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Inviting all to grow in Christ and serve together in God’s love.

Covenant Courier

From the Desk of Pastor Linnea Ek

Covenant Church 802 Winter

Wakefield, NE 68784

Linnea Ek Interim Pastor

Dawn Reimers Office Manager

Phone

402-287-2692

Email church@wakecov.org

pastorlinnea@wakecov.org prayer@wakecov.org

Website www.wakecov.org

Facebook

facebook.com/wakecov

Office hours: Mon., Wed., Thur. 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Sunday

Sunday School 9:00 AM

Wednesday 4:15 PM - Confirmation 5:30 PM - Snak Shak 6:15 PM - Pioneer Clubs & Jr. High Bible Study 6:30 PM - Adult Bible Study

Worship 10:00 AM

March 2017

IGLESIA EVANGELICA CASA DE ORACION

Led by Pastor Ruben Vega Spanish Services

Sundays at 3:00 PM Tuesdays at 7:00 PM Saturdays at 7:00 PM

What’s in a Number?

March 1st marks not only the start of a new month but the start of a new church season: Lent. Lent starts with Ash Wednesday and ends at Easter. When we talk about Lent in the church we often talk about 40 days.

Where does the number 40 occur in the Bible? In the Old Testament, rain fell for 40 days and 40 nights while Noah and his family were in the ark. It is under-stood that kings Saul, David, and Solomon each reigned for 40 years. In the story of Jonah, the city of Ninevah was given 40 days to turn their lives around. In the New Testament, Jesus spends 40 days in the wilderness after his bap-tism enduring temptation. After his resurrection, Jesus also spent 40 days ap-pearing to his disciples.

At this writing, I have just finished reading Day 7 in our Community Bible Experi-ence. Today, we read from Acts 6 to Acts 12. As I was reading page 65 (Acts 7), I came across a familiar number: 40. In this passage, the author, Luke, is talking about Moses and the power God gave to Moses. He notes that Moses was 40 years old when ventured out among the Israelites and killed an Egyptian overseer who mistreated an Israelite. Moses runs away out into the country and after 40 years, God appears to him in the burning bush. Later, after Moses leads the Israelites out of slavery, they spend 40 years wandering in the wilder-ness.

What is with this number 40? Laurence Hull Stookey in his book Christ’s Time for the Church Calendar explains, “In biblical terms, 40 is a round number sym-bolizing fullness — a span of time sufficient to accomplish what needs to take place; as such the number is used frequently and becomes a kind of shorthand for much of sacred history.”

In the early centuries, the church would use 40 days to prepare people who had converted for their baptism. Converts would use these 40 days to increase their devotion to God through discipline. Thus, the season of Lent was born.

As we consider the next 40 days as “a span of time sufficient to accomplish what needs to take place,” the question then becomes, what needs to take place? In modern practice, Lent two considerations which come into focus. First, we are invited to consider our broken human condition. Therefore, we begin the season with Ash Wednesday and the words, “Remember, you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Second, considering the imperfection of our humanity, we are invited to focus on the new life offered to us by Jesus Christ.

Nature has its own version of Lent: forest fires. Fires clear out the clutter—they remove underbrush and open the forest floor up to sunlight. In the process of burning, nutrients and minerals contained in plants are returned to the soil. The soil then becomes more fertile—ready not just for new growth but also ready to strengthen deeply rooted trees. What starts with ashes, clears the way for new life and allows for things that are well established to grow longer and stronger.

As we begin this season of Lent, may the reflection of Ash Wednesday clear out the clutter in our lives so that we may find new and renewed life in Jesus Christ.

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Giving Report Year to date Giving:

$22,247.59

Percent of Budget: 14.8%

February Giving: $8,400.33

January Expenses: $8,530.73

Average Attendance

(February) Morning Worship: 102

Prayer Email

To be added to the prayer email list, subscribe at www.tinyletter.com/

wakecovprayer

Find us on

Visit youtube.com and search “wakefield covenant church” to find our page. We also try to share our videos on our Facebook page once they are posted (facebook.com/wakecov).

