Newsletter February 16, 2023

View this email in your browser if you're not seeing pictures included.

February 16, 2023

UPCOMING EVENTS & SERVICES

Friday, February 17, 9:30 am: Ladies' Lectio meets in Narthex (children welcome)
Friday, February 17, 4:30 PM: Family Fun Day at Westchester Lagoon
Sunday, February 19, 11 am: Worship Service. View previous services on our Facebook page, or listen on podcast.
Sunday, February 26: Potluck following morning worship service

CLICK ON LINKS BELOW TO SKIP TO DESIRED CONTENT (or on mobile device, scroll down)
Announcements
Pastor's Notes
Family Matters
Mission Spotlight
Giving

Link to Sunday Sermons

Need Prayer?

Use this form for
Prayer Requests

Pastor's Note

Greetings Church Family,

Coming soon will be Ash Wednesday (Feb 22). This marks the season of Lent, a traditional Christian liturgical season of fasting in preparation for Easter Celebrations. This year, we will not be having a traditional Ash Wednesday service, we will be having prayer and reflections stations around the sanctuary from 4:30-6:30. This will be a time for individuals, groups, or families to work their way around the stations in contemplation of our mortality, sin, and repentance.

After you finish working your way through the service, you are free to join the Worship and Potluck-- the potluck starts at 5:30 and the worship starts 6:30.

Just as a reminder, a new small group has started that will take a 6 week look at Apologetics. Space is limited, so please contact Matt Block to RSVP. Also coming up on February 23 is another 6 week small group that will be going through N.T. Wright's video series (and optional book) Surprised by Hope. Sign up by emailing me.

Finally we have several baptisms scheduled for February 25-- if you or someone in family are interested, please feel free to contact Pastor Kristi or me for more information. We are planning on having a potluck after the service in celebration.

Christ is King,

Pastor Criss

A New Weekly Bible Study Starting on February 23 at 6:30. Register here.

First Covenant
Family Fun Day

at Westchester Lagoon
Friday, February 17, 4:30-6:00 p.m.
Join us for some hot chocolate, smores and outdoor fun at Westchester Lagoon.

Prayer Partner Sign-Up

Sign up HERE to be a prayer partner with one of our great First Covenant kids. This ministry helps foster intergenerational connections while providing a support for kids in the relational and spiritual realm. Once paired, you will receive a picture and an information card about your prayer partner. Pastor Kristi will provide you with a prayer guide for praying for your partner. If you participated before, you will receive a new partner (and are encouraged to keep praying for the other.) We have approximately 30 kids.

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

MISSION SPOTLIGHT

First Covenant supports missions and ministries in Alaska and across the globe. This column spotlight one of those supported ministries each month.

Justice Organizing Interfaith Network (formerly AFACT) – JOIN’s mission is to work from the faith principles and values of its members, apply those values to community issues, and take democratic action to impact existing social structures for the common good of all citizens, particularly the poor and disenfranchised. JOIN empowers congregation members to address local issues which impact the lives of themselves and their members to bring change in local and state policies which reduce inequities and injustices. Past community efforts include advocating for Medicaid Expansion, Mental Health programs and community safety projects. If you are interested in participating in JOIN, contact Rebecca Gramm or Jane Atuk.

Keep up with First Covenant events, podcasts and more!

Download the Church Center App

iPhone or Mac go to:
apps.apple.com

Android or Windows go to:
play.google.com/store/apps

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.

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

Need Prayer? Use this form for prayer requests.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Upcoming Events:
- February 17, 4:30 PM: Family Fun Day AT Westchester Lagoon
- February 26: Potluck following morning worship service
- June 9-11, Family Camp at Chickaloon
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/givin g
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.