Hi church! This fall is delightfully busy, full of my favorite things: perfect weather, fall colors soon to arrive, school routines in place… It’s also full of several growing, stretching, and encouraging things: a seminary course immersing me in the History of our faith, a Legacy Chapel being fully utilized (two funerals and a wedding so far, plus various workshops & classes), and evidence of Life in abundance - caring lay ministers opening their hearts to God’s call to love & serve, men young & old meeting at 5:30am for discipleship & encouragement, men & women from within and outside of FCC walking together in Water of Life groups, and individuals seeking God’s will daily through really tough times. God’s kingdom is here, people! God is moving and growing us, both deep and wide. I am thankful to be here in “such a time as this.” Read below for a few upcoming opportunities:

Agua Viva Dinner
A team of people will be going to Honduras from November 1-9, 2013 to build a gravity fed water system, build relationships & spread the good news of Jesus Christ, the Living Water. To learn more about this ministry and have fellowship with the team, a dinner is being held on Saturday, October 12 at 6pm at Faith Covenant. Reserve your seats by calling Jay Substad at 952.412.7682. (A free will offering will be taken)

Infant Dedication/Baptism
Attention parents! If you desire to have your child either baptized or dedicated, please note the following: A parent class (required) is scheduled for Sunday, October 20 at 9:30am in the Conference Room. A parent application is due to Pastor Char the Monday before class. Contact Jen at [email protected] for additional information and to register. Baptism services are two weeks after class, dedication services are three weeks after class - both at 10:30am in the Legacy Chapel.

Believer Baptism
We are in awe of God's movement here at Faith, drawing individuals to Himself - praise God for 32 people baptized in June! We're trusting God to call and prepare others to surrender their lives to Him and, in anticipation, believer baptisms will take place during worship on Sunday, October 20. A preparation class will be available (encouraged but not required) on Sunday, October 6 at 10:30am in the Life Group Room.

Kitchen Volunteers
Do you enjoy helping people celebrate through food, or find reward in comforting mourners by serving them? Our kitchen ministry would love to have you join the team! If you can help prep, serve, or wash dishes for events like Prime Time, weddings, or funerals, please contact Sally at 612.281.3591 or [email protected].

Beautiful You Fall Brunch
You are invited to the 3rd Annual M.O.M.S. Program Beautiful You Fall Brunch on Saturday, October 26th, 10am-noon. Enjoy a morning of great food & fellowship, a fun fashion show and an inspirational message. Tickets will be on sale October 6 at Faith or contact MOMS at 952-890-5072 or [email protected]. Cost is $15, advance tickets are required. M.O.M.S is a faith-based mentoring program to equip single mothers with the skills, education & support needed to build & maintain healthy, stable homes for their children. 

Dance Classes
Kids and teens are invited to FREE dance classes at Faith Covenant on Tuesday evenings. Anyone who wishes to dance is welcome, with no past training or try-outs necessary. Kindergarten – grade 5 meet at 6pm, grades 6 - college meet at 7pm. This is a multi-church ministry sponsored by freedomtodance.org.

See you Sunday morning! Pastor Char

It is an honor to serve the families of our church. I am frequently amazed at this simple fact, and have said aloud more than once “I actually get paid to do this!” I love what I do because I love the Church.

Of course, I haven’t always felt this way, and you haven’t always felt that way either. It is easy to get disenfranchised with the Church. Things don’t go the way we had planned or the way we had hoped, and we get tired of it. We can even get bitter, or angry, or resentful. When we think of church, love is not always the first word that comes to mind.

Church is messy because people are a mess. But thank God for Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross. Thank God for the Spirit living within those who love Him that causes them to love beyond their normal, human capacity.

May you always be able to approach the Church with the love she deserves.

After my meandering thoughts, here are some things happening at FCC:

Faith Membership Class

Whether you're new to Faith Covenant or you've been here awhile, if you're looking for information or for ways to get further connected, you're invited to join us for a two-part membership class. You'll get a chance to meet and talk with the staff, learn about the Covenant denomination and Faith Covenant in more detail, and dialogue with us about what it looks like to be an active part of a local church. Lunch (Sunday morning classes only) and childcare provided. Contact Jen at [email protected] to reserve your spot.

Faith Kids Check-in on Sunday Mornings

Stop by the Faith Kids desk to check your child in and get name tags using our new registration computers.  Every child must have a name tag (including 4th/5th graders) and be checked in at the beginning of the service. 

Infants to Kindergarten (not just through age 4) will spend the entire service in Kid’s Church.  Please drop them off in the Children’s wing at the beginning of service.  

Grades 1–5 will be dismissed during the service.  They will meet in the lobby and head into programming for the remainder of the service hour.  

Parents must pick up all children (including 4th/5th graders) at the end of the service in their Children’s Ministry room. 

Kitchen Team Volunteers

Do you enjoy helping people celebrate through food, or find reward in comforting mourners by serving them? Our kitchen ministry would love to have you join the team! If you can help prep, serve, or wash dishes for events like Prime Time, weddings, or funerals, please contact Sally at 612.281.3591 or [email protected].

Agua Viva Dinner

A team of people will be going to Honduras on November 1-9, 2013 to build a gravity fed water system, build relationships and spread the good news of Jesus Christ, the Living Water. If you are interested in learning more about this ministry and having fellowship with the group, a dinner is being held on Saturday, October 12 at 6pm at Faith Covenant. To reserve your seats, please call Jay Substad at 952.412.7682. (A free will offering will be taken.)

