Happy New Year Faith Covenant!
By Brian Martin
I don’t know about you, but the New Year always makes me very reflective. I think about my goals, my hopes, my failures – all of it. I try to be as honest as I can with myself about my current state of being. It’s an exercise in self-awareness and forward progress. Many times I consider my physical health, my emotional health, and the health of my relationships. Buy my most important consideration has to be: what does my spiritual health look like? How are my physical, emotional, and relational states informing my relationship with the Most High God?
1 Corinthians 11:1 is a verse I come back to a lot as someone who is a leader in a local church. It simply says, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” Who around you is following Christ, and how can you follow his or her example? Who is already following you? Are you showing those people what it means to follow Christ, or are you following something or someone else?
My prayer is that you have a happy and blessed new year. I believe God has big things in store for our Faith Covenant family this year!
Oh…and Go Packers!
Here is some New Year’s News:
Calling All Small Group Leaders
We will be launching new small groups at Faith in late February of 2013. This means that we are inviting those who are currently leading a small group and also those who might be open to leading to attend our January Small Group Training Seminar. We offer both a week-day option spread out over a Tuesday and Thursday evenings (Jan. 15 and 17 pm) or a Saturday (Jan 19) option. Please email Jen Sorensen if you would be open to attending the training ([email protected]).
Annual Congregational Meeting: Sunday, January 20
Please join us for our annual congregational meeting in the Worship Center at 12:15 (following the completion of the second service). Anyone who feels like a part of the Faith Covenant Family is highly encouraged to attend.
Rest & Renewal Retreat: Saturday, January 26
9:00am-3:00pm :: Faith Covenant
You are invited to a time of spiritual rest and renewal as we pause to intentionally make space to connect more intimately with God. On January 26th you are invited to gather for a day of slowing and savoring, and holding the sacred gift of life with God. We will do this through guided conversations around Sacred Scripture, creative prayer, holy listening, silence and reflection, play and rest. “I will take my beloved children into the wilderness and there I will speak tenderly to them. I will restore their fruitfulness and turn their valley of trouble into a door of hope.” Hosea 2:14-15 Contact Pastor John for any questions: [email protected].
Some Connection Points for You to Consider:
Women’s Mug Club Kick-Off
Come to Faith on Thursday, January 10 from 7 - 8:15pm to join other women in this opportunity for fellowship, encouragement and laughter, and getting to know one another. Bring yourself (a friend if you desire), and a mug to be filled by the hostess with something yummy to drink. For more information, contact Anne at 651.431.8545 or [email protected] or sign up in the lobby today.
Community Bible Study
CBS resumes their Monday night study tomorrow, January 7 with a new focus - I & II Thessalonians. If you have been interested in joining, this would be a great time to start! Meets weekly on Mondays from 7 - 9pm.
Prime Time Monthly Fellowship & Luncheon
As we begin a new year, we want to be sure that you’re aware of this connecting opportunity intended for those 55 and older. It always has a top-notch lunch, great conversation and music, and learning from a variety of speakers. Held on the second Thursday of the month at 11:30am, the next Prime Time is this Thursday, January 10. RSVP at the Connections desk today or to Elaine at 952.890.2086 by noon on Monday, January 7.
Men’s Bible Study/Fellowship Opportunities
There are several opportunities for men to connect and have fellowship at Faith beyond Sunday morning. (Monday & Tuesday PM, Saturday AM) To connect with the team lead of these studies, call Chuck (Monday) at 952.890.7338, Dave (Tuesday) at 952.890.8959 or Fran (Saturday) at 952.432.6861.
Children + Youth + Family
Wednesday night programming resumes Wednesday, January 9 for Children’s Ministry, Revolution (Middle School) and Fusion (high school). Can’t wait to see everyone back and hear all the energy in the building!
If you are new and you are interested in learning more, feel free to come on any Wednesday night we have programming and we will get you all set up – no pre-registration is necessary.
Since You Got This Far…
You should really read Mike Lotzer’s post from last week if you didn’t already see it.