COVENANT COMMUNITY BIBLE EXPERIENCE We are just a couple of weeks into CBE and hopefully you are find-ing it to be a rewarding experience. Keep following the reading plan provided on the bookmark that came with the book. Remember there are more resources at cbe.covchurch.org such as ebook and audio downloads and sign ups for daily emails and videos. If you haven’t plugged into a small group yet here is a list or if the group times provided do not work, discuss the reading with your friends and family. The point is take some time to talk about what you are reading. SMALL GROUPS - For more information about joining a small group please talk with Pastor Linnea

Five tips for reading

1. Read what you can.

Don’t get discouraged if you fall behind. Keep at it, even if you don’t make it all the way through each day’s reading. If you have trouble keeping up, listen-ing to the audio version can help.

2. Read every day.

Plan on reading five days a week, Monday – Friday. The pace is a little intense, but reading large portions of Scripture is also in-credibly rewarding. (And remember, you only have to keep this pace up for eight weeks.)

3. Be fully present.

Avoid distraction while reading. (Turns out we’re not that good at multitasking.) Instead, devote your full attention to the text.

4. Read the book intros.

The Books of the Bible includes brief introductions or “invitations” to each book, unpacking the context and literary structure of what you’re about to read. Trust us, they’re well worth your time.

5. Don’t worry about the parts you don’t understand.

The goal is to read big, not to catch every detail. You can always go back and study a specific passage in greater detail later. For now, take in the big picture; let that be your focus for the next eight weeks.

2017 Directories available at

church

Thursdays at 7:00pm Wakefield Group Facilitator: Pastor Linnea

Fridays at 7:00pm Country Group Facilitator: TBD

Saturdays at 2:00pm Wayne Group Facilitator: TBD

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Our Mission:

Inviting all to grow in Christ

and serve together in God's

love.

Our Vision:

In cooperation with God’s

Spirit, we hope to see:

An environment centered on God’s redeeming love

where people of all ages,

races, and walks of life feel

they belong and can grow

in their faith

A culture of continual growth in our dependence

on God where we are hon-

est about our imperfections

and support one another

through life’s ups and

downs

Disciples engaging with God’s Word and living it

daily

A church that encourages people to get involved and

equips them to serve with

the abilities God has given

them

Mission-minded servants sent out to make a differ-

ence in our community and

our world with the compas-

sion and generosity of Jesus

Christ

Welcome to the Family

Aubrey Barge was Baptized February 12th, 2017 Daughter of Jon & Molly Barge Sister to Calix, Abel, & Jace

“May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.’”

The CHIC Youth Say Thank You!

It was another great year of Super Bowl Sub sales bringing in nearly $2,000. CHIC would like to thank

everyone for your support and donations. They have nearly $12,000 of their current $18,000 goal which will help to send 26 youth to the 2018 CHIC youth conference. Their next fundraiser will be the spring Trash Pick Up in May. (CHIC - Covenant Highschoolers In Christ)

Service and Imposition

of Ashes

Ash Wednesday

March 1st, 7:00 PM

Lenten Breakfast

Sunday March 5th & April 2 at 8:30 AM

This year we continue our tradition of Lenten Breakfast but in a slightly different fashion. There will be a breakfast on the first Sunday of March and April. It will still be a free will offering with the proceeds going to our Congo Clinic Initiative pledge. So bring your friends and family for a yummy breakfast. Then the kids will go to Sunday School while the teens and adults hear from our speakers.

March 5th: Serving Breakfast Casserole Speaker: Video Chat with Renee Hale (director of Paul Carlson Partnership)

April 2nd: Serving Biscuits & Gravy Speaker to be announced

Easter Lily

Order Envelopes

Available end of March

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Centennial Scholarship

Wakefield Evangelical Covenant Church offers a college scholarship to its members and their children. If you are interested in learning more about the scholarship or would like an application please con-tact our church office.

Scholarship amount will depend on the number of applicants ap-proved by the scholarship committee.

Applications are due by March 15th.

Camp Early Bird Registrations due by April 1st.

