The Edgebrook Messenger - Edgebrook Covenant Church

Edgebrook Evangelical Covenant Church
6355 North Spokane Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60646
Phone: 773-763-4230
Fax: 773-763-2306
Website: www.edgebrookcovenantchurch.org

All Church Work Day Results

We had an amazing turnout for the May 30th all-church work day and we have the pictures to prove it! Many projects were completed - inside and out - thanks to the all who showed up to lend a hand. Additional improvements were made to the exterior of the church to further enhance the work that was done for Mikey Doucette's Eagle Scout project (flowers were planted, the church was power-washed, bushes were trimmed, windows were washed, spotlights were installed on the Leoti Avenue side of the church as well as one in the front of the church, the annex garage was cleaned and organized [thank you, Annie McCullah and Kris Bruckner!], a community garden was planted, etc.). In addition, teams of people worked inside to polish candlesticks and church pews, fix microphone wires, install new thermostats, and complete a host of other work. Thanks again to those who came to help. It was truly a beautiful day!

Edgebrook Women Ministries Update

Thank you to everyone who attended the Women Ministries Picnic and participated in the collection for the Central Conference Annual Project "Safety Net". A total of $475.00 has been collected. If you would like to donate to this project, you may place your gift in the offering plate, notated "Safety Net".

Pray for Our Campers

The Central Conference is blessed to have two amazing camps. Covenant Harbor Bible Camp in Lake Geneva, WI and Covenant Point Bible Camp in Iron River, MI. This summer the following students will be attending camp:

CHBC: Ana Hohenstein (June 21-27); Jessi Santrella (August 2-8); Mikey Doucette, Tony Ranieri and Ryan Santrella (August 2-12). Dezi Bakken, Julia Bakken and Jessi Jarosz will be serving on staff.
CPBC: Christian Baer (July 12-18); Colin Baer will be serving on staff.

Our 2009 Graduates

We congratulate all of our 2009 graduates from Edgebrook Covenant Church!

College and University Graduates

Julie Tepke -- Wheaton College Graduate School, Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology
Rob Lyke -- North Park Theological Seminary, Masters of Divinity
Chris Rudd -- University of Illinois, Bachelor of Science in Community Health (pre Physical Therapy)
Paulina Restrepo -- North Park University, Bachelor of Arts in Communications

High School Graduates

Colin Baer -- Maine South High School, attending Illinois State in the fall
Jessica Jarosz -- Niles West High School, attending North Park University in the fall
Eric Nelson -- Northside College Prep High School, attending University of Illinois in the fall
David Patterson -- Maine South High School, attending Oakton Community College Honors Scholar Program in the fall
Nichole Ranieri -- Rolling Meadows High School, attending Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan in the fall
Emily Rudd -- Von Steuben Metropolitan Science Center, attending University of Illinoisin the fall

Elementary School / Middle School Graduates

Tommy Bakken -- St. Andrews Lutheran School, attending Maine South High School in the fall
Matt Harper -- Wildwood Elementary School, attending Luther North High School in the fall
Ana Hohenstein -- Edgebrook Elementary School, attending the Northtown Academy in the fall.

Men's Summer Small Group

Guys, join Pastor Greg for a Men’s Summer Small Group! We’ll meet at the parsonage (6379 N. Nokomis Ave. – 1 blk. East and ½ blk. North of our church building) on Thursdays from 7:30 to 9 PM. We’ll read and discuss Tom Eisenman’s book Temptations Men Face: Straightforward Talk on Power, Money, Affairs, Perfectionism & Insensitivity (published by InterVarsity Press).

About the Book
Like a rushing current in a dark river, temptations flood all around us. Every believer has felt the undertow. And some, even some prominent Christian leaders, have not been able to keep their heads above the water. How can a man stand against these forces? How do men experience common temptations, and what can be done about them?

Tom Eisenman gives us a man's perspective on these and other tough issues. In straightforward language he honestly discusses the difficulties he and others have had in avoiding common stumbling blocks in the Christian walk. More than that, in a personal and practical way he shows how deliverance is possible even from besetting sins. He doesn't stop there. In a chapter for women he tells how they can assist their husbands and suggests what to do when a man resists help. Finally, Eisenman offers general strategies for all of us on how to oppose temptations and find freedom from the evil that binds us.

Schedule
June 11: Introduction
June 18: Chapter 1: Set Free
July 2: Chapter 2: The Temptation to be Macho
July 9: Chapter 3: The Temptation to Sexual Lust
July 16: Chapter 4: The Temptation to Have an Affair
July 23: Chapter 5: The Temptation to Wield Power
August 6: Chapter 6: The Temptation to Love Money
August 20: Chapter 7: The Temptation to be Perfect
August 27: Chapter 8: Deliverance
September. 3: Closing Celebration (Can you say Buffalo Wild Wings?!?)

Order your copy of the book from Amazon.com or Christianbook.com. Have questions or interested in coming? Let Pastor Greg know by calling 773-763-4230 or e-mailing him at edgebrookgreg@sbcglobal.net.

Good News Community Kitchen Update

The June 6th visit to the Good News Community Kitchen included Ann-Helen Anderson; Anita and Ana Hohenstein; Tom Whipple, Phil, Melissa and Emily Nelson; and Tony and Nancy Senatore.

The atmosphere at the Kitchen has been enhanced with a restaurant service approach. Trays have been replaced with dinner and dessert plates brought to the patrons by the volunteers. Table seating is by number and each table has a brightly colored tablecloth with individual placemats. In addition, the volunteers bring milk, water and coffee to the tables, which lends to a restaurant style atmosphere. Approximately 140 meals were served on the evening of our visit.

In addition to our donation of service to the patrons of GNCK, Linda Fusek generously donated a much needed meat slicer to a very appreciative staff. Food and beverage purchases totaled about $300.00 and a check for $150.00, which represented the remainder of donations received from Edgebrook’s family and friends over the last two months, was presented to the director. A big thank you to all who have contributed time, money and prayer to make this outreach possible, and a special thanks to Helen Watson, a Crafty Angel, and faithful contributor to this wonderful ministry.

Our next visit to GNCK will be on October 3rd, and we hope you’ll be able to share your time and talents.

Need Help? You Got It!

Summer is finally here, and your list of chores may be longer than your arm – and definitely longer than your available time, muscle strength, or attention span! Need help around the house this summer? Overwhelmed with too much yard work, basement/attic/garage clean outs, brush removal, interior or exterior painting, or odd jobs? You are in luck! Two of Edgebrook’s college students are available to do work around your home or yard this summer. You name it, they will probably do it – and at a reasonable hourly fee, negotiable based upon type of work performed.

Interested? Call Pete Doucette at 773-653-0228 or Zach Jarosz at 847-977-5994. You won’t regret it!

CHIC is Coming!

On Saturday, July 11th Blake Baer, Mady Baer, Julia Bakken, Mikey Doucette, Sarah and Brad Henry, Paige Luttrell, Charlie Mesimore, Bonnie Nelson, Emily Nelson, Jason Nelson, Tony Ranieri and Keith Stoker will board a coach bus and begin their travels to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville for CHIC 2009.

The Theme for CHIC 2009: UNDONE: It is an interesting thing to come in contact with the divine, for God does seem to undo the things that we have spent so much of our lives doing. The brilliant thing about that encounter is that after God has undone our work we are empowered to do all the undone work of the Kingdom. The students will have their days filled with seminars, service projects, excursions, free time, main stage and lots more.

Mady Baer thinks that "CHIC will be a spirtual high - where I will meet a lot of people."

Mikey Doucette thinks that "CHIC will be an amazing experience where kids will come to know God in a new way."

Please remember our students and counselors in your prayers. Pray specifically for safe travel, good health and that the experience will draw them closer to God. Ann-Helen Anderson will be serving on the Prayer Team at CHIC.

Children's Day Offering

The following have contributed to our special Children’s Day Offering in support of our Childcare Fund. A sincere thank you to all of you for your generous support.

