to [email protected].

WOMEN’S SUMMER BOOK STUDY
Join us as we study and discuss the book The 7 Hardest Things God Asks a Woman to Do by mother-daughter authors Kathie Reimer and Lisa Whittle. They want women to come to a better understanding of knowing what is required of us as women and feel that by identifying and and dealing with these things, we gain the empowerment of the Lord who guides, strengthens, and enables us to do what he asks. Study is 7 weeks, and chapter 1 should be read before the first class. Books available at Faith for $10. Contact Jen to RSVP [email protected].

FAITH STEPS WALKING CLUB
Women of all ages, children (in strollers) and pets (friendly) are welcome to join our Women's Ministry weekly walking club! We will walk at various locations around the south metro from 9 - 10am on Friday mornings. This week, June 28, we will walk at Day Park (Early Lake Trail) at the northeast corner of County Road 5 and Southcross Drive; 14625 County Road 5, in Burnsville. Contact Natalie for more information: [email protected].

FAMILY CAMP AT COVENANT PINES
Family Camp brings the best of Covenant Pines summer programming, staff and the beauty of our natural environment together to provide an opportunity for families to grow closer to God and to one another. Camp begins after 4pm on Thursday and ends after lunch on Sunday. Our summer speakers are: Jim Sundholm (July) and Rob Jacobson (August). For further details visit CPBC’s website at http://covenantpines.org/summer-camps/

By Pastor Mike Lotzer

I’m blown away by this church!  There is an ever-increasing movement of God’s grace and favor on this unique family of Christ followers.  Case in point: We had thirty-two people come forward to be baptized in a service recently–how amazing is that?

Or think about this, we are consistently feeding hungry families with our second Monday of the month Food Outreach Ministry–a ministry that is 100% volunteer led! That is remarkable.  Perhaps you don’t know this; our staff is prayerfully asking how we can bless other churches and ministry staffs.  Both Pastor John Foley and I have recently preached at churches that don’t have the benefit of a large staff.  Isn’t it awesome that we can give pastors a well-deserved break to regroup and hear from God for no charge?  But most recently, I’m excited about VBS! The remainder of this week’s update is all about how our kid’s are leading the way. Let me explain:

Jon Dack our Children’s Ministry Director delivered a fantastic sermon this past Sunday!  If you were out of town go listen to it in our website under media + messages.  In the message Jon said we could take a lesson or two from the boldness of kids.  Jon Dack is right on is he not?


Practically this comes alive for me through the flurry of activity and joyful cheers from kids getting excited about Jesus.  What are they up to? It is our annual Vacation Bible School at FCC. What an event it is, let me tell you. The volunteers pour out their generous time and talent. The kids from our community, having no reason to come, are actually coming to hear the gospel.  And of course, there are those blinding neon shirts all around the building! The excitement and boldness of our kids at FCC is contagious I assure you.  

Think about it.  Kids can get us adults to do things we would never do otherwise–like when I do those voice impersonations of the Thomas the Train characters before bed for my two-year old.  Wow, did I just admit that in an article that people will be able to Google for all of time?  Seriously though, how passionate is your praise of God?  Kind David danced like a fool in front of the royal court and said, “I will become even more undignified than this for my God!”

Now I’m all for reverence. In fact, solitude and respect is the natural way I approach God, but what about the child-like boldness inside the heart of every Christ-follower?  How is that passion and boldness being grown in your own life this week?  If you don’t know, I dare you to pray a dangerous prayer: ”Dear God, would you give me an opportunity this week to be bold for you, to get excited about how good you are?”  See what happens and learn from those who keep it simple, our kids. 

Dear Beloved FCC,

Today the Sun is shinning, finally!!! Just this morning I was meditating on this incredible reality, "The Son is the radiance of God's glory and exact representation (essence) of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word." (Hebrews 1:3)  May the Sun and Son keep shinning in your life, my life, and everywhere the radiance of Jesus is impacting lives near and far.  I hope many of you get to join us for our World Tour sermon series throughout June.  In this we're highlighting FCC missions and asking, "what work or mission does God have for each of us?"  Keep in mind we have a special missions offering at the end of the service on June 23rd.  

Shine Jesus Shine!!!

Pastor John

Here's what else is happening....

Annual Meeting
If you consider Faith Covenant your church home, please mark your calendar and plan to attend the Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, July 14 at 12:15pm. As a result of the change to a new fiscal year end of June 30, this is the 2nd annual meeting for 2013. If you have any business that you would like to share regarding this meeting, email [email protected]. Minutes for the last congregational meeting will be available in the lobby.

Women's Ministry Summer Bible Study
Join us as we study and discuss this book by mother-daughter authors Kathie Reimer and Lisa Whittle, who want women to come to a better understanding of knowing what is required of us. By identifying and and dealing with these things, we gain the empowerment of the Lord who guides, strengthens, and enables us to do what he asks. Study is 7 weeks, and chapter 1 should be read before the first class. Books available at Faith for $10. Contact Jen to RSVP [email protected].

Walking Club
Women of all ages, children (in strollers) and pets (friendly) are welcome to join our Women's Ministry weekly walking club! We will walk at various locations around the south metro from 9 - 10am. Friday June 14, we will walk at Sunset Lake Pond. Contact Natalie for more information: [email protected].

Summer Knitting Group
Calling anyone with skill or interest in knitting and visiting: Faith's knitting group plans to meet at JoJo's Rise and Wine on the 2nd Wednesdays during the summer months, from 6:30-8pm. Plan to join us to learn a new skill, work on a project, and enjoy some lively fellowship!

