The Edgebrook Messenger
Edgebrook Evangelical Covenant Church
6355 N. Spokane Avenue
Chicago, IL  60646
Phone:  773-763-4230
Fax:  763-2306
Website:  www.edgebrookcovenantchurch.org

Lent 2008:  From Where Are You to Finding Your Way Home

It is typical to associate the Lenten season with the idea of a journey, especially Jesus’ journey to the cross.  This year, we are taking a bit of a different approach, one that focuses more on our location – where we find ourselves – and how to find our way back to Jesus.  

The Gospel texts for the season of Lent find our Lord encountering different people in various places of need.  So, our midweek Lenten series will help us identify with the needs and location of these individuals and how Jesus speaks to their need and ours, calling us to trust him and follow him.  Each of our Wednesday night preachers will look at the Gospel texts from these perspectives.  Our Wednesday Lenten services begin at 7:15 PM and conclude at 8:00 PM.  Five of our six services will be preceded by a simple soup-n-bread supper in Fellowship Hall at 6:30 PM.  Childcare for infants thru 3rd grade is provided during our worship.  Here’s the schedule for these services:

Ash Wednesday, February 6 – 7:15 PM
Pastor Greg will preach from Matthew 4:1-11.  The sacrament of Holy Communion will be shared as well as the imposition of ashes for those desirous of such.  Anointing with oil and prayers for healing will also be offered.  (No Soup-n-Bread supper this evening.)

Wednesday, February 13 - 7:15 PM
Rev. Chris Pokorny, licensed Covenant lay minister and member of our church, will share from John 3:1-17 on Nicodemus, coming at night, fearful and confused.  Soup-n-bread at 6:30 PM.

Wednesday, February 20 – 7:15 PM
Rev. Amanda Olson, co-pastor of Grace Covenant Church, Chicago will preach from John 4:4-42 on the woman at the well, shunned and lonely.  Soup-n-bread at 6:30 PM.
(This is the 123rd Anniversary of the founding of the Evangelical Covenant Church!)

Wednesday, February 27 – 7:15 PM
Dr. Jim Bruckner, Professor of Old Testament at North Park Seminary will share from Luke 13:10-17 on the crippled woman, bound by her infirmity.  Anointing with oil and prayers for healing will be offered during this service.  Soup-n-bread at 6:30 PM.

Wednesday, March 5, - 7:15 PM
Dr. Carol Noren, Wesley Nelson Professor of Homiletics at North Park Seminary will preach from John 9:1-14 on the man born blind, assumed by others to be punished for sin.  
Soup-n-bread at 6:30 PM

Wednesday, March 12, 7:15 PM
Rev. Adam Philips, co-pastor of Resurrection Covenant Church, Chicago, will share from John 11:1-45 on the raising of Lazarus and those whose hope is deferred or defeated.  
Last Soup-n-Bread supper at 6:30 PM.

On Sunday mornings during Lent, my preaching will focus on finding our way home to Christ when we are depleted (Feb. 10th), distracted (Feb. 17th), despairing (Feb. 24th), doubting (Mar. 2nd) and divided (Mar. 9th).  One of the important resources in my preparation for these sermons will be the devotional we are reading together as a congregation, Oswald Chambers My Utmost for His Highest, so I encourage you to stay current in your reading and use of this devotional aide during the Lenten season.  

I look forward to exploring these themes together with you during this most important season.  By honestly acknowledging where we find ourselves, we can better hear Christ’s call to follow him to the cross…and beyond!  


12 Tidings from Nick in Alaska
1) "The Lord is not slow in  keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is   patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."  2 Peter 3:9 The following verses remind us that the world will end and a new heaven and a new earth will come forth, so we ought to live holy and godly lives, growing in grace and knowledge of Christ. Dinner conversation?

