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.

Parents: Are you familiar with Steve Green’s “Hide ‘em in your Heart” Bible song CDs? If not, they’re worth a listen… these songs played a regular and important role in our family’s life when our kids were young. Bible verses (nothing else added) put to music – songs that I would play in the car when our kiddos were restless, that often changed the mood as we traveled…songs that still run through my mind.  For the past 5 or 6 days, his “Fruit of the Spirit” song has been playing in my mind regularly – “The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness. The fruit of the spirit is faithfulness, gentleness and self control.” These words are straight from Galatians 5:22-23, and they are a great reminder of what will naturally grow in and pour out of us as we walk daily with Jesus! God’s fruit – both singular and plural. All of these will grow in us as we “keep in step with the Spirit.”

Church, we have a great opportunity to show the world the difference that Jesus makes in our lives! When others respond to life’s challenges with anger or bitterness, controlled by feelings of jealousy or entitlement, we get to point to Jesus as His fruit pours out of us. What an amazing way to encourage this world and build others up!

Here’s a peek at a number of things starting or re-starting this fall at Faith:

Faith Kids Dates to Know for Fall
Sunday, September 1: Nursery only will be provided in light of the holiday weekend. Sunday, September 8th: last Sunday of summer schedule.  Wednesday Night program kicks off on September 11th. Sunday Morning programs kick off on September 15 at both services. Our wonderful volunteers will gather on September 4 at 6pm (WED Night Volunteers) and September 8 at 9:30am (SUN AM Volunteers). Watch the mail for more information and family registration forms.

All Church Picnic: Rescheduled Date (September 8, 12:15pm)
No rain threats here! Join us in Room 150 right after church to eat, visit, and watch the Vikings game, and then pop outside to catch Burnsville's Fire Muster parade (parade starts at 1pm). Bring a non-perishable dish (chips, fruit/veggies, dessert) to share.

Community Covenant Church Benefit Concert (September 8, 5pm)
Join Pastor John 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. It will feature the Community Covenant Church Choirs and special guests: Robert Robinson and Sanctuary Covenant Church.

Fall Adult Equip Class (begins September 15)
Join us for the 6 week adult equip class: "The Parables of Jesus: Revealing the Kingdom" at 11am in room 230. Everyone welcome. Questions: contact Lee Wyman at 952.891.3901.

Fall Women's Bible Study (begins September 17)
Please join us for Beth Moore’s study "Believing God". Based on Isaiah 43:10, we will study how to deepen our trust in God through the study of the lives of Abraham, Moses, and others. Morning study is from 9:30-11:30am and evening study is from 6:30-8:30pm, with childcare available at both. Books are $15.00 at Faith. RSVP to [email protected] by September 15.

Financial Peace University (begins September 17)
We will be hosting a Financial Peace University (FPU) class this fall on Tuesday evenings, 6:30-8:30pm. To register, visit http://www.daveramsey.com/fpu/classfinder and select the Faith Covenant class. Member kits are $95/each (couples only need one) and will be available at Faith. Please contact the Care office at [email protected] if you would like to be considered for a scholarship. For other questions, contact DeeAnn at 612-590-6804 or [email protected].

Wednesday Evening Adult Equip: Water of Life (begins September 18, 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]

Wednesday Evening Adult Equip: Care Team Training (begins September 18, 6:30pm)
We're 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,, from 6:30-8pm. Contact Jen at [email protected] to register.

See you next month!

Pastor Char

Greetings Church Family!

In this week's Faith Update I want to share with you some opportunities to dive into this movement of Christ followers! Whether it is bringing Christ into the center of your personal finances or asking if God might be leading you to lead a small group please check out what's happening here.

Genuinely,

-Pastor Mike

Small Group Leader Training
Calling all (potential) small group leaders! Are you feeling a nudge to help lead one of Faith's small group? Is there a topic you are passionate about? We're looking for small group leaders of a wide variety to launch small groups of an equally wide variety this fall! Training is free and support is ongoing. Contact Jen at [email protected] to sign up! Training is offered as two options: #1- Saturday, August 24 from 9am - 3 pm; #2-Monday and Wednesday, August 26 & 28 6 - 9pm.