Community Impact Fundraiser
Take your family to dinner Monday, June 24 at Pizza Ranch in Lakeville and support Teen Challenge Leadership Institute. From 4:30 - 8 pm, 10% of your guest check will be donated back to Teen Challenge. Pick up a ticket in the lobby at the Connections Desk.

By Brian Martin

Without question, we have a staff that is supportive of one another.  We want one another to succeed, be healthy, and stay committed to our mission of renewal through Christ.

With that in mind, we have made a practical step to formalize that support and the systems surrounding it with the formation of a new staff team that will be responsible for Children, Youth, and Family.  This will help our team create a strategic and seamless spiritual development arc that walks with a young person from birth and prepares them into the college years.  The formation of our team will allow us to work within our strength areas even more, support one another in more practical ways, and ensure our ministry is increasingly effective and increasingly collaborative.

All the people you would expect will still be a part of this CYF (Children, Youth, and Family) initiative: Jon Dack and Shelly Brinkman remain our Children’s Ministry experts and lead programming from birth through 5th grade; Ryan Nyquist (have you met Ryan yet?) and Brian Martin will still be responsible for 6th-12th grade; and Lynn Nunn is the administrative assistant supporting this whole integrated department.  However, while the players still remain the same, the change means that Brian (that’s me) will also take on the additional responsibility of spear-heading this family initiative and leading and managing the team and our efforts.

My first goal is to simply understand better what is happening in the younger levels and begin to form strategy around a more family-centric model that considers implications across generations.  As we move forward, we will also work to streamline our communication pieces, coordinate our schedules, and be sure we are working toward a common vision in a common direction. 

What does that mean for you as someone who has kids in our programming?  From a day-to-day stand point, you’ll still go to the leader of each ministry area with questions or needs.  But from a medium-to-long-term standpoint, know that we have a renewed commitment to making Faith Covenant the best resource and source of encouragement for your family and for you as parents, as well as a commitment to being the best trellis on which the spiritual growth of our young people can grow.

And now, here are some other important things we want you to know!

VBS – We need YOU!

Registrations are pouring in, preparations are being made, and prayers are being said for our littlest FCCers (and many of their friends and neighbors) to join us for VBS June 17-21 (9am-Noon). With hundreds of kids to serve, we need your help to give them the best experience possible.  Specifically, we are in need of two things: we need 10 Crew Leaders to join our team, and 1 First Aid Attendant.  Can you help?  If so, please contact Lynn Nunn at [email protected] to get signed up for this amazing opportunity.

    Crew Leader: (Adults/high school students) Crew leaders guide their crew members (6-8 kids) through     activities, help facilitate learning, and join in the VBS fun!

    First Aid Attendant: Help with bumps, scrapes, and boo boos!  While medical training and/or CPR            training are a huge plus, compassion and common sense are the only necessity to serve in this important     role.


Summer REV/FUSION

Calling all students grades 5-12!  Did you know that our first week of summer programming started JUNE 2??  That’s right, we’re meeting most Sunday nights throughout the summer, and YOU and all your friends are invited!  We’ll be studying the Sermon on the Mount, play some amazing games, and have an awesome time connecting. 

REV (grades 6-8) meets from 6:30-8:00pm in Rm 150;

FUSION (grades 9-12) meets from 8:00-9:30pm in Rm 150. 

Current 5th graders are invited to join us this summer as well!  And current 8th graders may choose either (or both) levels to participate.  Full calendars for REV and Fusion summer plans can be found here: 

REV: http://www.faithcovenant.org/#/ministries/jr-high-revolution   

FUSION: http://www.faithcovenant.org/#/ministries/high-school-fusion.  

Questions, comments, or wise cracks can be directed to Brian at [email protected].


MUUUCE – Jr. High Experience

We cannot WAIT for MUUUCE this year!  All students currently in grades 5-8 are invited to join us for MUUUCE in Woodbury. It is going to be AMAZING! The trip will include Valleyfair, awesome music, a great speaker, and tons of other fun things to do.  Get all the information you need (including registration forms, etc.) on our website at: http://www.faithcovenant.org/#/ministries/jr-high-revolution. Deadline to sign up is Sunday, June 23. 

**Please note: you MUST sign up through Faith Covenant (or another Covenant church) – not through Crossroads who is hosting the event.**


Women's Ministry Summer Book Study

Join us beginning July 9 at 10am, as we study and discuss this book by mother-daughter authors Kathie Reimer and Lisa Whittle, who want women to come to a better understanding of knowing what is required of us. By identifying and and dealing with these things, we gain the empowerment of the Lord who guides, strengthens, and enables us to do what he asks. Study is 7 weeks , and chapter 1 should be read before the first class. Books available at Faith for $10. Contact Jen to RSVP [email protected].


Save the date: Benefit Concert

Mark your calendars for Faith4Freedom's Awareness and Action Concert on Saturday August 3. It will be at Nicollet Commons Park in Burnsville from 6 - 9pm. Watch for more details soon! For more information, contact Deb Devine at [email protected]

 

Introducing Ryan Nyquist 

Ryan Nyquist recently joined Faith's Student Ministry Team as the Worship Leader and Junior High Coordinator.  He will lead the worship and tech teams for our Student Ministry programming, as well as be the point person for Jr. High events.  He will also share the teaching role occasionally.  Ryan is a gifted musician, an engaging personality, a strong leader, and a great teammate.  As you get to meet him, please welcome him to the Faith family!