E-news for March 6-12, 2022

COMMUNION SUNDAY

March 6 is the first Sunday of the month, and we have the privilege of celebrating communion together. If you will be joining the service via live-stream, you are encouraged to prepare in advance.

ROMANS: POWER FOR SALVATION!

In this sermon series, we are continuing our study of foundational theological truths for the Christian life, from the sinfulness of humanity to the atoning work of Christ and the transforming power of the Spirit.   The Apostle Paul urges us to not simply know about the gospel, but to let it transform us and let God impact every aspect of our lives!

IMPORTANT DATES

  • Sunday, March 6 – Communion Sunday! Celebrate March Birthdays!
  • Wednesday, March 9 – Women’s Discipleship Lunch!
  • Thursday, March 10 – Midweek Fellowship/Bible Study!

ADULT CHRISTIAN FORMATION STUDY!

The adult Sunday School class is on a six-week journey, walking through the events of the last week of Christ, referred to as Holy Week. This is the most sacred time of the Christian year. Because of its centrality to the lives of Christians, understanding Holy Week matters! We are using the Gospel of Mark as an outline, with particular focus on the collision of two kingdoms—the kingdom of the world and the kingdom of God. Please join us on this journey to the Cross! We meet Sunday mornings at 8:45 a.m. in the Prayer Room. The class is led by various teachers.

COVID PROTOCOLS

We encourage everyone to continue to follow the CDC’s guidelines for indoor gatherings and to take whatever precautions you feel are necessary. Thank you all for your patience and understanding. 

MIDWEEK FELLOWSHIP!

Please plan to join us on Thursday, March 10! We will share a potluck meal at 6 p.m. and then break out for Bible Study from 7-8 p.m. Hope to see you there!

Potluck Details: If your last name begins with A-K, please bring a dessert; L-R, please bring a main dish; S-Z, please bring a side dish.

Bible Study Details: Come join your Midway Family as Gerald MacDicken continues this inspirational journey through these beautiful and inspiring songs of praise, thanksgiving, and lament. Participants are invited to rediscover, or see for the first time, why you can put your hope in Jesus, the Shepherd, Savior and King! If you have any questions, you may email Gerald MacDicken @ scotch51g@yahoo.com.

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE…

Creative excuses from lazy housemates: Vacuuming uses electricity. I’m helping you lower the utility bill by keeping the vacuum turned off! Birds fly into clear, sparkling windows. Maintaining dirty window panes is being kind to birds! The best way to keep a kitchen clean is not to cook in it, right? So we should just eat out tonight!

DIGGING DEEPER…

How much do you remember? Fill in the blanks from the box below.

  • Pastor Shaun preached from Romans 5:1-11 last week. He reminded us of the peace and ____ we have access to through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
  • Why on earth would a holy God offer sinful _________ the gift of a personal relationship with Him?
  • Because God is love! Romans 5:8 says, “While we were still wayward sinners and enemies of God, Christ died for us.” Our loving God knows we can’t save ourselves. Not wanting ________ to perish in their sins, He provided a substitute—His Son, Jesus Christ—to die in our place.
  • What is significant about ______ and joy?
  • For unbelievers, peace is a temporary ______, based entirely on outward circumstance.
  • For believers, peace is an enduring, inner calm—regardless of outward circumstance! How is this possible? Through the Holy ______ who dwells within us!
  • Similarly, anyone, believers and unbelievers alike, can experience joy when they sell their house, or get a promotion, or receive a clean bill of health, but what about when all the things they hold dear are suddenly destroyed or stripped away—what then? Is it still ________ to praise Him? Can they still have inner joy?
  • Absolutely and emphatically YES! We have reason to give God praise in our suffering because (1) we know that our suffering is producing godly character in us, and (2) our _____ is not on our present circumstances but on the glory to come.
  • What is that glory? The glorious day when Jesus, God’s Son, comes in all his glory to _______ us to Himself!
   possible         mankind          focus          Spirit        thing        joy          receive           peace     anyone               
 

DONATIONS FOR DES MOINES FOOD BANK

We have a donation bin in the Narthex where you can place food and non-food items for the Des Moines Food Bank. Following is a list of needed items:

FOOD–cereal, canned corn, fruit cups, pasta, low-sodium soup      

NON-FOOD–laundry detergent, pet food, toilet paper, diapers (size 4,5,6)

PRAISES/PRAYER REQUESTS

1. Praise that God’s Word gives instruction for every situation we encounter!

2. Continue to pray for the situation in Ukraine.

3. Continue to pray for all those in our Midway family who are facing health, housing, and financial challenges.          

4. Continue to pray for safety and health for the first responders in our communities.

5. Continue to pray for our nations and leaders around the world.

                                                                SERMON SCHEDULE

                                                      March 6: Rev. Shaun Higgins, Romans 5:12-21

                                                    March 13: Rev. Shaun Higgins, Romans 6:1-14

                                                    March 20: Rev. Shaun Higgins, Romans 6:15-23

                                                    March 27: Rev. Shaun Higgins, Romans 7:1-12

CHURCH & OFFICE INFORMATION

  • The Church Office is open Tuesday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Office phone number: 206-878-4861 // Office email: office@midwaycovenant.org     
  • Sunday Morning Bible Study: 8:45 a.m. in the Library
  • Sunday Morning Worship Service: 10:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary (or online at live.midcov.org)
  • Children’s Sunday School: 10:30 a.m. in upstairs classrooms
  • Women’s Discipleship Lunch Group: Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall
  • Men’s Bible Study Breakfast Group: Thursdays at 8:00 a.m. at Tuscany’s in Des Moines
  • Midweek Fellowship: Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall