SHORELINES
FEBRUARY 2015
FIRST COVENANT CHURCH NEWSLETTER
In This Issue:
Pastor’s Corner
February Calendar
February Sunday Schedule
Wednesday Night Schedule
Church Events
Other Events
Area News & Our Views
News from Sunny Days
Sunday Schedule
9:00 A.M. Sunday School
(for all ages)
Pastor’s Corner
The beginning of February reminds me of one of my
favorite movies, “Groundhog Day”, starring Bill Murray and Andie
McDowell. “Groundhog Day” is about an obnoxious, selfcentered TV weatherman Phil Connors sent to Punxsutawney,
Pennsylvania to cover their Groundhog Day festivities. All Phil is
interested in is having a fling with his female partner, Rita, and
getting back to Pittsburgh. A blizzard strands the news crew in
small town Punxsutawney and then every morning after that Phil
wakes up to the same day (February 2nd) everyday and has to
live it over and over again. The movie is all about how Phil
changes as he is doomed to live each day over repeatedly.
(SPOILER ALERT) Phil is finally released from this seemingly
never ending cycle when he finally lives for others out of genuine
love for them rather than living for himself.
In Genesis Chapter 29, Leah, the unloved wife of Jacob,
gives birth to one son after another but Jacob still loves Rachel
more. What’s interesting is how she sees each one of her
children. Son number one is Rueben (See. A Son!) and Leah
believed now Jacob will love her. Son number two is named
Simeon (God has heard me) because she is frustrated. Son
number three is named Levi (Attached) because after three sons
surely Jacob will be attached to me more than Rachel. Finally,
Leah gives birth to Judah (Praise). As she selects his name she
declares, “This time I will praise the Lord.”
10:00 A.M. Coffee Fellowship
10:30 A.M. Worship
Wednesday Schedule
6:45 P.M. Youth Groups
(see schedule)
6:45 P.M. Adult Bible Study
Like Phil in “Groundhog Day” Leah learns that life is not
about what God can do for me, instead when we live praising
God everything else falls into place. As Psalm 50:23b proclaims,
“To the one who orders their way rightly I will show the salvation
of God.” How many days; new beginnings; fresh chances do we
need to remember to, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his
righteousness and all you need will be added to you.”?
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Sunday
Monday
1
9:00 Sunday School
10 :00 Coffee Fellowship
10:30 Worship with
Communion
2 Groundhog’s Day
9
5
8:45 SDP
12:15 SDP
6:45 Youth Groups
6:45 Adult Bible Study
10
11
8:45 SDP
12:15 SDP
16 President’s Day
No SDP
President’s Day
8:45 SDP
12:15 SDP
18 Ash Wednesday
9:00 Sunday School
10 :00 Coffee Fellowship
10:30 Worship
8:45 SDP
12:15 SDP
Tom Martin
24
8:45 SDP
12:15 SDP
8:45 SDP
12:15 SDP
6:00 Lenten Supper
6:30 Devotions
6:45 Adult Bible Study
8:45 SDP
12:15 SDP
19
8:15 Prayer Time
8:45 SDP
12:15 SDP
7
Memorial Service
for June Larson
10:00 A.M.
Greg Clark
Tucker Brandner
13
20
8:45 SDP
12:15 SDP
Kamaria Bos
Jude Gravenhof
25
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Saturday
8:15 Prayer Time
8:45 SDP
12:15 SDP
14 Valentine’s Day
Margaret Vyskocil
8:45 SDP
12:15 SDP
7:00 Ash Wednesday
Worship
Lucy O’Donnell
22 1st Sunday of Lent 23
12
Keith Maxwell
17
8:45 SDP
12:15 SDP
5:00 Lead Team
Friday
Emmanual Morales
Kim Maxwell
Tammy Roos
8:45 SDP
12:15 SDP
6:45 Adult Bible Study
Mak Lia
Katie O’Donnell
9:00 Sunday School
10:00 Coffee Fellowship
10:30 Worship
Thursday
Doug Anton
8:45 SDP
12:15 SDP
Leroy Eggink
Pauline Nickel
Wednesday
4
8:45 SDP
12:15 SDP
Charles Middagh
9:00 Sunday School
10 :00 Coffee Fellowship
10:30 Worship
15
3
8:45 SDP
12:15 SDP
Nyachoat Lia
8
Tuesday
8:45 SDP
12:15 SDP
21
SDP Parenting
Event
7:00-8:30 P.M.