Barbara Agnello -- In honor of: my loving grandchildren and the children of our church
Doris Ahlstedt -- In honor of: All the children at Edgebrook Covenant Church
Oscar and Eileen Anderson -- In honor of: Jessica, Matthew, Kaitlin, Samantha, Alex
Michael and Mary Doucette -- In honor of: Peter, Ashley & Michael Doucette; Stephanie, Nichole and Tony Ranieri; Rachel, Isabella and Nicholas Crimaldi; Jordon and Kilea McCants; Daniel, Cassandra, Ryan and Jessica Santrella; and our 2009 Confirmation Class: Tommy, Matt & Ana
Ashley Doucette -- In honor of: Mikey, Ryan, Cassie, Jessie, Nichole, Tony, Bella, Rachel, Nick, Kiley, Jordan and all the children I will be teaching at summer camp at Gordon Tech this summer
Chuck and Bunny Hughes -- In honor of: All the children at Edgebrook Covenant Church
Anita and Tom Hohenstein -- In honor of: all the wonderful Edgebrook children at Edgebrook Covenant Church
Lynn and Lois Janken -- In honor of: Blake and Grant Janken
Ralph and Peggy Kingsley -- In honor of: all our dear Edgebrook children and the invisible children of Uganda
Heather and Zak Kubit -- In honor of: Elizabeth Kubit Mor Mor and Grandpa Lind -- In honor of: Sofia Lind and Hanna Lind
Greg and Charlotte Mesimore -- In honor of: Grace and Abigail Williams and all our wonderful Edgebrook children!
Carolyn Pitezel -- In honor of: all of the Edgebrook children
Nancy and Tony Senatore -- In honor of: Asher Atkins
Scott and Patty Shepherd -- In honor of: Ben and Daniela Shepherd
Klyne and Phyllis Snodgrass -- In honor of: Caeden Snodgrass, and Gabriel, Ryland and Ethan Luberecki
Ginny Ware -- In honor of: all our great Edgebrook Covenant kids!

Wildwood Forest Vacation Bible School is Nearly Here!

For those of you who have already offered to help with VBS this year, thank you. For those who have not, it's still not too late to help out! We will be having a VBS volunteer meeting on Tuesday, July 7th at 7 PM at the church. Even if you can't help every night, any help would be appreciated and we will try to find just the right place for you to serve!

Help is needed before hand decorating our rooms and during the VBS week (Monday, August 10 thru Friday, August 14 from 6:30 PM to 9 PM) in a variety of ways.

If you are at all interested, please come to the July 7th meeting or contact one of us at the church office! Thank you!

— Pastor Greg, Sarah Henry & Ginny Ware - your 2009 VBS coordinators

Hi-Xtreme Summer Update

A look back on the 2008-2009 school year and a glimpse at the summer fun that is to come!

The first day of youth group in 2008 began with a certain set of skills. For Hi-League, they participated in the gladiatorial games, in which their swordsmanship and dance abilities were put to the test. Xtreme whipped up some gourmet pizzas and played the first game of Sardines of the year (there would be hundreds more to follow). On that day, we never would have imagined the crazy year ahead of us!

Through North Side Youth Collision, Edgebrook hosted a coffee house with musical guest The Least of These. We won goldfish (you're welcome parents) and built unimaginable Christmas houses out of Doritos and Cheeze Whiz. We played in a massive Broomball tournament and won Best Parody at our movie premiere of “The Office-Edgebrook Edition.” And still to come, we will be hosting a giant graduation party (bounce castle included)! Needless to say, thanks to the North Side Youth Collision, we were never bored.

But what about when it was just us here at Edgebrook? Over this past year we have learned about God as a sustainer and the importance of community. In our ‘Faces of God’ series we looked at God’s extreme love, anger, God as a rescuer and God as a mourner. Xtreme asked the tough questions and traveled through IJM’s series, “The Justice Mission,” learning that in order to love what God loves, we must also hate what God hates (oppression/injustice).

We experienced God through other people’s stories: Don the graffiti artist, Paul DeNai--the missionary, The Least of These--the musicians, and Kersti Bury--the student. We put action to our learning and participated in the work of God here on earth. We cleaned a local park, visited Breakthrough ministries, bagged groceries for Manna Ministries, and helped to raise awareness for the abducted child soldiers in Uganda and Sudan by participating in The Rescue. We worked together to create the new youth house in the annex, a space for worship, fun, and learning.

Looking back I pray only one thing for our youth here at Edgebrook. I pray that God was visible in everything that we did, so that you all might know Him a little better than you did before. Keep seeking Hi-League. Keep asking the tough question Xtreme. And always remember that love is an action and God loves you so very much.

Summer Calendar

July 8: Hiking @ Kankakee River State Park
9 AM-2 PM -- Just an hour outside of the city is a park laden with canyons, waterfalls, and woods. We will be traveling to Kankakee River State Park to do a little hiking and explore God’s incredible creation. Everyone must pack their own lunch, bring comfortable clothes and shoes, and be on time to leave Edgebrook at 9 AM.
July 11-17: CHIC
For more information please contact Mary Doucette.
July 25: Six Flags Day!
9:30 AM-9:30PM Cost $30 -- Who doesn't like Six Flags?? Saturday, July 25 we will meet the church at 9:30 AM and drive together. Please contact Sarah Henry if you are interested in driving or attending. All money is due July 10 so the proper amount of tickets can be ordered. Permission slips are required.
July 31: Benefit Concert --
Paige Luttrell is planning a benefit concert in support of the efforts of the Invisible Children. Come out and live the love of God here on earth. These children need a voice. Will you hear them? Will you answer? More information to come.
August 2-7: Xtreme Mission Trip
For more information please contact Sarah Henry.
August 28: Soccer Game!
6:30-8:30 PM @ Edgebrook Covenant Church -- Bring your friends and play some soccer at Edgebrook. It is okay if you're not that great, have fun with it, or come and cheer on your friends.

Update from the Restrepos in Spain

Dear praying friends and supporters,

We consider it a real privilege to represent you in the Lord’s work here in Spain. Your faithful partnership with us is very much appreciated.

Ministry Update

Let me introduce you to Edgar (photo above). He made a profession of faith a year and a half ago. He had been involved in drug abuse, his mother died of cancer three years ago and his father suffers from schizophrenia. Recently, Edgar preached his very first sermon to the youth group and he did a great job! He has been in Eugenio’s discipleship group and wants to be a pastor someday. Would you pray for Edgar?

Discipleship Group

We are putting great emphasis this year on forming disciples of Christ. We believe in the Great Commission, which is a radical call of obedience to present complete people in Christ as disciples to the nations. It is a call that goes beyond having a building that is full for Sunday worship, or a nice church program, or a beautiful concert.... Jesus made disciples and devoted his life to fulfill that mission.

Arts and Ministry

We continue to be encouraged by the arts outreach. Emil, Julia, and Pia organized an art show that involved music, sculpture, visual arts, dance, and painting in our church building to reach out to the community. About 120 people attended this event.

Family Update

We’re looking forward to being at Paulina’s graduation ceremony on May 9, at North Park University (NPU). It seems like just yesterday she was entering Peterson Elementary School, just a few blocks from North Park Church. Efy has been accepted and has decided to enroll as a freshman at NPU next fall. He will also play soccer with the university’s soccer team. As you can see, we are entering the so called “empty nest” period. If you have any good advice about that, please share it with us!

What's Ahead... Roma Project

The Gypsy/Roma project is recruiting volunteers to serve the Gypsy/Roma community for a health fair on July 11.
Pia is meeting with women every week after aerobic class to share about Christ with them over coffee.
The development of the Flamenco music group to enhance the relationship with the Gypsy/Roma community. Please pray for a keen sense of unity and a sharing of gifts and skills among Gypsies and Payos (non-Gypsies) to end discrimination.

PRAISE GOD FOR...

A new meeting room equipped specifically for counseling and therapy.
Loli and Pepe who received Christ and are in the discipleship group.
Juan who is growing in faith, even after divorce.
The successful children’s worship service that Pia is running in the church.
The development of the Gypsy/Roma project.

