UPCOMING EVENTS & SERVICES
Friday, February 24, 9:30 am: Ladies' Lectio meets in Narthex (children welcome)
Sunday, February 26, 11 am: Worship Service and Baptisms. 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
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Pastor's Note
Greetings Church Family,
This Lenten season remember to pause, breathe, and pray.
Oh and don't forget there are baptisms and a potluck on Sunday.
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This Sunday, February 26, following the morning worship service.
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"Burying the Alleluia": a Lenten Practice
In the 40 days before Easter that we call Lent, we spend time to focus on ways we fall short of following Jesus. Hundreds of years ago churches started a tangible way to mark the beginning of Lent to honor the reflective nature of the season.This year, we will practice this old tradition called “Burying the Alleluia”.
“Alleluia” is a word of happiness and means “Praise the Lord!” To acknowledge the importance of being sad for the ways we don’t live for God and our deep need of God’s grace, we “bury” or “put away” the word Alleluia (and Hallelujah) when we meet together for worship over the next several weeks until Easter. Then on Easter Sunday, we will “raise the Alleluia” as we celebrate Christ’s Resurrection. Click HERE to download a printable coloring page for those in your family to color. Bring them to church during Lent to put in the "bury" box in the sanctuary until we "resurrect" them and decorate the sanctuary.
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Family Matters
During the season of Lent, we incorporate focus on three actions as part of our worship and contemplation: Pray, Fast, Give. During this season leading up to Easter, I'll be sharing some resources in each of these areas. As members of God's family, we have an incredible privilege to commune with our Father through prayer. However, like Brian shares in this video, sometimes our experience with prayer feels less like a privilege and more like a burden. I think you'll find this animated reflection to be a refreshing "refresher" on the practice of prayer. If you have school-aged children or teens at home, this might be a good video to watch together to talk about prayer.
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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.
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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.
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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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Need Prayer? Use this form for prayer requests.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Upcoming Events:
- February 26: Potluck following morning worship service
- April 28, Volunteer Appreciation Dinner
- May 23, End of School Picnic and Annual Chili Cookoff
- 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
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