Financial Peace University
You spoke, and we are delighted to respond! This spring at the close of our Guardrails series, several hundred of you wrote down an area you wanted to hand over to God. Overwhelmingly, finances were the most frequently-cited growth area. In response, we will be hosting a Financial Peace University (FPU) class this fall on Tuesday evenings, September 17-November 12, 6:30-8:30pm. To register, visit http://www.daveramsey.com/fpu/classfinder and select the Faith Covenant class. Member kits are $95/each (couples only need one) and will be available at Faith. Please contact the Care office at [email protected] if you would like to be considered for a scholarship. For other questions, contact DeeAnn at 612-590-6804 or [email protected].

Tangible Mission Support
If you would consider loaning a dependable car for Larry and Allison Smoak to use while they are visiting Minnesota this fall (through New Years) please contact Jen at [email protected]. Use would be mostly for metro area travel, with one out of state visit. Any offers for all or part of the time they are here from Honduras are appreciated.

Confirmation Information Meeting
An initial informational meeting will be held Sunday, August 25 at 10:30-11:00am in room 150 (youth center). At this gathering, we will briefly explain expectations and answer questions. All students considering taking confirmation and a parent should attend. This is most commonly 9th graders, but older students who did not take it are also welcome, and occasionally 8th graders choose to as well. If only a student or only a parent can attend for some reason, do that. However, if you absolutely cannot make the meeting, please contact Brian ([email protected]) to get the necessary information sent to you.

Children, Youth and Family Update
After two and a half years serving at FCC, Shelly Brinkmann has chosen to transition out of her role at Faith Covenant Church as our Nursery Coordinator. We celebrate her faithful service and many contributions to the spiritual care and development of our youngest worshipers at Faith Covenant. If Shelly has touched your family, please take the time to honor her and thank her for her work. We hope and pray that her next steps are a blessing to her and her family.

In response to Shelly’s transition, Erin Foley will be stepping in as the Interim Early Childhood Coordinator. Erin has been volunteering in this area frequently and knows the program and the people involved very well. Her position will last 8-10 weeks until we hire a permanent position in the near future. If you have any questions about the transition or anything else related to children and family ministry, please contact Brian Martin at [email protected] or 952.890.3110.

And while that last sentence probably sounds like just a token gesture and a rote expression that someone would put in any letter like this, I assure you it actually is not. I truly value your input and desire to hear your questions, so if you have them, please contact me. We are in this together

Thank you.

Brian Martin

Director of Children, Youth, and Family

Hello Faith Family!

As we have been talking about “overcoming” the last two weeks, something I have been thinking about is how to overcome disunity in the body of Christ. I want to share with you an entry from my journal (below). I feel this is something every church struggles with, but rarely is addressed. Following the journal entry is a list of what is coming up at Faith.

SCRIPTURE EPHESIANS 4:2-5
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.

THOUGHTS
I always hear people say we are to be unified in the body…but what does that mean? I have been involved at many churches, and let me tell you, some of the worst division of people is perpetuated within the walls of the church. Churches seem to be natural breeding grounds for division. Church-goers might feel more entitled to heaven, or think that what they are doing is more important than what other churches are doing, or even what people within their own church are doing.

Have you ever been a part of a church that always has to tell you they are the exciting church – doing so many things —they are not one of those boring churches? They have to put other churches down to build themselves up. Ever been to a church like that?

That is not to say we shouldn’t celebrate what the larger body of Christ across denominational lines is doing for the kingdom. But Paul makes a plea for us in the verses above. He says, “make every effort to keep unified”. How do we do that? By living in peace with one another. Not putting down or waging war on other denominations, but seeking out the good unified Spirit of Jesus, who is the head of the church that unifies us in one body. We are all called to the same future with Christ. We have already won. The verdict is in. Why not celebrate together? Celebrate diversity instead of disunity. That sounds like a more pleasing option to me; and hopefully to all of us.