PLEASE PRAY FOR…

Paulina’s graduation ceremony at North Park University on May 9.
Financial provision for us to be at Paulina’s graduation ceremony.
Pia’s surgery on May 28.
A fresh spirit in the leadership team that meets every Tuesday.
Financial provision for the families in our church due to the economic crisis.
Spiritual transformation resulting in a life committed to Christ for: Adrian, Dani, Karla, Edgar, Emanuel, Juan Carlos, and Jacqueline. They are members of the discipleship group.
A friend who is going through a personal crisis of rejection at her job.
Pia’s preparation for teaching Sunday school teachers during the annual FIEIDE gathering on June 26.
The Gypsy/Roma health fair on July 11.
No more chilling... We have a need for a heating and cooling system in our home. We experienced a very cold winter and we need to be equipped for the next season. Contributions can be made to:
Covenant World Mission
5101 N. Francisco Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
   Memo: Heating for the Restrepos in Spain
   E-mail: world.mission@covchurch.org
   Phone: 773-907-3316

Why have a Gypsy/Roma health fair?

Infant mortality is 1.4 times higher among the Roma/Gypsy than the national average.
This is a high-risk group for congenital malformations.
High fecundity and pregnancies, and child bearing at a very early age.
Inadequate vaccinations for children.
High rate of cardiovascular problems.
Self medication abuse.
Poor diet means a poor immune system.
Poor dental care among children.
Hepatitis B and C, and HIV are also health issues in the Gypsy/Roma community.
(Source: Dueñas & Reig, 1997)

Eugenio & Pia Restrepo
Serving Him, with you, in Málaga, Spain

Update from the Clausons in Mexico

As we prepare for our 8 month home assignment, we realize how blessed we are by our fellow team members and the many volunteers God has brought together to serve at the Family Development Foundation (FDF). Some of these volunteers come with well developed skills and others with servant hearts ready to learn; most importantly all of them are committed to Jesus and the vision of the FDF. We would like to share with you some of these great people and ask that you join us in prayer for them as they will be taking on even more responsibility as we go on home assignment.

Sandra is a very talented young woman who, after serving with her husband Alberto in FDF three years ago, returned to Monterrey last October. She has been a huge blessing to us, as she has been committed to praying with us for the youth club, developing relationships with the kids and facilitating some of the values classes. We are so excited that she has agreed to take over the position of youth club coordinator! She is a natural leader and teacher and has already made many strong connections with the youth.

Alex has served with Covenant Merge Ministries for many years and is currently in the process of becoming a Covenant missionary. His main focus will continue to be with Merge, but since January he has been helping teach a computer class, along with some English, to the youth club twice a month. He’s also started video game nights, which the kids have really enjoyed and it gives them a space to have fun and laugh together and build stronger relationships with each other and FDF staff and volunteers.

Joel is a young man from DeKalb, IL who has been helping Alex with Merge and has also been involved with the computer class and video game nights. He is in the process of discerning how God is calling him to serve Him, whether continuing in Mexico or elsewhere.

Marcela is an art teacher who has helped with art activities for the kids of Project Down for years and is now offering art classes to the kids and teens of the Dos Cerros community ministry.

Finally, one of the things Erika has enjoyed the most this last year has been the informal leadership development/mentoring among several of the teenage girls from the youth club. Abigail, Liliana, Rosalinda, among others, have been a huge help in running the English Club for the younger children. They have been in charge of registration, receiving payments, basically acting as the treasurers and secretaries of the English Club. They have also been faithful volunteers with Project Down once a month.

These are just a few of the many amazing volunteers God has sent to serve with FDF. In fact, later this month we will have a dinner to honor and thank all the volunteers and as we created the invite list the number of volunteers was over 50!

Upcoming things to be praying for:

FDF Annual Planning Retreat. We will be spending time as a team in prayer and planning for the next year.
Youth Camp. Our first ever camping trip with the youth, many of whom have never been camping or spent a weekend outside of the city. This will be a joint effort as we will be integrating our youth club with the Awana youth from Gualterio’s Covenant church plant on the other side of the city.
Amy Mullin is a Covenant missionary who is finishing up her support raising and in June will be leaving for language school before coming to join the work in Monterrey.
Director of the FDF. As you know Nils has been serving as the interim director for two years now and so we ask you to pray that we will be able to coordinate as a team how to best distribute his responsibilities while we are away and that soon we would find and be able to support a national director.
Home Assignment. We will be spending August 2008 to April 2009 in the US visiting churches and preparing for the change from project to long term missionaries. We ask your prayers for the details of leaving things in order here and making the transition with our kids to life in the US.

