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September 15, 2022

UPCOMING EVENTS & SERVICES

Sunday, September 18, 11 am: Worship Service & Children's Church through 6th grade resumes

Sunday, September 18, 11 am: The Sunday morning worship service will be broadcast 'Live' on our our Facebook page, or listen on podcast.

Click here for Cold Weather Shelter needs

CLICK ON LINKS BELOW TO SKIP TO DESIRED CONTENT (or on mobile device, scroll down)
Announcements
Pastor's Notes
Ministry and Evangelism
Giving

Link to Sunday Sermons

Need Prayer?

Use this form for
Prayer Requests

We're taking a physical!

Pastor's Notes

Greetings Church family,

I'm very excited to welcome Pastor Phil Cannon and his family as our guests this Sunday. He will be giving the sermon and an update on the Mountain View Hope church plant.

There is still another week to participate in our PH Check! This is a short online survey that will allow you to help us discern how we are serving as a church and evaluate if there are any areas that might be a little "sick" and require attention.

We will have a few laptops and tablets available for people to fill out the survey, after the service, but you can always fill it out on your smartphone or computer right now! The survey is for everyone, including high school and middle school students.

Feel free to check out the video above for more details. The survey will be up until September 23.

Also-- we are still looking for volunteers for the Emergency Cold Weather Shelter. Not all the volunteers have to spend the night (though we do need a few more folks to do that). There are lots of ways you can serve. Check out the announcement in this newsletter for more details.

And as you probably know, we are still looking for a youth director. Feel free to send a copy of the job description to any qualified candidates!

Christ is King,

Pastor Criss

Click HERE to register.

First Covenant will be joining other churches in Anchorage to provide safe sleeping places for homeless families starting October 1. Our church will be made available on the 2nd and 4th Thursday between 5 pm Thursday evening and 8 am Friday morning.

We are still in need of a few more volunteers for overnight. If you are able to stay at the church one night per month, please contact Rebecca (907) 347-9534, voice or text. In addition to volunteers we are in need of the following items. Many can be found by the case at Costco.

Individual servings of applesauce, soup cups, mac'n cheese, instant oatmeal, breakfast bars
Instant packages of hot chocolate and hot cider
Chlorox wipes
Small disposable diapers (size 1 or 2)
Fleece blankets - twin bed size only
Toothbrushes and small tubes of toothpaste
Winter coats, hats and gloves (new or in excellent condition)
Gift Certificates to Goodwill or Value Village
Donations of money

Volunteers must be 18 years or older. Background checks are required of all volunteers. If you are interested in assisting in this essential community effort or have any questions, please contact Rebecca at office@anchoragefirstcovenant.com or on her cell at 907-347-9534.

Registration is open for the Statewide Covenant Women's Retreat to be held September 23-25, at North Star Bible Camp in Willow. Click HERE for more information and registration form. Sunday, September 18 is the last day of regular registration. You can pay on arrival, registration must be received by Sept. 18 to get the regular registration rate.

Welcome Solen Gustafson!

Eric and Kara welcomed their son Solen into their family at 6 a.m. on September 13. You're invited to support the family as they adjust to being a foursome via meal delivery. Click HERE to see the mealtrain that is organizing delivery.

Just a reminder - you can access the Sunday Kids' Bulletins and other seasonal kid's projects here. There are also other kids' materials available here.

Keep up with First Covenant events, podcasts and more!

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Ministry and Evangelism Update

C.O.F.F.E.E. Acronym Series

The 5th acronym is C.O.F.F.E.E.- "Christ Offers Fight For Everyone Everywhere."

C.O.F.F.E.E. - Christ Offers “Fight” For Everyone Everywhere.
This is the 5th Coffee acronym. In looking at Matthew 10:34-39 we’re in for a big surprise. As much as we like to think faith in Jesus is peaches and cream yet we often create tension because others, even family members, are disturbed about having to face us and Jesus about sin.