PRAYER
God, be with all churches today as they work to further your kingdom on earth. Help us be unified in the Spirit, not creating discord among your people, but building each other up in faith. Lord I understand this starts with me. Clean my heart, help me be a person who promotes your peace and unity. Amen.



WHAT IS COMING UP AT FAITH

All Church Picnic
Summer in Minnesota = Church Picnic time! Plan to join us next Wednesday, August 21 from 6-8:30pm for dinner, fellowship, and baptisms at Antler's Park (Lake Marion) in Lakeville! We'll provide burgers and hot dogs - bring your own chair or blanket and a dish to share.

Small Group Leader Training
Calling all (potential) small group leaders! Are you feeling a nudge to help lead one of Faith's small group? Is there a topic you are passionate about? We're looking for small group leaders of a wide variety to launch small groups of an equally wide variety this fall! Training is free and support is ongoing. Contact Jen at [email protected] to sign up! Training is offered as two options: #1- Saturday, August 24 from 9am - 3 pm; #2-Monday and Wednesday, August 26 & 28 6 - 9pm.

Women's Fall Retreat
Covenant Pines Women’s Retreat on September 20-22 is designed with you in mind! Come and enjoy inspiring biblical teaching, uplifting worship, break-out sessions, crafts, exercise activities, much needed free time and delicious dining! Sign-up with family, friends, on your own, or with a church group. Speaker is Pastor Stephanie Williams of Mill City Church in Northeast Minneapolis. Register at www.covenantpines.org/retreats Register before August 20 and enjoy an early bird discount of $15.

Tangible Mission Support
If you would consider loaning a dependable car for Larry and Allison Smoak to use while they are visiting Minnesota this fall (through New Years) please contact Jen at [email protected]. Use would be mostly for metro area travel, with one out of state visit. Any offers for all or part of the time they are here from Honduras are appreciated.

Confirmation Information Meeting
An initial informational meeting will be held Sunday, August 25 at 10:30-11:00am in room 150 (youth center). At this gathering, we will briefly explain expectations and answer questions. All students considering taking confirmation and a parent should attend. This is most commonly 9th graders, but older students who did not take it are also welcome, and occasionally 8th graders choose to as well.

Financial Peace University
You spoke, and we are delighted to respond! This spring at the close of our Guardrails series, several hundred of you wrote down an area you wanted to hand over to God. Overwhelmingly, finances were the most frequently-cited growth area. In response, we will be hosting a Financial Peace University (FPU) class this fall on Tuesday evenings, September 17-November 12, 6:30-8:30pm. To register, visit http://www.daveramsey.com/fpu/classfinder and select the Faith Covenant class. Member kits are $95/each (couples only need one) and will be available at Faith. Please contact the Care office at [email protected] if you would like to be considered for a scholarship. For other questions, contact DeeAnn at 612-590-6804 or [email protected].

 

Faith Family,

I had a great discussion today with some of my teammates about the barriers parents face in being the spiritual leaders of their homes. Did you know that according to the Barna Group’s research, the number one factor present among young adults who maintained a passionate faith life and active church involvement as they crossed into adulthood was worship in the home? My takeway from that: if I want my own children to love Jesus 15-20 years down the line, the best thing I can do is model that for them and lead them in that part of their life not just at church, but right in my own home.

This illustrates a bigger truth, I think. When kids see passion – genuine, real, authentic, passion for Jesus Chirst – they are compelled by it. Is your passion for a relationship with Jesus real? How are you “shining your light” in your own home? What barriers are holding you back and how can you help limit or eliminate those barriers? If your kids are already out of the house, how can you partner with them in the raising of your grandchildren, or how can you partner with other young parents in the church still in the throes of child-rearing?