By Brian Martin
I don’t know about you, but the New Year always makes me very reflective. I think about my goals, my hopes, my failures – all of it. I try to be as honest as I can with myself about my current state of being. It’s an exercise in self-awareness and forward progress. Many times I consider my physical health, my emotional health, and the health of my relationships. Buy my most important consideration has to be: what does my spiritual health look like? How are my physical, emotional, and relational states informing my relationship with the Most High God?
1 Corinthians 11:1 is a verse I come back to a lot as someone who is a leader in a local church. It simply says, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” Who around you is following Christ, and how can you follow his or her example? Who is already following you? Are you showing those people what it means to follow Christ, or are you following something or someone else?
My prayer is that you have a happy and blessed new year. I believe God has big things in store for our Faith Covenant family this year!
Oh…and Go Packers!
Here is some New Year’s News:
Calling All Small Group Leaders
We will be launching new small groups at Faith in late February of 2013. This means that we are inviting those who are currently leading a small group and also those who might be open to leading to attend our January Small Group Training Seminar. We offer both a week-day option spread out over a Tuesday and Thursday evenings (Jan. 15 and 17 pm) or a Saturday (Jan 19) option. Please email Jen Sorensen if you would be open to attending the training ([email protected]).
Annual Congregational Meeting: Sunday, January 20
Please join us for our annual congregational meeting in the Worship Center at 12:15 (following the completion of the second service). Anyone who feels like a part of the Faith Covenant Family is highly encouraged to attend.
Rest & Renewal Retreat: Saturday, January 26
9:00am-3:00pm :: Faith Covenant
You are invited to a time of spiritual rest and renewal as we pause to intentionally make space to connect more intimately with God. On January 26th you are invited to gather for a day of slowing and savoring, and holding the sacred gift of life with God. We will do this through guided conversations around Sacred Scripture, creative prayer, holy listening, silence and reflection, play and rest. “I will take my beloved children into the wilderness and there I will speak tenderly to them. I will restore their fruitfulness and turn their valley of trouble into a door of hope.” Hosea 2:14-15 Contact Pastor John for any questions: [email protected].
Some Connection Points for You to Consider:
Women’s Mug Club Kick-Off
Come to Faith on Thursday, January 10 from 7 - 8:15pm to join other women in this opportunity for fellowship, encouragement and laughter, and getting to know one another. Bring yourself (a friend if you desire), and a mug to be filled by the hostess with something yummy to drink. For more information, contact Anne at 651.431.8545 or [email protected] or sign up in the lobby today.
Community Bible Study
CBS resumes their Monday night study tomorrow, January 7 with a new focus - I & II Thessalonians. If you have been interested in joining, this would be a great time to start! Meets weekly on Mondays from 7 - 9pm.
Prime Time Monthly Fellowship & Luncheon
As we begin a new year, we want to be sure that you’re aware of this connecting opportunity intended for those 55 and older. It always has a top-notch lunch, great conversation and music, and learning from a variety of speakers. Held on the second Thursday of the month at 11:30am, the next Prime Time is this Thursday, January 10. RSVP at the Connections desk today or to Elaine at 952.890.2086 by noon on Monday, January 7.
Men’s Bible Study/Fellowship Opportunities
There are several opportunities for men to connect and have fellowship at Faith beyond Sunday morning. (Monday & Tuesday PM, Saturday AM) To connect with the team lead of these studies, call Chuck (Monday) at 952.890.7338, Dave (Tuesday) at 952.890.8959 or Fran (Saturday) at 952.432.6861.
Children + Youth + Family
Wednesday night programming resumes Wednesday, January 9 for Children’s Ministry, Revolution (Middle School) and Fusion (high school). Can’t wait to see everyone back and hear all the energy in the building!
If you are new and you are interested in learning more, feel free to come on any Wednesday night we have programming and we will get you all set up – no pre-registration is necessary.
Since You Got This Far…
You should really read Mike Lotzer’s post from last week if you didn’t already see it.
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