Todd Carlson
26
8:15 Prayer Time
8:45 Sunny Days
12:15 Prayer Time
27
FEBRUARY 2015
8:15 Prayer Time
No SDP
Parent/Teacher
Conferences
Bud & Pauline Nickel
Elna Sexe
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Richard Fellows
Caleb Fellows
SERVING YOU IN FEBRUARY
GREETERS:
1 Brian & Michelle Ling
Greg & Becky Clark
8 Ron Hyvari & Howard Rachuy
Tom & Sharon Klucking
15 Ted & Sarah Martin
Charles & Phyllis MIddagh
22 Kevin & Nancy Flynn
Colin & Gretchen O’Donnell
SCRIPTURE READERS:
1 Lil Foth
8 Brian Ling
15 Carol Christopherson
22 Marc Gustafson
WORSHIP NURSERY:
1 Dave & Sheila Bos
8 Bob & Suzy Brandner
15 Greg & Becky Clark
22 Paige Stewart & Sara Eggink
COFFEE FELLOWSHIP:
1 Tom & Sharon Klucking
8 Brian & Michelle Ling
15 Leroy & Kolette Eggink
22 DiDi Christopherson
SOUND SYSTEM:
1 Howard Rachuy
8 Jerry Luinenburg
15 Tom Ahlberg
22 Jeff Ling
COMMUNION SERVERS: (February 1st)
Dean Christopherson
Brian Ling
Gretchen O’Donnell
Ted Martin
USHERS:
Ian & Katie O’Donnell
Dale & Shirley Martin
*If you cannot serve on your assigned
Sunday, please find a replacement or
call the church office at 376-5109.
MISSIONARY ADDRESSES
Bruce Ahlberg
Correspondence Address:
6ta Avenida Norte #33
Antigua, Guatemala
Contribution Address:
15850 Richardson Springs Road
Chico, CA 95973
Francisco & Stephanie Ramos
214½ E. Blue Earth Ave.
Fairmont, MN 56031
[email protected]
Or
6 bis, rue d’ Arsonval
75015 Paris France
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AREA NEWS AND OUR VIEWS
By Gene Foth
MEET OUR NEW LEADERSHIP TEAM!
At our January annual meeting the congregation
voted with over a 2/3 margin to adopt a new form of
government with eight members.
ARTICLE VII The officers of the church shall be a chair, a vicechair, a secretary, and a financial officer. All officers shall be
members
of
the
Leadership
Team.
ARTICLE II “The Leadership Team” Section 1. Purpose. The
Leadership Team shall be responsible for building, maintaining
and overseeing the spiritual welfare of the congregation and for
directing and overseeing all ministries and business affairs of
the church. Section 11. Responsibilities of the Leadership
Team. Be responsible for overseeing the preparation and submission of a proposed budget for each fiscal year to the membership for approval. The Leadership Team shall appoint a member of the church as financial secretary who shall be authorized
to receive monies on behalf of the church and shall appoint a
treasurer to disburse funds for church purposes in accordance
with standard accounting procedures for non-profit organizations. The Leadership Team shall annually appoint an independent review of the financial records of the church and report such
findings to the congregation. ARTICLE III MINISTRY TEAMS
Section 1. Purpose. Ministry Teams shall be formed as required
to implement the varied ministries of the church. Section 2. Ministry Teams shall be established by the Leadership Team to implement specific ministries.
The following members were elected to serve as
the leadership team. From this group they will elect
the officer positions and appoint the ministry teams:
(Back Row) Dean Christopherson, Ron Hyvari,
Brian Ling (Middle Row) Gretchen O’Donnell, Sarah Martins and Tom Ahlberg. (Front Row) Kevin
Miller and Ted Martin
__ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS TO:
Tom & Bruce Ahlberg in the death of
their mother Dewis Ahlberg age 93
Feb 4 IS Thank a Mailman Day. (Google
this on your computer) It is your chance to
say thanks to the guy, or gal, who delivers
your mail.
FRANK BREUKER
was a postal worker for 25
years until his retirement in
1988 . He
started as a substitute
carrier for his brother
John and then began
his full time career in the
old post office at 1029
Third Ave. Worthington. Stamps were selling
for 25 cents when Frank retired. They had a
gum backing so you had
to lick them before pasting them on the envelope.!
