The BRIDGE May 2016

Think About This: What can be more important to us as Christians, or to us as Christ’s church, than to teach the young to know and love God? Deuteronomy 6:4-7 makes this clear: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children.”

Mission Focus: Kids First is a vital outreach ministry of First Evangelical Covenant Church. In our church building, Monday through Friday, we do more than just house a ministry that cares for children of working families, as important as that may be. Parents are told up front that Kids First is unashamedly a Christian educational and caring ministry. Please pray regularly for Kids First

Director, Sara Voss, for the staff, for these children, and for their families. Pray that our Kids First staff members can teach children about Jesus, who He is and how He loves them, and that children learn to pray and to treat one another as Jesus taught us to do. What a blessing that our congregation can minister to children of our congregation, of other congregations, and of the unchurched in this way! If you would like to be involved this month in encouraging our Kids First staff and families, here are two opportunities: 1)help with their annual “Muffins With Mom” on Fri., My 6th, from 6:30-9:00 AM; or 2)bring washed and ready-to-eat whole strawberries to the parlor sometime between May 8-May 11. These will be packaged up and given to Kids First families on May 12th.

Missions Team: Did you read the April 10th bulletin insert describing opportunities for YOU to serve on a short term mission trip to Kenya or Thailand? Is God calling YOU? Please speak to a member of the Missions Team if the Holy Spirit is sparking your interest. Or maybe you just want to know more about what is involved in participating in a Mission Trip. Come on May 15th to meet the Velascos as they share in Sunday School and with the congregation about how Covenant Merge Ministries can prepare YOU to participate in God’s missions. (More on the Velascos visit below.)

Our Vision: We joyously share in Christ’s call to make disciples of all nations, showing his love for all people through participation in ministries of compassion, mercy, and justice and by sharing the Good News with people of different cultures and nations.

Alex and Amanda Velasco and their 3 children will worship with us on May 15. They

are members of Crossroads Covenant, our sister church in Greeley, CO and also

serve on the staff of Covenant's Merge Ministries.

Merge Ministries trains people, like you and me, to travel on short-term mission

trips in the US and around the world. They coordinate with receiving churches and

ministries to plan and organize mission experiences that are effective--for those

serving and those being served.

The Velascos will be meeting with adult and youth Sunday School classes and

participating in worship. Be sure to come on the 15th and meet the Velascos!

Art Gallery We will be accepting new works for the Inspiration Art Gallery on

Sunday, May 8, before or after church. Details are available in the application

forms in the Gallery.

New contact info for Jacob & Allison Gerber:

3119 Coffey Ave.

Bellevue, NE 68123 (emails and phone #’s unchanged)

Tuesday, May 10th, is Nebraska’s State Primary Election Day. Please be aware that First Covenant has been set as a polling place for voting (in the parlor area). As you probably know, polling places are open from 8:00AM—8:00PM. Don’t forget to vote!

As was announced on Sun., Apr. 24th, our new Director of Music in Worship is

Stephan Laboy. Stephan is classically trained on guitar and skilled and experienced in

music direction for choir/handbells. His references were very good, plus he is a disciple of

Jesus Christ.

Stephan grew up in the Evangelical Free church, on active duty in the National

Guard, connected with the Salvation Army, and has previous worship leading experience

with two United Methodist churches. He graduates in May from UNL and will begin working

at First Covenant after Memorial Day.

To get an idea of his skills and musicianship, you can look him up at www.stephanlaboy.com. If you

would like to see a full resume, there will be copies available in the parlor or the church office will gladly send

one to you.

FAMILY CAMP—JUNE 10-12 Deadline to register is Sunday, May 22nd Family Camp is not limited to members of First Covenant—feel free to invite friends, co-workers, family members, or others who may have an interest in attending. First time attendees will receive a $50 discount on a family registration. Family Camp 2016 includes: Guest speaker Win Jackson-Houwen. Ms. Jackson-Houwen has been described as "fun and high energy". She serves as the senior pastor of Life House Covenant Church in Longmont, CO. Comfortable lodging choices Outstanding food / annual "Junk Food Buffet" Back by popular demand, music will once again be provided by Dennis Miller and The Inspirations Free hot dog roast (with s'mores) for those exercising the Friday night option Lakeside Saturday night sunset campfire service Swimming in the lake or pool / water slide Zip line Climbing tower Canoeing Prime Time Fishing—fishing is great in June! Bring your kids or grandkids for a fishing adventure. If you need fishing equipment, bait, or even fishing lessons, they will be provided free upon request. Hiking/biking Top-notch children's playground Plenty of free time Create memories! Join us for Family Camp 2016. Brochures/registration forms are out on the parlor table.

Join with fellow Nebraskans on Thursday, May 5th, from noon—1:00 PM in the State Capitol Warner Chamber for the 65th anniversary of the National Day of Prayer.

Guest speaker will be Lt. Gov. Mike Foley; Lincoln Christian choral group “Image” will provide music. Free parking and shuttle available from Trinity Lutheran Church at 12th & H St.

MAY USHERS Mike Davidson; Syl Luhring

Youth Ushers: TBA

MAY GREETERS May 1—Mike & Jen Davidson May 8—Mike & Jen Davidson

May 15—Thurston & Marcee Baker May 22—Mike & Jen Davidson

May 29—Tim & Jen Wood

MAY HOSPITALITY HOSTS Alice Erickson; Lois Larson

MAY NURSERY WORKERS May 1—Susie Carlson; Chris & Jeralyn Klingenberg

May 8—Stephanie Westburg; Jen Wood May 15—Julie Anderson; Cindy and Sarah Heinzman

May 22—Deb Haas; Jane Wadell May 29—Cheri Staswick; Mia Watson

MAY CHILDREN’S WORSHIP HELPERS May 15—Jennifer Flynn

May 22—Nancy Wotruba

1st—Tiffany Wadell 1st—Stephanie Westburg 9th—Julie Anderson 12th—Paul Madvig 14th—Ellia Westburg 16th—Alicia Carlson 20th—Janet Harms 22nd—Diane Solee 22nd—Joy Walton 23rd—Ruth Reichel 25th—Judy Anderson 25th– Angie Johnson 26th—Joel Ebers 26th—Carie Miller 26th—Dennis Miller

General Fund Beginning Balance $15,120.51 Receipts 48,719.71 Expenses - 58,563.38 Ending Balance + $ 5,276.84

Building Maintenance Fund Beginning Balance $30,348.29 Receipts 5,116.90 Expenses - 3,200.00 Ending Balance + $32,265.19

MONTHLY FINANCIAL UPDATE (as of 3/31/16)

CONGRATULATIONS!! High School Graduates: College Graduates: Joyce Bingeman—Master of Fine Arts from

University of NE-Lincoln Joseph Stenberg—Doctor of Philosophy from

University of CO-Boulder Cheryl Swenson—Bachelor of Arts in Human

Relations from Doane College Kelsey Timme—Bachelor of Science in Animal

Science from University of Nebraska-Lincoln

AFTER CHURCH SNACKS We are looking for more

Snack People to help serve refreshments following the worship services. It is really

fun and easy to do: just grab a friend, go look at the

big calendar in the parlor kitchen and sign up for a couple of Sundays. We

would really like to get it all filled for the summer! For

questions, contact Irene Malzer or Sherri Erickson.

Amelia Baker Anna Carlson Chris Frerichs Everett Gutzmer Hunter James

Madi Klingenberg Logan Peterson Parker Sundquist Madison Weber