COME TOGETHER SERMON SERIES!
This is Week 2 of our “Come Together” sermon series. Paul charges us in Ephesians to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Instead of separating over differences (in personalities, opinions, ideas, leadership styles, etc.), we are exhorted to bear with one another in love—with all humility, gentleness, and patience. How is that possible? How do we fulfill this mandate in a manner worthy of our calling?
FROM PASTOR SHAUN’S DESK…
Greetings Church,
In our efforts to grow spiritually, we are wanting to explore and discover the spiritual giftings of each member of our congregation. Thank you to each of you who have already contacted us! I want to keep encouraging those who feel led or gifted in certain areas to let us know so that we can put those gifts to good use. Also, for those desiring to become equipped to use your gift (that should be all of us), please reach out to us as well. Ephesians 4:11-13 tells us, “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”
Blessings on you all,
Pastor Shaun Higgins
FROM LOUELLA HANSON
My family and I are deeply grateful for the outpouring of sympathy and support received since Paul’s passing last month. Paul was a wonderful grandfather, father, brother, and husband to me for 62 years. Throughout our marriage the Lord gave us opportunity to develop lasting friendships with so many people and it has been a joy and encouragement to hear from so many of you during this time of bereavement. One of Paul’s passions was his work with Gideons International and the spread of God’s Word throughout the world. We are honored and humbled that nearly 300 Gideon Bibles have been donated in memory of Paul and his work with Gideons. We know that nothing would give him greater joy and honor than seeing God’s Word multiplied in his memory. Thank you, dear church family, for your outpoured love and concern during Paul’s departure and my health issues. Also, thank you for the lovely orchid plant. We take great comfort in your love and in the knowledge that Paul is in heaven where we will someday join him.
Many thanks,
Louella Hanson
AN INVITATION!
Our Ministerio friends are inviting us, the Midway church family, to join them tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 p.m. to celebrate being ministry partners here at Midway Community Covenant Church for 14 years now! They will have a celebratory service followed by delicious food in the Fellowship Hall!
HIGHLIGHTS FROM LEADERSHIP TEAM MEETING APRIL 11
The vision of an intracultural church:
- We were unanimous in not seeking more renters or in mergers with other churches and that we are pursuing ministry partners sharing the same space.
- A Congolese church is interested in becoming a ministry partner; our two Leadership Teams will meet on Tuesday, April 20.
- City of Rain, Spirit and Truth, Ministerio, and Midway Covenant will gather at Midway Covenant for a jointly led Pentecost Service Sunday, May 23, at 11 a.m.
- Approved a Kenyan women’s prayer group praying in our church two Saturday per month under Pastor Shaun’s supervision.
Reaching our community:
- Invitation postcard to immediate neighbors announcing new senior pastor went out last week. (Thank you, Lori-Lee, for all your hard work on this project!)
- Pursuing offering a Dave Ramsey financial planning program to both our church and community. Will be looking for interested teachers (no certification required).
Honoring the church as God’s house:
- Approved asking Ministerio to remove decayed playground equipment. Pursuing bids for new equipment.
- Approved bid for repainting parking lot lines.
- Pursuing permitting for using north lot for community gardening and/or park like area to eliminate high property taxes.
With deep gratitude, we note several gifts to Midway Covenant:
- Donation of Aydan Hoyt’s Eagle Scout project to provide picnic tables and benches for outdoor fellowship.
- Donation to cover furnace replacement expenses.
- Donation to update our front yard landscaping.
- Gift of $500 from the Karate club that meets in the Fellowship Hall.
Scheduled our Semi-Annual Meeting for Saturday, June 26, at 7 PM.
–Ruth Hill, Leadership Team Chair
DIGGING DEEPER
Fill in the blanks using the words in the box below.
Last Sunday, Pastor Shaun preached from Psalm 133:1-3. He spoke about unity and how challenging it can be to put into ________. What does it mean to live in unity as a church body? It doesn’t mean doing what Abraham and Lot did—parting ways because of quarrels and differing opinions. Yet we do that! We prioritize our baggage and differing opinions ______ coming together! We deem it reasonable to live separated lives, dragging our burdensome baggage around with us. We, as Christians, ___ that! Christ calls us to live worthy of our _______, to cut the cords of bondage to our baggage, and to come together with a mindset of how much we can learn from one another! As Covenanters, we say that we will agree on essentials but give space to disagree on non-essentials. That’s healthy! There is so much we can _____ from one another. It starts with wanting to understand where others are coming from.
| do learn practice calling above |
SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMS ARE BACK AT CASCADES CAMP!
After recently receiving some guidance from Washington State as to how we can safely operate this summer, we are officially welcoming campers back! Don’t miss out. Registration is now open for the following programs:
Rainier Kids Day Camp | 1st-6th grades
Rainier Kids #1: July 6-9 (Tue-Fri)
Rainier Kids #2: July 12-16 (Mon-Fri)
Rainier Kids #3: August 2-6 (Mon-Fri)
Rainier Kids #4: August 9-13 (Mon-Fri)
Brightwood Station | 4th-6th grades
July 25-29 (Sun-Thu)
Camp Timber Rock | 7th-9th grades
July 18-22 (Sun-Thu)
S.A.L.T. Program | 10th-12th grades
S.A.L.T. #1: July 5-15 (Mon-Thu)
S.A.L.T. #2: July 18-29 (Sun-Thu)
S.A.L.T. #3: August 1-12 (Sun-Thu)
ON THE LIGHTER SIDE…
Q: Who was the greatest investor in the Bible?
A: Noah. He was floating his stock while everybody else was in liquidation.
THANK YOU TO…
Dennis Brass and Rosemary Maulden for all of your TLC on the church grounds!
Dale Dowsing for transporting several boxes of donated food to the Des Moines Food Bank!
Marlys Dupleich for coordinating the repainting of stripes in the parking lot, and G.A. Jorgensen for doing such a professional job!
Ministerio friends for removing the old playground equipment from the play area!
Coe Scott for doing such a thorough cleaning job on Friday!
SERMON SCHEDULE
April 18: Rev. Shaun Higgins, Ephesians 4:1-6
April 25: Rev. Shaun Higgins, Colossians 3:9-15
May 2: Rev. Shaun Higgins, Acts 9:31; Revelation 7:9
CHURCH & OFFICE INFORMATION
- The Church Office is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Office phone number: 206-878-4861 // Office email: office@midwaycovenant.org
- Sunday Morning Worship Service: 10:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall (or online at live.midcov.org)
- Women’s Discipleship Lunch Group: Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall
- Men’s Bible Study Breakfast Group: Thursdays at 9:00 a.m. at Tuscany’s in Des Moines
- The Clothing Bank is closed.