Now confession time: that is way easier to say than it is to know actually how to do it. This is one of the things our Children, Youth, and Family team is thinking and praying through – not just how to do it, but how to help you do it well, too. We’d love your prayers as we work on that effort.

Some food for thought for you today…I know I’m still chewing on it.

Here’s some stuff going on around here we thought you’d like to know about:

All Church Picnic

Summer in Minnesota = Church Picnic time! Plan to join us on Wednesday, August 21 from 6-8:30pm for dinner, fellowship, and baptisms at Antler's Park (Lake Marion) in Lakeville! We'll provide burgers and hot dogs - bring your own chair or blanket and a dish to share.

Confirmation Initial Information Meeting

An initial informational meeting will be held Sunday, August 25 at 10:30-11:00am in room 150 (youth center). At this gathering, we will briefly explain expectations and answer questions. All students considering taking confirmation and a parent should attend. This is most commonly 9th graders, but older students who did not take it are also welcome, and occasionally 8th graders choose to as well.

Faithful Purls

Calling anyone with skill or interest in knitting and visiting: Faith's knitting group plans to meet at JoJo's Rise and Wine on Wednesday August 14 from 6:30-8pm. Plan to join us to learn a new skill, work on a project, and enjoy some lively fellowship!

Small Group Leader Training

Calling all (potential) small group leaders! Are you feeling a nudge to help lead one of Faith's small groups? Is there a topic you are passionate about? We're looking for small group leaders of a wide variety to launch small groups of an equally wide variety this fall! Training is free and support is ongoing. Contact Jen  at [email protected] to sign up! Training is offered as two options: #1- Saturday, August 24 from 9am - 3 pm; #2-Monday and Wednesday, August 26 & 28 6 - 8:30pm

Honduras Water Project

Get in the trenches! Agua Viva is planning a Honduras Water Project November 1-10. If you’re interested in traveling to Honduras and helping to build a water system, as well as sharing the hope that Jesus Christ the Living Water offers, contact Jay Substad @ 952-412-7682 or email [email protected]. The team will form soon, with training starting in September.

Children's Ministry Staffing Update  

Vicki Newendorp will be joining our team as the Interim Children's Ministry Coordinator. Vicki will bring clarity, great communication skills, organization, warmth, and leadership in the midst of our transition in Children's Ministry. She will work between 10-15 hours per week, focusing on Sunday mornings and prep for the Fall ministry season. To be clear: this is a short-term position. The process to find our long-term position is underway.

Dear FCC family,

I love freedom.  To me there is nothing better than the reality and experience of being free in Christ.  This month we kick off a new sermon series, Overcome: the keys to unlocking freedom.  I'm excited that we'll be doing this series in partnership with our church plant, Restoration Covenant, and we'll get to hear pastor Rob Jacobson here at FCC during the series.  In addition to the kickoff this weekend of this series, Saturday night's Empowered awareness concert, is all about freedom.  Come out to the Nicollet Commons Park and support our own Faith4Freedom ministry around the awareness of human trafficking.  Wherever you are, whatever you're going through, I pray that you experience God's presence and God's freedom in new and profound ways in the coming days.  Afterall, "...where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."  Check out all that is going on and coming up at FCC...

Freedom Blessings,
Pastor John

Bagels with the Bachelors 
All are welcome to meet with the Bachelor family and get an update on the work going on in the Middle East. Stop by room 200 this Sunday, August 4 at 12:15pm.

Empowered: Awareness Concert
Faith4Freedom's free Awareness and Action Concert will be held this Saturday August 3, from 6–9pm at  Nicollet Commons Park in Burnsville. It's goal is to raise awareness and thus help fight human trafficking in Minnesota.  In the case of rain, the concert will be held at Faith Covenant. For more information, contact Deb Devine at [email protected]

Agua Viva Water Project 
Get in the trenches! Agua Viva is planning a Honduras Water Project November 1-10. If you’re interested in traveling to Honduras and helping to build a water system, as well as sharing the hope that Jesus Christ the Living Water offers, contact Jay Substad @ 952-412-7682 or email [email protected]. The team will form soon, with training starting in September.

