There is a lot of excitement building at Edina Covenant as two groups prepare to head out into different parts of

the world as ambassadors of God’s love.

The youth group is embarking on a trip in June to work with and serve the people of Chicago, and to grow in God’s love.

An adult group is making the trek to Bukoba, Tanzania, in July to create sustainable relationships with the people of this region.

While these two trips will look very different, the both fulfill two of our Core Values at Edina Covenant:

Generosity:God calls His people to reflect His lavish love. We give because we have received the abundant and unconditional love of God. We offer our time, skills, and money as we partner with God’s movement in Edina, the Twin Cities and around the world.

Renewal:Jesus announced God’s intention to make all things new through the

A publication of Edina Covenant Church JUNE/JULY 2013

PASTOR BEN WRITES

Summer in Minnesota is treasured time—especially this year since we didn’t get a spring! We save vacation days all winter long in order to spend them on trips around our great state. Or we spend lazy afternoons floating around in our boat making the occasional cast for a hungry bass.

Because of this seasonal shift toward relaxation and vacation, we often get lazy in our church attendance. I understand. Trust me, I do. I’m the one in the boat!

I’m not offended when you don’t come to church on Sunday morning. God certainly won’t abandon you if you sleep in. We want you here for the standard reasons: the value of corporate worship, spiritual growth, and building community. During the summer months a new reason gets added. Visitors need you here.

Summer is shopping season for would-be members of our community. It is the ideal time for our church to continue to reach toward our attendance goals for the coming year. If you aren’t here, our visitors miss out on who we truly are.

We are an amazing community. God continues to renew us individually and as a group. I would like more people to benefit from this and join the movement.

If you are in town, please be here. When it’s 75 and sunny it is a sacrifice to go inside and worship. Be assured that your presence will not only bring transformation to your life, but also to the life of our community.

texpanding Kingdom of God. We experience this renewal personally and together when we follow Christ’s moral standard, engage in spiritual disciplines, and embrace lifelong spiritual growth.

Our church family has already done an excellent job showing generosity by supporting these two groups both financially, with their time, skills and in prayer.

Everyone, whether they be the actual participants in the mission trips, the church members, or the supporting friends and family are working toward expanding the Kingdom of God by supporting these trips. Please keep these two groups in your thoughts and prayers this summer.

By Jessica Solberg, Missions DeaconMISSIONS

SUMMER MISSIONS ARE ALIVE AT EDINA COVENANT!

Edina Covenant Church June/July 2013

Convertibles. Thirsty people. Marching bands. Summer parade season has snuck up on us. All that late-spring snow makes it difficult to believe that we are in the works to pull together our annual 4th of July

Parade extravaganza.

This has become an extremely fun tradition where we have a chance to serve our community during Edina’s 4th of July parade. People line the streets for the event, setting out blankets and chairs early in the morning. It brings quite a crowd! We bring in a couple bouncy houses and set them up on the front lawn, serve-up ice-cold water and freezies (while they last and before they melt), and paint faces for kids and kids-at-heart.

Probably my favorite part of this event is continually telling people it is FREE. While some people have become accustomed to our presence and tradition of reflecting God’s love to our neighbors, no strings attached, I love seeing people’s faces when you tell them “no charge, it’s our church’s gift to you!” Last year, it was especially hot and we handed out gallons upon gallons of water. It’s our opportunity to reflect our Core Value of “Generosity” in our local community.

For those of you who have not participated in this event before, it is a blast. It also takes many hands to pull-off the event. I hope you’ll consider coming to church on the 4th from 9 a.m. to Noon. If the weather mirrors last year, we can work up a sweat and a sunburn together!

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By Anna Swanson Discipleship & Outreach Deacon

4TH OF JULY PARADE

Edina Covenant Church represented the vitality movement led by Jon Kramka at the Northwest Conference by sharing in a panel discussion at

this year’s annual meeting. Brandon Peterson and Pastor Ben shared insights and information from our experience of moving from a church on the brink of closing to a vibrant, ministering community. Speaking about culture change in the church, Ben shared how the past 7 years have been a “long change toward a good direction.” Now that the church sails straight it can embark on a “long obedience in the same direction.”

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By Anna Swanson Discipleship & Outreach Deacon

By Karna Markson, Children’s Ministry Deacon

DISCIPLESHIP & OUTREACH

You’ve probably heard by now that the church has been undergoing a Strategic Planning process over the past year. Now it is time for us to put all that planning into action! This ministry year we have a goal of including at

least half of our community in two outreach activities—we already have our established Loaves & Fishes bi-monthly activity. While we have a dedicated group of volunteers for that event, new faces are always welcome!