A hobby of Frank’s is
driving a John Deere Tractor in area parades,
collecting and restoring antique watches.
Is owned by Robin Redman Lakefield MN. Robin
started doing graphic design
10 years ago and has
worked in commercial printing, marketing and advertising.
613 Fourth Street, Jackson MN Is owned by
Robert Redman in partnership with Nate
Pigman.
Robin started her own business full time, June 1,
2014. The main part of her business is graphic design creating things like menus, brochures, banners,
flyers, logos, posters, invitations, business cards and
canvas prints. .
Robert prefers classics and Nate prefers collision
work so they molded the two together. Together
they bring more than 25 years experience in auto
body work. While in college Robert earned second
place in the Minnesota Skills USA/Vica competition. He graduated first in his class from South
Central Technical College and was shop manager
for Kroubetz Auto Body in Lake Crystal for 9 years
before starting Jackson Collision & Classics.
Robin was recently featured in the Lakefield Standard newspaper with one of her canvas prints.
About the design process Robin says ”I try to come
up with two or three design options to start with. That
helps to give my client some direction as to what
they are looking for. Then we make changes and go
from start-to-finish, which can include signs, flyers,
posters, business cards, T-shirts….anything . I have
passion, vision and knowledge to create a visual that
is pleasing to the eye and also conveys the right
message for my clients!“
Robin is mother to 9 year old Haylee Untiedt and
wife to Robert Redman. They are also expecting another child in May.
They are a full service auto body shop that works
on all makes and models, and also offers a courtesy vehicle for customers to use while their vehicle
is being repaired. Robert says “we take pride in our
work and guarantee customer satisfaction along
with a lifetime warranty.”
Robert is married to Robin Luinenburg Redman
and together they live in Lakefield MN.
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR
JUNE LARSON
Saturday, February 7th
10:00 A.M. at the church
AREA NEWS AND OUR VIEWS By Gene Foth
And now the rest of the story…..
Sunday, February 15th
An offering will be collected to help
support Feed My Starving Children.
Pastor John was in touch with our
missionaries Francisco & Stephanie Ramos
via e-mail during this time. Francisco said
“Thankfully last Sunday brought encouragement and a sense of relief for people in
France as multitudes came out peacefully to
march on the streets united against fear and
threats to values important to them. We
pray that through these events more will
seek the spiritual side of life and find the
Truth they are looking for. Please pray that
we would have words of grace and peace.
Also for the Church in France as it responds
to this situation and cares and serves at this
time.”
FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN
The time is quickly approaching to volunteer
to help pack meals for children. To help in
the process, we are asking each church to
have a representative who is willing to assist
people to sign up after worship. There will be
a meeting on Thursday, February 5th at
7:00 P.M. at Worthington Christian Church to
train the representatives on the sign up process.
If you have questions, please contact
Kristin Walerius at 507-530-3990.
Everyday Epiphanies: Finding God in the Everyday Moment of Life
If you find yourself at home at 9:30 on a Sunday morning before coming to church,
then turn on your radio to AM730 KWOA and listen to Gretchen O’Donnell (“Life in a
nutshell”) as she talks about life—its everyday moments past and present-and show
how God is never far away in everything we do.
See you there!
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Meeting Date
ASH WEDNESDAY WORSHIP
Wednesday, February 18th
7:00 P.M.
Thursday, February 5th
The Lead Team will hold
their first meeting at
7:30 P.M. at the church.
WEDNESDAY EVENING
SCHEDULE FOR FEBRUARY
LENTEN SUPPER & DEVOTIONS
Beginning on
Wednesday, February 25th
Supper begins at 6:00 P.M.
followed by devo ons at
6:30 P.M.; youth groups and
Bible Study will begin
at 6:45 P.M.
Wednesday, February 4th
6:45 P.M. Youth Groups
K-6th grades meet at church
7th-12th grades meet at 6:15
P.M. at church to go to the
#507 Youth Rally at
American Reformed Church
You will return to First
Covenant by 8:15 P.M.
6:45 P.M. Adult Bible Study
Wednesday, February 11th
6:45 P.M. Adult Bible Study
A sign up to host a supper will be in
the narthex by February 15th.
Wednesday, February 18th
No Youth Groups
7:00 P.M. Ash Wednesday
Worship
SUNNY DAYS PARENTING EVENT
Friday, February 20th
7:00-8:30 P.M.
