Remembering with Gratitude

We're halfway through Advent, this annual season of reflection and anticipation. (Are you using the Advent devotional put together by members of our church? Each one is so good!) During these weeks I've found myself full of gratitude for all God has done among us this year. I'm remembering the Faith & Race Workshop focused on Ida B. Wells, our church retreat in June, an amazing back-to-school fair in August, and double the enrollment in New Community Outreach's restorative justice programing at Dyett High School.

I'm also thinking about our amazing leaders: Candice White leading our Hospitality Team; Maggie Swanson, James Kim, and now Pete Blodgett in children's ministry; Markeyta Sconiers-Boone and Esther Kang leading us deeper and deeper into worship; Dennis Bourne and the prayer team always available to pray for people on Sundays; Erica Heller making sure everyone is fed on potluck Sundays; Brent Rolland and the crew making sure everything sounds good in that echo-y gym; Amy Calkin and all the folks who show up early to set-up and then clean up afterward; and Won Kim and our faithful community group leaders who lead us intentionally in the way of Jesus. There are many more of course, including the members of the leadership team and the ministry staff.

I'm thinking about more kids and more adults in Sunday service. (We're going to need to buy some more chairs next year!) I'm thinking as well of your generosity to Jackie Robinson Elementary School.

But mostly I'm thinking back over the smaller things, the little ways that we are each growing up in Jesus. There has been healing this year and reconciliation. There has been new depths of peace for some of us and greater steps of faith for others. Over these months the gospel has been shared and demonstrated to your family members, justice has been pursued in big and little ways, and those who've felt lonely have been invited in.

How about you? What has God done for you this year? Before the year is out, would you take a few minutes to reflect on God's faithfulness? We want to hear these stories! On Sunday, January 5, we'll have some time during the service for testimonies to God's faithfulness. I hope we can hear from you.

- Pastor David

Community Prayer Requests

1) 475 people have been killed in Chicago this year. Each of these tragic deaths represents ripples of grief and trauma through families and communities. Pray for those who mourn this Christmas season.

2) New Community Outreach, under Markeyta Boone's leadership, has applied for a significant grant that would allow us to expand the KEY Program into additional high schools in Bronzeville. Pray that, if God wills, NCO would receive all the funding we need for program expansion.

3) In the Central Conference (our region) of the Evangelical Covenant Church (our denomination), five new churches have been planted in 2019! Please pray for these young congregations and their leaders.

Year-end Giving Challenge: Bus Passes

Toward the end of each year we stretch for a financial giving challenge. This year our goal is to provide bus passes for refugee families served by World Relief. These passes allow families to take English classes as they get accustomed to their new home. Everything beyond our budgeted giving will go toward purchasing these passes. Below is a graphic of our progress as of Sunday. Don't know how to give at New Community? Check out this info sheet. Thanks for your generosity!

Calendar & Opportunities

Christmas Eve Service | Thursday, December 24; 6:30PM
Join us for our candlelight service at the Ministry Center, 3627 S. Cottage Grove.

Joint End of the Year Worship Service | Sunday, December 29; 9:30AM
We’re joining our friends at Glorious Light Church and Garden City Church for an end of the year celebration service.

Prayer Around The Schools | Saturday, January 4; 9:00AM
Join us at Kennicott for our monthly prayer walk around three local schools.

Potluck | Sunday, January 5
Please bring some food to share for our monthly potluck.

Membership Class | Saturdays, February 15 and 22; 4:00-6:00PM
If you're interested in pursuing membership at New Community or learning more about the church, please sign-up for these two sessions by emailing admin@newcommunitycovenant.com.

Church Anniversary Celebration | Saturday - Sunday, May 30-31
Save the dates for our 10-Year Anniversary Celebration!

Church Retreat | Friday - Sunday, June 19-21
Save the dates for our annual retreat at Covenant Harbor in Lake Geneva, WI.

Open AA Meeting | Thursdays; 7:00-8:00 PM
Sponsored by The Chicago Area Service Office of Alcoholics Anonymous, the meeting is open to all who desire to stop drinking and is held in Room 425 of Mercy Hospital (2525 South Michigan Avenue; 312-567-2000).

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