2) If anyone would like a paper copy of my first or second  newsletter, let me know - I have a few extras.
3) I am thankful for new used cross country skis and good snow!
4) Everyone here is excited and thankful that April Kunieda, Ruth Johnson (of Unalakleet, not from North Park) and Mary Rapp are jumping into different roles in ministry up here presently. Please pray that their gifts are used well, that they are edified in their service, that they adjust quickly, and make new friends with ease.
5) We have more than one college ministry site in need of someone to serve full time. There are still numerous village churches asking for youth workers. The students very much need youth workers. Please pray and let me know if you know anyone who might consider mission work up here.  We are hoping to find between five and ten people willing to serve beginning in the summer or fall.
6) We praise God that many Native young adults have expressed serious interest in serving with CYAK staff of late. Unfortunately, most are without home communities able to support their ministry financially; in the past year, we have only been able to support one full time worker. We are hoping to raise more  support in the coming year to make it possible for a few more gifted people to serve. Please pray for this need.
7) We are in the process of trying to make it easier for people to give to CYAK online with a monthly automatic online donation.  Let me know if you are interested in more information. Thanks to all - nearly all of my support is raised for the year!
8) Great things are happening in our local church.  We are in the process of moving into a new building next door that has been under construction for over 5 years (due to many complications).  We are having a church wide retreat next weekend and starting a mid-week common meal/time of study. The community is being built in good ways. I am thankful.
9) January appears to be the month of transitions. Our friends Adam and Shirleen London have moved to Soldotna to serve with AEC, and so Jessica and I will be working with the other volunteers at Arigaa to reallocate their good work of last fall amongst ourselves.  
10) I am seriously considering another year of service with CYAK. Please pray with me  considering if/in what capacity I will continue.

11) I have begun studying for the GRE, hoping to take the test in March.
12) Unnamed prayer request for two friends in the midst of a very difficult situation.

— Nick Bruckner

Edgebrook’s Got Talent! (or not!!)
Break out of the winter doldrums by coming to our first ever ALL CHURCH TALENT SHOW!  

People often remark just how much talent we have at our church.  Well, on Saturday, February 23rd we’ll get to see just how much there is!  This is a talent show for all ages!  Young and old alike and everyone in between.  If you’re a part of our church and can hum a tune, play a kazoo, recite some poetry, do magic tricks, tell a joke, play an instrument, or whatever, come join the fun and share your “talent”!  Maybe several of you will get together to put on a skit or be a lip-synch group!  We’ll have fun laughing together, being silly and discovering some unknown talents among us (or not!)

The number of people who sign up that night will determine the amount of time that you have to perform.  Remember, talents that aren’t really talent are     welcomed as well!  This is a time to be silly and laugh away the winter’s chill!
The fun will take place in our Chapel beginning at 6:30 PM.  Really yummy hot chocolate and coffee will be served.  The cost of admission?  Bring a plate of goodies to share!

Edgebrook’s got talent?  You bet!  But even better is the fun we’ll have sharing an evening of talent and not-really-talent together!

Winter Newcomers/ Inquirer’s/New Members Class Rescheduled
It seems as though our winter newcomers / new members class was too soon after the Christmas holidays to make it on people’s radar!  For this reason, the class has been rescheduled for the end of this month.

So, for anyone wanting to learn more about the basics of the Christian faith, about the Evangelical Covenant Church or about Edgebrook Covenant Church in particular, Leap Day (February 29) and March 1st are your days!  On Friday,          February 29th and Saturday, March 1st,  Pastor Greg will be teaching an Inquirers Class in the Anderson Room here at the church.  In addition to what you will learn and the fellowship with others you’ll enjoy, this class prepares you for church membership in our fellowship.

This is a two day class.  On Friday, February 29th the class will meet from 7 PM to 9:30 PM.  On Saturday, March 1st the class will continue, beginning at 8:30 AM and wrapping up by 12 noon.  Taking part in the class does not obligate you to join our church, but it will help you make an informed decision regarding that opportunity.

If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Pastor Greg at 773-763-4230 (church) or 773-774-9803 (home), or via e-mail at: edgebrookgreg@sbcglobal.net   We’re looking forward to a lively and enjoyable time together!

Thank You!
Dear pastor Greg and Carolers:

Thank you for coming to Covenant Village and singing Christmas carols to us.  Indeed, it was very uplifting!  Some of my neighbors heard you too, and they thought that was so nice of you to come out and sing.

Thank you for the very lovely poinsettia plant which I have been enjoying and also for the book “My Utmost for His Highest.”  I will be reading it daily.

Here is wishing every member of Edgebrook a very Happy New Year!  
— Marjorie M. Carlson

Dear Edgebrook Family,
The poinsettia you gave me is absolutely beautiful.  It didn’t suffer in the cold on the ride home from church on Sunday, and looks very healthy on the dining room table.  Many thanks for extending the beauty of Christmas for me.  
With love, Peg Kingsley

Dear Friends,
I very much enjoyed your carolers on Sunday.  It was such a nice big group and I was glad to see the children, too.  

The red poinsettia is so beautiful.  I will be enjoying it for a long time.  

I am thrilled to receive Oswald Chambers devotional book “My Utmost for His Highest.”  I must confess that I have not heard of Chambers but just after reading several pages, I am looking forward to including it in my daily devotions.