Those interested in registering for camp may go the website www.cedars.org or pick up a form at church from the Camp bulletin board. Once you have registered please let a Camp Committee member know so they can offer help with camp costs and organizing carpools this summer.

Pathfinders (1st & 2nd)

Trailblazer (3rd & 4th)

Explorer (5th & 6th)

Jr. High (7th & 8th)

Sr. High (9th - 12th)

Last Chance (3rd-12th)

June 17-18

June 18-21

June 25-30

July 2-7

July 9-14

August 2-4

CAMP DATES

Camp Committee:

Bree Brown

Anita Muller

Sue VanderVeen

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said,

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me

will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

Congo Clinic

Initiative

Only $250 to go to

meet our 2017 goal!

Summer

is

Coming!

Pioneer Club Sunday March 19th

All Pioneer Club youth invited to help out with

worship service.

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This month we invite all sixth graders to join us for our monthly M.O.B. gathering. We want to get to know you so come and learn more

about youth group on March 19th at 6:00 PM here at Covenant.

Mystery Meal Fundraiser

THANK YOU! On Sunday February 26th, M.O.B. hosted their 2nd annual Mystery Meal. Over 80 people came together for a fun meal, a “Clue” mys-tery skit, and many laughs. Due to the amazing generosity of eve-

ryone who attended and/or donated we raised $2,330.25 WOW! Thank you for this blessing that has us well on our way to Wisconsin. Special thanks go out to Merlin & Delores Felt, Allan & Eunice Johnson, Val & Dan Bard and all the parents who donated supplies, prizes, costumes and time to this event. May God’s favor be on each of you.

Next Fundraiser:

Concessions at Majestic Theater in Wayne April 27-30th.

Milwaukee, WI Mission Trip

Youth participants

Lindsey Al-Khalfaji

Jeremiah Chase

Jamie Dolph

Justus Greve

Zach Johnson

Couy Johnson

Maddie Mogus

Lauren Munderloh

Olivia Scott

Katie VanderVeen

Rylan Weaver

Adult Sponsors Brian Johnson Dawn Reimers

Cooking Class with Hilda

Hilda Pearson is offering a four session cooking class for ages K-12 years to take place after school on Wednesdays up to Snak Shak time. There are spaces for up to 10 kids for each month of March and April. Kids bring 50 cents for food and parents come by to check on an ongoing fundraiser. Parents please see the sign-up sheets on the bulletin board or talk with Hilda for more information.

Moms and Dads are invited to stay during pioneer club for menu ideas, 9 minute meals and the class will be geared to needs and ideas from participants.

Adult Sunday School

Every Sunday

at 9:00 AM

In the Library

Sunday School Schedule: March 5th March 19th April 2nd

Rest of April & May TBD

Children’s Sunday School

Sunday School for Pre-K through 6th grade is offered the first and third Sunday of each month at 9:00 AM. Come check out some of the exciting lessons the teachers have put together to help your children learn the stories and scriptures of the Bible.

6th Grade

Invited!

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Mission Mission: Pursuing Christ’s Priorities in the World

Voices: Reflections on Fear and Hope in Refugee Resettlement from the Frontlines

Feb 24, 2017 By Guest Author

By Susan Sperry, executive director of World Relief DuPage/Aurora in Illinois and member of New Community Covenant–Bronzeville in Chicago. The opinions expressed here are her own.

For 15 years, I have helped refugees resettle in the western suburbs of Chicago through World Relief. Refugees of diverse backgrounds, from all walks of life, and from dozens of countries. They have all fled war or