Family Weekend Camp Opportunity
Family Camp at Covenant Pines brings the best of summer programming, staff, and outdoor beauty together to provide an opportunity for families to grow closer to God and to one another. August's 8th - 11th camp begins after 4pm on Thursday and ends after lunch on Sunday. Speaker: Rob Jacobson from Restoration Covenant Church. For further details, and to register, visit CPBC’s website athttp://covenantpines.org/summer-camps/.

All Church Picnic
Summer in Minnesota = Church Picnic time! Plan to join us on Wednesday, August 21 from 6-8:30pm for dinner, fellowship, and baptisms at Antler's Park (at Lake Marion in Lakeville)! We'll provide burgers and hot dogs - bring your own chair or blanket and a dish to share.

Greetings Faith family!

One week from now my family will be airborne, heading to Germany to spend three weeks with our German “daughter” Leonie (who lived with us for a year a few years back). While we certainly feel like she and her family are an extension of our own, and as we look forward to entering their world, their culture, for a while, we realize that even as we enjoy time “in their world,” we are not “of their world.” Because at the end of our time together, we return home. Home to our familiar place, our comfort, where the language is familiar, the food is familiar, the surroundings are familiar, and our regular “people” and routines are in place.

Which gets me thinking. this is how we are to live as Christians – actively and purposefully living in this world (enjoying our time!), but remembering that we are not ultimately “of this world.” Wow. That can be a hard place to live! We are here, but we are challenged (or privileged!) to walk with God even now, while in this world. They way we walk, the way we talk, the way we think – all these should reflect a tension between this world and the kingdom of God. Our true home - even now, and even more so then! I can’t wait for that day, when I get to go “home.” To my forever place of familiar, of comfort. In the meantime, though, I am thankful for the now – for the people and activities I get to walk alongside and enjoy! Here are a few upcoming examples to note and put on your calendar(s):

Cake reception for Jon Dack
We want to ask for your prayers and support as we say goodbye and well-done to our Children's Ministry Director, Jon Dack, and his family. Jon has accepted a Pastoral position with a church in Maple Grove and will be leaving our staff on July 31. Though this is a great opportunity for him and for the church he will serve, we will genuinely miss Jon as a team member and a leader at Faith. Please stop in the lobby this Sunday, July 28 to have a piece of cake and wish him well.

Bagels with the Bachelors
All are welcome to meet with the Bachelor family and get an update on the work going on in the Middle East. Stop by room 200 on Sunday, August 4 at 12:15pm.

Empowered: Awareness Concert
Faith4Freedom's free Awareness and Action Concert will be held on Saturday August 3, from 6–9pm at Nicollet Commons Park in Burnsville. Its goal is to raise awareness and thus help fight human trafficking in Minnesota.  In the case of rain, the concert will be held at Faith Covenant. For more information, contact Deb Devine at [email protected]

Agua Viva Water Project
Get in the trenches! Agua Viva is planning a Honduras Water Project November 1-10. If you’re interested in traveling to Honduras and helping to build a water system, as well as sharing the hope that Jesus Christ the Living Water offers, contact Jay Substad @ 952-412-7682 or email [email protected].

Family Weekend Camp Opportunity
Family Camp at Covenant Pines brings the best of summer programming, staff, and outdoor beauty together to provide an opportunity for families to grow closer to God and to one another. Camp begins after 4pm on Thursday, August 8th and ends after lunch on Sunday, August 11th. Speaker: Rob Jacobson from Restoration Covenant Church. For further details, and to register, visit CPBC’s website at http://covenantpines.org/summer-camps/.

