UPCOMING EVENTS & SERVICES
Friday, October 7, 9:30 am: Ladies Lectio Group, Narthex (children welcome)
Sunday, October 9, 11 am: Worship Service & Children's Church through 6th grade
Sunday, October 9, 11 am: The Sunday morning worship service will be broadcast 'Live' on our Facebook page, or listen on podcast.
Sunday, October 9, 5-6:30 pm: Youth Group
Wednesday, October 12, 6 pm: Young Adult dinner & home group at Ivanoff's
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
Family Matters
Ministry and Evangelism
Giving
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Pastor Criss and his family are taking time off to attend a funeral and spend some time vacationing. Please keep them in your prayers as they travel. Pastor Kristi will be on call during this time. If you have need for care, contact the office at 907-277-3322 or 907-301-1552. If there is no answer, please leave a message and you will be contacted.
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a great little word study on "Love" in the New Testament
Pastor's Notes
Greetings Church family,
Many of us saw our bank account grow a little this week. With the rising costs of everything and the weirdness of the economy over the past few years I am sure that many of you already have plans for where and how your PFD is going to be spent. I know that I do as well. But I would encourage you to make sure you can answer this question: How are you going to be faithful with your PFD?
I am sure that by know you have heard about Typhoon Merbok and the devastation it had wrought in our Western Alaska communities. Though this storm has been a terrible tragedy and will have on going ramifications throughout the winter, this is an opportunity for us to be faithful to our calling to love our sisters and brothers in rural communities. Please consider giving to the Alaska Conference's Disaster Response fund or another reputable relief agency.
We have completed the Ph Check Survey and the board will be reviewing the results with Asst. Superintendent Brian Nanninga later in October.
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 |
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Elder's Coffee
Friday, October 28 - 11 a.m. at the church. Join us for coffee, snacks, fellowship and prayer. This gathering happens once a month. Bring a friend or neighbor. Call Rebecca at the office if you need a ride.
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Family Matters
The school year is well underway and the newness and excitement of the new routine is settling into the everyday routine. Adults and kids alike may be starting to fell the effects of shorter days and longer periods of darkness. This week's focus is on being proactive to affirm and encourage our kids, even when their attitudes and behavior are discouraging or disappointing. The featured articles consider how to build bridges after an argument and finding ways to affirm our love and belief in our children, even as we we are working to correct and discipline. Click HERE to read.
--Walking with you,
Pastor Kristi
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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.
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First Covenant will be joining other churches in Anchorage to provide safe sleeping places for homeless families starting October 1. Our volunteers will be assisting the family program on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays from 5 pm to 8 am on Friday morning.
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
- Clorox wipes
- Fleece blankets - twin bed size only
- 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.
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Ministry and Evangelism Update
C.O.F.F.E.E. Acronym Series
The 7th acronym is C.O.F.F.E.E.- "Christ Offers Family For Everyone Everywhere."
One of our favorite gospel songs is one that Pastor Keith Fullerton used to like to sing: “I’m So Glad I’m A Part Of The Family Of God” which expresses the joy of having been adopted into God’s Family. Paul the Apostle points this truth out in his letter to the Galatians ch.4:6 that because we are children of God we have the Spirit of God enabling us to call God “Father.” Isn’t this glorious?
I remember once when my wife & I camped in Nenana, AK we went to church on Sunday sitting in the back row. There was a little girl maybe 6 years old and she was dancing around her daddy’s knee saying over and over again, “Daddy, daddy, daddy.” What Joy she expressed about her daddy and that is an excellent picture of how we too can feel about God just because he’s our “Daddy.” We’re family - each of us a part of the Family Of God. Jesus is our elder brother and we are so close knit that we have the same Holy Spirit he had when he walked the earth. More than that our Father is Love and this makes us a Family Of Love!
Isn’t this totally awesome? Yes it is! We can share this with those around us wherever we are because when we share we share God and his love for others. Yes-“Christ Offers Family For Everyone Everywhere.” This can remind us of John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whosoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.” We can invite others into this Family of God. Amen.
Love In Christ, Vince & Laura Eben
Covenant Interim Pastors To The Villages of Alaska.
Quyana
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."
5th acronym is C.O.F.F.E.E.- "Christ Offers Fight For Everyone Everywhere."
6th acronym is C.O.F.F.E.E.- "Christ Offers Future For Everyone Everywhere."
CANCELED - Wednesday evenings at 7 pm, discussion on missions and evangelism while Pastor Vince and Laura are in Golovin.
Read about the disaster in Western Alaska and ways to help.
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:
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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.
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Click on the Home Altar picture to view Home Altar weekly online or to sign up for a weekly Home Altar email.
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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
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Need Prayer? Use this form for prayer requests.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Upcoming Events:
- October 28 - Elders' Coffee and Conversation
- December 11 - Joy Jubilee
- 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
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