Wednesday, February 25th
6:45 P.M. Adult Bible Study
Youth groups will not meet
on Wednesday, February
18th, instead all youth with
their parents are invited to
the Ash Wednesday worship
at 7:00 P.M.
Volunteers will be needed to help
with child care. Contact John
or Kris if interested.
DEVOTIONAL BOOKS
Copies of Covenant Home Altar are
available which go through March.
Pick up a copy on the table in the narthex.
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Soles4Souls
Village Northwest is
collecting new and gently
used shoes providing work
opportunities for 180 people
with a disability. Shoes will
be shipped for distribution
domestically and internationally
to individuals that do not
have proper footwear.
Bring your shoes and place them in the
collection box in the narthex.
FAREWAY & HY-VEE
GROCERY CARDS
AVAILABLE!!!
Don’t forget to pick yours up on
Sunday mornings, contact
Howard Rachuy or Dean Christopherson
or stop in the office during the week.
CHURCH’S WEBSITE
Check out the website at
www.firstcovenantworthington.org
You will find the bulletin,
newsletter, Sunny Days calendars
and much more there.
CURRENT NEEDS FOR LOVE INC
Watch the bulle n boards by the o ce
and by the Jerusalem Room for their
current needs.
FACEBOOK
Did you know that First Covenant
Church has a Facebook page?
“Pray Worthington”
Tuesdays at noon at the Love INC office
Like us on Facebook and
follow all the news!
FYI
Any money that is still being
donated to the Building Fund
will go toward building up
the Contingency Fund.
Check out the bulletin board
by the Fellowship Hall for
posters with announcements
of things that are happening
around the area.
Have any news items you’d
like to share with the
congregation?
LAKE BEAUTY BIBLE CAMP
Information about their
winter retreats are available
on the table in the narthex.
Please contact Gene Foth
with your stories and news.
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VOLUNTEER NURSES NEEDED FOR SUMMER CAMP!
Lake Beauty Bible Camp is looking for RN, LPN, EMT or
experienced First Aid certified individuals who would be willing
to spend a week at camp this summer serving as a camp nurse.
Basic tasks for the camp nurse include: dispensing campers
medications and basic first aid when needed.
If interested or if you would like more information and details you can
contact Program Director, Christa at [email protected] or by calling the
office at 320-732-3218.
Friday, February 20th 6:45—9:30 P.M.
Saturday, February 21st 8:45 A.M.—4:00 P.M.
Location: Grace Community Church
Cost: $40/couple $20/Single
Registration Deadline: February 15th
The Art of Marriage Event is a video led, marriage enriching experience. It combines
dramatic stories, real-life testimonies, expert interviews, humorous vignettes and other
teaching methods to lay out God’s design for marriage in a fresh, engaging way. Guests
are each provided a manual with projects to help them apply the principles taught in each
session, and they include dozen of articles and additional content to help them dive deeper.
For more information go to http://graceonline.net/ministries-5/art-of-marriage
For questions or to register contact Grace Community Church
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 507-343-7920
If God is real, then we want more than anything to live like it.
Times: Friday, February 6th 4:00-10:00 P.M.
Saturday, February 7th 11:00 A.M-5:00 P.M.
Location: Worthington Christian Church
Register at: ifgathering.com or contact Kristin
More information:
Kristin Walterius at 507-530-3990
[email protected]
www.ifgathering.com/local
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SUNNY DAYS PRESCHOOL NEWS
Hello Everyone!
You know how time really goes by
quickly? Well, our January study on clocks
really flew by!! We worked on counting and number
recognition, made watches and played “What time is it?”
with a giant floor clock! Our favorite story was, Don’t Let
the Pigeon Stay Up Late! We even tried to draw a
pigeon. You can check out our drawings in the preschool
hallway. Of course, we had to explore what clocks looked
like on the inside and watched the hands moving on a
clock. We also celebrated “Beach Days”. The highlight
was playing a fun shark game and painting a beach ball
picture and a sand castle!
We plan to learn about shadows during February.
Hopefully, we will have some nice weather days so that
we can go outside to explore shadows! We will also
enjoy a Valentine exchange on February 12th and 13th.
Sunny Days will not have school February 16th and
parent/teacher conferences will be held on February 27th,
March 9th and 10th. Classes will not be held on
conference days.
Thank you for your prayers for our Sunny Days
families. We are grateful that God is with us all the TIME!
In His Service,
Sandy Wilson
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