In addition to Loaves & Fishes, we will be offering at least six additional ways we can get involved in our community and show God’s love to our neighbors. Look for a survey this fall that will ask you to help identify places where we might engage our community. And if you have an idea, please share it with me!

Discipleship & Outreach isn’t just outwardly focused ... we seek to grow as a church community together. Ideas are always swirling around, but one idea would be for us to engage in a more substantial after-church “Lunch on the Lawn” event, or other fellowship activity, that would allow us to spend more time growing deeper together as a community.

Another one of our Core Values that we identified through the Strategic Planning process is “Authenticity.” We seek to find ways to be real with one another and connect with each other in every aspect of our lives. I don’t know about you, but I love sharing a meal with friends and family. It serves as a wonderful connection point. I look forward to joining with you during this upcoming ministry year. I hope you will jump-in and participate with us in our growth as a church body and in the community at-large.

edinacov.org p 952.920.9188

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SUMMER FUN!

Summer is right around the corner—we hope! And with that brings some exciting new opportunities for our

church family. When I think of summer, some things I think of are good family times, sharing a BBQ, games outside, enjoying warm evenings, sharing in good conversations. This summer at Edina Covenant we will be introducing some new events for children and families that will include these things.

I am really excited about special family events we will be having twice a month this summer. We will be gathering the second and fourth Wednesdays of

the month to share time together as a church family. The first night will be on June 12 where we will meet at Arden Park, at 6:30 p.m. We will provide snacks and treats to share. Please bring your own picnic dinner if desired.

Our theme for the first family fun night will be games. Come ready to play kickball, Frisbee and other games with the kids! We encourage you to invite other family, friends and neighbors to join us! The next family night will be June 26, gathering at church. We will be meeting at Arden Park for three of the gatherings to join with other church friends while they play ultimate Frisbee and share in a life group.

Each night will have a kid-friendly theme, so watch the weekly emails and bulletin to give you the heads up for what it will be on the upcoming Wednesday! I want to remind you that all ages are welcome. We want this to be a time when kids, families and adults can play together!

I love that our church family is truly that—a family! I see the children of our church being loved on by many more than just their mom or dad! We truly are the “village” raising them, so come make some good memories together this summer! I hope to see you at Arden Park, or church, the second and fourth Wednesdays of June, July and August!

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CHURCH STAFF

PastorRev. Ben Swanson

Director of Worship & Ministry DevelopmentAaron Markson

Office AdministratorJodi Swanson

MaintenanceRoger Nelson

ULTIMATE FRISBEE LIFE GROUP

Wednesdays, 6 p.m. – Arden Park, Edina MN

There is a group that gathers on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. to have fun and build community through a weekly Ultimate Frisbee game at Arden Park in Edina. No RSVP needed. The only requirements to participate are shoes you can run in and a good attitude.

If you have any ques-tions, please contact Dave Solberg at 612-501-8486 or soda0403@yahoo.com.

A community of people connecting with God and each other, growing deeper in Christ, and becoming absorbed in his mission.

Worship Service 10:00 a.m.

4201 W. 50th St. Edina, MN 55424

www.edinacov.org952.920.9188

DID YOU KNOW?NEW Women’s Bible StudyDaniel: Lives of Integrity, Words of ProphecyTuesdays, 10 a.m. starting June 11

Join other women in a ten-week faith-building study of prophecy and learn how to live with integrity in today’s self-absorbed society. Please sign up and purchase a $15 workbook through Lisa Bonello at 612-867-7131 or lisabonello@mac.com. Babysitting is free!

Summer Fun EventsJoin us for family-friendly events at 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays through August (6/12, 6/26, 7/10, 7/24, 8/14, 8/28). There will be activities for all ages, food, games and lots of time to be together.

• Bring your own food to grill.• The church will provide sides,

drinks & dessert.

• Kickball, badminton, soccer, & other games to play.

• ALL are welcome, not just those with kids.

Children’s Summer Schedule – Sunday morningEach Sunday morning in the summer, we will be providing nursery care for kids up to 5 years of age. Ages 6 and up will remain in the worship service with adults.

Loaves & FishesTuesday, June 18 – 5 p.m.Contact: Rebecca Siftar

Pizza with the PastorSunday, June 23 – 11:30 a.m.

Congregational MeetingSunday, June 30 – 11:30 a.m.

Edina July 4th Parade & FunThursday, July 4 – 9 a.m.