persecution, and they all share a common experience of being given legal admittance to the United States after an often 18- to 24-month security screening pro-cess. Their survival and journey here reflects a profound depth of courage and hope. On January 27, the president signed a new executive order that will dramatically reduce the number of refugees able to be admitted to the United States each year from 110,000 to 55,000, suspend refugee resettlement for 120 days, and indefinitely stop Syri-an refugee resettlement. I understand why people ask what is wrong with suspending resettlement for three to four months if it means we will be safer. But security clearances are good for on-ly a limited period of time. In the Middle East, they are good for only three months. Delay-ing resettlement means that everyone who had already been vetted will have to go through the process again from the beginning. That could take anywhere from several months to years. The policy expressed in the executive order comes at a time when the world is facing the greatest refugee crisis in recorded history—with more than 65 million people forcibly displaced from their homes because of persecution and conflict. In the media attention and court cases that have ensued since then, work in re-settlement agencies has only intensified as people come in with questions, stories, and fears. Refugees from Syria wonder if they will ever again see loved ones, who are still in dangerous situations. Many eligible immigrants are rushing to apply for citizenship, concerned that permanent residency may not be so permanent. Religious minorities are realizing that the reduced refugee admissions ceiling may delay their persecuted family members from joining them here. And I’ve heard over and over the painful question, “Are we still welcome in America?” Before the courts temporarily stayed the executive order, during one of our adult English as a Second Lan-guage (ESL) classes, the teacher gathered refugee students from many nationalities together. They were given translated summaries of the order, and the teacher gently walked the students through its meaning. The group of Syrian students sat at the same table together. And as they read in their own language that Syrians were no longer being welcomed into the U.S., tears fell from their eyes.

Fear The emotion I am hearing so often, from both Americans as well as refugees and immigrants, is the same—fear. If I’m honest with myself, I’ve felt fear too. I’ve heard fear in the concerns that terrorists might sneak in with refugees, aiming to hurt our children, families, and our way of life. But many of us aren’t aware of the ex-treme vetting process that already takes place before refugees are admitted to the United States. And our fear is all too easily perpetuated by media soundbites and sensationalist reporting. (continued on next page)

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I’ve heard fear voiced by refugees who question whether they are welcome and safe. By Middle-Eastern refugees who are fearful to leave their homes. By immigrants of many backgrounds who worry about the risk of travel. And fear has crept into me. Fear that I or my co-workers will become a target for hateful language or threats, as other colleagues across the country have been in the last year. Fear about the next difficult conversa-tion. I feel supported by my congregation, but I fear that the broader evangelical community I belong to will reject me because of my commitment to stand with all refugees, including those of other faiths.

Fear is powerful. It is unpleasant. I can easily get lost in it.

These weeks I am learning that if I sit in fear for too long, I can give way to the world’s wisdom to self-protect, rather than the wisdom of God to love. And I can forget the larger kingdom I belong to. We worship a God of the perfect love that can cast out all fear. We worship a God who commands us, “Do not fear” because he is with us. We worship a God who commands us to welcome the stranger and foreigner, and to care for the widow and orphan. And we worship a God who works through the movement of people around the world to build his kingdom.

Hope Recently, nearly 1,000 people packed out a church in Wheaton for an information and advocacy night in response to the immigration-related executive orders. It quickly became an incredible display of welcome for refu-gees. And it filled me with hope, as I saw followers of Jesus demonstrate that they want to be the hands, face, and feet of Christ to neighbors near and far. Hope is what sustains us. Hope that God is at work, redeeming and working through the evil in the world. Hope evidenced in the people of God speaking out against injustice, speaking up to say that refugees are wel-come, and proclaiming that the good news of Jesus is available for all. After our ESL students read the translated versions of the executive order, they heard from a teary teacher words of welcome and love and affirmation. She led them to stand up together, form a circle, and link arms. And everyone looked around at the beautiful array of cultures and languages and backgrounds joined together in a lo-cal church. People who were once strangers, scattered across the globe, could see an image of hope and God’s love in one another. These days, I must consciously choose hope over fear. I must consciously choose to look for signs of God’s grace and presence. I must choose to act, to confront fear and turn it to God, and to take conscious steps to follow the way of Jesus, even when the path forward feels uncertain. Far too often we are asked to pit one group of vulnerable people against another, or to value our own safety as more important than another’s. That may be our country’s values, but as people who belong to another king-dom, it cannot be ours. God has laid before us different values, centered around a worship of him that is reflected in how we treat others, fight injustice, and care for the vulnerable.

May I choose, every day, to embrace these kingdom values and live in hope, not fear.

A Way Forward What are some ways we can love and welcome refugees during this time, and move toward hope rather than fear?