Some people don’t like to think of themselves as sinners in need of a savior, no. At times this brings not peace but, as Jesus says, a sword. We know a sword is used in combat; it’s a weapon to fight with in either self-defense or in offensive tactics. Have you found this to be true? Has your family or some friends and acquaintances become irritated, agitated, or even argumentative about the subject of Jesus? In some Jewish families some members are disowned because of their personal faith in Jesus and in various places in our world some who have faith in Jesus are severely persecuted even to the point of death.

So, truthfully put, though we experience peace with God and his family, yet there’s is no peace with others who have no faith in Jesus. This usually is where the “fight” occurs.

Love In Christ,
Vince and Laura Eben
Interim pastors for the Covenant Church.

1st acronym is C.O.F.F.E.E. - "Christ Offers Forgiveness For Everyone Everywhere.”

2nd acronym is C.O.F.F.E.E. - “Christ Offers Food For Everyone Everywhere.”

3rd acronym is C.O.F.F.E.E.- "Christ Offers Fellowship For Everyone Everywhere."

4th acronym is C.O.F.F.E.E.- "Christ Offers Freedom For Everyone Everywhere."

CANCELED - Wednesday evenings at 7 pm, discussion on missions and evangelism while Pastor Vince and Laura are in Golovin.

Consider a donation to the Alaska Conference Village Pastor Fund. As many village churches are not able to provide all that is needed in funding salary, health insurance and pension, moneys from this fund are used to subsidize these needs. To give to this fund, click on this link:

https://www.alaskacovenant.org/village-pastor-fund/.

Sermons are now available on the podcast app of your choice. Go to: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-covenant-church-of-anchorage/id1565995022 or search for First Covenant Church of Anchorage in your favorite podcast app.

COVID AND MASK UPDATE

Our policy is to defer to the Municipality of Anchorage's mask guidelines for Sunday Service and adult events. For Children's Church and Youth Group we defer to the Anchorage School District's policy. Vaccinations are strongly recommended for all who are eligible. Please contact the church if you require help obtaining a vaccine.

Click on the Home Altar picture to view Home Altar weekly online or to sign up for a weekly Home Altar email.

A podcast exploring what it means to be Covenant

A collaboration between Make and Deepen Disciples and the Covenant Companion, join hosts Jane Chao Pomeroy and Cathy Norman Peterson as they explore all there is to love about being Covenant. Join us for conversations about our shared Covenant story and distinctives as we move toward our future together as mission friends. On Apple or Spotify

Need Prayer? Use this form for prayer requests.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Upcoming Events:
- September 11 - Children's Church starts
- September 23-25 - Women's Retreat
- September 23-25 - CYAK Retreat
Prayer Chain: Do you feel called to be in prayer for others? You may join our prayer chain and receive email prayer requests. Contact Rebecca at office@anchoragefirstcovenant.com to become a prayer chain partner. These prayer requests are held in confidence by the prayer chain members.
Want to help out during Worship Services? We are in need of nursery volunteers, song leaders, musicians, audio & video assistance, greeters and more. If you are feeling led to take a more active role, see Pastor Criss, Pastor Kristi or contact the church at: office@anchoragefirstcovenant.com or 907-277-3322
Would you consider serving in our congregational care ministry as we seek to care for each other well. Pastor Criss is looking for people willing to call 3-5 people each week as part of our Care and Connect team. We often set up meal deliveries. Email criss@anchoragefirstcovenant.com.
Music, Videos and Bible Lessons are available on RightNow Media. Click on the RightNow picture next to the worship service calendar to go to RightNow Media and start searching. Not yet a member of RightNow Media? Use this link to become a member and receive access to free on-line videos: https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Account/Invite/FCCAlaska

Do you have announcements or items you would like included in this newsletter? Send an email to Rebecca Gramm, office@anchoragefirstcovenant.com or call Rebecca's cell: 907-347-9534.

Giving can be done in three easy ways:

Checks can be mailed to First Covenant Church, 1145 C Street, Anchorage 99501.
Give Online* at https://anchoragefirstcovenant.churchcenter.com/giving
Give via mobile. Send a text with the dollar amount you wish to give to 84321. This will prompt installation of a secure app through which you can give and communicate with the church.