March 13, 2013

Dear Covenant family,

 

A favorite moment of my birthday is the traditional ‘breakfast in bed’. It has been a family tradition from Holland that I and my other siblings have all carried into our families. It is that much fun. It started this morning with the entire van Raalten gang singing ‘happy birthday’ as I received a tray filled with delicious breakfast goodies – home made cup of fruit & yoghurt, coffee, fresh squeezed juice, and….some candy. It wouldn’t be long before my sugar starved kids were negotiating participating in devouring some of the chocolate m&m’s on the plate. This time I let them have some candy, but sometimes we say ‘no’ to their ‘sugary’ requests. Why? It simply isn’t good for them.

 

This reminds me of Israel when they asked for a King. They wanted to be just like the other people around them, showcasing royalty and installing pride in their face-off with other nations. Yet God didn’t like their request as He wanted to be their only King. God himself felt rejected. The remarkable turn of events is that God actually gave them what they asked for. Like giving candy to the kids that shouldn’t get any.

 

Once again the story of Israel shows us our own hearts. Faced with the battles of our lives, it seems more logical to choose a King instead of fully living in trust in a God we can’t see. In our hearts we are masters of creating our own kings that we think will lead us to victory in life’s battles, only to discover that we don’t experience the freedom we long for or walk in pain and stress that shouldn’t be ours as Christians. The Good news is that Christ our King came and proclaimed that the truth would set us free! I pray that this Sunday we will discover some of our false kings, and as we are led away from them we would experience the freedom and joy that comes from serving only One King – Jesus

 

In preparation for Sunday, please read Chapter 10 of ‘the Story’. For those desiring further research: the complete story of this chapter can be found by reading the first 15 chapters of the book of 1 Samuel.

 

March 23 – Church Clean Up

Saturday, March 23 will be a church clean up time. All help is welcome. More details to follow.

 

April 7 – Growth Groups Unite during potluck after church

Save the Date: On Sunday, April 7 we will have a potluck lunch after church in which all three growth groups will unite for a joint growth group time. This is a great opportunity for anyone who is new to growth groups to experience what they are all about. We also plan to hear reports from the different groups and discuss what to do at growth groups this summer.

 

Missions: – Start Bible Club Fredericktown

Friday March 22nd is the scheduled start of a Bible club at Fredericktown Intermediate School. We are looking for someone to pick up snacks from the YFC office in Farmington and for LOTS of prayer support. The club will be every Friday from 3 to 4:30 p.m. If you are interested in helping please contact Kari van Raalten (561-4003)

Prayer & Praise Requests Individuals:

Mark Carr, Norm Smith, Kay Penfield, John Pierce, Gary Klemp, Wanda Pruett, Darlene Berg – healing and recovery

 

Church Calendar:

 

Wednesday, March 13

9:15 a.m. - “Moms In Touch” meeting at Snipits Salon; 915-9388

6. 00 – 6.45 p.m. Intercessory Prayer

7.00 p.m. Men’s Bible Study

7.00 p.m. Scripture Memorization

 

Thursday, March 14

6:45 a.m. – Prayer with Allyson – Farmington Middle School

 

Friday, March 15

1.30 Bible Study St. Francois Manor

 

Sunday, March 17

9.30 a.m.  Sunday School with Al & Jan Gainer – 2 Corinthians

10:45 a.m. Service – The Story, Chapter 10

Growth Groups meet:

South – potluck lunch after service at  John & Rebekah Pierce’s in Fredericktown

North – Sundays at 6 pm; call Bud & Donna at 631-3930 or 358-7994 for location

Central – Sundays at 6 pm, at Bill & Ann Bratberg, call 631-0555 for location

 

Monday, March 18

Women’s Bible Study with Beth Moore on ‘Patriarchs’ from 6.00 – 8.15 p.m.

 

Tuesday, March 19

Women’s Bible Study with Beth Moore on ‘Patriarchs’ from  9.00 -11.15 a.m.

 

Thursday, March 21

YFC Fundraising Banquet, The Factory, 6.30 p.m.

 

Nursery: Gwen

Cookies/clean up: Davis

Children’s Church: Crystal

Call to Worship/Missions Moment: Randy Stringer (?)

 

Mark Your Calendars:

March 23 – Church Clean Up

March 29 – Community Good Friday Service (Ministerial Alliance)

March 31 – Easter

May 3,4  – Men’s Retreat at 3 Hills Motel, Ozark Mountains