Thank you and bless you all.
— Eleanor Feldt

My dear Edgebrook Covenant Church family,
Words cannot express the gratitude I have for all the many expressions of kindness and care you have given me during my time of illness.  All the cards, visits, prayers, words of encouragement and love have sustained me in difficult days and given me hope for the days ahead.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.  You have truly shared Christ’s presence and love with me in so many wonderful ways.  Thank you.  
With much love and deep affection,   Ginny Ware


Edgebrook Women Ministries Update
Women Ministries Sunday is coming on February 10!  It’s  purpose is promote Women  Ministries and to unite with others in the Covenant to realize the vision of the current  Denominational Project — “Breaking the Chains.”   An explanation of the project will be presented in the worship service and a door offering will be      received.

In January, we began to celebrate the birthday of each mother who resides at Leland House.  Each ”birthday girl” receives a personalized note of encouragement, along with a potted plant, pineapple candle holder with candles (which represents hospitality) and a washcloth/soap bag made by our own Crafty Angels, hand  delivered on their special day.  The following excerpt was from the thank you note received from Carol Trott for the Leland House:

“Thank you so much for bringing flowers...for their birthdays.  Marjorie and Tamieka were delighted at such a wonderful surprise!”

The Women Ministries board members at Edgebrook are:  Barbara Agnello, Chair;  Ann-Helen Anderson; Mary Doucette; Lois Janken; and Candi Tepke, ex-officio.  If you have any  suggestions of programs or have any specific need we can help with, please contact one of us.


Christian Education Board Update
We are pleased to announce the addition of Sarah Cochran and Ben Jasmer as the new Xtreme Youth Group leaders for the Junior High students.  Sarah is a senior at NPU majoring in Youth Ministry and Ben is a graduate of CBC Ecuador and former NPU student.  These two young people are grounded in the Lord and have energy enough to keep up with our 7th and 8th graders.

Senior High Deep Freeze was a literal “freeze” with temperatures hovering in the single digits with wind chill below zero but that didn’t deter Beth Larson, Desi Bakken, Julia Bakken, and Jessi Jarosz from having a great time.

In just 18 months our students will have an opportunity to attend CHIC 2009.  It will be held in July at the University of Tennessee. This is a wonderful event for students who are entering 9th grade through 12th grades.  More information will be shared as it becomes available.

Continue to pray for the students in Confirmation class as they work toward completion of their studies in May. They have been a wonderful class of hard    working students who have a growing perspective on God’s work in their lives.

From Friendly Towers
Dear Chris and the Crafty Angels,
Thank you so much for thinking of the seniors at Friendly Towers and giving so generously for your time and talents to make their lives merrier for the season. A portion of the money you sent was used toward a very special meal for their      annual Christmas party.

We also plan to take all who wish to go to Old Country Buffet around Valentine's Day.

The remainder has been set aside for our activities program and will be used for fun "extras" that would not happen without your thoughtfulness. Many of the seniors at Friendly Towers were homeless before coming our way and have lost track of family. Outings to a movie and a meal, activities with crafts and reminiscing, all are so enriching in the lives of people who have so little connection.

On a personal note, I am the health director at Friendly Towers and also a member of the pastoral care team that serves our seniors. While our needs for supportive services and ministry are always provided, we see these "extras" to be so important in feeding the soul. We had been praying for the Lord to provide these things as well, and your unexpected and lavish gift so blessed us as Friendly Towers staff and pastoral caregivers. The Crafty Angels are an encouragement to us all.

Blessings,
Debra Strahan

Summer Camp Registration
It is cold outside, but now is the time to register for Summer Camp 2008.  Registration for Covenant Point Bible Camp in Iron River, MI or Covenant Harbor Bible Camp in Lake Geneva, WI is underway.  All campers who attended either camp last summer should have already received information in the mail to register for this coming summer.  If you need a registration form, brochures are on the literature table outside the church office.  If you need additional information, please contact Mary Doucette, our camp booster, at 773-775-7636.  Many camps are nearly full – so don’t delay – register today!  Early bird registration deadline is March 15!

Church Family Birthdays
1 – David Rudd
3 – Tom Hohenstein, Audrey Malone, Mark Malone
9 – Margaret Carlson
10 – Lisa Heyden
13 – Michele Garza
15 – Candi Tepke
16 – Phyllis Snodgrass
18 – Olaf van de Klashorst
19 – Deloris Kruse
22 – Karen Groot
27 – Nick Bruckner
28 – Peter Doucette, David Santrella, Eric English

Church Family Anniversaries
15 – Alice and Carl Schoeneberger
19 – Suzy and Bill Harper