1. Be present to refugees and immigrants in your life—whether family, friends, church community, or neigh-bors. Listen to, support, and love each other.

2. Learn about refugees and the resettlement process, and seek reliable sources to answer questions. Seeking Refuge by Stephan Bauman, Matthew Soerens, and Issam Smeir, is a great resource, and includes a downloadable small group study guide. The book answers many practical questions about the security screening process and provides biblical insight for responding to the refugee crisis. 3. Speak Up—Reach out to your federal representatives and the president to ask that the U.S. remain committed to resettlement as one solution to the refugee crisis. Ask your state and local leaders to continue to be welcoming to refugees. 4. Give—Donate funds and/or volunteer time to agencies like World Relief who are serving refugees and immi-grants in our communities and around the world. Our organization, like others, has had to lay off staff and cut sala-ries for some employees due to the lower number of refugees who will be allowed into the country. Share your time through volunteering with a resettlement agency or ESL program. 5. Pray for an end to the conflicts that are creating refugees. Pray for families who are separated, that they will be brought together. Pray that God’s people will be known for showing love to all our neighbors next door, a mile away, a city away, a country away. And pray that God will continue to grow and build his church here and around the world.

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March Ushers

Mike Muller

Vicki Foote

Cody McAfee

Lee Brudigam

March Meetings

Executive Board: March 5 at 5:45 PM

C.E. Board: March 5 at 7:00 PM

Trustee Board: March 5 at 7:00 PM

Deacons: March 26 at 5:00 PM

Search Committee: March 16

EVERY SUNDAY

Worship 10:00 AM

1 – Lane Foote

3 – Ardyth Mills

3 – Ellen Carlson

9 – Randall Barge

9 – Merna Jones

10 – Donna Lundin

10 – Norman Jeppson

13 – Dee Foote

15 – Tiffany Lamprecht

15 – Rose Wenstrand

19 – Megan Muller

20 – Garret VanderVeen

20 – Paul Eaton

23 – Michaela Beaty

24 – Iris Borg

25 – Bud Erlandson

26 – Lynnett Hansen

28 – Mark Muller

March Treasurers

Cody McAfee

Mike Mogus

FELLOWSHIP

March 5th - Janis Myers

March 12th - Volunteers Needed

March 19th - Iglesia Evangelica Casa De Oracion

March 26th - Volunteers Needed

Pioneer Clubs Wednesdays

6:15 PM (except March 1st)

Adult Sunday School

Every Sunday 9:00 AM

Snak Shak Wednesdays

5:30 PM (except March 1st)

Confirmation Wednesdays

4:15 PM

M.O.B. Sunday

March19th 5:30 PM

Children’s Sunday School March 5th & 19th at 9:00 AM GREETERS

March 5th, 12th & 26th Volunteers Needed

March 26th - Kayla, Cora & Olivia D.

Please see sign-up on the bulletin board by

church office.

Ash Wednesday Service March 1st at 7:00 PM

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Evangelical Covenant Church Non Profit Org.

802 Winter Street U.S. Postage PAID

Wakefield, NE 68784 Permit No 34

Phone (402) 287-2692 Wakefield, NE 68784

Email church@ wakecov.org

Website: www.wakecov.org

CHANGE SEVICE REQUESTED

March 8th

Hot Dogs

March 15th

Tacos

March 22nd

Spaghetti

March 29th Chicken Noodle Soup & Sandwich

Pioneer Club students have had a fun winter. We have been learning so much about the bible and about God. We've been sing-ing fun songs and playing fun games. Covenant Church is a fun place to be on Wednesday nights!

As March approaches, please remember that there will be no Pio-neer Club on March 1, due to Ash Wednesday. On March 15, we will be having movie night. Kids can come that night dressed in their pajamas with their favorite pillow and blanket. We will have movies and snacks for them. This is one of our favorite nights--there's just something awesome about wearing pajamas!

Serving at 5:30 PM

Tammie & Tiffany

Snak Shak

Youth - $1

Adults - $3

No Snak Shak or

Pioneer Club

March 1st