Our praises of thanksgiving go up to our Heavenly Father for you! Thank you for partnering with us as together we advance God’s kingdom locally and globally.

Love,
Erika, Nils, Matías and Lucas

Nick Bruckner's Update from Alaska

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this in gentleness and respect.”
– 1 Peter 3:15

A summary of the past two months:

In April I took five Job Corps students to Soldotna to visit Alaska Christian College for their recruiting weekend (Uniiq).
I participated in the One Foot High Kick event in the Native Youth Olympics games we did at the weekend. The jumper must land on only the foot which kicked the ball. The state record is 11 1/2 feet.
Adam and Shirleen London will be joining me at North Park Seminary this fall. I agreed to be the godfather of their new son Thomas. They have served in ministry all over Alaska the past 4 years.
My good friend and CYAK cohort Jessica Fondell and I enjoyed the sunny weather at a BBQ after church with the Job Corps students.
The Yup’ik Eskimo dance group performed on Mother’s day at the Alaska Native Heritage Center.
I am sporting a slick air cast, after a severe ankle sprain playing basketball at Job Corps. I elected not to share the grotesque photos of my swollen green and purple ankle for those with weak stomachs, but if you ask I’ll send you some.
I was given a traditional Hiada Indian bow with carved bones specialized to make the arrow skip along the top of the water for duck hunting.

Bible Camp is around the corner! I will serve as the Program Coordinator. North River Bible Camp serves over 250 campers from villages all over Western Alaska each summer. This will be my fourth summer at this camp. It is located 10 miles up river from the village of Unalakleet. There is a well, but only running water and electricity for the kitchen. Songs and games, Bible study and teaching are all abundant. It is a place that proclaims the glory of God– it is a wild place (grizzly bears have broken into the canteen and cabins just before we arrived the past 3 summers). The river we jump in is under 40 degrees, clear, fast and full of fish. Every time I go to camp, the Lord speaks to me in new ways. God does serious work on people in this place! I am excited to go, but prayer support is crucial so please do pray: Endurance! Healing! Justice! Safety! Unity! Peace! Freedom! Forgiveness! Joy! Love! Reconciliation!

As I leave Alaska, my heart will remain here with the ministries of CYAK, those who are serving and those who are being served. I have developed a leadership team of Job Corps students and alumni to carry the ministry forward through the summer, and there are people in the process of raising support to carry the ministry forward full-time in the fall. This is incredibly encouraging to me because the need for consistency and continuity in this ministry is tremendous.

In light of the great need and the Lord’s ministry, I have been carried forward by other “hands and feet” of Christ, I ask that you prayerfully consider continuing or beginning to support CYAK ministry financially and in prayer. If you do not receive the monthly CYAK newsletter and would like to, please e-mail info@cyak.org or if you receive the newsletter, and would like to be taken off the mailing list, the same e-mail address will be effective.

This will be my final newsletter for my ministry with CYAK in this stage of my life. Thanks for your prayers, support, encouragement that have made my ministry effective and possible. I have been blessed to be a blessing to many and am curious to see how God will form me in this next stage of my journey.

Grace and Peace in Christ,
Nick Bruckner

July Greeters

In July we look forward to being greeted by:
     July 5 – Eric Janken and Ryan Janken
     July 12 – Margo Jarosz and Mary Coleman
     July 19 – Charlotte Mesimore and Charlie Mesimore
     July 26 – Sarah and Brad Henry

Thank You!

I would like to thank each and every one of you for making my internship here at Edgebrook Covenant Church such a great experience! There isn't one thing I would change about it, and I mean that! I am very thankful for the love, grace, and encouragement you all gave me as I ministered here.

I did a lot of things that I've never done before (like planning a worship service and leading a women's Bible study), and I truly valued your patience with me as I grew in my abilities.

Alaina and I would also like to thank you all for being so sincere and welcoming toward us. From the first day we arrived here as "regulars," we have felt accepted and loved.

That reception has meant a lot to us, and it exemplifies the love that our God has for all of us.

So thank you, Edgebrook, for such an enjoyable 4 months! We look forward to more!

— Jason and Alaina Mach