Employment Opportunity: Interim Children’s Ministry Coordinator
Faith Covenant Church is seeking a part-time temporary Children’s Ministry Coordinator. This role will coordinate all Children’s Ministry programming in August and into September, with a possibility of extending beyond that as needed (until our full time position is hired). Position is 10-15 hours per week with semi-flexible office hours; Sunday mornings are necessary, as well as Wednesday nights starting mid-September. An excellent candidate will have: -Past experience in Children’s Ministry coordination -A personality that brings stability and warmth in the midst of transition -Attention to details; well-organized -Ability to teach children ages 4 years through grade 5 -Availability weekdays during the day for team meetings. Current Faith Covenant Church attendees, and specifically Children’s Ministry volunteers familiar with our program, are encouraged to apply. Please submit cover letter and resume to Lynn Nunn by July 26 or sooner: [email protected].

See you next month!

Pastor Char

Greetings Faith Covenant!

Pastor Mike here with your weekly Faith Update. Don't miss the great things coming up at Faith Covenant! From a Mega-Garage Sale that funds God's work globally to a great outdoor concert that supports FCC's role in the fight against human trafficking there is something for everyone. Below are the opportunities and updates in detail. As one of your pastors I want to thank you for the increasing financial generosity that we have seen in the past few weeks offerings. Summer is historically a time when many churches struggle to meet budget and to date, all of our bills our paid as we continue to fund missions, and save for over-due repairs to our facility and grounds. Your consistency and mine with tithes and offerings enables this church to be effective every month of the year. Lastly, I want to address something our staff has discussed recently - the need to continually create a culture of honor. Honoring each other across generations and across opinions of worship style, strategy, and individual preference is something that sets Christ-followers apart from the rest of humanity. Though respect is something that must be earned, honor, in Christian community, must be freely given. To that end I challenge us as a church to pray about how each one of us can create a more tangible culture of honoring one another at Faith Covenant Church. I'm excited to see how God might stir us as we consider this challenge and would love to hear from you regarding creating a culture of honor.

Thank you for sharing your journey with me and my family! It is a privilege to serve as one of your Co-Lead Pastors!

In Christ,
Mike Lotzer


FCC All-Church Garage Sale
Donate, volunteer, and/or shop to support our garage sale benefiting widows and orphans in Kosovo! Donation drop-off is Sunday July 21 from 2-7pm and Monday & Tuesday from 5-8pm. Sale is Thursday July 25 from 8am-7pm and Friday, July 26 from 8am - 1pm. To find out more or to see a list of donations accepted/not accepted, go to faithcovenant.org and click on the garage sale banner when it rotates.

Youth Colorado Trip Recap
Fusion students are currently on their mission/leadership trip to Colorado, returning Saturday, July 20. We would like to invite those interested to have lunch and hear about the trip. Please join us Sunday, July 28 at 12:30 in room 150 for a buffet lunch.

Empowered: Awareness Concert
Faith4Freedom's free Awareness and Action Concert will be held on Saturday August 3, from 6–9pm at Nicollet Commons Park in Burnsville. It's goal is to raise awareness and thus help fight human trafficking in Minnesota.  In the case of rain, the concert will be held at Faith Covenant. For more information, contact Deb Devine at [email protected]

Family Weekend Camp Opportunity
Family Camp at Covenant Pines brings the best of summer programming, staff, and outdoor beauty together to provide an opportunity for families to grow closer to God and to one another. August's 8th - 11th camp begins after 4pm on Thursday and ends after lunch on Sunday. Speaker: Rob Jacobson from Restoration Covenant Church. For further details, and to register, visit CPBC’s website at http://covenantpines.org/summer-camps/.

Employment Opportunity: Interim Children’s Ministry Coordinator
I want to ask for your prayers and support as we say goodbye and well-done to our Children's Ministry Director Jon Dack and his family. Jon has accepted a Pastoral position with a church in Maple Grove and will be leaving our staff on July 31. Though this is a great opportunity for him and for the church he will serve, we will genuinely miss Jon as a team member and a leader at Faith.  So in this time of transition, Faith Covenant Church is seeking a part-time temporary Children’s Ministry Coordinator. This role will coordinate all Children’s Ministry programming in August and into September, with a possibility of extending beyond that as needed (until our full time position is hired). Position is 10-15 hours per week with semi-flexible office hours; Sunday mornings are necessary, as well as Wednesday nights starting mid-September. An excellent candidate will have: -Past experience in Children’s Ministry coordination -A personality that brings stability and warmth in the midst of transition -Attention to details; well-organized -Ability to teach children ages 4 years through grade 5 -Availability weekdays during the day for team meetings. Current Faith Covenant Church attendees, and specifically Children’s Ministry volunteers familiar with our program, are encouraged to apply. Please submit cover letter and resume to Lynn Nunn by July 26 or sooner: [email protected].