Kids/Teens Dance Class

Kids and teens are invited to FREE dance classes at Faith Covenant on Tuesday evenings. Anyone who wishes to dance is welcome, with no past training or try-outs necessary. Kindergarten - 5th grade meet at 6pm and 6th - college age meet at 7pm. Multi-church ministry, sponsored by freedomtodance.org

Legos?

We want to create spaces for our Children that are irresistible. One way we are hoping to do that is with age-appropriate activities in each of our spaces. We are looking for some Legos for our elementary kid. Any chance you have a big bucket of them sitting in storage that need to be put to good use? If so, please contact Lynn Nunn at [email protected].

Dear Beloved FCC family,

Dear Beloved Faith Family,

Fall is always characterized by a ramping up of school, church, and family events and schedules.  While everyone at FCC has been busy gearing up for our fall programming, I have been especially blessed by a kingdom heartbeat among us.  Even though our plates are full, I have been touched by the grace of God at work to stretch us and extend God's grace to those outside the family at Faith Covenant.  Here are a few examples of this kingdom blessing growing here at FCC:

•Many have reached out to pray for and bless Jared, Amy, and Levi Mulvihill while they have an extended stay at the hospital for Levi's surgeries and recovery
•Last week I prayed with several South of the River pastors over "The 99" evangelistic youth outreach event this month taking place at Celebration church in Lakeville.  It was powerful to join together as pastors and churches and pray for an anointing over this gospel presentation (www.whatis the 99.com)
•Today we just opened up space at FCC for a ministry from a couple churches that have blessed FCC in several ways over recent years.
•Sunday night we have the opportunity to join other Covenant churches and bless Community Covenant at a Gospel concert to raise funds for them while their church is being repaired after a fire.

For every act of kindness and kingdom blessing, thank you everyone!

Pastor John

Here's what's happening here and beyond...

FCC Picnic this Sunday
Join us this Sunday after 2nd service for an in-house picnic.  The Vikings game will be televised and we'll provide the bulk of food.  If you wish to bring anything to share it has to be store bought food.  Otherwise just come and enjoy some great food and time together with our FCC family.

Community Covenant Church Benefit Concert
Join Pastor John Foley at an evening of song, testimony and hope to benefit Community Covenant Church of Minneapolis whose sanctuary was destroyed by arson 5 weeks ago. Concert will be at the north campus of Minnehaha Academy at 5pm on September 8. It will feature the Community Covenant Church Choirs and special guests: Robert Robinson and Sanctuary Covenant Church.

Sunday Equip Class
Join us for the 6 week adult equip class: "The Parables of Jesus: Revealing the Kingdom" starting Sunday September 15 at 11am in room 230. Everyone welcome. For questions contact Lee Wyman at 952.891.3901

Women's Ministry Fall Kick-off
Calling all Women of Faith! It's time to re-connect after summer, meet new faces, and prepare for a new season of growing together. You are invited to join us on Sunday, September 15th (6-8pm) for an evening of dessert, games, and lively fellowship! Bring a friend! 

Water of Life Equip Class
Join us for this adult equip opportunity on Wednesday evenings starting September 18 at 6:30pm. This class equips and disciples Christian believers to better understand spiritual warfare and overcome the obstacles that prevent them from living the abundant life of freedom God intends for them. Each week you’ll experience insightful teaching followed by small group discussion time. No cost. To sign up email [email protected]

Care Ministry Training Class
Calling all "ministers" at Faith! Have you been looking for a way to serve? To care or connect with others in practical ways? To offer a safe listening ear or pray with someone? We're excited to be launching FOUR new ministry teams this fall to encourage and equip you, the church, to BE the church in the lives of those around you. If you love Jesus and His people, join us this fall for a 10 week training course in pastoral care and connect ministries. Course runs 10 consecutive Wednesday nights, September 18-November 20, from 6:30-8pm. Contact Jen at [email protected] to register.

Faith Covenant Membership Class
Whether you're new to Faith Covenant or you've been here awhile, if you're looking for information or for ways to get further connected, you're invited to join us for a two-part membership class. You'll get a chance to meet and talk with the staff, learn about the Covenant denomination and Faith Covenant in more detail, and dialogue with us about what it looks like to be an active part of a local church. Lunch (Sunday morning classes only) and childcare provided. Contact Jen at [email protected] to reserve your spot.

Attention all potential Confirmation students:
If you are planning to join us for our first class, please be sure to submit your registration form so we know to expect you! We will be purchasing books ahead of time, so we have to know if you have registered. Thanks!

All Children’s Ministry Families:
Starting on September 15, we will have some new check-in procedures to better serve you and create a more secure experience for our Sunday mornings. This will include computer-assisted check-in, as well as some new guidelines. Here are some highlights:
-All children that join us for Faith Kids must be checked-in at the computers when they arrive for service (birth through grade 5) - even though kids grades 1-5 will start the hour in the Worship Center
-Kids up through Kindergarten (it was previously through age 4) may join us for the entire service hour and can be brought to their room after being checked in.
-All kids must be picked up in their room at the end of service. (Previously, some older students were allowed to leave on their own.) So please be sure to come get your child in a timely fashion to honor our volunteers’ time.