By Jon Dack, Director of Children's Ministry

To my Faith Covenant Family,

This is the last Faith Update that I will have the privilege of writing and I want to take just a moment to let you know how much I will miss you. Being part of the Faith Covenant family over the past four years has been such a blessing to me and my family. I cannot begin to count the ways I have grown and learned from my experiences at Faith. In particular I want to thank all of the wonderful volunteers that have used their gifts and talents to reaching kids for Christ. Without you children's ministry at Faith Covenant would not be possible.

Once again, thank you all for your support and prayers. Thank you for the kind words you have given me since learning about my departure and please know that the decision to leave was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make in my life. I love you Faith Covenant. My prayer has been and will always be that,

“The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”

God Bless,
Jon Dack (Signing Off)

Upcoming Events:

Colorado Team Blog Information
We would love it if you would join us in prayer as our team heads to Colorado July 13-20. You can get frequent updates and specific prayer requests by checking our blog entries. Just go to www.faithyouthmissions.weebly.com to keep up to date on our trip. Thank you!

All Church Garage Sale
Donate, volunteer, and/or shop to support our garage sale benefiting widows and orphans in Kosovo! Donation drop-off is Sunday July 21 from 2-7pm and Monday & Tuesday from 5-8pm. Sale is Thursday July 25 from 8am-7pm and Friday, July 26 from 8am - 1pm. To find out more or to see a list of donations accepted/not accepted, go to faithcovenant.org and click on the garage sale banner when it rotates.


Worship & Welcome Volunteer Sign Up
We need volunteers. Believe it or not, but what you see on Sunday mornings and other church events relies heavily on our volunteers. This is your church and many of you are involved already and for that we thank you. But we need more, so if you are interested in volunteering in the Cafe, being an usher, worship team, greeter or welcome desk attendent, please let us know. You can sign up in the lobby this Sunday, or by emailing [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 walk at various locations around the south metro from 9 - 10am each Friday, with this week's walk being at Hidden Valley Park in Savage. Contact Natalie for more information: [email protected].

My family recently spent a few days in the home of a childhood friend of mine, a friend I met in kindergarten, roomed with in college, and has remained a part of my life ever since. Our lives are separated by several hours and six children (between the two of us), but the connection is deep. During our stay, three other families came to spend time with us, with at least one adult from each family dating back in friendship to grade school. What a joy it was for me to have the history, the stories, the shared experiences, and the trust in place as we visited and caught up. What a joy to see that our hearts still point in the same direction, even though our lives run in dozens of different directions. I’m thankful today for “old” friends, friends who knew me then and have watched the progression of life, friends who have a unique understanding of the forces and culture that shaped me. Nothing feels quite like that.

As I consider my “newer” friends (those who reach back 20 years) at most, I think of the richness of those conversations, those relationships, and of the “equal footing” all members of my family have when we get together. And again, I’m thankful for the common thread of God’s lens, God’s filter, that shape the directions of our lives. And so I praise God for His provision of friendship young and old, of the gift of people with a similar heartbeat to travel alongside on this journey of life, dear ones who God places in our paths, sometimes for a season, sometimes for a lifetime.

Here are a few things to note as summer rolls along quickly:

Women's Summer Book Study
Join us starting July 9 at 10am 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].

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].

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 procedes go to support widows and orphans in Kosovo. We would love your help. Please call Rick Drenk at 952.891.2997.